I always take the safe but timid route. Why take the chance of loosing rods in overhanging trees, or flipping your boat?

I walk my boat at least twice every trip when with passengers on one river near me. Yeah, I could float down the swift side, but why? It takes me another minute to get by some water I can't fish from the boat, but I can when I beach the boat in the skinny water.

One guy asked me why I walked the boat once through a certain spot when he thought he could get through it. I told him I know I can always make through the other way, without thinking or worrying. Walking the boat is just part of the game and something I learned from the many folks who taught me how to row over the past two years.

Tip one: If you ever hit a big rock and stick, lean into it on the DOWNTREAM side, not the upstream side. Leaning upstream will flip the boat. (Learned this from a seasoned pro, it works.)

Tip two: Don't anchor up in fast water. Carry a spare anchor. If you hang one up, don't be afraid to cut it off, especially in fast water, keep a knife at the rear of the boat. (Learned this one on the Cowlitz by error two years ago.)

Tip three: Carry a spare oar, even on your little pontoon boat. Doing donuts is fun, but useless. (Learned this my first year in my Bucks Bag Southfork 2, luckily a friend was just downstream.)

Tip four: Make friends with everyone you see regularly on the river, you never know when you might need their help.

Tip five: Carry a saw. Doesn't have to be fancy, my little Swensaw has cleared two spots making it safe for all.

Tip six: Keep an eye on the bankies. Saw a guy and his son or younger brother try to ford a spot on a river that is easy at 300 CFS, but a beyotch at 1100 CFS. I stopped fishing and was ready to retrieve the young one when he had trouble fording yesterday. Luckily they turned back, then low holed us and picked up an oddball native steelhead hen in October. Smart move, and a beautiful fish.