Monday, July 11, 2011

The Best of Fly Fishing Boats

By Bill Hefensen


Most people imagine the iconic fly fisherman standing in waste high water, and fully decked out in waders, boots, and fly vest. Many fishermen do indeed choose to carry all of their fly fishing materials into the center of a river. However, this isn't the only way to fly fish.

However, it is becoming more difficult to find open shoreline to fish. With so many other fisherman competing for the prime holes, more and more fisherman are taking to fly fishing boats. Boats allow you to avoid the rat race. They also let you fish in front of untouched private property that may otherwise be inaccessible.

The Best Boat

Fly fishing boats allow fisherman to drift right by all those shore fisherman. They allow you to find the pristine, untouched holes in the river. Perhaps the best of the fly fishing boats, is the river drift boat. The drift boat excels in the river fishing found in western states.

The drift boat is really a normal dory that has been upgraded for river fishing. Drift boats are characterized by their flat bottom, high sides, and narrow stern. They have a wide center and can spin around in the water effortlessly. The drift boat gives a rower much more maneuvering power compared to other fly fishing boats.

The reason drift boats make such great fly fishing boats is because they were designed with fishing rivers specifically in mind. They have ample dry storage, so you can bring your camera and dry cloths without worrying whether they will stay dry. Not only that, but they allow you to stand and fish. Many have knee locks that allow you to lock yourself in in standing position. This is great if you like to cast far even while running rapids.

Fly fishing boats come in many flavors. River rafts are perhaps the most common. However, drift boats offer significant improvements over rafts. they move much more quickly and turn incredibly fast. Additionally, they can drop anchor at any time. This allows you to stop and fish pods of fish.

Fly fishing boats can be a bit of work. This is definitely the case with drift boats. To have a drift boat, you will need a trailer and vehicle that can tow it. You will also be limited to using boat launches. Additionally, drift boats don't perform well in low water.

The final caveat for some fisherman, is the high price of most drift boats. They often cost five grand or more. Of course, if well cared for, a drift boat will outlast any of the other fly fishing boats on the river.




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