Learning to Row Rivers

speedbird

speedbird

Life of the Party
Hi all,

I have wanted to buy a raft or used drift boat for a long time now. The main things keeping me were money and not knowing how to row. I am in a position where I can definitely afford some of the cheaper rafts like the NRS slipstreams, or a used drift boat. But I am worried this is a way I could get myself or others killed. I am watching some videos online, and I see reds fly shop offers classes. How did you guys learn to row rivers? What are some tips to keep myself out of trouble? My rowing experience consists of the little wooden boats UW's Friday Harbor Labs let us screw around in. (Fun fact: Caught a fish trolling an orange label herring off a 1oz sinker in that boat, sadly didn't stick on the hook)
 
Float a entry level river or two with a friend/mentor who will talk you through it as you learn the sticks. A light raft is a good place to start, more forgiving.
 
First, kudos to you being smart, concerned and willing to listen. Those are good first steps.
As one that has done it for many years, but still don't consider myself great (or even good) on the sticks, a raft is definitely more forgiving when things go wrong...which they will.

Having said that, if you can get time in a drift boat, with someone experienced, I think it's a better way to start than a raft. To learn I mean. Not necessarily to own.

There are lots of really good instructional videos out there. Watch them. But just a few times in the water with someone experienced is really good.

I think a big part before buying any boat is to ask "where am I going to use this thing?" Who will be with me?

Is the target the Yakima canyon or is it more challenging stuff? This will help you decide what craft would be good.

Don't buy on impulse just because it's a great deal. Buy what you actually "need" after answering those questions and knowing what you like.

Good luck!
 
I started rowing in 2024 and took a quick lesson from the guys at Red's. I'd recommend it personally unless you know someone with a raft/drift boat already who's willing to show you the ropes.

After that, a session or two on some stillwater near you, I went to Pass lake, and you'll be a lot more comfortable with your setup.
 
speedbird said:
Hi all,

I have wanted to buy a raft or used drift boat for a long time now. The main things keeping me were money and not knowing how to row. I am in a position where I can definitely afford some of the cheaper rafts like the NRS slipstreams, or a used drift boat. But I am worried this is a way I could get myself or others killed. I am watching some videos online, and I see reds fly shop offers classes. How did you guys learn to row rivers? What are some tips to keep myself out of trouble? My rowing experience consists of the little wooden boats UW's Friday Harbor Labs let us screw around in. (Fun fact: Caught a fish trolling an orange label herring off a 1oz sinker in that boat, sadly didn't stick on the hook)
Click to expand...
After I bought my WM in 2012 I bought a book; River Safety, A Floaters Guide by Stan Bradshaw, then floated the Puyallup and the "Canyon" in my WM with a friend. But I had gone on a guided whitewater float of the Green before and wanted to get some real instruction. I found out Dave McCoy @ Emerald Waters Anglers in SEA teaches a rowing class. Apparently it was the first time he had encountered a closed raft PWC like a WM. In a one day class with one other student Dave pretty much covered everything that was in the book, but demonstrated it, then coached the other student and I through each technique - scenario, aftewards critiquing us. Nice thing for me was I had the book to refer back to afterwards that has most of what Dave covered and several things he didn't.
emeraldwateranglers.com

Fly Fishing | Classes & Schools

FFI certified fly fishing classes, schools, and private instruction with the professional staff of EWA — let's up your game! With decades of experience as professionals in the sport of fly fishing our staff have traveled the world as anglers, photographers and wild fish advocates. Whether you...
emeraldwateranglers.com emeraldwateranglers.com
Boat Rowing School
This school is for those wanting to better understand how to safely operate a boat with oars on moving water. Whether it is a single person pontoon, raft or drift boat, we will cover basic oar strokes, reading water for speed, depth and direction and creating navigational plans for multiple move, technical pieces of water.

Introduction to Boat Rowing | $325/boat
Max Participants | 3 boats

I felt better on more technical water after taking the class.
 
Red’s fly shop has a drift boat rowing class as well as a YouTube video with pointers. I agree with starting on Stillwater. A river like the Yakima in the canyon is an easy one to start with. I spend a lot of time rowing my drift boat on the Deschutes which has up to Class 4 rapids. The focus there is keeping your self out of trouble. Last summer, I spent some time on the Beaverhead River in Montana, switching off with a friend in his boat. Rowing to position a drift boat for fishing is very different and I struggled with overcorrecting at first. Nothing like time on the water to learn.
 
Not sure where you're located but I'm always game to help teach. Ends up I can fish out the front while someone else rows, which is a bonus for me. Shoot me a PM if you want. I'm approaching 20 years experience and I spent several years rafting technical water for ODFW, which included yearly mandatory boating classes and swiftwater rescue training.

I got started by practicing in a lake and then moved to some easy floats with other folks that I could follow down who knew the lines (Not sure easy is the right word - my first river rowed was the North Santiam in Oregon). After about 6 months I was running Whitehorse on the Deschutes and tackling the Rogue. Then I got a job with ODFW and was able to abuse the crap out of boats I didn't own! I freaking love rowing.

Inflatables will be more forgiving of novice mistakes vs. a drift boat. I started with a cataraft, then framed raft, then drift boat.
 
Will you be floating alone primarily? For me, that was the clincher. One cannot row and fish simultaneously. One can fish and drift, but at some point it's either hold the rod or hold the oars.. There is no way to multi-task that particular aspect.

I realized that a raft will generally bounce off boulders without damage to the hull. The biggest danger is getting high-centered on a submerged rock. Fortunately, it has been relatively easy to self-rescue from that.
 
No advice on the boat thing, but make sure you have taken notes from the folks here posting about their boat ramp shenanigans...
 
I never took any classes, did easy rivers first (Snoqualmie, Yakima etc.) Did go with friends who showed me 'the way down' a few rivers that were a bit harder. Pointed my bow at the trouble and rowed away from it, asked a lot of people if they were floating that day so I could follow them down, which helped to learn new rivers.

It's said 'they're all easy once you know the path down 'em', and while I wouldn't go that far, following others down is a good way to learn once you have basic skills and learned to read the water a bit.

Wear a PFD...
 
Always have a spare oar....

Learn where, how and when to use an anchor...

As others have said, where a PFD always.
 
What, haven't you ever heard of jumping out the pan and into the fire? Or sink or swim? OK, that's not how I learned. I'd rowed some rowboats on lakes, but got into canoes in my early teens. On a lake. Then I started taking my canoe down rivers, which at that time, I was told it couldn't be done on our powerful PNW rivers. Pfffttt! As other posts said, start on a lake. There you will learn the mechanics of how your chosen floating craft responds. Then do sections of easy rivers. This ain't brain surgery or rocket science. Then float some slightly more technical rivers. And wear a PFD. I didn't own one for many years, then owned one but never wore it. I'm finally getting better about that 60-some years later.
 
speedbird said:
Hi all,

I have wanted to buy a raft or used drift boat for a long time now. The main things keeping me were money and not knowing how to row. I am in a position where I can definitely afford some of the cheaper rafts like the NRS slipstreams, or a used drift boat. But I am worried this is a way I could get myself or others killed. I am watching some videos online, and I see reds fly shop offers classes. How did you guys learn to row rivers? What are some tips to keep myself out of trouble? My rowing experience consists of the little wooden boats UW's Friday Harbor Labs let us screw around in. (Fun fact: Caught a fish trolling an orange label herring off a 1oz sinker in that boat, sadly didn't stick on the hook)
Click to expand...
horses for courses....match the water you want to row with a matching vessel.
In that vein, when a buddy and I fished a technical river with lot of steep corners and rocks, his Willie with enhanced bottom rocker and robust tin construction was the call. Conversely, when we fished less technical water that included some mild flats areas, with it's lighter weight and milder rocker my Clackacraft was the call.
So take a good luck at what others are rowing on the waters you want to target, whatever you see in the majority is likely the right craft.
 
If you took one of Zac’s courses you’d be better than 90% of the rowers out there. They have created a real asset.
Don’t think that these skills wouldn’t apply to easier fishing rivers. These skills are the fundamentals of being on any moving water.
www.nwrafting.com

Class III Rowing School

The transition from passenger to captain is one of the most rewarding milestones in a boater’s life. Our Class III Rowing School bridges that gap by
www.nwrafting.com www.nwrafting.com
 
I learned from Dave McCoy years ago as well. What I like is I didn't have to drive across the state and I got to use my craft at the time.
 
i think a course/class would be a good idea.
i would also find some place just to learn, or relearn , how to row. rent a rowboat on a lake, and just put in some time. good rowing is technique. practice how to use both oars to turn boat around, etc.
once you are on a river you want to be to the point where you dont have to think about which oar will move you left or right.
good luck.
 
I learned how to row at a young age. I never had really rowed a river though until recently. I picked up a rather small drift boat and started with smaller rivers or river sections. I have learned the hard ways a things as far as choosing which way to go when the river splits and put some pretty good dings in the boat. I have fished rivers for years and have a pretty good idea of where the rapids are on a bend. I am a bit past my bullet proof and in fit stage in life. I now wear a life jacket and don't pack items I am unwilling to lose on the river. I have put quite a few dings in the boat but am learning every float. I feel that the equipment matters such as seat, foot brace, and oars when I am learning my path. I have had to really put it to the oars a few times and am glad i had good equipment.
Very cool all of the classes and vidieos.
 
Dave G said:
Will you be floating alone primarily? For me, that was the clincher. One cannot row and fish simultaneously. One can fish and drift, but at some point it's either hold the rod or hold the oars.. There is no way to multi-task that particular aspect.

I realized that a raft will generally bounce off boulders without damage to the hull. The biggest danger is getting high-centered on a submerged rock. Fortunately, it has been relatively easy to self-rescue from that.
Click to expand...
Maybe fishing and rowing if I am pulling plugs or roe on a diver, but in every other case I plan to pull over to good looking bank spots without shore access and fish from there. A big part of the appeal of rowing and fishing for me is avoiding or minimizing combat fishing. I'd probably start out with the Yakima and Skagit, but I hope to graduate to the Skykomish (If we ever get it back) and Hoh. I think I will leave well enough alone with the Sol Duc.

Thank you all for the helpful advice! I will look into that Emerald Fly Anglers class, seems like a quicker drive than Yakima
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top