Pontoon/Drift Boat instruction

[blsseattle]

I've done a couple of floats rowing a pontoon boat and one on a dorrie, but every time I get on the sticks I feel absolutely terrified. Does anyone know a place in western WA that I might be able to get some formal rowing instruction?

[Ryan Buccola]

call dave mccoy at emerald water anglers. he does a great day on the river and goes thru a lot of basic strokes and makes a mean sandwich to boot! well worth it!

[tomc]

What are you worried about! Just row. Are you afraid of rowing on a lake? (I know the answer is NO). Hit the lakes and get used to what your boat will do. Next leave your fishing "stuff" at home and try a joy ride on a lazy river. When you get comfortable (bored) with that, try something a little steeper. I find the company of my wife and a bottle of wine makes for a nice way to try out a river.
I find guys worry about a river that they fret over while they are at home. When they get on the river they wonder what the heck they worried about for all that time. Just row.
Tom C.

[YAKIMA]

What are you worried about! Just row. Are you afraid of rowing on a lake? (I know the answer is NO). Hit the lakes and get used to what your boat will do. Next leave your fishing "stuff" at home and try a joy ride on a lazy river. When you get comfortable (bored) with that, try something a little steeper. I find the company of my wife and a bottle of wine makes for a nice way to try out a river.
I find guys worry about a river that they fret over while they are at home. When they get on the river they wonder what the heck they worried about for all that time. Just row.
Tom C.

iagreeiagreeiagree

Hell, I'm more worried about not paying attention and blowing right by the take out ...

[tomc]

Hell, I'm more worried about not paying attention and blowing right by the take out ...
You will know you have missed it when you notice the tide coming in:thumb:
Tom C.

[doublespey]

Follow Ryan's advice and ask lots of questions. There's also a book from Amato Publications on Drift Boating that (if I remember correctly) discusses some of the techniques for running rivers.

It's not rocket science, but if you're unsure of yourself it's worth it IMHO to get more knowledge via instruction or reading.

Plenty of people who thought all they had to do was point the bow toward what they wanted to avoid and row like hell still ended up bending their driftoboats around logjams or flipping their pontoons and swimming to shore sans rod and tackle. Get the instruction you need to feel safe on the river. There's no need to become another statistic.

My .02,

Brian