[Matey]

I am a new Water Master owner and an inexperienced rower on moving water with only about 16 hours on the Puyallup & Yakima in a WM Kodiak. I have read a couple of books on whitewater rafting to learn a little more about floating rivers. " River Safety - A Floater's Guide" by Stan Bradshaw brings it home clearly that a book is no substitute for instruction by a professional; going on to state that most experienced boaters who wind up in Montana DFWP accident report files had never had any formal training that would prepare them for a crisis. Where one would go to learn the basics of oarsmanship, navigation, and safety for floating rivers, with fishing rather than running technical water as the reason for being there? Thanks!

 

[martyg]

I've been in the river / rescue instruction area for most of my life, and I am not aware of anyone teaching a really comprehensive course geared towards fishermen. I am an ACA ITE in whitewater kayaking, and they recently put a raft program in place. I am not familiar with the curriculum, but you can check out more at http://www.americancanoe.org/site/c.lvIZIkNZJuE/b.4511273/k.C07C/Rafting.htm.

You can also take river rescue specific courses through the ACA and others.

Re your comment about "experienced boaters" and Montana stats.... Who an experienced boater is can be interpreted many different ways. Someone who floats a lot of rivers and never gets spanked may also just be damn lucky. It is also interesting to note that nationwide, most fatalities are on Class II - or easier - water.

River rescue is also a vestigial skill - if you don't practice it you will hardly be sharp when the situation occurs. I recommend that everyone who play on rivers have a few days of rescue training every few years. The best rescue is self rescue - after that is exhausted your chances of survival go down dramatically. I used to be in a position where all river accident reports came across my desk - interesting reading.

 

[d. rose]

Brian,

Dave McCoy of Emerald Water Anglers offers a rowing course. He has extensive experience in rafts and drift boats. He spent years guiding and rowing the Black Canyon of the Gunnison River, Rogue, Deschutes etc. He is also a certified in whitewater rescue. http://emeraldwateranglers.com/clinics_rowingclass.html

 

[Matey]

I've been in the river / rescue instruction area for most of my life, and I am not aware of anyone teaching a really comprehensive course geared towards fishermen. I am an ACA ITE in whitewater kayaking, and they recently put a raft program in place. I am not familiar with the curriculum, but you can check out more at http://www.americancanoe.org/site/c.lvIZIkNZJuE/b.4511273/k.C07C/Rafting.htm. You can also take river rescue specific courses through the ACA and others. Re your comment about "experienced boaters" and Montana stats.... Who an experienced boater is can be interpreted many different ways. Someone who floats a lot of rivers and never gets spanked may also just be damn lucky. It is also interesting to note that nationwide, most fatalities are on Class II - or easier - water. River rescue is also a vestigial skill - if you don't practice it you will hardly be sharp when the situation occurs. I recommend that everyone who play on rivers have a few days of rescue training every few years. The best rescue is self rescue - after that is exhausted your chances of survival go down dramatically. I used to be in a position where all river accident reports came across my desk - interesting reading.

Your comments on never getting spanked and being damned lucky; EXACTLY what the author had said. BTW Thanks! for the wise counsel.

 

[Matey]

Brian, Dave McCoy of Emerald Water Anglers offers a rowing course. He has extensive experience in rafts and drift boats. He spent years guiding and rowing the Black Canyon of the Gunnison River, Rogue, Deschutes etc. He is also a certified in whitewater rescue. http://emeraldwateranglers.com/clinics_rowingclass.html

Wow, Ask and you shall receive! http://emeraldwateranglers.com/clinics_rowingclass.html appears to nail it.

 

[Rick Todd]

Dave is also a super nice guy-I've had some good times with him! Another option is Red's on the Yakima. They have a drift boat class and all of that would apply to the WM. Rick

 

[KerryS]

There used to be a river rafting outfit that floated the Skagit, Yak and some other rivers. They offered a one day float with white water survival training included with the trip. I took a float on the upper Skagit with them a number of years ago and it was one of the most eye opening experiences I ever had on a river. Wish I could remember thier name but doubt they are still around.

 

[JackJester]

I read on the fishbc site that this is a good course.

http://www.chilliwackriverrafting.com/guidetraining.htm

 

[Matey]

Thanks Marty, Dylan, & Rick. I booked an all-day on-river class with Dave McCoy on June 27 that will teach general concepts + some time spent specifically on what I need to learn with/about floating rivers with a WM. I paid about $100 for an Extrasport Sturgeon PFD. I think paying twice that to learn about navigating rivers from a pro to possibly avoid having to rely on the PFD is a great investment.

 

[fredaevans]

Excellent question. Too many folks just buy 'a boat' be it a raft, drift, kayak, what ever and just 'jump in.' An too many of them over the years become a 'statistic.' Good lessons' can be learned by just doing a guide trip or two with an experienced Guide on water you want to learn (just keep in mind 'it' can change from year to year depending upon the water). That said, a darned good 'river map' is an excellent tool if it happens to be available. As an example, here on the upper Rogue the major runs (hatchery down) are hatchery to Rogue Elk Park; from there down to Dodge Bridge. A couple of spots are 'Ya Hoo's,' and one you could be in deep do-do if you don't know what to expect (one place REALLY comes to mind as it's a sharp/narrow ... and I do mean NARROW ... 90+ degree change in river direction, then down a shut that's just a touch wider than your boat .. yes, yes, you're oars will be clanking on rock walls at about eye level. Guides beach their boats, get everyone out, pull boat back and pull up/ line up in a short side channel, re-load and off you go) but that's about it. Dodge Bridge to Tou Velle Park? Most is very mellow .. until you hit "Rattle Snake." Well named as if you don't know how to run same .. you/your boat/your passengers are TOAST. You have to go in well left/ row like hell to get to the right ... or you're (insert a series of four letter words.

 

[Rick Todd]

You will get a lot out of a day on the river with Dave McCoy. He has been most generous with our fly club, giving several excellent programs for very little $. He is a class act! Tell him Rick Todd says hi! Rick

 

[Rick Todd]

BTW-I don't own a Watermaster, having several pontoon boats, a drift boat and a white water raft, but it will be my next boat. I had an excellent day on the Bitterroot in one and it is the BOMB for fishing a river with fins. After you are comfortable floating the river using oars, put on some fins and then the fun really begins! You can get close to the bank, throw your fly (hopper/dropper most of the summer) right downstream from you, close to the bank, and you will show that fly to fish who have not been spooked by a boat shadow, a sloppy cast, or anything else. You will learn to adjust your speed to give that fly a LONG drag free drift. This is a very cool, productive way to fish rivers and the WM is an ideal craft for doing that! Have Fun! Rick

 

[Matey]

BTW-I don't own a Watermaster, having several pontoon boats, a drift boat and a white water raft, but it will be my next boat. I had an excellent day on the Bitterroot in one and it is the BOMB for fishing a river with fins. After you are comfortable floating the river using oars, put on some fins and then the fun really begins! You can get close to the bank, throw your fly (hopper/dropper most of the summer) right downstream from you, close to the bank, and you will show that fly to fish who have not been spooked by a boat shadow, a sloppy cast, or anything else. You will learn to adjust your speed to give that fly a LONG drag free drift. This is a very cool, productive way to fish rivers and the WM is an ideal craft for doing that! Have Fun! Rick

Thanks again Rick. I spent a few days last fall in a WFF WM on the Puyallup and Yakima. After about 2 hrs on the Yak I shipped the oars and barely used them again. At one point I was following about 50-60 yds behind a 2-man raft when fish began rising. We were both casting to the west bank. I was getting very long drag-free drifts tucked in under the overhanging bushes, and keeping myself from gaining on the other boat by using my fins as sort of a drift anchor. I was able to hook and land two fish while following them; each time slowing myself down and ferrying into shore with just the fins to stand up so I could land and release. The second time the raft in front of me suddenly stopped for some reason (wasn't a hooked fish) just as I hooked one and so I had to quickly slide into shallow water to land it; ending up about about 40 yds upstream of them, using just the fins. The guy pounding the bank looked over and yelled "That thing looks pretty maneuverable."

Yes WMs are very nice and I believe it's the ideal boat for my needs right now for several reasons including the small storage space required and portabilty. I am looking forward to many years of floating and productive fishing in my Kodiak.

 

[Steelheader69]

Marty was spot on. I went through the ACA courses years ago for river rescue. It's a great skill to have. Just like firearm safety and use, if it's not automatic it ain't gonna help you any to have it. I helped some guys out on the Yak last year. Training kicked right in. Got them and thier boat out of a sweeper in no time with just injury to thier pride. I should go in for a refresher. And the comment on the lucky part. GOD, I know guys like that. Know guys who have had alot of close calls. How they make it through is just amazing sometimes (and no, they don't do it on purpose too, boggles me they make it through sometimes).

You did good at least going with someone who rows. I don't know him, but if he has the experience, that'll help. I've taught hundreds to row over the years. I started quite young with my Dad teaching me. Having had about every vessel over the years (quite literally every style of rowing vessel), I've done my time on the sticks. Thankfully, I was rowing whitewater boats in class 4's by time I was 15 confidentally. Hell, was rowing a pram down the Kalama at 7. LOL.

Just a reminder though. Just because you've taken a class, still start easy. I know too many who've taken whitewater floats with a guide who thought they could go run heavy whitewater. Start simple, or stick with what you're floating now. Then, move up a class once you're comfortable and have someone more experienced with you to float with (not necessarily in the boat with you, but in another boat to follow thier lead).

 

[Matey]

Marty was spot on. I went through the ACA courses years ago for river rescue. It's a great skill to have. Just like firearm safety and use, if it's not automatic it ain't gonna help you any to have it. I helped some guys out on the Yak last year. Training kicked right in. Got them and thier boat out of a sweeper in no time with just injury to their pride. I should go in for a refresher. And the comment on the lucky part. GOD, I know guys like that. Know guys who have had alot of close calls. How they make it through is just amazing sometimes (and no, they don't do it on purpose too, boggles me they make it through sometimes). You did good at least going with someone who rows. I don't know him, but if he has the experience, that'll help. I've taught hundreds to row over the years. I started quite young with my Dad teaching me. Having had about every vessel over the years (quite literally every style of rowing vessel), I've done my time on the sticks. Thankfully, I was rowing whitewater boats in class 4's by time I was 15 confidentally. Hell, was rowing a pram down the Kalama at 7. LOL. Just a reminder though. Just because you've taken a class, still start easy. I know too many who've taken whitewater floats with a guide who thought they could go run heavy whitewater. Start simple, or stick with what you're floating now. Then, move up a class once you're comfortable and have someone more experienced with you to float with (not necessarily in the boat with you, but in another boat to follow their lead).

Great advice Jerry, Thanks!