Which river for first drift boat trip?

[Al Agnew]

On March 1, 2016 at 3:16 PM, Ozark Sweetwater said:

There has already been some good advice from some qualified people given but I would tell you that rowing a drift boat and rowing a boat with someone fishing are two different things.

What I mean by that is that knowing the basic rowing strokes is good but it takes a lot more time on the sticks to learn how to stay on a line so someone can fish. An experienced oarsmen makes this look effortless. It's not hard it just takes practice.

Like others have said, hire a drift boat guide and explain to him what you are wanting to do. Learn the basics from him and then just get on the water and practice.

Good luck and enjoy the ride and congrats on your purchase.

I just spent much of today rowing a raft while two friends fished on the Yellowstone, the first "guide" rowing I've done this year, and I noticed again how much you have to concentrate to keep either a raft or a driftboat in good position for both anglers to fish effectively.  Add in some wind like we had today and it becomes a pretty difficult thing to do.  You have to be able to read the currents and continually adjust, always looking ahead for where the current changes just a bit and will either push you into the bank or too far away from the bank unless you make the adjustment ahead of time.

I've fished with guides who not only keep the boat in perfect position, but also adjust the speed and line of the boat to give your nymphs a better drag-free drift.  And they do it all very quietly, no splash, no clunking on the boat.  And they get the very most out of every run...going until the good water along one bank completely ends, then rowing like crazy across the river and often slightly upstream to hit the start of the good water on the other bank--on a river like the Yellowstone which is big and fast.

[joeD]

In Ozark waters, one can stand on a jon boat with a trolling motor and cast a fly. With less work and less hassle. One won't look as picturesque, and needn't wear a bandanna around ones neck to complete the fishing tableau. But, you already have your albatross, so, good luck, and start rowing. 

[Flysmallie]

Nope. Not really. Drift boats are superior to Jon boats. 

[Al Agnew]

Drift boats have some advantages over johnboats, but if I was buying one for the Ozarks I'd get one of the skiff types, and not the classic McKenzie style with the real high ends and radical rocker.  Those are designed for rivers with rapids and big wave trains, something you simply don't see in the Ozarks on any stream you'd want to fish.  The high sides make it difficult to get in and out of them, and the high ends are wind catchers.  I've floated out here in Montana with several different types of drift boats, and the lower ended ones are stable enough and perform much better on windy days.

[snagged in outlet 3]

15 hours ago, joeD said:

But, you already have your albatross, so, good luck, and start rowing. 

Dang, Joe!!   Are you related to Wrench?

[joeD]

No, I am not. Wrench seems well adjusted.

Drift boats on Ozark streams. Gawd. However, if it makes one happy, and gets one out to fish, certainly isn't illegal, then, by all means, get after it.  

(Oars?)

[fishinwrench]

I love the back end of a drift boat while stripping streamers for Smallies.  There's some magic in stripping cross-stream while moving slowly downstream.  Just face rearward, hook a butt cheek on the brace and pound the bank.  

[joeD]

DOH! Nice fish.  Obviously it's your fishing prowess, not your "rowboat."

 

[fishinwrench]

I dunno..... From a Jon boat I can do it for a mile or so, then I need a break.  From the back of a drifter I can comfortably do it all day long. And I'm not constantly stepping on my line. 

One thing that nobody takes into consideration when flyfishing from a boat is the elevation of your feet. Flyfishing from a raised deck is a hindrance (unless you are on your knees).  To do it "right" you really need your feet to be level or slightly below the water surface.  There's a reason why the word "angle" is in the word Angler.

[snagged in outlet 3]

I had a buddy that bought a drift boat for Ozark stream and tail-waters. He couldn't sell that tub for two years.  Hated it.