Which river for first drift boat trip?

[jcissell]

I just picked up a drift boat and have no experience rowing. There is a 60 acre lake nearby that I rowed in today. I plan on going there at least a few more times until rowing seems a little more natural. What river in Arkansas would be the best to hit first? Spring, White, Little Red, Norfork? I don't have tons of experience on any of them but have been on all of them. I'm assuming the Norfork is the most technical?

Thanks,

Josh

[snagged in outlet 3]

I think The White would be easiest. 

[Justin Spencer]

I would suggest taking someone with rowing experience with you on that first trip, things happen fast in moving water and an experienced rower can save you a lot of trouble, not to mention wear and tear on the boat.

 

[sean c]

7 hours ago, Justin Spencer said:

I would suggest taking someone with rowing experience with you on that first trip, things happen fast in moving water and an experienced rower can save you a lot of trouble, not to mention wear and tear on the boat.

 

Agreed. You will likely get down any of those rivers safely in your drifter but learning how to actually row is a whole different story it's best learned from someone who actually knows what they are doing.

If you don't have any friends with rowing experience hire a driftboat guide for a day just to see how it's done I did that and it shortened the learning curve considerably. 

[motroutbum]

There are some great comments above, but Justin is correct.  Moving water is WAAAAAYYYY different than rowing on a lake.  You really need to have some one who has some experience in the boat with you teacing you how to row.  It may look easy especially if there is an experienced rower behind the oars, but it doesn't take much to get turned sideways pinned against a rock, bridge, or tree in the middle of the river and get flipped over, more than likely losing all your gear, your boat, or life. 

[Al Agnew]

The problem with tailwater rivers like the White and Little Red is that if they are letting out a lot of water, the current can be incredibly strong.  The White may be easy, but in heavy water the penalties for making a mistake can be really severe.  And I agree totally with motroutbum...you simply cannot learn much about rowing in current by rowing on a lake.  Nor is paddling a canoe or kayak on a river likely to teach you all you need to know about rowing a driftboat, although it will shorten the learning curve if you are experienced already on rivers.  I second the advice to find somebody with experience to teach you, or even hire a guide for a couple of days to row and give you pointers, if you have little or no prior rowing experience on rivers.  

I quickly taught myself to row rafts and driftboats when we started spending a good part of the year in Montana, but I already had nearly 50 years of experience in paddling rivers, including a LOT of experience in ferrying techniques.  Rowing in current is all about using the same boat movements and angles as back-paddling and ferrying a canoe.   But a whole lot of people who have had plenty of canoeing experience in the Ozarks have never learned to use ferrying techniques.

[jcissell]

I've canoed down the Spring, White, and Eleven Point. Been on the White in my kayak but it has been a couple of years since I've done that. If I remember, from Wild cat to Cotter there wasn't much to worry about. It's pretty big and wide open. I don't want to go at 10,000 cfs. Because of the big water I've been fishing the Spring lately and thought that may be a good start.

I want to spend enough time on the lake that I'm completely comfortable and don't have to think which way to paddle when deciding where to point my bow or stern. 

Any of you want to fish for a day while giving a little rowing instruction?

[snagged in outlet 3]

Sounds like you're looking for a slave to row your boat while you fish.

I commend you for that

[jcissell]

10 hours ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

Sounds like you're looking for a slave to row your boat while you fish.

I commend you for that

? Maybe I'm missing your humor but I'm not looking for someone to row for me? 

I ask the question is anyone willing to let me row so they can fish because the #1 thing I've read from websites/forums is that once you get your own boat you get stuck rowing and never get to fish. So I thought maybe since that is the case someone would be happy to help me learn to row for the chance to fish all day. 

[DaddyO]

These guys give lots of good advice.  However, sometimes it is laced with sarcasm and humor.  Don't take offence to any of it.  That smiley face was his way of letting you know that he was kidding.

Hire one of the guides, in the area, with drift boats, just to teach you how to handle yours.