After 20 years of rowing boats it still gives me a twinge everytime I float a river that I have not been on in a few months! What keeps me a float more than anything is respect for mother nature. I can not stress how many times I have pulled over to the side of the river and walked my boat around objects that looked passable but why bother worrying about it!! One of my mentors that first taught me to row had a phrase that I still heed, when in doubt check it out and I can tell you those words of wisdom have saved me a heap of trouble over the years. I see alot of sunken driftboats every year in my travels and every one was usually in a place that your boat could have been walked around or dropped down around with a rope. For the new guys out there remember if someone tells you at the launch that this is a tough float they are not trying to scare you they are usually trying to help you I know I see alot of new faces every year on certain floats and I usually stop to chat to get a barometer of their experience on the river and can usually get a feel for if they are in over their heads if they are asking me stupid questions I usually politely explain that they may want to avoid this section of river untill they fish with a guide or someone that is familiar with it, following someone down the river that you don't know can get you in a lot of trouble fast, who si to say they know what they are doing! Anyway how about some other Veterans sharing their ideas? All together their were 8 driftboats sunk on the pennisula this weekend no one died but come on guys lets be safe out there!!!PEACE

FASTWATER,
I appreciate your safety advise to everyone who owns DB!
That's too many sunken boats for one weekend.

I've been down the lower Sol Duc with Larry Scott for two day trip back in Feb and I told myself as Larry gracefully rowed his willie thru the boulder gardens and rapids, I ain't rowing my boat here.
This is not for me! I'll stick with the lower Ho.

I wish everyone safe travels this season on any given rivers.

Fastwater, I am glad there are guys like you out there to talk to at the ramp. I have been rowing for 4 years and I consider myself a novice. I have always had a saying, regardless of the boat or water I am on "no fish is worth your life or your buddie's lives".

Two years ago I was floating an unfamiliar stretch of the Clark Fork in Montana. After checking I was told there were no hazards to be concerned with on the river. After launching and going only a short distance I hit some braided water. It clearly looked like going around the right side was the best way, and why should I worry - afterall I was told there were no hazards. I had always been told though that when in doubt go look. Glad I did. Had I gone to the right I would have come around the corner, in fast water, and would have run right into a tree that was accross the river about chest height. I probably would have been killed or seriously injured.

Summer Run, you have the same thoughts I do about the Sol Duc when on it with a guide. Wish I could get out often enough to hone the skills quicker, but I am a happy camper when I am floating the Bogie.

in my opinion most people get in trouble when you panic,duh. one old guy gave me some advice i still live by. number 1 is most things never happen as quick as you think, you have time.2nd is no matter what never stop rowing. i can remember a lot of times if i would of stopped rowing i would have been swept away by the current. these two pieces have saved me countless times.and as stated earlier if in doubt get out and look. i have witnessed some pretty stupid things on the river. my number 1 pet peeve is why do people drink liquior when there rowing a river. must be the same ones that drink and drive? save the beer for when your done!!

if you ever notice alot of guys rowing have to get that last cast in insted of paying attention to whats going on or whats comming up in front of them... ive seen this time and time again at the water intake on the nooch..

Fast Water, as a guy that has never rowed a drift boat and am in the process of finishing a don hill 16 foot guide model, I really heed the advice of the guys that have gone before me. I will continue to heed the words of wisdom and I will never be to proud to get out and look,walk around or do whatever I have to, to remain safe and whomever is with me safe.In the future when I have the boat closer to being done I will post some pictures and I will be asking the advice of all of you with experience that take the time to give sensible advice to us novices................Fishy.

Mike@NB,
I didn't see any route at all going down rapids below whitcomb dimmel.
Then I realized this water is for pros only.

I learned the lower Hoh this fall and love it very much!
Not so sure if I really want to tackle the canyon though. Perhaps someday if a pro will teach me.
I hear Bogie is a lovely float and would love to learn the Bogie in the near future.
Perhaps, you could give me some info about the Bogie float.
Would apprecite it very much!

With the number of brand new anglers buying drift boats it's not surprising that so many are going under.

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.

Summer Run, I wanted to send you a PM, but I can't figure out how to do it. If you know how and could send me one with your email address I will tell you what I know about the Bogey. I can guarantee though that it is not nearly as much as what many people know on this board, but I will be happy to share what I know. Bob is also a good resource. I had asked him some questions a couple of years ago.

I want to learn the lower Hoh myself this year. I wish I could make it over there more often, it seems that I am lucky if I can get three trips in a year. Last year I had to cancel all three trips because the rivers were out each of the times I planned to go.

Mike@NB,
I just sent ya a PM.

One other piece of advice no one has mentioned. River heights and flows. Just because you floated last time at 7 boards and did fine the river is toatally different at 4 boards. My guide Bob Kratzer tells me that the Sol Duc from the hatchery to maxfield at 8 boards is not too bad and maxfield to Itt rayoner at 8 is a bear. but when the river drops to 5 boards it's just the opposite.

I keep a journal of my fishing trips fish caught and on what, river color etc. In that report I always include river heights and flows and any problem spots. Things change from high water to high water but it helps me remember the river if I don't float it too much.

It always pays to be too careful and almost never when you are not.

All I have to say is better safe then sorry get out and look that why he give as eyes.

keeping you db upright is actually pretty simple. Take the friggin time to learn the fundamentals before you jump in your shiny brand new boat and float the Sauk. It's really about common sense. Additionally, If you have significant doubt, leave the boat out.

There's so much water to float and so many productive stretches that don't have major hazards. Plan on spending years doing research, learning different rivers, following experienced rowers. And for gods sake, practice safety. It doesn't hurt to plan for a rescue. Learn CPR, carry surplus pfd's, first aid kits, fire starters, cell phone etc... We're all in this together, lets take care of each other out there.

One other rule to remember, is don't tie a knot in the end of your anchor line. If you get hung up, or it slips out in the wrong spot you won't come to a sudden stop and bury the back end, when it comes to the knot.

Fishhead5

agree about the anchor. People are seemingly so cheap when it comes to anchors. I claim to be one of those (at least I used to). I saw a situation where a guy wedged his anchor, and the next thing I know all three guys were standing in the back of the boat trying to yard the anchor out. Shortly thereafter the boat was floating downriver, upside down. Good god, don't be afraid to turn you anchor loose, they're only a buck-a-pound.

I think a lot of the reason that people get into trouble with drift boats is that outside of steelhead fishing, they have no white water experiance. Floating is an all year thing for the best guys on the sticks..... A guide can show you a certain thing on a certain float, but thats about it. It boils down to how much time do you want to spend at getting good at it. If you want to get up to speed on a section of river.. leave the poles and gear in the truck. You can float about any stretch of any river about three times in the same amount of time as it takes to fish it once. Pick a river you want to fish a lot of the time and learn it first.. sure, fishing may be better some place you don't know but you gotta walk before you can run. Learn every section on it and use the time to see what works best for each trouble spot.

I once bought a brand new trailer from a guy from Portland who put his brand new Alumaweld into the Deschutes for his first ever attempt at running the boat.. He lost everything but his life that day, and was lucky to keep that. Someone told him it was no problem ( someone who knows the river ) and he was not smart enough to understand that " no problem " for one guy can be a real problem for a newbie.

I have heard there are two types of driftboaters, those who have sunk one and those who are going to.

As it seems inevitable that I will someday sink the Driftabago (18' Eastside) so I just went ahead and painted "CALL 911" on the bottom

The Sol Duc is so different at different levels it doesn't even seem like the same river.

Wear your PFD.

This is all good stuff and thanks to all of you who have responded.

I am a newbie having purchased my DB last Feb. I have so far stayed on my home waters of the Snohomish system as that is what I'm familiar with having fished it for almost 20 years. I am surprised at how different things look from upstream. During the low waters of summer I was able to practice on and around small, exposed hazards yet still had plenty of room as not to threaten safety. I've been having a blast just learning how to row and interacting with the river. Over the years I have learned to respect our rivers and know from personnel experiance that bobbing down river is no fun for Bankie's either. Therefor I carry all of the suggested safety gear mentioned above (need a saw though, good idea) and wear my pfd. I also agree wholeheartedly with the no alcohol thing and that's coming from an Irish Catholic

My first time down the Sky I followed a friend downriver. I would not suggest this as the best method of learning a new river. I'd make a cast and look downstream to see him anchored 30ft. below me make another cast, look downstream and see him entering the next hole. I think your much better off with that friend in the boat.

Since then I have been "pilgrimmed" a couple of times by others mistakenly thinking me the right person to follow down river??? This is something I vow never to do as I will inevitably find myself following the biggest idiot on the river!

I fully understand that becoming good with the sticks rests entirely on good sense, safety consciousness, and lots and lots and lots of stick time. I will probably add at least one river to my resume this year (home away from home water) but I am in no hurry to add any more.

Having said all that my insurance is paid up!

Thanks again for all of the wonderful advice and tips

Who said anything about no alchohol? Drinking a beer or 6 over the course of a full day of fishing is a necessity. There's nothing wrong with a few beers on the river.

queetsqueef, i will bet you 90 percent of accidents on the river stem from some form of intoxicants. let me ask you this,would you drink and drive by yourself or with passengers? i believe there is plenty of time once off the river to have a cold one or 6.

I'd drink 6 beers and drive my kids to church if I had 8 hours to process the alcohol. I'm an accomplished rower and have no problem or moral question with taking passengers in my boat. Liquor and boating isn't a great combination on the surface, but that's for the individual to decide. I find great enjoyment having a cold beer on the river and in no way would worry about it contributing to an accident. Now if a guy is inexperienced and throws down a 6 pack before he gets in the water, then yes I'd be concerned.

I would re-emphasize much of what has been stated...

1. wear your pfd... don't be satisfied that it is "within easy reach"
2. practice, practice, practice... the more experience you have the better you will be, as with most everything else.
3. unless you are beached and sitting still, never stop rowing
4. when in doubt, get out... and walk down around the corner to see what is there.

I shiney drift boat beats a canoe on the Sauk. Seen it done and picked the guys up down river after they dumped it...in January.

Wow! I could write a Drift Boating safety book just from this thread!
You guys are awesome db pros!
And I respect each and every one of you!

First thing I did when I bought my first drift boat was hire a guide to show me how to row. I think the biggest danger is not knowing the water. I have only had one close call and it was on new water after being told it was an easy float. Sometimes people forget to tell you about the one hazard to look out for. As mentioned earlier, never stop rowing. Most of the time if yuou stay calm and keep rowing you will pull away from the danger in time. This only scares your passengers.

I forgot to mention don't be afraid to get out and look at a risky situation or walk the boat around. Last year I floated the upper Sauk with a couple of experienced fisherman(4salt & Lead Thrower) and we had to get out 4-5 times and walk the boat because of sweepers. One spot we had to drag the boat 50-75 feet accros the shore.

Cupo- I wouldn't take a canoe out in a lake, in the summertime. I hate the unstability of a canoe. Same thing happened on the sky a few months ago. Some cocky little *******s were floating the high drift in canoes, no pfd's. I mentioned to them that they'd better put life jackets on for the next stretch of water. The little punks just laughed. Anyway, somehow I got below them (they probably stopped to litter butt-wipe all over the bank) and I dropped my hook to watch. I knew the difficult stretch I'd just come through would flip them. Sure as can be all three went over and I sat there and watched them flounder around in what was pretty cold water on a pretty cold day. The section was VERY dangerous for somebody without a life jacket, and fortunatley we got everybody to shore.

These are the kinds of guys we're seeing in drift boats on the rivers, and it doesn't surprise me that there's an increase in accidents. And most of these have nothing to do with beer, just stupidity.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned in this thread, that I think is important, is learning how to read the water. Being good on the sticks is important but knowing where to row is more important. For beginning boaters, take the time to stop and look back upstream after running a challenging stretch. It is much easier to see the route from below than above and it helps to correlate what you saw from above with what the rapid is actually like. This is why the guides can gracefully manuever through the rock gardens. You can't possibly memorize the route through every rock garden, you must read it and row around the obstacles as you go. This is not that hard to do, but you must learn by experience....one trip with a guide won't teach you how to row the Sol Duc.

Complacency because you think know the river is another common cause of accidents (ie the Hump is easy.... except for that new log!). Unless you've floated it since the last storm you don't know it and must read the water and determine what's safe and what needs to be checked. Upper Sauk is the best example of this per the previous post. I've run that stretch many times and sometimes didn't have to get out at all, but don't hesitate to, if I can't see a safe way through. Fast water going into log jams is particularly dangerous on this stretch, but it changes with every high water.
Never assume there is a safe route!

Summer Run this means you! The lower Hoh will change dramatically with every flood and then you don't know it again. With the cautious nature and willingness to learn that you have exhibited on this thread I am sure that you will be able to float it safely again.....but not because you learned it.
Hope this helps.

Great food for thought here. Let's just hope everyone puts it into practice.

I've done a small amount of rowing in others DB's here in the Skagit, and I've fished it from sleds and DB's numerous times from Marblemount down to Birdsview. STILL, I'm going to be dang careful when I float it in my own DB. Every time I get out in someone elses boat I ask a zillion questions about how to row though this, or drift through that, when rowing. (Beezer can vouch for this....thank God he is a patient dude!).

Living on a stretch of the Skagit also means we get to see the changes that it goes through...and those changes happen on a constant basis. Where a log is one day, it might be jammed 50 yds. downriver the next. Fortunately, the Skagit is big enough that you can easily get around most obstacles...SO LONG AS YOU KNOW THEY ARE THERE.

I seriously doubt I would float any other river without having someone to follow that I KNOW has mucho experience on it. That seems to be the biggest danger...even for accomplished rowers.

Back in the days when I trained commercial truck drivers (Class A), we taught a basic concept:

G...............(Get)
O...............(Out)
A...............(And)
L...............(LOOK!)

If you don't know, don't go!

Mike (I refuse to be a statistic) B

Another point that should be discussed is what to do when you encounter a fast flowing side channel or another stream that enters the river your drifting on at a 90 degree angle. If the side channel or other stream's current hits you broadside, not only will the current pull that side of the boat down it often times will grab that side's oar and pull it down too. I heard that this happened a few years ago where the Suiattle hits the Sauk and it swamped the boat and killed a guy.

When you see a heavy side current approaching, you need to spin your boat so the new current hits the back or front of your boat, not the side, in other words you need to get your boat parallel to the new current BEFORE you hit it.

This is what freaks people out at the "three fingers" above Sultan on the Sky. You get so busy making sure you miss the first finger that you don't notice how much side flow is coming at you in that first boil and boom it hits you and grabs your oar right out of your hand and all of a sudden your half a$$ highsided.

Beezer

For a guy like me that has only been in a drift boat a few times, and is in the process of building a Don Hill 16 foot high side, I find all of this information fascinating. All great advice and it is great to know that there are people like you out there that will take the time to send all of this invaluable information. Thank You, Fishy.

Thanks! jam session.
I agree with you 100%!
Your statement about looking back at rapids from below after you floated it.
It definitely provides whole new perspective of looking at a rapid from below.
I always do this after I go thru rapids to compare against the upstream view during setup. I almost always can spot better/safer route when looking back from downstream.

I never forget to respect all rivers especially the ones I know the most.
Like the Sky, knowing the fact of all hazards in the Sky and visual check on changes in the river each time I float it.

The Hoh would be the same way for me as well and that I would approach with even more caution knowing the fact that little amount of rain can change the path of the Hoh over night. I've floated the lower Hoh three times this fall and learned it and loved every bit of this water!
To continue to enjoy my passion I have for the lower Hoh. I'll visit it often as I can and always ask before I go and get out and walk on new braids (changes), log jams to confirm safe navigation.

I also agree with Beezer's statement!
Beezer and Sam Ingram and other Sky Valley Chapter T.U. members taught me how to position my boat for side channels especially the three fingers, and at Sultan launch during high flows. I have to admit I've made mistakes in the past and had my boat broad side into a heavy side current and it's scary feeling. I've learned from it and I try my best to position my boat in parallel to the new current.

Added Note: I was thinking. It would be a good idea to carry a pair of good binoculars on board to have a closer look at hazards aways down stream ahead of time.

Don't run a stretch blind get out and look 5 min could save your $5000 boat and your life. Learn to read the river, rowing is 20% rowing and 80% reading the currents and knowing how they will affect your boat.

Right on bigs.

I think it's mostly true that (for those who are vigilant and sober) things don't happen as quickly as you are expecting, but for those that aren't ...... woe unto you.... I guarantee things will happen much, much faster than you expect or can even imagine. Been there done that.

Boating is similar to driving in many respects. There is always the unseen danger lurking out there even for the most experienced and careful. And we can't forget there are always lives at risk whenever we get behind the wheel or the oars. But even though we can make the roads a bit safer, rivers will be ever changing. The thing we need to keep in mind as "captains" of vessels heading into harms way is that we are not only responsible for the safety of our own passengers but also for those who are prepared to lay their lives on the line to bring us home should we ever find ourselves in trouble.

I like a beer as much as the next guy, but to me there isn't a brew made or even a fish caught that is worth the lives of those I'm responsible for while on the oars.

Bigs, just like you and many others, I too have witnessed a lot of asinine and unfortunate things on the river, but what continues to amaze me is not that boaters continue to do stupid and unwise things, but that there are so many courageous and dedicated individuals that stand ready, even now, to come to the aid of the most reckless, inconsiderate and foolish of us on the river. In many cases these fine folks show they care more for our lives than we do for our own. God bless each one of them and grant wisdom and safe travels to the rest of us. Hey, the good Lord gave us a each a brain. Why not use it?

Great news: safety and fishing success are not mutually exclusive.

Be careful out there.

Mooch,
Man, you can write!
Thanks!

try keeping your anchor line in a container that way it won't get tangled up in your feet as you let in and out line

You want to be safe in a drift boat?

DON'T FLOAT THE UPPER SAUK....YOU WILL SINK AND DIE!

The river is constantly changing up there and unless you are very very very good on the sticks, you will dump ship. Just my .02

Pick your float/rower carefully!!
I took a guy up on an offer to fish the Cow, and ended up floating the damn thing in pitch darkness. It was one of those, "I hope I make it back alive" moments. After asking around about what I had done all agreed I was lucky....very lucky.

So do yourself a favor, if you accept a ride ask this simple question....how much experience does the pilot have.

It's a long thread but I don't think I read it in here. If you are going to hit something like a rock or log, try to hit it with your bow & row to the side. If you hit it side ways you'll go over. I haven't done it yet but it almost happend. In a shallow fast spot the current pushed me sideways into a log. I couldn't get a bite with the oars. If I hit it head on it would have been no problem. When we hit, the old man leaned up stream & it almost went over.
I read the part about leaning down stream to keep her upright. Rather be safe than sorry.

Check your oar-locks. Some people with canvases have to take their oar-locks out to put on and remove their tops. Make sure the pins are in and they're not rusted, missing or whatever. I saw a guy get sideways on a boulder, with only one oar. After he got out of the jam, I asked him what happened. He said "the pin must have came out". That's a scary thought

One reason the guides use UHMW oar lock blocks and have the oar locks pressed in. You can damn near lift a truck with one before it will come out of the UHMW block.

Hey Kyle,
I don't know anything about these UHMW oar locks.
Would they work on my Lavro?

Summer Run

I think the UHMW oar lock blocks are the ones you and I have.

Is UHMW kind of a whitish Plexiglas plastic bullet proof material?

Yep, that's the stuff. I am going to try and fabricate some oar lock mounts from some stock a customer gave me, which I believe to be UHMW material (or harder).

SR, Lt and Beezer (If'n your reading this) we need to plan for a mid-Dec. float. I think I'll be ready by then. Wish I had more time to put into it, but the next 2 weeks are pretty shot with business. Doing 12 hr. days on it this weekend, so not much should be left but the little details come late Nov.

Mike

Mike

UHMW comes in many colors. Aluminum boats usually come standard with an aluminum block that your oar locks drop into, fitting very loosely. UHMW blocks have an aluminum frame welded into the boat so the UHMW block can be dropped into the frame and bolted through. Then the UHMW block is drilled slightly undersize for the oar lock shaft. The oar lock is then pressed into the UHMW block. They have two advantages: 1) they are absolutely silent when rowing. 2) They are very difficult to pull out. If I get some time this weekend I'll post a photo.

Yeah Ok, I think that's the one I already have on my boat.
If I look under side of the rail I see that there is a plastic material where the oar lock drops in.
Guess Ron Lavro doesn't cut too many corners.

Hey Mike,
Tentatively, I might able to float the Skagit on Sat Dec 18th.