Drift Boat

[DomR]

Thanks everyone, will there be raft companies at at the Edison, NJ show?

They usually off to the back right after you enter.

 

[Fuzzy]

Ok, slightly different question. What is the smallest pontoon for the UD?

 

[Nocktavius]

Ok, slightly different question. What is the smallest pontoon for the UD?

I’ve seen guys going down the branches at 2500-3000 cfs in personal sit down ones. The Upper D is a pretty mellow river, no real rapids until you get below Long Eddy (and even those are cupcakes). However your comfort level is probably more important. I’d get the biggest pontoon you can afford- you can bring more gear, beer, dogs, another fisherman to the rotate out on the sticks, etc. it will be more seaworthy and resale will be better if you hate it. Boats are funny- generally the bigger ones row better bc they are floating higher.

 

[Fuzzy]

Yea the personal sit down ones. Smallest 9-10’.

 

[krayfish2]

I've done that system for 12-15 years in a one man pontoon. Also used them on the Tough, Lehigh and Susquehanna. No issues other than the typical learning curve.

You better learn the flow levels and what they mean to you as a boater and learn how to read the winds. Not understanding the wind direction and speed will make for a REAL BAD DAY.

100% you will take the boat where you shouldn't and get screamed at by others. As long as no injuries are had and you learn from it, all good.

Nock,
I ran that section below Long Eddy in a 16' DB when she was running around 6000 - 6500. HUGE rollers in the second set....5'+. If you fell out in that rapid, ragdolled for a half mile before you could have come up for air. That was a little frightening to be honest.

 

[Nocktavius]

I've done that system for 12-15 years in a one man pontoon. Also used them on the Tough, Lehigh and Susquehanna. No issues other than the typical learning curve.

You better learn the flow levels and what they mean to you as a boater and learn how to read the winds. Not understanding the wind direction and speed will make for a REAL BAD DAY.

100% you will take the boat where you shouldn't and get screamed at by others. As long as no injuries are had and you learn from it, all good.

Nock,
I ran that section below Long Eddy in a 16' DB when she was running around 6000 - 6500. HUGE rollers in the second set....5'+. If you fell out in that rapid, ragdolled for a half mile before you could have come up for air. That was a little frightening to be honest.

yeah that stretch is definitely pretty sporting but i guess that is to be expected when a river that’s 100+ yards wide is squeezed into a slot roughly the width of the Little Lehigh. Think the South Fork in ID still wins the prize for hairiest **** I’ve run (my gf sitting up front holding her little dog for dear life while we went over 6+ foot standing waves- I’m surprised she still even fishes with me).

Point is I think I would treat the mainstem from LE on down differently than anything above in terms of acquiring a small personal vessel.

 

[bringthepain]

yeah that stretch is definitely pretty sporting but i guess that is to be expected when a river that’s 100+ yards wide is squeezed into a slot roughly the width of the Little Lehigh. Think the South Fork in ID still wins the prize for hairiest **** I’ve run (my gf sitting up front holding her little dog for dear life while we went over 6+ foot standing waves- I’m surprised she still even fishes with me).

Point is I think I would treat the mainstem from LE on down differently than anything above in terms of acquiring a small personal vessel.

Is the South Fork of the Snake as cool as people say it is? Assuming you did it as a DIY trip and were able to have success

 

[albatross]

Is the South Fork of the Snake as cool as people say it is? Assuming you did it as a DIY trip and were able to have success

Yes, it's awesome. We were able to rent drift boats and float DIY. You would want some experience handling oars in somewhat challenging water.

 

[bringthepain]

Yes, it's awesome. We were able to rent drift boats and float DIY.View attachment 1641239445

Do you mind if i ask a bunch of questions about it? I could PM you, thanks!

 

[headhunting22]

Is the South Fork of the Snake as cool as people say it is? Assuming you did it as a DIY trip and were able to have success

It is an extremely cool float. But beyond what albatross said about the rollers in the heavy waters, there is a lot of whirlpools in that river too. Because there are so many islands, it makes for a lot of confluences where the water is 8 foot deep or so, making massive whirlpools. You run the chance of getting stuck/spinning in those and not being able to row yourself out because of the pressure, or even worse capsizing. It can be a tough river to row in some places.

 

[Nocktavius]

Is the South Fork of the Snake as cool as people say it is? Assuming you did it as a DIY trip and were able to have success

Oh yeah it’s awesome. Only spent 2 days out in Swan Valley but the fishing and scenery are not to be missed (I was actually more partial to the Yellowstone but that was moreso bc of wildfire smoke). As others have said though, make sure you’re confident on the oars because the irrigation flows are usually north of 12,000 cfs coming out of Palisades on a river not much bigger than the Delaware.

Highly recommend the Henry’s fork too

 

[bringthepain]

Oh yeah it’s awesome. Only spent 2 days out in Swan Valley but the fishing and scenery are not to be missed (I was actually more partial to the Yellowstone but that was moreso bc of wildfire smoke). As others have said though, make sure you’re confident on the oars because the irrigation flows are usually north of 12,000 cfs coming out of Palisades on a river not much bigger than the Delaware.

Highly recommend the Henry’s fork too

Oh wow, thats a lot of water in a small amount of space. I have heard good things about the henrys fork as well from a buddy who went out years ago. I'm mostly just gathering info for a future DIY trip. This will by 3rd year with my boat so i'm still learning all the time.

 

[Fuzzy]

Thank you, invaluable information on floating UD and in the west!