Haven't drifted for awhile now. I understand the rivers are a lot more crowded these days. I fish the salt a lot in my boat, but generally am tied to the bank opportunities when we talk about rivers. I would like to get a boat and either drift rivers or power to spots that are decent. What is it like out there now? Are drift boats and sleds getting along (last giude I floated with had his pistol on the seat next to him). Are there still good opportunities without the advantage of a gas-powered engine (I would prefer to drift, but being on a sled allows you to be more mobile, and perhaps have more fishing opportunity - that is, not always on the oars...)? Just curious what you guys think about these two methods, and what the recommendation is for a guy looking to do one or the other. I am not interested in pissing off a river full of drift boats if I get a sled, on the other hand I understand certain rivers have become unfishable because without a sled you will never get to decent water.

Thanks.

I have and use both. A sled opens up larger water that you can't fish with a drift boat, like the bay in gray's harbor, the Chehalis, and the Columbia.

There are times, like right now, when the rivers get low and the sled doesn't do you as much good as you would like. You have to be ready to leave it in the garage then, or you're going to leave it on a gravel bar somewhere.

The drift boat still gets a lot of use on the smaller rivers, and for fly fishing use.

There are definitely some bankies and drift boaters who give you the sour look when you fish in a sled. You just have to tolerate it. I don't push the limit on which waters I fish with a sled. Just because you could run it, doesn't mean you should run it. The Wynoochee is an example of a river where some boat drivers push the limit a bit, in my opinion.

If you are picking between the two, I think two questions are relevant. First, do you like fishing larger rivers? If you really prefer small streams, then the dirft boat should be your first choice.

Second, do you have buddies to help with the trip? One of the problems I always have with the drift boat is getting a buddy along to help with the turnaround. If your fishing buddies only get one hall pass a year, you're going to be frustrated.

Finally, with either boat, but especially with a sled, I think it's important to realize that you'll have to spend a little time and thought on figuring out how not to be a jerk with it.

You said it all silver hilton! I own a drift boat but I have fished from a sled before with family members. I get the same sour looks from guys in sleds who don't think that drift boats should fish in "their water". There are pros and cons to using both types of boats, most of which were covered by the previous post. The bottom line is that there are rivers that are more suited to drift boats, and some that are more suited to sleds, and some that will accomodate both. To be honest, I think the problems arise not from the boats themselves but from the inconsiderate humans that operate them. For the most part, people can figure it out some just choose to be big shots and throw their weight around with their own particular justifications. I personally don't expect everyone to stay home when I decide to go fish and I enjoy seeing other people who are responsible anglers and stewards of the resources. I would rather share the river with people like silver hilton in a sled than some freak in a boat similiar to mine. My advise, buy a drift boat, then buy a sled! Whatever you buy, make sure you become competent at operating it and have fun. Take care.

Have both.........got driftboat in 85, fished all the local rivers in Grays Harbor plus the Hoh and the Queets.

Got 14' Valco Sled in 1990, still fish all the local rivers BUT it depends of the water height.

Love to fish from both BUT it's soooooooo much easier to fish with the sled.....1 rig to drive to the river, can run where you want, can re-fish water, can run to the launch if the weather turns bad.

Drift boat has sat, pretty much, for the past 12 yrs.

Initial expense----most jet boats will cost more than a drift boat. Maybe a used one, like mine........lucked out and got boat, motor, and trailer....$2000 but had to put pump on. Some new jet boats, equiped........$18,000+

No easy answer on the either drift or jet on some rivers.........bankie's hate both!!!! I sure did..........

I sure don't want to start the Wyoochee verbal fight again.......I use mine, "if the water flow is right", white bridge area. up and down.....and Black Ck. area up and down.....both winter and summer.......the key is.........IF THE WATER IS RIGHT!!!!!

"Worse day sport fishing, still better than the best day working"........

I have had a drift boat for 15 years and had the usual complaints about not getting back to the hole and the turnaround. I bought a sled 8 years ago and I have only used the drift boat once since then. I keep it just in case. you know how that goes. I am now buying a little bigger sled and am selling my 16 foot valco with 70 pump for a good price. You heard it here first.

Thanks for the information. Most of the fishing I have done from a boat on a river has been of the drift variety. We often suffer from being stuck due to weather, and so on as well.

I will likely get a small sled and take it from there, and of course mind my manners on the river.

Thanks.

I share many of the same fishing water that Drifter does, in fact I have shared my secret fishing tips with him, but that's another story. I have both a drift boat and small sled. Get a good set of oars for your sled, make sure they are set up so you can use them properly. There are many times I run up the river and row down when I come to bankies etc..
It all comes down to River Courtesy.
Sounds like you got the idea, Good luck.
I love my little sled.

Is it typical for a guy running a sled to have a set of oars? I have them on my saltwater boat, just to be safe. It seems like the biggest risk in a sled is being dependent on a motor when you are on a body of water that is always moving. Is is common for guys with engine trouble to get in 'real trouble' when 'driifting' with a stalled motor? I suppose you can always drop anchor...

I'm a belt and suspenders guy. I have a kicker motor, an anchor, and a paddle. The paddle is next to useless in fast moving water, but the kicker will handle a lot of things, and throwing out an anchor, even if it drags, will slow things down to where you have more time to deal with things that are happening.

The best thing is to make sure that your motor is well maintained, and running smoothly before you head into the big stuff. It's worth spending a little time making sure that you get gas from a good spot, that you've added fuel conditioner to keep in clean, that you've changed the water separator some time since you were married. I'm a little anal - on most rivers I'll start and warm up the kicker at the beginning of the day, so that I know it's ready to go in case of need.

Practically speaking, most of the engine trouble I've had over the years with all my boats started at the beginning day, when the engine wouldn't start, usually due to dead batteries. If the motors start and run well, then I know I've got fuel and electricity. Once the motors are warm, it's easier for them to keep running, and life is usually good.