If you are into extreme winter sports, you should try trout fishing during an Alaskan winter. It is freezing, sometimes windy, and your rod eyelets are likely to freeze. If you can get past all of those cons, the reward can be insanely good. Rainbow trout upwards of 23-27 inches are not uncommon. Read below to learn about tips you will want for your winter trout fishing adventure in Alaska.
Dress for the Weather
From November to March the temperature in southcentral Alaska is normally between 10 to 27 degrees Fahrenheit. It can dip down to below negative 10 and when you add in wind chill, it is freezing cold out. With the right gear, you will be able to stay warm, comfortable, and out on the water all day. We recommend trying out some of the following gear:
Simms Bulkley Insulated Jacket
This is the jacket you want for winter fishing. It is insulated, has a watertight cuff, and micro-fleece hand warming pockets. The Simms Bulkley Jacket is made for snow, wind, and rain. Throw this jacket on over a layer of fleece and you’ll be ready for a full day on the water.
Smartwool Base Layers
Wool is essential for any winter activity in Alaska, but especially fishing. Smartwool base layers and socks are made to keep you warm during the chilly days of being out on the water. We recommend checking out the merino 250 collection, it is warm yet breathable. The Heavy Mountaineering Socks are also a great option for layering up under waders.
Simms GORE-TEX ExStream Foldover Mitt
This glove is made for fishing, and it is extremely versatile. The Simms Exstream Foldover Mit is a 2 in 1 mitten and half-finger glove. Even the thumb mitten turns into a half-finger glove. The inside of the glove is lined with fleece and the exterior is completely waterproof.
Simms Challenger Insulated Hat
Keep your ears and head warm with the Simms Insulated Hat. It is 100% waterproof and lined with sherpa fleece. This is the hat you want for those subzero days out on the water. It comes in both camo steel and black.
Turtle Fur Fleece Neck Warmer
It can become breezy during the winter and keeping your neck and chin warm makes a big difference when you are out on the frigid water all day. The Turtle Fur Fleece neck warmer is cozy, affordable, and fuzzy.
Swing or use Beads
Wintertime is Spey season in the last frontier and it can be quite an effective way to catch massive rainbow trout. If you want to learn more about Spey fishing, check out the Guide to Trout Spey by Flylords team member, Oliver Ancans. Leeches and flesh flies are amongst the most common flies to swing during the winter.
Beads are quite effective year-round in Alaska, but especially during the winter. Trout are looking for silver eggs to eat, and they will be happy to find any. Check in with a local fly shop to see what beads are working well. Bead fishing is a bit different than normal fly fishing, and we recommend checking out these videos on how to set up a bead rig from Alaska Fly Fishing Goods.
Bring De-Icing Gel
There is nothing more annoying than having to constantly crush up the ice in your rod eyelets. With deicing gel, you can easily prevent ice from building up while staying on the water as long as possible! We recommend Stanley’s Ice Off Paste from Loon Outdoors. It is a non-toxic ice-off paste that helps keep your eyelets ice-free.
Have a Plan
Winter in Alaska can throw all sorts of surprises at you, snowstorms, subzero temperatures, and wild animals. Make sure you tell someone where you are going and what your plan is. Bringing lots of snacks and water is also a good idea, there is nothing worse than being cold and hungry. It is always good to fish with a buddy during the winter, and if you start getting too cold, head in. The fish will be waiting for you tomorrow!
Buddy Heater
After you catch a massive winter rainbow and take some pictures, you will want to warm your hands up. If you are fishing from a boat, bringing a buddy heater will help defrost your fingers. It is easy to use, and does not take up much space in a boat! Hand and feet warmers are also great options for keeping extremities warm.
Be Patient
Fishing during winter in the farthest north state can be challenging, but the fish can be humongous. Sometimes you’ll have to wait all day for one or two fish. Once you get a big one it will all be worth it. Keep in mind that daylight is limited in Alaska, from November to January there are only five to six hours of light. It can be frustrating to be limited in your fishing hours, but you can utilize the dark with fly tying and quality time with fishing buddies.
Pictures are courtesy of Tessa Shetter and Kory Robbins, follow them on Instagram for more Alaskan fishing adventures!
The bugle of the distant elk echoed throughout the valley as I watched my rideshare drive away, leaving me at the meeting place of the Gallatin River and Highway 191. The brake lights shrank into the distance as I was left on the side of the road with nothing but my bicycle and fly rod. Deep within a bear management area in the Northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park, alone.
I’ve had the pleasure of fishing the Gallatin River in southwest Montana for nearly 20 years. My first couple casts with the fly were on this river, and my sincerest way of saying thanks to it, the trout, flora and fauna, and highway adjacent was to pedal the 142 miles of the length of the river on all roads within proximity and pick up garbage where fisherman and river enthusiasts have access. All the while camping and casting out to a couple myself along the way.
So as I left the trailhead/roadside parking lot where the Gallatin meanders down from its source at a high alpine, inaccessible lake, my efforts to pick up trash simply became overwhelming. The roadside flotsam of cigarette butts, beer cans, and leftover shrapnel from auto accidents dotted the landscape in disturbing and populous form.
The Gallatin flows 14 miles in Yellowstone National Park. Within the Park alone, I collected one full household garbage bag of waste. Including a usable Nalgene water bottle that I certainly kept and will wash for usage in the future. But as I came to a section of highway without a turnout or obvious piece of garbage, I went back to the person enjoying bike touring.
That stretch of highway allowed me to feel the cool summer breeze of the early morning Yellowstone. Hear the Sandhill Cranes gawking at the weirdo on the bicycle. Watch the river oxbow at every opportunity the banks allowed. A lifeless highway by means of petroleum and diesel. A calming sensation of wanderlust, absent to all things accept those that were right in front of me en route to home for the night.
Setting up camp just in time while the thunderheads above prepared for their concert. But I found my rhythm for the trip within the riffles grasping my fly rod as the river bounced down the boulders and into the evening.
A slow morning with one pot of coffee after the next, the preparation to leave camp was similar to the preparation to drink said coffee, nice and slow. How long does it take to bike 18 miles, downhill along a river full of fishable bends? A lot longer than I had expected. Getting to Big Sky was a relative breeze. With only six miles until town, I strolled out of camp somewhere around midday. After two pots of coffee, with time watching the river now tinted green from the previous nights rain, stoked to head to town.
The rich, wealthy, and now within the last decade, famous, Big Sky offered a glimpse of glamour, but also of the river. To this day, I still think it has some of the most beautiful water I have ever seen. I’m not the only one to think this. Robert Redford used this section of the river as scenes for his famous fly fishing film, A River Runs Through It.
The mesmerizing pull coming off of some of the pools are similar to stumbling upon your own personal gold mine. Full addiction symptoms; pupils dilated, thoughts racing. However with people knowing this, this section wasn’t a pleasant one to pick up after. River rolling green lined with trees and rock, with a shoreline littered with discarded pleasures of our taste buds.
A dirt road veered westward off the highway towards the river. A bend of the river, hidden from the masses. Untouched by the hoards of traveling anglers and families passing me inches at times. As I turn inward on the road and followed it towards the river, so did the thunderclouds. I was able to set up the fly rod, but not cast as the downpour began and so did the lightning. I‘m uncertain about many anglers, but I’m not a fan of swinging graphite in the air while Mother Nature is throwing spears down from the heavens. So I pulled the bike and gear under a tree and made another pot of coffee waiting out the rain.
I pedaled off winding, twisting, and turning with the ebb and flow of the river, following it home for the night. Upon arrival, the campground was empty. I chose whichever site I wanted. A fishless afternoon, I simply sat on the river edge, watching it roll down the canyon over cobble, while the caddisflies tangoed on the surface. An eagle called down the canyon as it echoed throughout the river and straight into my ears caressing me to bed.
The rumors about this upcoming section of highway were terrifying. No guardrail or shoulder from the lane with blinding curves hiding you in plain sight for the long-haul truck drivers. I also poorly decided to pedal this section on a Monday, during rush hour. If I was to achieve my goal of pedaling 50 miles to the Missouri Headwaters State Park, where the Gallatin meets both the Jefferson and Madison Rivers to form the Missouri, I had to leave at that time.
So it was a sunrise cup of coffee, a quick trash dump at the campground garbage bin, and off I went dodging several ton pieces of metal powered by gasoline and rubber. They came in waves. A line of about ten cars, coupled with two or three semi-trucks or campers mixed in. I could almost wait out the rush for a few minutes and start back up once the wave crashes over. But there was an urge inside me to charge these miles and get onto the dirt road snaking the river out of the canyon.
A few curves I cranked the gears up and went for it until I got out from the guardrail and onto a shoulder of safety. Twice lifted diesel trucks flipped me off as if I was the reason holding traffic up. But as the time came where I could see the dirt road to my left continuing along the river, I bolted when I could.
I thought that if there was another ten miles of highway similar to that, I would have gotten hit or into a fight with the third pissed off truck. Smiling, I jumped back on my bike and pedaled down a bumpy dirt road with limited public fishing access from private land lining the shores. Masking the true bends and pools of the lower Gallatin.
The next couple sections of river, I had never laid eyes on. The dirt road curved away from the river but gaining elevation, granting me the gift of sweeping views of the Bridger Range and the continuing oxbow of river I’ve been chasing for two days.
Perched in elevation, gazing at the gloriousness of the Gallatin, trapped by the confluence of wealth and the environment, within old and new Montana money. The drastic change in landscape was apparent. Populated with million dollar homes, not in flocking birds or the carefree grizzly bear back in Yellowstone. Sadly, this was not the only blemish on this war and scar-torned landscape the Gallatin winds through.
This chapter of the river is unfortunately one of inaccessibility. Private land gobbles up river access like a trout feeding during a summer hatch. For 20 miles since leaving the canyon, there were five real access points where one can fish. Naturally, with only a small handful of access spots for your car; overpopulated, overfished, and literally littered with disgust. I sadly ended up not fishing until the very end of the trip from the amount needed to be picked up. There was a point at one of the spots where I leaned down to pick something up, to look over slightly at the river to see trout nestled on the river bottom, seeking out cool spots. The irony of the trip was singlehandedly realized right there at that moment.
Humans can destroy virtually everything. Quickly with bombs or painfully slow with our waste. But the sheer impressiveness through the resilience of Mother Nature is one of the most humbling things. How nature can still co-exist despite our irresponsibility.
Made my way 12 miles from the end of the Gallatin and the beginning of the Missouri River. Cruising down the road, the tree line out in the distance from alfalfa and farmland winds the river warm and slow. But the turn came to hand, to the Headwaters State Park, and the end of the journey. The last few miles were some of the relief. In part, my rear end was rather sore and the threat of being run over seriously diminished with the finish line in sight.
The turn was there at the convergence of the Jefferson and Madison Rivers but pedaled one more mile down to where the Gallatin meets these two rivers and eventually begins the Missouri River.
A slow bend of final stretches begged for a fly to be drifted, the last fish of the trip. Nothing of the sort was even remotely interested in what I was casting, so I called it by rolling the sleeping pad out, watching the sunset below the headlands, waiting for my ride to come and take me home.
Three large garbage bags full of all sorts of rubbish were collected on the trip. Including a popped, inflatable raft left behind that wouldn’t fit into the bags. The sense of satisfaction was there for me. Sadly, I know that my efforts left only a tiny rock chip in the never ending shatter less windshield that is the insurmountable garbage the Gallatin and highway adjacent collect.
I returned to some of the spots a week later in my car just to see if I had made even the slightest dent, all to realize my efforts were rendered nearly useless. I am uncertain what needs to be said or done to correct our laziness and stubbornness for our love of plastic and waste. But what I do know is that we should all be grateful. Grateful that nature is as resilient as she is. For if she wasn’t, I’m sure the Gallatin, amongst many other rivers all over the globe, wouldn’t be what we all know it as today.
Article and photos from Sean Jansen, an avid angler and writer based in Bozeman, Montana. Follow along with his adventures at @jansen_journals.
In this week’s “How to Tie†video feature, Fly Fish Food shows us how to tie a variation on an attractor pattern that every angler should know, the Purple Rainbow Warrior.
Difficulty: Intermediate
The Rainbow Warrior is a notorious attractor nymph that unequivocally catches trout. Created by Lance Egan, an innovator and European nymphing expert, this fly works in various sizes and variations. The Purple Rainbow Warrior is a slight spin on the tried and true trout magnet. Winter is approaching and using a smaller attractor should soon be a staple in your nymph rigs.
With water temperatures already cooling in many places, dropping down in sizes will help increase your eats from more lethargic fish. The Purple Rainbow Warrior is one of those flies that can always be in a nymph rig regardless of season. This fly in sizes 16-20 will undoubtedly be a good selection during winter on any given day. The dubbing used for this fly gives some flash to the thorax, while being paired with the purple body creates the ultimate attractor nymph.
The Purple Rainbow Warrior may take those slightly more aggressive fish during the colder months and relieve you of a skunk on the day. Pairing this fly with a small midge pattern is a great starting place for winter fishing. Using 6x tippet in these rigs during winter is a perfect complement to these smaller flies. Keeping the Purple Rainbow Warrior in your fly box during these colder months will prove to be a decision that pays off with tight lines and big smiles.
On October 30th, after ten months of negotiations, a historic agreement between private timber companies and conservation-focused organizations was reached in Oregon. The agreement builds upon Oregon’s Forest Practices Act and will protect more than 10 million acres of salmon and steelhead habitat on private land. This agreement now heads to the Oregon state legislature for ratification, and then Federal agencies will develop a plan under the Endangered Species Act.
“Today’s historic agreement is a perfect example of the Oregon Way––coming together at the table to find common ground, to the mutual benefit of us all,†said Oregon Governor Kate Brown. “Together, this agreement will help to ensure that Oregon continues to have healthy forests, fish, and wildlife, as well as economic growth for our forest industry and rural communities, for generations to come. I would like to thank everyone involved for their role in making this agreement a reality today.â€
Included in the agreement:
Significantly Expanded Riparian Buffers: This would provide many streams in western Oregon with up to 110′ foot buffer from the stream’s bank outwards. “We’re especially pleased with these changes, which promise more wood for fish habitat and other wildlife, cooler water, and a lot of carbon storage, too,†Wild Salmon Center’s Oregon Policy Director Bob Van Dyk says.
New Standards for Private Roads: The agreement calls for large landowners to inventory their roads and comply with new standards such as upgrading culverts, providing fish passage, and more effectively prevent runoff from entering waterways. Old roads in disrepair contribute large amounts of sediment into nearby streams, producing harmful effects on fish and other aquatic species.
Monitoring and Adaptive Management: Will improve compliance with these new provisions by improving state access to private forestland, for example.
Beaver Protections: This well-known, and oftentimes cursed, animal provides essential services for salmon, trout, and cold-water habitats. The agreement language also prohibits commercial trapping of beaver on large private forest ownerships, prioritizes non-lethal strategies for addressing beaver conflicts on forestlands, and establishes that ODF will participate with ODFW in a voluntary relocation program.
A New Multi-Million Dollar Fund: To support habitat conservation projects and enhance water quality.
“This historic agreement will give Oregon wild salmon and their home rivers a fighting chance in the face of climate change,” said Wild Salmon Center President and CEO, Guido Rahr. “Wild salmon need cold, clean water to survive and this agreement creates wider streamside buffers that will keep Oregon’s stream network cold in the face of hotter summers. It will work across tens of thousands of miles of streams across the entire private forest landscape in Oregon. I couldn’t be more proud of the hard work that WSC and our conservation partners put in to get this deal done with industry partners. And we thank the Governor for stewarding this leap forward in Oregon forestry.”
For more check out this blog from the Wild Salmon Center.
In this video of the week, we link up with the boys from Trouts Fly Fishing on their first episode of Rocky Mountain Fall. Where Ivan Orsic and Tanner Smith head out for a day on the water full of heckling and throwing streamers. With the temps dropping some of us may be putting our rods away and grabbing our skis but Tanner and Ivan prove their point to grab a buddy and some streamers and go for a walk. So sit down and enjoy as the boys determine if the light day dark streamer and dark day light streamer debacle is true.
Trouts Fly Fishing is a premier fly shop based out of Denver and the second shop based in Frisco. From guided trips to instructional videos to repairs they’ve got you covered!
Make sure to check out these other articles as well!
Idaho Fish and Game aims to reduce the invasive Eastern Brook Trout populations by stocking overwhelming numbers of “super male” fish, aiming to reduce successful spawning in river systems. These “super males” have two Y chromosomes, and when they spawn most of their offspring will be males. This strategy aims to eventually make it so there are no more spawning females in the brook trout population, leading to the eventual, humane eradication of the species with little human intervention.
Since their introduction to the state, brookies have become an unlikely headache as they spread throughout the river systems, out-competing native fish with ease.
“[Brook Trout] are an introduced, prolific species from the Eastern Seaboard that did better than they should have,†Anderson said. “And what happens is that they’ll overpopulate and cut out what is supposed to be in our streams: cutthroat trout, bull trout, and rainbow trout, said Greg Anderson, an Idaho Fish, and Game hatchery manager.
This latest “Super Male” strategy comes as fisheries managers are trying to develop plans to finally eradicate the eastern invaders from streams that should be home to thriving populations of wild, native cutthroat trout.
You can read more about these “Super Male” brookies and Idaho’s battle against the brookie in this article from Outdoor Life!
Snakehead; Scary name, scary attitude, and surprisingly delicious.
Snakehead are an invasive species in the United States but are native and a delicacy in Asia. Snakehead were believed to be introduced to the United States through illegal exotic fish dumping.
Snakehead have now been seen in 7 states since their introduction in Maryland. The largest population resides in the Potomac River drainage where they pose a large threat to the native species and ecosystems. The biggest threat they pose is an introduction to the Great Lakes where they could potentially wreak havoc on the very intricate and unique ecosystems.
Channa Argus or the Northern Snakehead are very unique fish. They have the ability to breathe oxygen and can survive out of water for 4 days. They also mature very fast and start spawning within 1-3 years. Dependent upon the ecosystem, Northern Snakehead can spawn UP TO 5 TIMES in one season from April to August, which potentially means 50,000 eggs can be laid in a season. They are very territorial during this time of year because they guard their eggs. The fry will hatch in 2-4 days and then will feed off of the embryonic sacs they are attached to. The female and male will guard these bright orange fry balls much like a female Largemouth bass. Any sort of invader is bound to get eaten.
This brings me to catching these toothy fish. TOPWATER. These fish sit in heavy vegetation, cover, and have been known to have birds, small mammals, and frogs in their bellies. Baitfish streamers, topwater frog and mice patterns, and others such as gurglers and poppers have been known to work. Along with the heavy cover and teeth, 30lb fluoro is commonly used. A wire leader could mean the difference between holding one of these slimy invaders and a lost fly. These fish may have a bad reputation and you’d think they would be easy to catch but it’s quite the opposite. These fish tend to be picky and moody. They will chase your fly all the way back to the boat but won’t eat it. If you get followed or get a short strike, change your fly and cast to the exact same area. Much like bass fishermen if a bass misses a topwater strike they can throw in a submersible bait into the same area and most likely get bit.
Now onto eating these slimy missiles of piss and vinegar. Snakehead have a slightly more firm fillet than tilapia and near-zero gaminess or fishiness. Eat the invaders is what people are calling it when they harvest these fish. So instead of giving your garden some snakehead fertilizer try filleting it up and pan-searing them.
“It is such a universal fish. If it weren’t for the name I think it would be on more menus.” “Can’t beat ’em, eat ’em,” is the slogan from Louisiana chef Philippe Parola.
“Eating invasive species is a really fun and interesting and charismatic way of attacking a very acute problem,” said Seaver, who advocates for sustainable seafood.
“Chef Chad Wells of Alewife restaurant tossed chunks of raw snakehead fish with cilantro and citrus to make something more ambitious than an $8 ceviche appetizer. It was an invasive-species eradication plan in a martini glass.”
Seaver, Parola, and Wells have been among the front lines serving snakehead on their menus. So far, snakehead has done well on restaurant menus helping combat this alien invasion.
Now if snakehead ceviche isn’t your thing these next few dishes should be simple and delicious ways to prepare snakehead.
#1 – Pan-Seared Snakehead Tacos
The most simple yet effective way to truly taste the fish is to pan-sear them. Make sure you take the skin off of your fillet. Snakeheads have large tough scales which would inhibit cooking and just wouldn’t look appetizing.
Lightly crack salt and pepper on both sides of the fillet.
A little bit of olive oil or butter in a pan and a fresh fillet of snakehead.
The Pan should be at medium heat.
I’m a huge fan of a vegetal or fruit-based salsa with fish tacos. With how firm the fillet is it can hold a good amount of salsa on top without being too heavy and masking the flavor of the fish.
1/2 a shallot or 1/4 of red onion, diced and cubed
1 fresh jalapeno diced and cubed, (more seeds = more spice)
A couple of sprigs of fresh cilantro, finely diced stem and all
Zest of a lime and then Juice the whole lime
Once finished cover and put into the fridge to let everything merry and come together. You probably want to make this first before cooking your fish. When it all comes together it creates an awesome summertime dish!
#2 – Fry ‘Em Up!Â
Much like any fish, it always tastes better fried. There’s just something about a cold beer or cocktail, a giant platter of fried fish with a wedge of lemon and good friends, that’s hard to beat!
As I mentioned, Snakehead is firm and can hold up well unlike other flakier fish. Which makes this fish great for grilling! Startup the grill, once again with this fish being so neutral you can utilize your preferred spices and routine! In some cases, it’s better to leave the skin on when grilling fish so it is up to you.
Now it may not be a way of cooking Snakehead but once again the versatility of this fish is really endless. With the “steakiness” of the fillet, Pan seared, fried, or gilled and then put on a sandwich is the perfect match.
Po’boy with some finely chopped Iceberg Lettuce, French roll, cajun mayo, tomato, and a little squeeze of lemon. Game over!
#5 – Snakehead Fish CakesÂ
A little more of a time-consuming method but the payoff is a fantastic dish. Much like crab cakes or other fish cakes the snakehead fish cake will be mixed and molded into little pucks or balls. Then battered and fried.
As I’ve mentioned previously choose your desired fish cake recipe and add snakehead to it. I can’t stress the versatility of the taste and texture of the fish enough! Literally, any application you can think of can be utilized this fish!
With so many different types of tippet, even the most experienced anglers can get caught up in the confusion. Check out these tips from Trouts for a quick tutorial on what tippets to fish when.
When looking to purchase your first aquatic vessel, the common question of: “Should I look for a raft or a drift boat” is often the first that crosses a freshwater angler’s mind. Considering either is a sizeable investment, picking the floating craft that is going to best suit your needs is imperative to dodging the encumbering woe that can be experienced when buying a new outdoor toy.
Whether you’re a guide or just someone who’s looking to increase their river navigability – a boat is a valuable weapon to add to one’s angling arsenal. This is why we teamed up with B&W Trailer Hitches to investigate just exactly what value drift boats and rafts offer when choosing between the two. While our team has spent a considerable time on either of the two, to solidify our findings, we loaded up our trailers, met up with local Roaring Fork guide, Brandon Soucie, and hit the water to talk shop and bump boats.
Towing:
When it comes to the actual towing of your boat, a drift boat and a raft will perform relatively similarly. The real differentiation will come from your trailer, and your hitch. However, it’s worth noting that when taking sharp turns, and in regard to gas milage, towing a drift boat may require slightly more attention as opposed to a raft – simply due to its weight.
When it comes to loading and unloading your drift boat or raft, you’ll notice that certain vessels come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages.
With trailer rollers and winches, the actual act of loading and unloading a boat, regardless of what kind it is, comes with relative ease. Both require a bit of assistance when it comes to the initial steps taken, but for the most part, simple machines do most of the work for us. The real differentiation of the two isn’t the act of loading and unloading, but more WHERE you can load and unload it.
With rafts, you’re given a lot more flexibility when it comes to what conditions you can load and unload your boat into/ out from. Almost all rafts are made of a very flexible, but durable polyurethane or Hypalon material that protect the raft against abrasion. Because of this as well as a raft’s noticeably lightweight, you can generally squeeze rafts in and out of tighter loading zones, with far less risk of damaging it or hurting yourself. Rafts can also be dragged from lot to spots that are too tight to back a trailer into, making them the perfect boat for someone who’s looking to do some of the grid float fishing.
Drift boats on the other hand are far heavier, and far less equipped to be dragged through anything. This isn’t necessarily because they are fragile or prone to break, however. Many modern-day drift boats possess many layers of reinforcement on the floors, allowing them to compensate for hidden rocks and submerged trees on the water. It’s simply due to their shape and weight that drift boats demand more manicured loading and unloading zones. However, when it comes to the stations where an angler really has to push their boat onto a trailer, drift boats boast a much sturdier frame than rafts, as rafts’ soft body and tied down frame will often budge under immense pressure. These are all factors to take into consideration when deciding which environments you’ll be putting your boat in.
Rowing & Maneuverability:
Rowing a drift boat vs. a raft is largely dependant on the rower’s ability, and less so on the vessel, they’re rowing. However, one factor to take into consideration is how factors such as wind and weight will affect one’s maneuverability.
Wind
When it comes to wind and how it will affect your drift, many will argue drift boats are more vulnerable on a gusty afternoon. Oftentimes, a drift boat’s high sides and hull can become sails when the wind really picks up, greatly affecting how much effort a rower will need to put into each oar stroke to combat unwanted changes in course. However, with consideration to this issue, many drift boat manufacturers have begun producing low-sided boats, or even freshwater skiff models to allow for easier maneuvering.
When it comes to wind, rafts oftentimes fair better simply because their frames are constructed of metal piping as opposed to solid siding and gunwales. On the flip side, however, rafts are considerably lighter than drift boats, and, especially on stiller water, can be blown around just as much if not more than drift boats.
Weight
Speaking of weight, for the most part, drift boats are always going to weigh more than rafts, considering one is constructed with wood, hard plastics, and metal, and the other is largely comprised of… air.
The weight of your drift boat will of course be mainly affected by what materials the boat is comprised of. Some drift boats are largely plastic, while others possess wooden frames and detailing. When it comes to how weight affects how your boat operates in the water, the two main things that will differ between differently weighted boats will be reaction time, and how easily you can keep your line.
The level of durability you’re looking for is going to depend on two factors: Where you plan on taking your vessel, and, in terms of drift boats, what kind of boat you’re looking for.
To start this off, let’s look at where you’re going to be floating. If you plan on sending your boat down the roaring rapids of the Colorado or the Arkansas (in rowable sections of course), you’re going to worry less on low flows and scraping bottom. Considering many anglers and guides float a multitude of different waters, all with varying flows, something to consider is how much you’ll be scraping.
While most drift boats are designed with extremely abrasion-resistant/ tough floors they will almost always ride lower in the water than rafts. No matter how tough your boat is, constant scraping is never good for longevity. So, if you’re planning on fishing smaller rivers most of the time, you may want to consider looking into a raft. However, and it’s important I include this… an advantage drift boats lend is the ability to reinforce your boat’s hull every couple of years or so. Especially if you’re using a polymer boat, adding new layers to your boat can greatly increase longevity and counteract the impact of scraping. Most responsible drift boat owners will do this on a bi-yearly, if not yearly basis.
This brings me to the next point. Depending on what kind of boat you’re looking for is going to play a large role in its durability. Polymer technology has come a long way over the last decade. So, overall, the newer your boat – the stronger it’ll be. This is simply a product of R&D. Another factor, however, and obviously more important is the material that makes up your boat’s hull. In short, metal boats are going to be the strongest. However, not every angler has the capacity or desire to haul around an extremely heavy metal boat. The takeaway from this is to examine your options and know what’s out there. The last thing you want is to invest in a drift boat and poke a hole in it with a wrong maneuver around a rock.
Okay, let’s talk rafts. In terms of durability, rafts perform surprisingly well. Any raft made before 2010 is most likely going to be of a polyurethane construction with a Hypalon coating. Since 2010, Hypalon has gone out of production and has been replaced with a new chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CP) coating that is extremely similar in performance. Because of their scientifically engineered construction, rafts are highly durable when put up against rocks, trees, or other rafts (we’ve all been there at least once). HOWEVER, rafts can still pop (obviously). Like a drift boat, these vessels aren’t invincible, and going up too fast or too hard against a hard enough and sharp enough object, can lead to a very unfavorable change of events on the river. While most times, where drift boats might scrape or get hung up, rafts have a tendency to “bounce off” objects upon collision, it’s super important to always exercise extreme caution when looking down that run.
Comfort:
This category is one where the skew will be a little more noticeable. On the water, comfort is pretty synonymous with space and ease of movement. For most anglers, guides, in particular, both of these factors will be much easier found between the gunwales of a drift boat.
Due to a drift boat’s solid, and oftentimes larger build, a drift boat offers more space to move around, more space for additional amenities, and a smoother ride overall. Almost any guide worth their salt either possesses or is saving their tips to invest in a drift boat simply because it’s a more enjoyable ride for their clients. That’s not to say there aren’t comfortable rafts out there, and of course, plenty of well-qualified guides may choose to run a raft over a drift boat depending on the water they navigate. It’s just hard to beat solid flooring, dry feet, and lots of additional storage space.
It’s also hard to beat built-in cup holders…
Fishing:
Let’s note this right off the bat: your fishing experience is going to be most affected by your fishing ability. Fishing out of a drift boat/ raft is going to be much different from wade fishing. It might take a couple go’s to really get it down.
This being said, your experience is going to be greatly influenced by all the factors above. Depending on how much gear you want to bring, where you want to fish, how you want to fish, how many anglers you have on board, the competency of your rower, etc… your fishing is going to come down to what you make of it. If having lots of space to dance around is your cup of tea, you may favor a drift boat. If you like to stay low and intimate with the water – maybe look at a raft. This being said, the best advice I can give here is to consider all other variables above and find your balance. The rest will follow.
Price:
When it comes to price, you can probably guess which out of the two are going to be more expensive. Needless to say, with luxuries, such as those mentioned above, you’re going to be spending more money.
For a new, freshly built drift boat, you can expect to spend anywhere between $9-10k for a standard Clacka or Hyde, or between $15k-$20k for a new, built-to-order Steathcraft, all the way to $30-40k and above for some of the premium boats incorporating wood finish and custom installments. However, for a used boat, and depending on who you’re haggling with, a water-ready boat will usually sit around $5-10k, sometimes even dipping below $4-3k, depending on age, features, and condition.
When looking for a Raft, it depends whether or not you’re looking for a raft and frame together (a package), or just a raft/ just a frame. For a Raft alone, you can find one from NRS, STAR, or AIRE from around $1-5k. From there, you’ll want to look at a frame, which can usually range an additional $1-2k. Total packages, such as the Aire Puma, can run anywhere from around $7-10k.
If you’re looking to save some time and hassle in looking for matching raft + frames, packages can be worth the little bit of extra spend. Otherwise, rafts are a great way to make a vessel of your own without breaking the bank. Keep in mind, if you’re looking at fishing frames, make sure you check for an anchor system, oarlocks, and other important accessories that will take you down the river. These sometimes do not come included and can often rack up an unexpected and hefty bill.
Storage:
Storage is one of the largest differentiating factors between a drift boat and a raft. As it goes without saying, a drift boat is going to demand a sizeable larger amount of storage than a raft – largely because it can’t be broken down and deflated. One of the bigger advantages of a raft, especially smaller ones such as an NRS 12′ Otter can be easily deflated and folded up for storage. Raft frames can also be disassembled, and stored alongside the raft itself, allowing for storage in areas as small as one’s truck or van.
If you plan on keeping your raft inflated, make sure to take note of temperature changes and weather. As you may notice, rafts, like many earthly things, adhere to the laws of thermodynamics. Rafts will expand when the temperature heats up, and contract when the temp cools. So, to avoid a plethora of undesirable events, the most extreme of which is popping your raft, make sure to let some air out of your boat during the warmer months of the year. If this isn’t something you want to worry about, maybe consider a drift boat.
With drift boats, it’s important to have a larger driveway, a large garage, or an alternate location to store it as 1. Drift boats should be kept on their trailers at almost all times to avoid potential damage, and 2. you can’t take them apart (duh). However, an easy solution here is finding a leasable safe lot or a buddy’s land where you can store your boat. Just be sure you invest in a boat cover if it’s going to be braving the elements outside of a dependable structure.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, there is no clearly defined winner – because it’s really not a competition. Your boat is going to deliver the most value to you based on your needs. For guides who are hosting clients on a consistent basis, drift boats may offer more bang for your buck. For the constant adventurer who likes to explore any and all bodies of water under the sun, maybe consider a raft. In the end, it’s what you want out of a vessel, and only you can determine exactly what that is. Hopefully, the notes above are some help in doing so. Now, stop reading this, grab your rod, and go fishing.
Both boats pictured above were towed with B&W Trailer hitches. When dropping thousands of dollars on a boat, don’t skimp on the mechanism that’s going to be responsible for getting it from point A to point BÂ safely. Thank you to B&W for making this piece possible. To learn more,CLICK HERE.
For the past 50 years, Johnny Morris and the company he founded have been committed to conservation and providing value to customers. Bass Pro Shops and the White River Marine Group have transformed how sportsmen relate to the outdoor product and boating markets. Through time and across brands, Morris and his business network have empowered efforts to conserve nature, promote sportsmen’s rights and introduce new audiences to the great outdoors.
The success of Morris’ conservation efforts has been recognized in the form of awards and honors from organizations far and wide. Morris was presented with the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Award by President George H. W. Bush during a special ceremony at the White House in 1990. He has also been awarded highest honors from such distinguished organizations as the Audubon Society, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the National Wildlife Federation and others. Morris has been honored with appointments by three sitting US presidents.
Johnny Morris’ conservation legacy, however, exists not in these honors and recognition. This legacy is best observed in the million-plus annual visitors to the Johnny Morris Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium—each of which who leave with a reaffirmed love for nature and conservation. His legacy is most evident in cascading levels of benefit his efforts have created for current and future generations of sportsmen and women.
The American Museum of Fly Fishing established the Heritage Award to honor and celebrate individuals and organizations whose commitment to the museum, the sport of fly fishing, and the conservation of our natural resources set standards to which we all should aspire. Johnny Morris is honored to be a part of this distinguished community.
“At this extraordinary time for The AMFF, we are thrilled to be honoring one of the most significant figures in our industry today who is both a visionary and conservation champion. Johnny Morris has helped pave the way for today’s outdoors industry – and so many conservation efforts within it – through his passion, his brand, his tireless efforts, his constant and unconditional generosity, and, perhaps most importantly, his vision of how to enhance people’s lives through the great outdoors. His contributions to the industry and conservation are so great and varied that they simply cannot be listed here. The foundation of his immense success within, and impact on, the industry, on so many levels, is built on the simple passion he has for the outdoors and his strong desire to share this among fellow outdoorsmen and women.†– AMFF President Fred Polhemus
