Nice article about the history of the drift boat. I used to live in Eugene, and these characters still loom large in the fishing community.
Design-made as a river-taming fish-worthy vessel that dates back to the early 1900s, the heritage of the drift boat includes the legendary names of Cary Thomson, John and Roy West, Veltie Pruitt, Prince Helfrich, Torkel “Tom” Kaarhus, Woodie Hindman, and Keith Steele. Born and bred in Oregon’s scenically spectacular, whitewater-infested McKenzie River valley, the McKenzie River drift boat is one of Oregon’s flagship legacies, and the predecessor to the Grand Canyon dory thanks to Prince Helfrich and Keith Steele.
Drift Boats: The Iconic McKenzie River Drift Boat
Drift boats have a rich history of pioneering spirit and innovative design. Read about the development of the McKenzie River Drift Boat.
www.fishalaskamagazine.com
Design-made as a river-taming fish-worthy vessel that dates back to the early 1900s, the heritage of the drift boat includes the legendary names of Cary Thomson, John and Roy West, Veltie Pruitt, Prince Helfrich, Torkel “Tom” Kaarhus, Woodie Hindman, and Keith Steele. Born and bred in Oregon’s scenically spectacular, whitewater-infested McKenzie River valley, the McKenzie River drift boat is one of Oregon’s flagship legacies, and the predecessor to the Grand Canyon dory thanks to Prince Helfrich and Keith Steele.