Learn the tips and tricks to planning a remote fishing trip your friends or family will remember for a lifetime. This guide covers everything you need to know!

Nothing compares to fishing from a boat. There are many different options and sizes to choose from. Compare your choices and find the best size boat for fishing. 

Searching for some of the most unique campsites in the United States? Check out these fly fishing destinations you need to visit on your next trip! These are unique US campsites for fly fishing.

Fly fishing in a boat opens up so many opportunities for anglers to reach new spots and ultimately catch more fish. Unfortunately, getting a boat that works for your needs can be difficult. Fly fishing requires a lightweight and shallow hull, so traditional bay boats won’t work and often it can be a hassle and expensive to store a boat and a trailer. 

One of the best investments you can make is in a durable, inflatable drift boat. While there are some cheap inflatable tubes on the market, medium-sized inflatable drift boats allow you to bring more gear and are more durable than other inflatables. 

Once you discover the benefits of fly fishing from an inflatable drift boat, it’s hard to go back to waders and standing in the stream. If you’ve never done it before, you’ll quickly learn the difference. Fishing from a boat, in general, requires a different approach and strategy. As you navigate the waters, there will be different variables that you need to adjust on the fly. In any case, adding a boat to your fly trips can make all the difference and give you more options.

If you’ve never fished on the fly from a boat, there are some things to keep in mind. Here are 10 quick tips for fishing out of an inflatable fishing boat.

 

1. Cast Downstream

Fly fishing in a drift boat allows you to drift. While this means you’re constantly moving, it opens up new fishing areas and creates a nice change of scenario from time to time. 

Many beginners (and even seasoned anglers) will get caught looking to the side and fishing perpendicular to the boat and casting upstream. Since you’re moving while on the boat, compared to waders, you’ll need to treat your cast a little differently. 

When you cast upstream on a boat, you will have drag in your drifts and a poor presentation. Fly Fishing is all about getting a proper presentation and what seems like continual mending. If you’re casting upstream, your fly presentation will go wonky sooner and you’ll have to recast more often.

Always look ahead at what’s coming. Once you find a great run, throw your fly in the faster water or right on the edge and keep the presentation clean. The mends are thrown upstream to get a nice, long drag-free drift while your boat drifts. This will give your cast more opportunities to catch a bite, and you’ll spend less time recasting. 

 

2. Communication is Key

Always communicate with the team in your vessel. Working a boat is a lot different than solo kayak fishing or wading. With a boat team on a long fishing trip, you need to talk with your oarsmen and help them guide the vessel. The last thing you want is them floating over your runs and missing opportunities to get bites. Experienced rowers will typically put you fish on or tell you where to cast, but beginners will need a little more help finding the good runs.

The oarsmen have a crucial role and need to maneuver the boat and put the anglers in the best position. To do this, everyone needs to be on the same page so the anglers hit their spots and the oarsmen don’t ruin any runs. 

Sometimes, your oarsmen may need to break the speed of the boat a little so you get a chance to focus in and fish a spot a bit more. If you’re in fast-moving water, you may come across pockets heavy with trout. Be prepared to slow down and move into slower water. Don’t be afraid to drop anchor or use the trolling motor depending on the quality of the spot (and if it's acceptable in the area. Some areas are cool with trolling motors, but most western trout waters won’t be). 

Communicating is also required if your lines are tangled or you catch on something in the water. If you catch the bottom or get caught on a stump, let the oarsman know right away so they can adjust. You may be able to save the fly before it snaps. 

 

3. Teamwork Makes The Dream Work

Let’s be honest—most memorable fishing trips aren’t just about the big catch of the day, it’s the time you spend bonding with family or friends. To help make sure you have the best experience every time you get out on the water, make sure you have a plan with your buddies to work together and enjoy your time.

It all starts with the preparation. For instance, if one guy owns your boat, the other two should be paying for gas to tow the boat to the water and home. The same goes for your equipment. To help stay organized you can designate one person to bring lunch, one to bring extra flies, and one to bring the cooler of drinks. 

Speaking of equipment, you might want to have a few different rod setups to swap between. If you can swing it, it is really nice to have five unique rods. This lets you store three in your rod holder and have a different one in each anglers’ hands.

Always be communicating with the other angler and oarsman. Make sure one person isn’t on the sticks the whole time either. If the fish are biting left and right, take a turn on the oars every couple fish you catch. If it’s a little bit slower out, make sure to swap out each time you catch a fish.

 

4. Keep an Eye on the Water Speed

A good way to be more efficient and catch more fish is by studying the water. Different parts of the river will have different speeds. Pay attention to this before you cast. 

While your inflatable fishing boat should have a sturdy inflatable floor to keep you steady, even the most agile boat will not hold in rough waters if you aren’t paying attention. 

Be mindful of what you can do while in rough water and take it slow. If the water is rough enough, pull your lines in and focus on going through the rapids so you don't lose flies or break rods. If you’re in choppier water, you’ll want to be aiming more downstream and making fewer, but quality casts. If you’re in slower water, though, you can let a few more fly and have multiple drifts.

 

5. Know Your Boat

It can be easy to get caught up on a drift and cast over the boat. Not only is this dangerous for your team, but it could also ruin a poor quality inflatable and damage your hooks. Get a sturdy, high-quality inflatable so you won’t have to repair boat punctures while on a good drift. 

One lousy cast can lead your fishing hook to catch something on the boat or even one of your partners. If you spot a good run, let your team know and then adjust your positioning on the boat. If you have a swivel seat, this makes life easier. Pull your fly up and around and recast in the spot that you have eyes on.

Take some time to study your inflatable craft and make a note of any possible features that could tangle your line or get snagged by your flies. Nothing ruins a good run faster than a tangled line or snagged hook on your boat. If your inflatable boat has accessories like the gear rack, fishing rod holder, or rear lean bar, be aware of these when casting. You might also have to work around your outboard motor and motor mount, oars, and oar locks.

 

6. Be Mindful of Your Surroundings When Casting

Save yourself the hassle of getting flies caught in trees or snagged on stumps. When you’re fishing in a drift boat, by being mindful of your surroundings. When you’re fishing in waders, a fly caught in a nearby tree can be retrieved. When you’re floating down the water though and catch a branch, you’ll need to pop the fly off. You can do this by pointing the rod at the fly with a taunt fly line and then pull until the fly pops.  

When you’re going through a tight section of water especially, you’ll need to switch up your technique. Stick to tension casts or roll casts and keep your flies in the water

If you see log sticking out of the water, chances are that a fish might be using it for shelter. This can be high risk but high reward. When casting at targets like this, make sure you hit your mark or you can end up losing a lot of flies quickly if you aren’t careful. Nothing hurts more than losing a $7 streamer.

 

7. Aim Small, Miss Small

When you’re fishing in tighter spots or narrow streams, the best advice is to aim small, miss small. 

Narrow runs aren’t the time for big back casts or long drifts. It’s all about hitting smaller targets and being accurate. In situations like these, being more precise and calculated with your casts will lead to more bites. 

Like Lance Egan mentions, fly selection is important, but presentation and accuracy is even more important. Similarly, long drifts are great, but when you’re fishing from an inflatable boat in tighter water, you can aim for those smaller pockets and put the boat in position to hit them. 

To master this skill, take some time to practice casting. One of the best times to do this is when you’re out of the boat at home. Practicing your casting at home can be a big game changer the next time you get out on the water. If you need some tips, check out these basic and advanced casting training videos from Orvis, which include how-tos, drills, tips and tricks, plus a bunch of other helpful information to improve your fly fishing skills.

 

8. Switch Up Your Fly Patterns and Retrieves

If you find that the fish just don’t seem to be biting, you may want to swap out your fly. Try things like adding some flash or changing the size of your fly. One or two subtle changes that look and act a little bit differently than what your partner is using can pay off. Besides just changing your fly patterns, switch up your retrieves as well. Something as simple as changing your speed can get a fish to bite even if it just passed on your partner’s fly. 

Typically fish are keyed in on colors or certain patterns and will ignore everything else besides what they're keyed into. So if they're eating a dry fly off the top consistently, both anglers should be fishing dry flies. Make sure that your and your fishing partners are using similar setups if the fish are hitting a certain style, color, or pattern.

Again, minor changes can lead to big results on the water. If you find that something isn’t working and the fish won’t bite, switch up your equipment. These are variables you can control, and some things that locals can help with. Reach out to your local fly shop to see if they are getting any bites. 

 

9. Fish Different Depths

Some days the fish just won’t bite. When this happens, you may want to try fishing a different depth. If you’re not getting any action on top, you could try switching to a streamer or a nymph rig. If this still isn’t making a difference, consider adding some weight to your rig. Sometimes it just takes some minor adjustments to your equipment to get the fish to start biting.

If an area looked promising but didn’t get any bites, don’t give up right away. Sometimes you just need to go a little deeper to get a fish to bite. 

Some fish will stay away from the surface, but if you drop the fly down a few more feet below the surface, they jump all over it. The back of the boat is where you get to be creative and experiment. Use this time to your advantage!

 

10. Safety First

Unfortunately, inflatable tender, drift boats, and kayaks can all get caught in whitewater fairly quickly. Cheap inflatable boats might break more easily. No matter what, bring a safety kit and a repair kit and always go out with a reliable inflatable drift boat. Anglers get lost or injured on rivers every year. Don’t be one of them. 

You should take some time to study the water you’ll be floating on before you go. If you may encounter rapids, it's important to make sure you’re prepared and comfortable navigating through them. For instance, if you’re comfortable rowing class 1 rapids but there is a class 3 rapid on the river, you’ll need to map out a way to avoid it or make sure there is a spot to pull out before then.

On top of this, always make sure to wear a life jacket while on the boat and study the area you’re going to be drifting through. 

Fishing in an inflatable craft is so much fun and lets you explore new areas of the water. But, you need to be prepared and understand that safety comes before fishing. Communicate with your team, and always watch out for one another. 

We highly recommend bringing a GPS device. Flycraft Operations Manager, Brad Buchanan always has a Garmin 66i so if something goes wrong he can send exact coordinates to responders or communicate if there's no cell signal.

Get Out On The Water

There are few better ways to spend your time than out on the water drifting and fly fishing. Our inflatable drift boats help you reach more parts of the water, navigate through tighter and shallower spots, and will last you for years to come.

With an inflatable craft, you don’t have to worry about hauling a heavy aluminum boat or pontoon or finding a boat ramp to get in and out of water. And our two-man Stealth can be packed up and loaded into two carry-on luggage containers so you can even fly to remote locations and still have a sturdy, lightweight boat with you.

Inflatable drift boats help you to get out on the water faster and with less hassle. With a sturdy hull, and floors just as strong as an aluminum floor, you’ll be surprised at the ease of fly fishing on one of our drifts. 

Whether you’re making a trip to some of the best runs on the west coast, or you’re trekking to the rivers in Patagonia, one of our Flycraft inflatables can take you there. 

 

If you’ve ever fly fished before, then you know how glorious it is to be out there, experiencing nature and fishing with your friends or family. While walking and wading is a great experience, sometimes it doesn’t get you to the remote spots, which can be where some of the best fishing experiences are. 

The truth is, fishing from a boat opens up so many new opportunities for anglers. However, if you live in an apartment or you don’t have the space for heavy-duty boats, you may think boat fishing is out of the question. 
Know that there are some really great compact and inflatable boats that you can store in a driveway, small lot, and even pack up and put in your apartment compartment. Especially since fly fishing requires such a lightweight boat, you have way more options than you might realize.  

There are several different kinds of compact boats to consider, but ultimately your decision will depend on your lifestyle factors. 

To help you make an informed decision and determine the type of compact fishing boat you should purchase for your next fly fishing trip, here are a few things to consider:

 

Factors to Consider in Compact Boats for Fly Fishing

Choosing the right boat will come down to these factors:

• Your living situation
• Your budget
• The type of fishing you will be doing
• The areas you want to fish

Once you address these factors, choosing the right boat for your next trip is easy. 

Living Situation

If you live in an apartment, for example, then the first thing you need to consider is how you will store your boat. Do you have an extra lot for the boat or space in your apartment parking lot that’s secure? If not, then you are limited to inflatables. Luckily there are high-quality inflatables to choose from. 

If you have storage space, then your options are a little more wide. You can choose an aluminum boat, a larger aluminum or inflatable, and jon boats. 

Your Budget

Purchasing a boat is actually relatively affordable. In fact, most boat owners complain more about boat maintenance than the initial purchase! However, there are additional costs that come with boat ownership that you should consider. 

For most boats, you need to factor in the cost of storage, insurance, licensing, maintenance, and purchasing a trailer: 

• Storage: You can rent a lot, or rent a slip at a local marina. For outside storage and a boat that needs to be shrink wrapped, a marina will usually charge $10-$15 per foot. If you moor year-round, then that will still cost you. Averages range from $3,000 to $15,000 annually.
• Insurance: You may need boat insurance that covers all risks associated with boating. This cost varies widely, especially because it's based on the size of the boat and motor, the location, and boat age. Allstate averages a cost of $20 a month. 
• Licensing: Every state has its own licensing requirements for fishing, so you may find that you’re purchasing a fishing license (on top of parking fees, state access fees, and cabin or camping rentals). Licenses average around $25 for residents and $60-$70 for non-residents.
• Maintenance: Boat owners try to off-set the cost of maintenance by doing it themselves, so be prepared for some type of cost. Also budget for fuel, especially if you’re using an outboard motor.
• Trailer: With any type of non-inflatable, you’ll likely need a trailer even if it's just going to-and-from the marina. Trailers range from $2,000 to $5,000, depending on the age and size.

On top of this you should account for gear. Needing or wanting more gear might cut away from your boat operating expenses (like maintenance and storage costs) and this might force you into purchasing a more cost effective boat.

Type of Fishing You’ll Be Doing

The type of fishing you want to do will determine your boat. If you want to do deep sea fishing, then you’re looking at a bay boat (which aren’t that compact to begin with). However, fly fishers need a lightweight fishing boat, usually one that is long, skinny, with a shallow hull. 

In terms of compact boats, you’re really looking at the differences between river fishing, lake fishing, and somewhat open water fishing. Fly fishers will typically be fishing on rivers while crossing larger bodies of water. 

Fishing Location

If you expect to travel a lot for your fishing expeditions, then you probably expect to rent a boat. However, know that some heavy-duty inflatables can break down and fit into two pieces of check-in luggage. This would reduce the cost of boat rentals, or committing to length drives. 

A hard-shell boat will limit you to your surrounding area, which can also be great. 

4 Best Compact Fishing Boats

As we way the pros and cons of the following compact fishing boats, take into consideration what you want your fishing experience to be like. 

Some honorable mentions that didn’t make our list were also jon boats and kick boats. 

 

Here are our 4 best compact fishing boats, followed by our vote for best compact fishing boat:

• Traditional and inflatable fishing kayaks
• Aluminum drift boats
• Amazon boats or dinghies
• Inflatable fishing boats

 

Traditional and Inflatable Fishing Kayaks

Traditional and inflatable fishing kayaks are popular for those who enjoy classic fishing or don’t want to deal with a lot of boats. 

Kayaks can fish in flatwater rivers, ponds, small sloughs, reservoirs, and lakes.

Fishing kayaks are versatile and can open waters to previous land-bound anglers. You can equip it with a detachable and traditional/spin seat, paddle holders, and rod holders and can be compactly stored in a yard, garage, shed, or closet. 

There are some negatives to consider. For example, fishing kayaks don’t come with a lot of gear. They also limit the angler to fishing sitting down, which can make fishing much harder and ruin your chances of catching fish, particularly for fly fishing. 

You also lack a partner, which can make it harder to navigate and position your boat. Having a dedicated oarsman in the boat means they can slow up the craft to get you a second chance at your targets and keep the boat from drifting through your runs and away from other anglers on the river.

Fishing kayaks are easy to transport; traditional and inflatable kayaks can be transported in a truck bed, rooftop or trailer. However, traditionals can take up a lot of space in an apartment or shed. 

Inflatables can be broken down for travel and storage, but they might get a puncture a lot more easily as they are often built with poor quality materials. 

Aluminum Drift Boats

Aluminum drift boats are extremely popular fishing boats because they are prevalent and sturdy. These boats are decent in fast-moving currents and can be roomy, with plenty of space for gear and fellow anglers. 

If you go with a traditional aluminum boat, then it’ll feel like you’re navigating in a larger boat with heavier materials. You can also consider inflatable drift boats (discussed below), which can save on space and price. 

These style boats are quintessential fly fishing boats. The craftsmanship and design can be real works of art. Lots of full time guides love them for the additional room and space they offer their clients, but there are some downsides to these beauties. 

Unfortunately, drift boats can be pricey, and the cost of trailer and storage will definitely need to be tacked on. A smaller, eight year old used drift boat might still cost around $8,000. The cost, storage, and transportation issues of these drift boats can be off-putting.

While these boats are great for drifting down the river, they aren’t great at shallow depths. They need at least a foot or so, which might limit the areas this boat can go. They are also not designed for choppy waves that could have them pinballing off rocks (resulting in an expensive and time consuming professional repair job). While you can attach a trolling motor, it’s best to avoid using these boats in lakes or oceans. They can be difficult to get in and out of water with their higher sides. You’ll likely need a ramp to launch them. This can make it difficult to use them in some rivers if access to the water is limited.

If you have all sorts of money and want an iconic boat this is going to be your go to. Just be aware of the above limitations and nagging fear in the back of your mind about damaging them. Grown men have cried over damages down to their floating baby. 

Amazon Boats or Dinghy

A quick search on Amazon and you can find plenty of affordable and compact fishing boats. In most cases, these are going to be a small inflatable raft or dinghy. People purchase these boats because they’re easy to transport and can be launched from almost anywhere. A small dinghy can be an ideal family boat if you want to go fishing with the kids.

While this option may be affordable and portable, it often doesn’t last too long. In many cases, the price you pay for these is reflected in the materials they’re built with. These types of boats are often made from very cheap and weak materials. 

If you find yourself in shallow water, catch a stump, or pierce the side with one of your flies—expect a hole in the boat and for it to start deflating. While this option is okay for recreational use floating on the lake, it doesn’t hold up too well for seasoned anglers who need a more durable and long-lasting boat.

You get what you pay for is ever present in these style boats.

Inflatable Drift Boats

One of the most durable, compact boats you can go with is an inflatable drift boat. While some, like those purchased on Amazon, are cheap, professional crafts are built with inflatable fabric PVC and Hypalon, which are extremely durable while also being lightweight.

Like drift boats, our inflatable fishing boat can navigate shallow river beds and whitewater. 

Professional inflatable drifters are built with extra layers of protection so the material can touch gravel without causing damage. This gives you the benefits of the inflatable boat design plus the convenience of an inflatable. 

The design and durability allow you to launch the boat from practically anywhere. Its shallow draft and narrow design make it possible to get through tight spots and shallow parts of the river. 

In addition to durability, they also are even easier to transport than a car top or kayak. Certain models can be broken down to fit into two checked bags and taken on an airplane. Therefore, you can even take a reliable and rugged drift boat with you to remote fishing trips. Break it down and store it in an apartment closet, or when traveling to local fishing spots. You can always leave the boat and mount it to the roof of your vehicle like a car top boat.

Cost is usually great, as well. You may pay less for a high-quality inflatable drift boat than you would a used aluminum one. You also won’t have to waste money on cheap inflatables that keep breaking (or worst - ruin a fishing trip)and you can save from having to purchase storage and a trailer.

Explore More, Fish More

Fly fishing from a compact boat makes your experience so much more enjoyable. By making a small investment in your equipment and purchasing a boat, you’ll be able to explore more areas and find new hidden spots to fish with your buddies.

Choosing the best boat for your fly fishing trip takes a lot of consideration. Once you factor in what you need and what you can do, then making the choice should be simple. 

We truly believe that one of our boats will get you to more remote fly fishing spots, and offer a number of other benefits, such as low cost, high durability, lightweight transport, and the ability to break down into something even more compact.

We also offer a three-year warranty on manufacturer’s defects in material and workmanship and a seven day return policy, no questions asked minus a 10% restocking fee. 

See for yourself how a truly versatile boat makes all the difference. 

 

Drift boats are the quintessential fly fishing boat. The seasoned fly fisher knows that with the right drift boat, you can get to some of the best and most secluded fly fishing spots. 

Whether you’re an experienced angler or just starting out, a quality drift boat makes any time spent on the water more enjoyable and allows you to explore areas that other anglers can’t get to on foot or in other types of boats.

Are you looking to purchase a drift boat? Here is everything you need to know about drift boats so you can make a truly informed decision. 

What are Drift Boats?

A drift boat is a popular choice for anglers who fly fish on inland waters. The drift boat is similar to a dory boat. It is essentially a rowboat with a flat-bottom and shallow draft, flared sides, a curved hull, and a pronounced rocker. Drift boats offer that classic river dory look, complete with unique features to perform better in rivers.

Drift boats are designed to drift and let the current guide the boat down the river. Boats sometimes come with a small motor, but usually you are letting the current guide you and using the oars to control the boat’s speed and direction. Most drift boats hold three seats in the front, middle, and back. They’re typically built to accommodate two anglers, each positioned in elevated seats at each end of the boat and one person rowing in the middle position.

Drift boats were used in the early 19th century to transport supplies along the McKenzie River in Oregon. By the 1940s, though, they became a popular choice for river guides to transport anglers up and down the rivers. 

Today, they’re still a popular choice for anglers of all levels who want to spend more time on the water fishing and they can access water that would never be accessible by foot.

 

What Makes A Drift Boat Unique?

When comparing a drift boat to other types of vessels, a few characteristics make it stand out. 

First, the flat-bottom hull. As mentioned earlier, this design feature makes it possible to use the boat in shallower water and not risk causing damage. The flat hull also makes the boat more maneuverable than other types of boats and allows the users to switch the bow’s orientation with a simple cross-stroke rowing technique. 

Rather than turning and twisting your stance to cast a line towards your target, you can easily align the boat in your desired direction to create a more comfortable and enjoyable experience.

Another thing that makes the drift boat unique compared to a rowboat or dory is the sides. Rowboats typically have lower sides that can take on water in choppier conditions. Drift boats, however, can come with high sides to make navigating rapids, whitewater, and challenging conditions more manageable and safer. You can also control the drift speed by lifting your oars out of the water to move faster or putting them into the water at 45° angles to stem the stream flow.

You can get drift boats with smaller sides as well. However, these boats should be used in calmer waters as they are likely to take on more water. In rough waters, you may find yourself spending more time clearing water out of your boat (otherwise known as bailing), and less time casting.

 

Benefits of a Drift Boat

Drift boats offer anglers a lot of benefits and can make their trip that much more enjoyable. First, the stable floor makes it easier to stand up and cast from an elevated position. Drift boats can come equipped with convenient leg locks to help you feel secure when standing in the boat and drifting down the river.

A drift boat also offers a good amount of storage space. Coolers, equipment, extra gear, and even spare clothes can fit conveniently on most drift boats. The ability to store things under the seat saves space and helps keep your valuable items dry and secure.

Most modern drift boats make it easier to move around. Unlike its dory predecessor, the seats are not full width which would require you to hurdle over them to move around the boat. Full-width bench seats can create problems in choppier waters and make it difficult to move around as necessary. Instead, today’s drift boats have island seats to make it more convenient to get from the front of the boat to the rear.

A final benefit of drift boats is the flat-bottom hull. The hull design creates a shallow draft and avoids potential damage from boulders, rocks, and other debris found on the river bottom. As a result, drift boats can glide above shallower water and make more parts of the river accessible to fly fishing anglers.

 

Where Can You Use a Drift Boat?

Drift boats are a great choice to use on rivers. From navigating calm waters, rapids, flat-water, and everything in-between—drift boats offer versatility. A drift boat may be used on lakes, ponds, and creeks, but they are intended to be used on rivers.

Never use a drift boat in the ocean. The flat-bottom hull of a drift boat is not the most stable in choppy waters. Rowing through heavy rapids can also be risky and difficult for less experienced users. It’s best to practice caution and stay within your comfort zone to avoid any potential injuries or risks.

Before taking a drift boat out, it’s important to prepare. This means studying the course to avoid dead ends and getting lost on the river. A drift boat can take on water or sink, so any user should be prepared ahead of time to mitigate any risks. Being equipped with emergency equipment and having a familiarity with the area can help avoid any potential issues on the water.

 

5 Quick Tips For Safely Rowing a Drift Boat

A drift boat is a truly unique riverboat that is incredibly strong, versatile, and maneuverable. Because of their build and the ease in which they can run rivers, drift boats offer anglers and hunters many benefits. However, one of the biggest things that come up with a drift boat is its steering. 

Learning how to row a drift boat is not as difficult as it seems, but you will need some practice. Drift boats are a little backward, so adjusting to this can be difficult in swift water. 

So, here are five quick tips for how to handle drift boating. 

1. Row Backwards

While it might seem obvious, it’s important to understand why this is necessary when fishing from a drift boat. 

When you row backward, you are pulling the oars back to slow down the boat. By doing so, you’re able to control the boat easier and put it in a position to make things simpler when casting lines. 

Slowing the boat down also helps you better navigate the waters and avoid trouble spots.

 

2. Avoiding Trouble

Speaking of avoiding trouble on the water, here’s how to do it. 

When you see something coming up ahead that you want to avoid, you need to orient the boat’s front to face the trouble. Then, when you start to row backward, you’ll move the boat away from it and can correct your course.

You should also stick to the middle of the river when first starting out as this area is safer, away from banks and rocks that your boat can hit.

 

3. Proper Technique

Proper rowing technique involves your entire body. You don’t need to be a professional oarsman but you do need to think about your movements. To get more power from your oar strokes, make sure to engage your core and use your whole body (back, legs, and arms) to generate a powerful stroke. 

Make sure to avoid dipping the oars deep into the water. The blade of the oar should be close to completely submerged in the water.

 

4. Staying Centered

You want to make sure you keep the boat facing straight and centered as you go down the river. 

If you’re drifting down the river sideways, you’re more at risk of flipping the boat. By keeping it straight and centered, you can better navigate the water and avoid problems before it is too late.

 

5. Using an Anchor

You want to make sure you avoid using an anchor in fast water. Doing so can cause the boat to be pulled into waves and potentially flip it. 

Depending on the state you’re in, you’ll also need to know where you are on the water. In Colorado, for instance, it’s illegal to drop an anchor on private land.

Other Things to Consider

While you might feel ready to hit the waters, you’ll want to pay mind to some other aspects of fly fishing and using a drift boat. 

For example, before you go out, be sure to check the local regulations. Boaters must abide by local regulations, which can vary from spot to spot. As fly fishers, we pride ourselves on respecting private landowners and respecting the unspoken rules of fly fishing, like first come first serve. 

Be sure to communicate with local officials, landowners, and fellow fly fishers before or during your time on the water. Stay respectful and be a good steward for the fly fishing community. 

Drift boats are also limited in the type of water you can access. There is really shallow water that you should not access as it will run aground easily. Untouched live fish usually hide out in side channels, which unfortunately might only be 6 feet deep. A drift boat can’t touch these spots because it’ll get stuck. 

Having a drift boat is not all fun and games. A used drift boat can easily cost you $8,000-$9,000 due to maintenance and you often need a trailer to transport it. 

If you don’t have an inflatable boat, then you’ll need someplace to store it (and the trailer), which can often take up space in your garage, yard, or storage unit. Additionally, if your aluminum boat gets a hole, then you’ll likely need to pay a professional to fix it, which means more money spent and less time on the water.

Be mindful of the type of boat you get, as one boat can be more hassle than another. An old aluminum boat might be cheaper upfront, but cost you more in the long run. With storage, the added expense of the trailer, costly repairs, and slow maintenance, an aluminum drift boat might be more work than expected. Consider an inflatable drift boat, which can be easily transported, stowed compactly even in an apartment, and easily repaired.

 

Catch More Fish And Enjoy Time on The Water

Drift boats are an excellent purchase for someone who wants to access secluded river runs with the benefits of easy drifting, secure fishing, and the ability to bring on more gear. But finding the right drift boat is key.

With its maneuverability, easy steering, and body type, drift boats give enthusiasts access to easier handling, launching, anchoring, all on a sturdy boat.  

If you’re looking to access secluded river runs in the midwest, Pacific Midwest, and find hidden gems in states like Arkansas and Pennsylvania, then you need a sturdy drift boat that can travel with you, like one of our inflatable drift boats. 

With advanced engineering and design perfectly suited for fly fishing shallow runs, you’ll have access to a strong, but lightweight and easily portable inflatable drift boat. Don’t get weighed down by an aluminum boat or spend your fishing trip worrying about banging up your fiberglass boat! Our boats can enter the water from anywhere and experience some of the best fishing the USA has to offer!

 

With a Flycraft vessel, you can fish just about anywhere. The Flycraft boat is an inflatable boat, which offers a lightweight design, compact size, and is easily portable—you can even bring your boat with you on vacation. Whether you choose to leave the vessel assembled and attached to a car top or disassemble and pack it for a trip, the choice is yours.

We love seeing photos our customers share on social media to show us how they’re transporting their Flycraft boats. Our customers prove that Flycraft boats make it possible to travel with their boat and fish in some incredible areas across the country and beyond!

photo cred: @defconbrix

 

As you’ll learn below, there are plenty of ways to travel with your Flycraft boat, no matter the transportation you’re using!

 

Pack It In Your Car or SUV

Flycraft boats are built with lightweight and compact sizes in mind. Since it is an inflatable fishing boat, you can easily disassemble it by draining out the air and taking off the frame and the outboard motor (if you have one). Packing up the paddles and accessories is easy. You can then store these items in two travel bags, making it all too easy to bring with you on your next road trip. 

If you drive a minivan or SUV, the boat can easily be stored in the trunk or third-row seating. Another option is to store the bags in a hard-shelled cargo container mounted to the roof or trailer hitch of the vehicle.

What about if you drive something smaller like a 4-door sedan or coupe?

Not to worry, it's easy to travel with a Flycraft inflatable watercraft, even in vehicles this size. If you take a quick look through our Facebook and Instagram pages, you’ll see plenty of avid Flycraft owners packing their boats in Toyota Corollas, Honda Civics, and many more compact-sized vehicles!

Depending on the size of your car, you can even attach your Flycraft boat to a roof rack. Of course, this is an option for minivans and SUVs as well. Rest assured, most vehicles will allow you to bring your Flycraft with you on your next fishing trip.

 

Mount It To Your Truck

If you drive something bigger like a Ford F150 or Chevy Silverado, you have even more options for traveling with your inflatable watercraft. If you want to keep your Flycraft boat packed away for travel, toss the bags in your truck bed and get ready to hit the road. If you want to leave the boat assembled, though, you can strap it down to the bed of your truck as well.

Flycraft 2 man stealth boats can easily fit assembled in the bed of an F150 and similar sized pickup trucks. Since the Flycraft boat is inflatable, you can quickly deflate it for more room. Fit it in your truck bed and still have extra room to spare! 

 

If you drive a lighter pickup like a Dodge Dakota or Ford Ranger, you may want to consider mounting assembled boats to a car topper or bed rack for transport. The same goes for Flycraft’s Stealth X model. Depending on the size of your truck bed and the other gear you need to bring, mounting assembled boats can help you save space and you won’t have to assemble the boat once at the water.

 

Tow It Behind You

Flycraft boats were built to avoid the problem that many boaters deal with—the need for a trailer. Compared to traveling with a fishing kayak, banana boat, or dinghy, know that you don’t have to worry about attaching a trailer and towing your Flycraft inflatable boat. Instead, you can deflate it and pack it into your vehicle.

There’s no need to tow your Flycraft boat on a trailer. But, if you want more space and you have the means to haul, you can if you want to. 

Some customers will transport their boat fully assembled and attached to their trailer. This can help you save space inside your vehicle and let you bring more friends with you on your fishing trip. It also makes loading and unloading at the river a breeze. 

Mounting it to a trailer isn’t your only towing option. If you’re planning to bring your RV and camp out, your Flycraft boat can easily be stored assembled or packed inside or on top of the RV for transport.

 

Bring It On An Airplane

We know driving isn’t the only way to reach your vacation destination. If your destination is farther away and you want to fly somewhere, no problem. Weighing only 98 pounds, it’s easy to pack your Flycraft boat for the airport. 

You’ll likely need to pay for oversized luggage, but that is a small price to pay to bring your boat with you on vacation. You’ll even have room to pack your inflatable boat sealant, life jacket, paddle, and other boating accessories.

Rather than paying to rent one, you can save on costs and bring it in your luggage. Better yet, you’ll be able to explore untouched American destinations and rare international finishing spots and catch more fish!

Depending on where you’re visiting, you may have to travel by bush plane. If that’s the case, it’s easy to bring the boat on the plane and not significantly impact any weight restrictions. Once you get to your remote destination, you can easily portage the vessel to the water’s edge.

 

Carry It By Foot

Depending on where you live, your vacation spot might be just a quick stroll through the woods away. If that’s the case, it’s easy to carry your Flycraft boat on foot. You and your partner can each carry it in a bag if it's broken down, or you can easily have two people carry it fully assembled. Either way, you'll be fishing in no time. 

Flycraft boats only need about 3-4 inches of water to launch and require no boat ramp, so it’s easy to launch your boat from practically anywhere. All you need to do is carry it to the bank and launch it much like an inflatable raft.

 

Don’t Forget To Pack Your Flycraft Boat!

As you can see, there are plenty of options to bring a Flycraft boat on your next fishing trip or vacation. Planes, trains, automobiles—it doesn’t matter. Due to its durability and compact size, you can avoid purchasing something cheaper like a float tube or kayak. Instead, get something durable with a Flycraft design. 

Flycraft boats are designed to be easily transported and fish more areas. Unlike other fly fishing boats that need a trailer and boat launch to get your trip started, Flycraft boats can go anywhere. Take it on a lake or down a secluded river run—the choice is yours!

The Stealth 2-man weighs just 98 pounds and takes very little time to unpack and assemble. If you’re looking for a larger boat, our other models are also incredibly lightweight and easy to transport. Click here to learn more about our inflatable fishing boats and find the right one for you.