I took my driftboat down to Drano last year a couple times and actually managed okay. If the wind isn't blowing too terribly bad, you can actually get around pretty well. When (not if) the wind really gets going, it can be a real pain in the a** and impossible to fish. Even with a 15 hp long shaft, it was tricky at times. I fished in the "toilet bowl" area near the bridge quite a few times and never tangled up with other peoples gear, or got blown into other boats. Not easy, but when the fish are in and it's all you got....

I believe from Yakima, it's about a two hour drive, so not terrible. Of course with all the fish expected back to the Cowlitz and Kalama, might be worth spending time on those rivers.