From: terryt@tekig5.pen.tek.com (Terry A Turner)
Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing
Subject: Re: Drift Boat Questions.
Date: 5 Oct 92 23:49:15 GMT
Organization: Tektronix, Inc., Beaverton,  OR.

In article <1992Oct05.154104.20841@news.mentorg.com> brucej@sunbeamcom (Bruce Johnson) writes:
>In article <1992Oct5.130438.16059@col.hp.com>, fleck@col.hp.com (Dave Fleck) writes:
>|> mellery@sdcc13.ucsd.edu (Homo habilis) writes:
>|> > 
	[some stuff deleted]

>|> > work my way up to the bigger ones.  The boat is 17.5 feet and the
>|> > oars are 9 feet.  I plan to use it on some of the major rivers in
>|> > California such as the Eel and the Smith.  I may take it on the
>|> > Klamath when I have enough confidence in my skills.
>|> 
>|> I would go out and buy some of the  whitewater  rafting books and read
>|> about  currents and how to manipulate  them  properly...  (I have been
>|> doing this recently since I have a new whitewater  raft that we use to
>|> fish  with)  The  drift  boat is more  sluggish  than a raft  but  the
>|> concepts  are  still  the same.  There are alot of books  out there to
>|> read, I think I have 7 so far.
>|> 
>

	I would disagree with this point.  A driftboat is far more responsive
	than a raft, you just don't want to bounce off too many big rocks.

	[Smith and Eel references deleted]

>Definitely start out on the smaller rivers, preferably where you
>know the location of any tricky spots.  A really good way to learn is
>to go follow another driftboat down a river, watch how they setup
>and how that carries them through.  The most important skill is to be
>able to read the water ahead and setup.  Don't take your eyes off what
>lies ahead.
>
>A driftboat is far more maneuverable than a raft, just much less
>forgiving should you hit something.
>
>A book is fine, but there's no substitute for experience.

	 Agreed.  Another good method is to go with and experienced boater. 
	 If you don't know anyone, most fishing guides will take you in your
	 boat, and on a slow day may even charge you less.  Check with guides
	 in your area.  It's more beneficial to him to have a knowledgeable
	 person on the river than an rookie that doesn't have a clue.

	 A few points you will learn that are universal:

		1.	Set yourself up to pull away from obstacles.  The
			boat is much more responsive if you can pull away 
			rather than push.  This means that you may be going 
			sideways down some water or as you improve, will 
			turn the boat to pull away just as you want to pull 
			away from the obstruction.
		
		2.	As you go through large standing waves, be sure you 
			push through them.  This prevents you from sliding 
			down the wave and taking water from the rear.

		3.	Have an idea how you want to go through a rapid 
			before you get there.  If you wait to set up after 
			you enter the fast water, it gets pretty exciting
			trying to move over to miss a rock in the middle
			of a rapid.  If you are not sure how to go 
			through the rapid, get out and scout it from downstream.
			This will save you from potentially dangerous situations
			and dings in your boat.



	Remember, this is only general advice and it is very helpful to go with
	an experienced person to learn the water and how your boat will handle
	in different types of water.   Good luck!

	Terry

--
Terry Turner		   If people paid more attention to the really
terryt@tekig5.pen.tek.com  important things in life, there would be a serious
503-627-5630               shortage of fishing poles. 
Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing