Drift Boats and River Dories: Their History, Design, Construction, and Use [Hardcover]

Roger L. Fletcher (Author), Samuel F. Manning (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 10, 2007

Drift boats and river dories are superb fishing boats specifically designed for whitewater rivers. They originated in the early 1900s on Oregon s McKenzie and Rogue rivers and are now popular throughout North America and the world. This is the fascinating history of the river pioneers who designed, built, and used the early river dories and their successive incarnations. Author Roger Fletcher has collected stories, diaries, and photographs and recovered and recorded the lines and plans of these early boats before they were irretrievably lost. With marine artist Sam Manning s drawings, the book documents the traditional free-form method of drift-boat construction. Whether you are a fly fisherman who appreciates the gentle lapping of water on wood or a boat builder who wants to recreate a piece of history, Drift Boats and River Dories is sure to satisfy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

An account of drift-boat evolution and design has been long overdue, but as this volume amply attests, well worth the wait. Roger Fletcher s research is as scrupulous, interesting, and useful as Sam Manning s first-rate illustrations. The result is a marvelous and absorbing book that combines history, biography, an aficionado s appreciation, and a practical guide to building what some of us consider the most elegant craft on moving water. An essential read for fishermen, river rats, and anyone who simply loves wooden boats. --Ted Leeson

Part painstaking historical preservation, part careful instruction, part unabashed evangelism, Drift Boats and River Dories is both a valuable contribution to the literature of small boats and a complete course in building these most beautiful and useful of the fly-fisher s watercraft. --James R. Babb

Roger got the job beautifully done, so these little river runners will live on for the pleasure of future generations. --Harold "Dynamite" Payson

About the Author

Roger L. Fletcher, an educator, historian, drift boat aficionado, modeler, craftsman, and writer based in Oregon, has pursued his passion for river dories since 1997. He has written articles for WoodenBoat and Ships in Scale. His Web site is www.riverstouch.com.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books; 1 edition (July 10, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811702340
• ISBN-13: 978-0811702348
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 9.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #464,103 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Worthy Book, November 29, 2007

By 

N. Otis (Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Drift Boats and River Dories: Their History, Design, Construction, and Use (Hardcover)

I have lived in the Rogue River Basin my entire life and used to work in the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue. The access is still boat, trail, or fly in the canyon. I grew up in the Aluminum era of drift boats on the Rogue; however, I have owned and rowed wooden drift boats of both the Keith Steele Mckenzie and Bob Pritchett Rogue styles. My grandfather also built a few "double enders" before I became drift boat sentient.

Because I am from one of regions that Fletcher has written about, I am familiar with some of the names and lore presented. Fletcher does an admirable job with the history and writes in an entertaining, yet documented, manner. The sections on modeling and traditional drift boat building should instill confidence in any would be builder.

I am glad I purchased the book and think it is a read worthy of the price. In addition to drift boat history, the modeling and traditional drift boat building sections make this book a good reference source.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Diamond Plated, October 19, 2009

By 

DJD "DJD" (California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Drift Boats and River Dories: Their History, Design, Construction, and Use (Hardcover)

Well it's true some men see what other just look at. What does that mean? I dont really know, but, I can say without adoubt that this book will be a favorite of mine for a long time. In fact I have purchased plans from the publisher for one of the boats. I would like to have all them, so I can choose the one for the outing, but I have to many boats now. So one is going to have to do everything. I grew up watching these boats on the rivers of southern Oregon. I have start flyfishing more now, and needed a boat for slow running rivers and small lakes. I go back just to look at the building plans and the pictures. If you own a coffee table or a reading stand next to your favorite chair this one should be on it, unless of course your not a flyfisherman.

Then I would recommend you get the "instant boat" book by Mr. Payson, you can find something for everybody in these two books.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Drift boats and River dories, December 23, 2009

By 

C. D. MacKenzie "cmack" (oregon) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Drift Boats and River Dories: Their History, Design, Construction, and Use (Hardcover)

very pleased with the promptness of receiving the book and the quality of the text and photos