Fishing Rafts vs Drift Boats

Rafts vs. drift boats

Why Western Guides Row Rafts

Lighter, tougher, and a lot less picky about where you put in. Here's why more anglers are trading the drift boat for a fishing raft.

Shop raft packages

Choosing your boat

The Case for a Fishing Raft

Drift boats have their place. But on the freestone rivers of the West — where flows swing from blown out to bony in a single season — a raft goes where a hard boat can't, and it's a lot more forgiving to row. Here's what our guides tell folks in the shop every week:

Versatility

High Water or Skinny Water

When the river's up, a raft rides through hydraulics safely. When flows drop, you can walk it down a skinny channel or portage around logs.

Access

No Boat Ramp Required

Lighter to tow and easy to launch. Slide it down a steep bank and float the water a drift boat can't touch.

Durability

Built for Season After Season

Our rafts are made from tough, puncture-resistant material built to handle years of use — no matter where your adventures take you.

Handling

Rows Like a Dream

Light and nimble — a properly outfitted fishing raft makes rowing easy and intuitive so you can focus on the fish.

From shop to shore

Why Buy Your Raft From Us?

We've been rowing and rigging fishing rafts for over 40 years — our founder, John Herzer, helped design the first one with SOTAR. Every boat we sell gets set up in our Missoula shop, and we stick with you after, from learning local floats to dialing in your rowing.

How we help

Ready when you are

Find Your Fishing Raft

Browse our SOTAR and NRS packages below, or talk boats with someone who rows them. Call the shop or send us a note and we'll get back to you within one business day.

Call (406) 542-7411