Practice,Practice,Practice.Then hire a guide to learn a certain drift or river.Back when I was starting to row we didn't have the internet to bail us out of certain drifts or rivers or river levels.The best way to learn is on the job training or hiring a guide to learn.I've spent thousands and thousands of dollars on gas,hotels,food and guides to either learn a river or to learn that the river was blown out.The internet has it's good points and is valuable as far as letting people know of danger or possible death.Still the bottom line is get out and explore on your own and it may take a little coin to get to where you may want to be some day.After the money I've spent all these years it's hard to let all the cat's out of the bag on this site or other sites.Except on danger or possible death situations.Good luck to all and don't be to proud to walk a boat around something,I've done it and some times will still do it.I'm no pro but no novice either.Be safe out there.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE