Drift Boat 101,Part One, Getting Started with Gear
As you may have heard we had a death on the Lower Yuba last month when an older gentleman was knocked out of a drift boat rowed by his son and did not recover.
I discussed this with friends and have decided to post some articles about the art and safety regarding rowing a drift boat, raft or pontoon boat down a river. With more and more people floating our rivers in drift boats, rafts and pontoon boats it is important to emphasize the education and practice to row boats safely………
Drift Boat 101, Part II
Rowing Technique.
Let’s get started with the basic rowing technique. As kids we probably at one time or another found ourselves on a lake in a row bow. To get around you’d be facing the bow (front) and you’d reach forward with your hands as the oar blades went back, dip the oars, and then pull them backwards, which resulted in moving the boat backwards. This is the same technique that will be the basis of rowing either a drift boat, a raft with a rowing frame or a pontoon boat…….
Drift Boat 101 – Part Three- Maneuvering by Ferrying
Basic Maneuvering – “Ferrying” the Boat
In Part II we learned how to pivot the boat by using one oar as an anchor or to use both oars to pivot the boat. Here’s how pivoting comes into play when maneuvering the boat down a river and avoiding obstacles or just generally getting around.
All maneuvers of the boat involve ferrying or variations of ferrying the boat. To ferry the boat you point the stern (rear) of the boat right or left to an approximate 30 to 45 degree angle to the current and pull backwards on the oars.
The most important use of the ferrying maneuver is to avoid obstacles. When you ferry the boat you are maneuvering around an obstacle by pivoting and then pointing the bow of the boat at the obstacle and backrowing away from the obstacle…….
Drift Boat 101, Part IV – Putting In and Shoving Off
Lets put some of our techniques into use and talk about the first maneuver you’ll have to learn which is how to put in and shove off into the current.
Whether you’re putting your boat in a river at a busy launch ramp, a primitive launch or in a portion of the river during your day, you need to know how to launch the boat properly. Most put-ins or launch sites won’t present many problems, but there are instances where immediate control needs to be executed. An example of this is where the boat stops to scout a log jamb, a big rapid or large boulder garden prior to running it. This is by the way, always a good idea. There may be only one good route and rapids and obstacles show no mercy……..
Drift Boat 101, Part V – Common Rowing Situations
Situation #1
Entering the main current from an eddy or side channel
A situation that a rower must look out for, and then plan for, is when you have to enter a swift flowing current from a slower current, such as an eddy or other soft water.
When you encounter a situation similar to this, here are a few things you should take into consideration……..
Drift Boat 101, Part VI – The Crawl Stroke
A very good rowing or oar manipulation skill is the crawl stroke. The crawl stroke is a combination of backrowing and sweeping. Sweeping is accomplished by turning the oar around facing upstream and pushing or pulling on the oar handle sideways rather that front to back as in standard backrowing. The reason learning the crawl stroke is so beneficial is that you can eliminate a high percentage of standard pivot turns, which make it much easier for the angler in the stern angler. The stern angler is the most affected by using pivot turns because the stern has to move laterally to execute the pivot.
The crawl stroke is a smooth oar stroke and minimizes the lateral movement for the stern angler, which enables the angler to keep fishing as normal while executing a turn……
Water Load Casting a Deep Nymphing Rigg
When nymphing from a drift boat you are typically casting multiple flies with shot. On the Lower Yuba River which often has good water clarity you also need to add the element of stealth. This means that you often need to be able to cast your nymphing rigg at least 2 rod lengths and more from the boat. This may seem daunting to some. By using a water loading casting technique you will be able to improve your ability to achieve these distances with less tangling when casting shot and multiple flies. We were fishing one day and my son Zack looked at me with a huge smile and a tangled mess of tippet and flies and said, “Look dad, I’ve got a bigger rat’s nest then grandpa.” Using a water load cast can help this from happening…..
Controlling the Drift of Your Indicator When Fishing from a Drift Boat
One of the most important things to master when you are nymphing from a drift boat is to be able to cast your rigg to the correct seam and them manage the indicator and flies to dead drift correctly.
Mending
1. When side drifting from a drift boat under indicator the idea is to set up a drag free drift.
2. Once the indicator lands, Stack mend the tip of your fly line directly behind the indicator………
The Lower Yuba Hatch Chart
is the result of countless hours researching the “Bugs”, their entomology, and their habitat. The Lower Yuba Hatch Chart provides detailed hatch information regarding the bugs found on the Lower Yuba River, The habitat that they live in, flies to use to fool the trout and steelhead and presentation methods to make your fishing more successful. Have a cup of coffee, take some notes before you head to the fly shop or the river and have some fun out there!
This Hatch Chart was updated on 02/22/13
Many of the patterns listed are available at our local fly shop, The Reel Anglers Fly Shop in Grass Valley, CA
Fly of the Week
It’s January and the Skwala Stoneflies should be starting their migration to the stream side vegetation below the riffles and along the runs. Time to tie up the Skwala nymphs and the dries. Check out the Hatch Chart for recommended patterns.
The Knothead
Sizes 12
The Knothead Skwala Stone is a prototype Skwala Dry pattern for using on the Lower Yuba River. It’s been a work in progress and will hopefully get put to the test in February.
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Pop-Up-Box The Knothead
Class & Clinics
For more info: You can go to the Classes and Clinics Pages for all the details right here
If you’re looking for one on one instruction, whether you’re just getting started in fly fishing or just want to take your current skills to a different level I’ll give you the personal attention you deserve. If you don’t feel you’ve got what you wanted in any of these classes there will be no charge and the lesson is free. You can decide if it’s worth it.
Floating Clinic on the Lower Yuba River
We’ll spend either a half day or a full day on the Lower Yuba in my Drift boat floating and wading working on techniques for fishing from a drift boat or wade fishing. You can come by yourself or bring a friend.
Team up with me for a day to get the help you need to become a more knowledgeable and skilled fly fisher.
$375 for Full Day for one angler. $425 for two anglers, 8 to 10 hours, lunch and soft beverages included.
$275 for Half Day one or two anglers, 4-5 hours, and soft beverages included.
Rods/reels/lines provided unless you want to use your own! Lunches and drinks will be provided.
Fall Special for Floating Clinic Dates
Book a trip for a Fall Floating Clinic on the Lower Yuba for 1st Time Clients or members of the Gold Country Fly Fishers.
$300 for Full Day one $325 for two anglers, 8 hours, lunch and soft beverages included. Gratuity not expected but appreciated!
Click to go to the Classes and Clinics Page for more details.
Contact Clay, for more information about the FFT Floating Clinic or to sign up.
Guided Floats on the Lower Yuba River
A guided fishing trip should be more than counting the number of fish caught. It is my job to help you become a more knowledgeable and skilled fly fisher. I will tailor each guided trip to your style, your preferences and your needs. I will share my knowledge of the gear, fishing techniques, bugs and flies and let you know what “bug” I’m tying on and why. Hiring me as your guide is about being well taken care of, enjoying the day, and always learning new techniques, tricks of the trade and learning about the entomology and the bugs that live in my home river. My guided trips are essentially a clinic on the Lower Yuba River, the Feather River or the Lower Sacramento River. Team up with me for a day or two to get the help you need to become a more knowledgeable and skilled fly fisher.
$375 for Full Day one $400 for two anglers, 8 to 10 hours, lunch and soft beverages included.
$275 for Half Day one or two anglers, 4-5 hours, and soft beverages included.
Click to go to the Guiding Page for more details.
Contact Clay, for more information about the FFT Guided Trips or to book a day.