Running a Wild Oregon River In A Wooden Drift Boat

Wooden drift boats are works of art from a bygone era. Is it crazy to take one down the rocky rapids of Oregon’s fabled Rogue River?
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[@GuantanamoBayBarbie2]

The mention of canvas tents brings back so many good memories of my childhood camping trips. My grandmother was a seamstress for Salem Tent and Awning, and she made many tents including ours. And the thing I remember most was they just didn't leak. They were durable, and lasted forever.

[@geob0324]

Classic boat design. Grew up fishing our home-mades on Montana rivers.

[@yoboo6167]

My father in law tells some great stories about building his wooden drift boats. He used to guide people in back in the 60's, 70's and 80's on the Rogue and also had the first raft rental shop on the Rogue. He's a true piece of Oregon's history!

[@JEEDUHCHRI]

“Boat’s like a woman, responds to touch.” -Capt Ron

[@roscosgrow9906]

He said gorilla not guerrilla !

[@Namaste..]

A wonderful outdoors video. Beautiful boats. Really enjoyed it!

[@MattCookOregon]

Same!

[@mikekuczynski1552]

Very cool , I love rowing drift boats it give me a sense of the wild .

[@brucebartow6229]

Excellent videography! Thanks.

[@flyfishhunter]

So crazy yet so awesome! That takes guts on so many levels. Amazing job guys!

[@big1dog23]

Nice. Been years since I've been there, but those pumpkins? Oh well, beautiful boats and scenery.

[@MatanuskaHIGH]

Alaskans still use wood boats lol. Wood flexes and handles more than you would think and if it’s reinforced wit fiberglass and carbon fiber it can be very strong.

[@genericx2347]

Thanks.Great job.

[@calebcastano9126]

Damn. Those drift boats look so good floating down that fish ladder. Just the way those boats are built are sexy...

[@edithmatheson1828]

I was holding my breath when he said wooden boats don't bounce, they break.

[@MatanuskaHIGH]

I’d have some UHMW skinning the bottom to slide over rocks easier. And carbon fiber epoxied over certain higher stress areas.

[@MatanuskaHIGH]

Even epoxied dyneema cloth fibers would make it insanely strong. And light

[@BallardBaller]

Nicely done... as always

[@JEEDUHCHRI]

Would be fun to drift down that river with those two rangers grabbing pumpkins.

[@bigdudeps]

Any idea where one could find the plans for a boat like Randy's?

[@duck7927]

In an origami book.

[@grantengrav]

great video, well made.

[@MatanuskaHIGH]

Pitching a tent like that hope it doesn’t rain and raise the river or they open the tailrace up and let water down

[@NWKayaking]

Great Adventure

[@filmeditstudios3182]

I was scared for the dog the whole time

[@yyoohh]

Beautiful ! What river is this ?

[@lindakay9552]

Reminds me of going white water rafting on the Desk Chutes. Oregon has some awesome class 5 rapids. These rivers look like creeks compared to the Columbia

[@SCOTT-vm5nj]

Where can i get one of those cool small canvas tents? Thanks

[@GallopingWalrus]

Drift boats may have been going down these rivers for a little over a century, but the indians from here been doing it in canoes for millennia. That's gotta be a fun trip.

[@albertshilton2346]

Real men in my book. Inspiring everyone who sees this to live what they mostly only dream of doing.

[@georgewilliamssr5230]

I drifted by a wood boat last week. About 25-30 feet away. The guide didn't have any lines in the water yet. Unfortunately, he was a total dick. Even when I told him I was admiring his boat because I plan on building one. He was still rude. Disappointing. Poor river courtesy and very none friendly.

[@mrose4132]

I haven’t met many fishing guides, but they were all kinda douchey.

[@Prettygoodcowpony]

@@mrose4132 You definitely met the wrong ones. I’ve met some bad ones as well; but the six that I’ve actually gotten to know are all around great people.

[@mikekuczynski1552]

Interesting, most of the dicks I meet on the river are guides . 😊

[@tahoeclay]

This is insane

[@mflacke]

What a contrast to the whole SUP fad and their neon boards, bags and dry suits. These guys know how to do it. They are art on a most beautiful canvas.

[@jannis8978]

But leeking in safty no halmets and one didnt used a PFD. I drive witwater with the kayak and the SUP but i am coflicted about this its cool but its stupid with out halmet and PFD. Has somting from disrespecting the danger off the river

[@AesthMed]

Nothing wrong with either, all a matter of preference.

[@hilaryhawken3768]

uhmw bottoms?

[@rcknrol7258]

Sad to say that videos like this ruined alot of Oregons wild places . Made a few trips on the Rogue ( lower section) with my dad in the 70s and 80s . I never ran the rough parts , my dad did . I ran plenty of other rivers on my own though... But , in the 70s , 80s and even 90s - it was something to have a driftboat and run rivers . Some out of towner might run into you and ask questions, you could over elaborate...or even tell the real stories of crazy stuff you did, and it built a bit of a legend. But it never spread . Stories and old Polaroids only go so far . Now days people from everywhere learn all about it and flock to the places you cherished . There are some young talented oarsmen and fishermen, but when you see 30 or more on the same river, the same day ...and some shooting for youtube - it kills it . Oregon won't downplay or try to hide it because it's all about tourist dollars . I did a lot but if I would have seen what has happened now ( overcrowding, declining salmon and steelhead numbers ) I'd have done a whole lot more...and gave back more . Oh well, it was good while it lasted.

[@user-tq7rb5vn5o]

the dog needs a life jacket

[@MattCookOregon]

That seems smart. You ever seen a dog in one?

[@filmeditstudios3182]

@@MattCookOregon My dog has a life jacket

[@Bighorn1478]

@@filmeditstudios3182 Dog should always have a life jacket if you like your dog.

[@GuantanamoBayBarbie2]

He can swim!

[@jasonbasonbobason]

The pumpkins are graffiti... OK Karen