Boat Recommendations for Lower A, Yuba and Lower Sac?

[Troutsource]

Primarily myself and 1-2 other people. Fly fishing mainly for trout & steelhead -- but maybe shad, striper & salmon. I'd anticipate a minimum of 2-3 uses per year.

Possibly try the Delta, but wouldn't base my decision on it.

High-side drift boat? Low-side? Skiff? Motor or not? 17' or 18'? Best materials seem to be polymer (expensive), then fiberglass, then aluminum (I don't think I could handle the noise produced by aluminum).

A good used boat seems like a better value than a new one.

I used to have a one-man pontoon boat but found it to be a PITA.

Thanks.

[MThompson]

2 to 3 uses per year? Go with someone in their boat or hire a guide. My guess would would be a drifter with a small outboard to cover the stuff you're looking to do.

[WLREDBAND]

2 to 3 uses per year? Go with someone in their boat or hire a guide. My guess would would be a drifter with a small outboard to cover the stuff you're looking to do.

I second what MT said. If you're only going to use it a couple times per year, far cheaper to hire a guide. I have both a drift boat and a small jet sled, and I use the jet sled far more often than the drift boat. But I use my stuff about 100 days a year! To give you an example, a used drift boat with a kicker will set you back about $5K, and a small jet sled about $10K. That money will buy a lot of guide trips! IMNSHO, if you ain't gonna use it more than 10 times a year, don't bother buying a boat.

[Troutsource]

I hear both of you guys. It's just that I'd rather not fish with a guide. I may catch more fish but I don't enjoy the experience as much. And the 2-3 times/year is just realistic based on my situation, the other places I like to fish, and how often most non-guide married guys use them. I know some of you are the exception (and I envy you). I fish close to 50 days/year but do a lot of bank wading. At 2-3 times/year, I'd obviously be looking for a used boat. Most good brands seem to hold their value well, so there'd be a cash out at the end unless I destroy it.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

You need 3 boats:

An outboard skiff for the Delta for Stripers and LMB.

A drift boat for drifting rivers with indicators for trout and steelhead

A jet boat for fishing the rivers for Stripers, Shad and Smallmouth.


About $100,000.00 should do it?



I recommend going with top guides during prime time so you can learn how to fish a particular/new to you fishery.


I would go to Kiene's Fly Shop in Sacramento on the weekend and have this discussion with Captain Andy Guibord.

Andy knows a lot about all the different kinds of boats they use in Nor Cal.



Most of the time boats, RVs, jet skis, snowmobiles, ATVs, and treadmills are a waste of money for most.

[lee s.]

I LOVE the addition of treadmills Bill!
....lee s.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Yes Lee.....you have to have a sense of humor.

[Mr T]

Hmmm I dunno Bill- my waders dry very well indeed on the treadmill….

[TaylerW]

If you’re going to get a drift boat, do not get a low side. Really easy to swamp in surprisingly common spots. I like glass boats. Quiet, warm, and easy to handle.

If I could buy a new drift boat today I would look at an Adipose "Runoff".

[Charlie Gonzales]

In the past 20 years I have had 7 boats.

2 Hyde drift boats - 1 high side, 1 low side, guided out of both of them on the Lower Sac, Yuba, Feather and American. Never even came close to swamping the low side and was involved in several rescues of drunk swimmers who were close to drowning. Loved both of those boats.

3ea 16' Jon boats with 20hp outboards, one was set up with oars. loved all 3 of them.

2ea 10'-12' prams. had fun in both.

Just sold a 17' deep V Tracker that I used on the Delta. Enjoyed it but it was too much work on windy days.

As Bill mentioned, ideally 3 boats would be perfect for the Valley rivers, lakes and Delta.

I'm still in search of the perfect boat. Especially one that I could afford.