Boat rowing Questions

[ScoutII]

Hey gang, Got my new MacKenzie Boat out this last weekend, did a 5 hour float down the AuSable, It was a little strange at first having never rowed a drift boat, then it started to click a little (I see beer and rowing is not a great mix, at least not without moderation!) anyways.. My buddy and I had alot of problems trying to get the boat around a bend and not mess up the bend pool, is there a way to do this that is describable? or should i just jump out and fish all bends I wish to fish before rolling through them, How much fishing from the boat do you guys normally do? Do you cast and roll, just row when you really like a spot? How often do you drop the anchor? Sorry if these are wierd questions, just trying to get a better grip on the ol' girl before we go again when there might be people in the water, thank god it was lonely out there last weekend, we probably would have hit someone! lol

[gunrod]

It really depends on how wide the river is. If it's narrow - get out and fish. If it's wide - find spot to anchor.

If you can slip into the skinny side you can fish from the boat or wade.

If the water is deep you can go over without spooking the fish too much. Just don't row until you go through. If salmon and steelhead fishing they will generally duck and come back out after things settle. Trout will usually duck into wood or the bank only to stay there.

Remember, point the boat at and spot or object that you don't want to hit and row away when you get close. Current can be funny. Sometimes current will push or pull you into slack water and sometimes it will suck you in.

A couple more trips and you'll be answering your own questions.

[riverman]

It also sounds like you were coming into the corners too hot, too straight, and in the current seam. Try angling the boat stern to inside bend with the bow just in the current seam. Couple backstrokes and around the corner you will go. Like Gunrod said, a little more oarer seat time and it will come to you easy.

[gunrod]

And just when you think you've got it figured out you will think a current seam is going to suck you in and instead it will push you out into a tree.

I've rowed some days and forgot to pull the rod out. I love getting in my drifter.

[turtlehead]

Good advice. Riverman is right on about hitting the seam. Slow down and get yourself set up well ahead of time. If you hit it right, you can do it with 2-3 strokes. Once you get a feel for your boat and learn the water you are fishing a little, it doesn't really take a ton of effort.

I'm with Gunrod, I can get a lot of enjoyment from a good day on the oars especially if I'm putting people on fish. It's also great when it is really cold!

[BeanOFish]

My buddy that taught me how to row, gave the best advice: always keep your butt end pointing towards where you want to go. It is much easier to back oar out of trouble. I would back oar your entire drift, it will slow your boat and keep you out of trouble.

[Firemedic]

Originally Posted by BeanOFish

My buddy that taught me how to row, gave the best advice: always keep your butt end pointing towards where you want to go. It is much easier to back oar out of trouble. I would back oar your entire drift, it will slow your boat and keep you out of trouble.

Perfect.

I still remember the first time I was on a set of oars. I hit the Rea Rd. bridge on the Au Sable. Scared the crap outta me, as I hit it side ways. Even though I have gained quite a few hours behind the sticks, everytime I go under that bridge I get sweaty palms.....

[bucketmouthhauler]

Originally Posted by ScoutII

How much fishing from the boat do you guys normally do? Do you cast and roll, just row when you really like a spot? How often do you drop the anchor? Sorry if these are wierd questions, just trying to get a better grip on the ol' girl before we go again when there might be people in the water, thank god it was lonely out there last weekend, we probably would have hit someone! lol

HI, someone should always be up front casting!! Like someone else said backrow the entire time (unless the water sucks). The nice thing about slow michigan rivers is you can drop anchor anywhere you want without much worry. If I were you I would drop it whenever you want and fish from inside the boat. Keeps you high off the water and makes for easy casting compared to standing in water up to your waste. As for rowing around corners the other guys have pretty much covered it. Keep that back end pointed away from the object you want to avoid. Also would help to learn how to crab crawl. <-- look this term up on youtube and you might be able to find a video. This is an awesome stroke and works wonders!! Basically if you want the boat to go right, stroke the right oar towards the boat on the front end. Then at the same time you need to pull the left oar away from the back of the boat. Both in short fast multiple strokes. This probly doesn't make any sense in the way I have explained it, you might have to have someone show you if you cannot find a youtube link.