Start by rowing in a lake, then pick a run on an easy river with someone who owns their own boat. Trade off in sections of the river.

A few suggestions for you to always keep in mind.

1. Point the bow where you don't want to go, meaning danger, and row away from it.

2. Don't anchor in fast water.

3. Walking your boat down a bad section of river does not make you less of a man, or fisherman.

4. After a while, invite other rowers on trips with you in your boat, go on trips with others in theirs. This way you will get more fishing time, and so will they, plus you will learn to row a number of different types of boats. Wood, aluminum, and glass boats have slightly different handling characteristics. Catarafts are a whole other subject.

5. If your boat is wood, stay away from the rocks.

If you are in the Grays Harbor area, or want to fish a SW WA river, let me know. I learned two years ago and now have about 60 trips in my boat, and others, under my belt. I am in no way great, but I do my best to be safe. Time to pass it on.

One final thing, your boat handles a lot better after you get the first scratch on it and you fill it in with some fresh fish blood.

Have fun!