In about 9 inches of water I need to start tilting up my 9.9. Anything deeper I'm OK except for those surprise stumps and rocks that magically appear. We aslo use oars to control are downward drift, but only in the larger rivers. Have you thought of an electric trolling motor that has vertical adjustment. Many of sleds have a kicker and an electric mounted. You can set it just be low the surface and get some steering control. Lower it down when deeper water is available. Still need to be on your toes no mater what.

Good luck. If you get out this way, I'd be happy to take you steelheading or after a salmon or two. I'd like compare notes on fishing techniques.