07-27-2014, 02:44 PM
Some general rules:
1. Keep your bow pointed downstream in moving water. Boats get pinned on rocks when they are sideways and generally bounce off if the angle isn't too sharp (chines are tough).
2. To maneuver around or away from an object, point your nose at the object and the stern slightly in the direction you want to go and put in backstrokes. This will also keep you on the path you want in the current when you are fishing a specific line such as the bank.
3. In longer rapids/rocky riffles (rock garden, dripping springs, red creek, the entire Madison), look ahead and map/plan out your path.
4. Never anchor up in fast rapids. If you make that mistake and start to drag under, don't cut the rope, just release the anchor rope. Its faster than cutting and the boat is immediately moving again and not being dragged under.
5. Before you float for the day, check and manage your rope so it isn't or won't tangle. Check your plugs as well.
6. In that same vein, don't put a knot in the end of your anchor rope. A new anchor and rope is much less expensive than your boat or life.
7. Unless you are walking the boat down river (common on other rivers but not really the green), never put the anchor in the boat. Anchors are safety equipment and can be very important. Stopping quickly is good.
8. Respect other anglers. Don't anchor up in the main line of traffic (usually the thalwag if its not too fast), don't run over active fish that someone is working, don't highhole/lowhole anyone, and don't slide in just below someone. In short give them space.
9. If you can, take the boat out to some Stillwater and get a feel for it. I've rowed about all of them (except flygoddess') and they all row differently. This also gives you a chance to adjust things such as rowing, oar lock, and oar stop positions; cooler placement or anything else.
10. Make sure you are completely ready at the prep area. Launch, secure your boat, and leave the ramp. Don't be the bottleneck.
11. Learn to back a trailer before you get to the ramp.
12. When pulling over, find soft water and look ahead because when you start floating again, you will head straight into whatever is in front of you - like trees or rocks.
13. Backstrokes are your friend.
14. Get a throw rope, first aid kit, whistle, wag bag, and spare breakdown oar.
15. Stay calm.
Green specific:
1. The dam boat ramp is a circus, get in, get out.
2. Life jackets are required.
3. Most rapids there are no big deal. Just get your nose in the
and ride them out some backstrokes.
4. Mother-in-law: float between the cliff wall and the rock. The current will push you into the wall so point your nose at it and your tail slightly towards the middle and put in backstrokes. There is another rock just under the surface that you will want to avoid after you get past the big rock.
5. Don't do red creek (b section) until you have a bit of oar time.
6. Look ahead during rock garden/dripping springs.
7. You will bang/scrape a few rocks as you learn. Don't worry, drift boats are tough.
8. Wind on the green blows.
9. The are some "lakes" on green. Spin around and row backwards.
10. If taking out at the first ramp at little hole, get to river left. Staying right will keep you in the current and you will be taking out at the lower ramp.
11. Shuttles on the green are expensive.
Hope this (long) list helps.
Flygoddess: why did you choose the inflatable drift boat?
[signature]
1. Keep your bow pointed downstream in moving water. Boats get pinned on rocks when they are sideways and generally bounce off if the angle isn't too sharp (chines are tough).
2. To maneuver around or away from an object, point your nose at the object and the stern slightly in the direction you want to go and put in backstrokes. This will also keep you on the path you want in the current when you are fishing a specific line such as the bank.
3. In longer rapids/rocky riffles (rock garden, dripping springs, red creek, the entire Madison), look ahead and map/plan out your path.
4. Never anchor up in fast rapids. If you make that mistake and start to drag under, don't cut the rope, just release the anchor rope. Its faster than cutting and the boat is immediately moving again and not being dragged under.
5. Before you float for the day, check and manage your rope so it isn't or won't tangle. Check your plugs as well.
6. In that same vein, don't put a knot in the end of your anchor rope. A new anchor and rope is much less expensive than your boat or life.
7. Unless you are walking the boat down river (common on other rivers but not really the green), never put the anchor in the boat. Anchors are safety equipment and can be very important. Stopping quickly is good.
8. Respect other anglers. Don't anchor up in the main line of traffic (usually the thalwag if its not too fast), don't run over active fish that someone is working, don't highhole/lowhole anyone, and don't slide in just below someone. In short give them space.
9. If you can, take the boat out to some Stillwater and get a feel for it. I've rowed about all of them (except flygoddess') and they all row differently. This also gives you a chance to adjust things such as rowing, oar lock, and oar stop positions; cooler placement or anything else.
10. Make sure you are completely ready at the prep area. Launch, secure your boat, and leave the ramp. Don't be the bottleneck.
11. Learn to back a trailer before you get to the ramp.
12. When pulling over, find soft water and look ahead because when you start floating again, you will head straight into whatever is in front of you - like trees or rocks.
13. Backstrokes are your friend.
14. Get a throw rope, first aid kit, whistle, wag bag, and spare breakdown oar.
15. Stay calm.
Green specific:
1. The dam boat ramp is a circus, get in, get out.
2. Life jackets are required.
3. Most rapids there are no big deal. Just get your nose in the
and ride them out some backstrokes. 4. Mother-in-law: float between the cliff wall and the rock. The current will push you into the wall so point your nose at it and your tail slightly towards the middle and put in backstrokes. There is another rock just under the surface that you will want to avoid after you get past the big rock.
5. Don't do red creek (b section) until you have a bit of oar time.
6. Look ahead during rock garden/dripping springs.
7. You will bang/scrape a few rocks as you learn. Don't worry, drift boats are tough.
8. Wind on the green blows.
9. The are some "lakes" on green. Spin around and row backwards.
10. If taking out at the first ramp at little hole, get to river left. Staying right will keep you in the current and you will be taking out at the lower ramp.
11. Shuttles on the green are expensive.
Hope this (long) list helps.
Flygoddess: why did you choose the inflatable drift boat?
[signature]