Guide to Raft Fishing vs Drift Boat Fishing

Fly fishing rivers from boats isn’t a novel idea. But “drifting” rivers and fly fishing for trout? The method got its genesis in the late 1800s on Oregon’s McKenzie River—the birthplace of drift boat fishing.

The venerable McKenzie River fishing dory, which would undergo countless alterations in the coming century or so, is the first true drift boat. All other drift boats can trace their lineage to this virtually unsinkable, shallow-draft craft that allowed anglers to access entire rivers. Indeed, drift boat fishing changed the sport of fly fishing for good.

For some, it was all about the craft. Drift boat fishing became a discipline in its own right. But for others, it was the approach to fishing rivers from high-floating crafts that mattered most. These innovative souls realized that fishing from a drift boat, while certainly a handy addendum to fly fishing, had its limitations.

Enter the ubiquitous inflatable raft. This durable and portable boat option has grown in popularity over the last few decades. Many anglers have come to realize that fishing from a raft has its benefits, many of which traditional drift boats can’t compete with. And, today’s fishing rafts are every bit as safe and durable as drift boats.

What’s the Difference With Fishing From a Raft?

The general approach is the same. The same navigation techniques apply to fishing from a raft as they do to drift boat fishing. The same general safety principles apply. The same benefits are realized. But fishing from a raft offers more flexibility to floating anglers.

From the ability to handle extreme whitewater conditions to simple portability, fishing from a raft unlocks more angling opportunities, which on today’s crowded rivers, more access really means something.

Modern fishing rafts are multi-chambered boats that incorporate sturdy frames, comfortable seats, and even thigh hooks so anglers can stand and cast, just like when they’re drift boat fishing. But fishing from a raft gives anglers the option to inflate their craft at the river, eliminating the need for an expensive trailer. The boat, too, is generally more attainable to anglers, with a considerably lower price tag than wooden or aluminum drift boats. And, on remote, backcountry floats through heavy water where drift boats might be a liability, fishing from a raft offers anglers more access and more water to fish.

Gear and Equipment

Not much changes in the gear category when it comes to fishing from a raft vs. drift boat fishing. The same general safety equipment—throw lines, life jackets, an extra oar, etc.—is needed.

But fishing from a raft does require some different equipment. First, most fishing rafts, save for smaller, one-person crafts, incorporate aluminum or steel frames that are secured to the rafts. These frames make fishing from a raft very comparable or perhaps even better than a drift boat. They allow both the person at the oars and the anglers to sit or stand higher in the boat, which gives them needed elevation, particularly for fly anglers, where the cast requires some room to operate.

Furthermore, modular frames, like the NRS fishing frames, let anglers customize their set up. With the same raft, anglers can rig a multi-day gear hauler, sacrificing an angler for storage, or they can create a day-fishing machine adding anglers to the bow and stern. A drift boat doesn’t have the same adaptability.

Aside from the frame, fishing from a raft generally requires longer oars for better maneuverability. This gives the boat’s captain the ability to approach and navigate whitewater that drift boat rowers might not consider. In all, the two disciplines are very comparable. Nevertheless, fishing from a raft does let anglers safely access waters drift boats can’t typically navigate.

Understanding the River

This is one aspect of fishing from a raft that doesn’t differ from drift boat fishing. Knowing a river or at least how to read the water is an essential skill. Understanding how rafts react to current and a general understanding of oarsmanship is a prerequisite. These skills can, of course, be taught and learned. But before fishing from a raft, the oarsman or woman should feel confident with their skills. It also helps if the person at the oars understands where fish might hold in the river and how to best position the boat so anglers have the highest chance at hooking up.

Here are few of the basics:

• The key to avoiding obstacles is to point the bow of the raft at the hazard and row away from it by back rowing. The vast majority of oarsmanship in a raft or a drift boat involves back rowing.
• Steering a raft or a drift boat is very similar to back rowing, but only with half of your body. If you wish to steer the boat right, back row with your left arm. Right? Back row with your left arm.
• Communicate with your anglers on the boat with you. Understand their casting abilities and put the least-skilled angler in the front of the boat. This accomplishes two things: first, you can coach the inexperienced angler, and second, you can put the bow of the boat in the right position to compensate for their cast.
• You’ll pick up other useful skills, like scissor rowing, crab rowing, and front rowing as you go.

Ethics and Etiquette

These important elements to fishing from a raft apply just as they do to drift boat fishing. The overarching mantra to consider when rowing a raft: “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.”

In other words, be considerate. Think both about the safety of your passengers and the experience of others around you. Give footbound anglers on the river a wide berth. Don’t maneuver your raft in front of another craft and cut them off from water they are clearly intending to fish. When possible, if things get tight, engage the oarsmen or women in other boats and let them know what you’re planning to do so as not to surprise them.

When it comes to fishing from a raft, there are a few things you should consider, just like you would when you are drift boat fishing. For instance:

• Encourage your anglers to limit their catch, not catch their limit. When possible, and where it makes sense, practice catch-and-release angling.
• Never bring a fish aboard the raft for a photo. Instead, drop your anchor and help your anglers take a picture of their catch near or in the water. Always keep fish wet.
• Pinch the barbs on all your hooks to make releasing fish easier.
• Use smooth, rubberized nets, not nets with abrasive material.

More Resources for New Rowers

We provide a library of tips and resources for rowers and anglers new to fishing from a raft in our Learn Center. The Learn Center contains everything from tips and videos on how to assemble your raft’s fishing frame and rowing safety tips to FAQs on etiquette and general navigation tips.

Final Word

Fishing from a raft isn’t all that different from drift boat fishing, so if you’ve done the latter, you’re off to a good start. The added benefits that come with fishing from a raft, however, give rowers more options and more angling opportunities.

Keep in mind, though, that the same techniques apply, and that rowing a raft, while subtly different, shouldn’t be much more complicated than rowing a drift boat. It’s important that oarsmen and women be able to read the water and understand how to avoid potentially dangerous obstacles. Basic rowing techniques should be mastered before you ever taking others on the water.

And, when it comes to angling, fishing from a raft is very similar to drift boat fishing. Both disciplines require the person on the oars to best position the boat for the angler’s success, and both disciplines should incorporate a universal set of ethics, etiquette and proper fish handling. Fishing from a raft is very similar to drift boat fishing, but raft-bound anglers can enjoy a few benefits, like portability and access, that drift boat fishing just doesn’t offer.