The Best of Fly Fishing Boats

Many fly fisherman head to the river outfitted in their waders, knee high wading boots, and fly vest. They generally have their rod in hand and a dozen flies stuck to their favorite fishing hat. This is an iconic view of fisherman that hasn’t changed for decades.

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 Perfect River Boat

Fly fishing boats allow fisherman to fish miles of river without having to wade through the other wade fisherman. Boats are great because they move over the water without spooking the fish. Instead of fishing just a handful of holes, boats allow you to fish hundreds of different holes in a single trip.

Perhaps the most popular of the fly fishing boats is the drift boat. The drift boat is essentially a dory that has been converted for river use. These fly fishing boats have a flat bottom and sides that flare out. They ride high in the water and can spin around very quickly. This makes them ideal for maneuvering rapids and avoiding river obstacles. Many people use rubber rafts for river fishing, but rafts seem sluggish and hard to maneuver by comparison.

Of all fly fishing boats, the drift boat is a frequent favorite among fly fishermen. It is designed specifically for river fishing. The high sides help keep fishermen dry even in rapids. There is ample watertight storage to keep clothes and water sensitive items dry. They also provide a stable platform to stand on. Knee lock allow you to safely stand and cast even while racing down whitewater.

Of all the fly fishing boats on the market, drift boats are most suitable to rapids. They are by far the most maneuverable. They can turn on a dime. They are also much faster on the water than traditional river rafts. Although, drift boats will dent if rammed into large rocks, they can take a beating and are very durable.

The drawback to using a drift boat, is that you need a trailer to move it. You also need a boat ramp to launch it and remove it from the river. Additionally, they can bottom out in extremely low water.

Perhaps the biggest drawback for many, is the price. If it weren’t for the high expensive of buying a drift boat, just about every fly fisher would have one. Those who have them though, will tell you they are well worth the price.

You can find tons of info about fly fishing online. For additional information take a look at this website on fly fishing boats.