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4/22/2007
Well after a very, very long winter that kept the rivers swollen beyond fishability throughout the Northwest, I finally was able to float my new Hog Island. As you can see in the attached picture it was just beginning to snow that day and continued all day long with a couple of white-outs to make even more fun. This was one of the few nice days we have had since I pick the boat up the last week in October. This picture was taken February 2 on the Yakima River between Ellensburg and Yakima Washington. Water was 38 degrees, so the fish were sluggish to say the least. However, I was out there finally and thoroughly enjoyed myself. We ran down several rocks with little or no concern. Love the boat, and am looking forward to many days on the water. Thanks a lot.
Jerry Smith |
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Walt Geryk Testimony Being a professional and full time fly fishing guide, I had certain requirements prior to investing in a drift boat. These requirements are very important as I researched for a safe, value packed affordable drift boat…In my Hog Island Drift Boat, taking on New York’s Salmon River and Massachusetts’s Deerfield River, stretches called “Pinball Alley”, is done with ease and the peace of mind knowing that my boat is not as susceptible to damage from rocks or to hanging up where others can. The unique slickness in this material allows for sliding over rocky shallows with ease. Walt Geryk |
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See more reviews in the Jackson Hole News & Guide  |
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I am Jason Reep and own and operate East Tennessee Fly Fishing. I have been a professional guide for over 13 years here in the mountains of East Tennessee. I have owned and paddled every kind and type of drift boat you can imagine from a wooden Don Hill to a Aire raft and every combination in between. I called John at Hog Island and talked with him last year and told him I was interested in one of his boats to Guide out of. I received a new green Hog Island drift boat around Christmas of 2005 and now have about 40 days on the river in it as of mid April here in TN. I bought the boat for two reasons. I wanted to try something different and the Watauga river gets very low here in the late summer as many rivers do and it can be very hard on fiberglass boats. The Hog Island just had the feel of durability to it and with the slick bottom it slides over rocks like a dream. I had some doubts as to how it would handle at first as it was a little bigger and a little heavier than some of the other boats. I figured just being more durable and lasting longer would make up for a little extra work on the paddling end of things. Man was I surprised when I got the boat on the water. Loaded down with three guys and gear it floats high and slides in and out of seams better than any boat I have ever owned. It will also ferry across currents and hold in fast water with little effort. It is a pleasure to guide out of as my clients love the soft comfortable seats and all of the room that you have inside. If I have a client that likes to lean to one side to get that little extra distance on there cast the boat does not lean way over and make it hard to paddle like most drift boats do. I do not find my self saying center up to my clients all day so the boat will float level like I use to. I let a guy row it the other day that had never rowed a drift boat before and he hit a lot of rocks and went through one rapid backwards. This boat is super tough and very stable it rows great is also the quietest boat I have ever fished out of. Thanks for hooking me up. I am hooked on the Hog Island. Jason Reep East Tennessee Fly Fishing 111 Infinity Dr. Elizabethton, TN 37643 http://www.tnflyfishing.com/ |
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As a former professional river guide and currently a Professor of Outdoor Recreation, I have logged thousands of river miles in the past 20 years behind the oars of a variety of boats. Recently I purchased a Hog Island Drift Boat from John St. John at Hog Island Boat Works and my world has been changed! Whether it is taking the family down for a day trip on the Gunnison River, an afternoon float throwing streamers at Browns, or lashing down the cooler and dry box for an overnighter, the boats versatility is amazing! It is easy to solo-launch and trailer, spins in and out of eddies like a top, and glides through the water like a River Otter! This boat is BOMBER! If you are looking for a drift boat that will stand the test of time, look no further. Treat yourself to the boat you have always wanted, release your inner-child, and go Hog-wild, you will thank yourself every river mile! Dr. Mark A. Gibson Assistant Professor of Recreation, Outdoor Leadership and Instruction Emphasis June 14, 2005 |
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I had a small two man drift boat that I fished in the tail waters around western North Carolina. It was not a safe boat for two "larger" people as my fishing partner and I are. We upset it on a river and lost two fly rods and reels and numerous fly boxes. I wanted to find a safer, for an old guy, drift boat and one that an average or slightly less than average rower could handle without ruining the boat. I love the shiny look of the named drift boats but the polyester construction would be a problem because scratches and other serious dings could be easily noticed. Then I stumbled onto your web site and ended up buying the Hog Island boat. I have only been able to float it in two times since buying but I have learned to appreciate the roomy, uncluttered construction, adequate plus storage space, and the ease of rowing. It slides easily over shallow rocks that would grab an aluminum boat (remember my early paddling days in a Grumman canoe) and bounces off rocks I don't avoid in rapids. It is the most stable drift boat I have ever been in. My fishing friend thinks it is the most beautiful drift boat he has rowed. You have a great boat and I would think guides would find it most attractive because of the room, quite floatability, ease of handling and safety. Thanks for building a great boat. It will see many hours of use once the weather becomes a little more tolerable. Ed Redman, January 20, 2005 |
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As guide's dogs we wanted to let others know how we feel about this awsome product. This boat rocks. 21" high at the oar locks, allows us easy acess in and out of the boat. The wide 54" bottom allows for a stable ride even when my brother and I get off center. The dual polycarbonate rod holders keep us from reeking havoc on our dads high dollar fishing sticks. The super comfy seats and plenty of room lead to an enjoyable float for our dads clients. Who in turn tip well to keep us in dog biscuits. The seats are |
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| easily removable which allows us plenty of room. Camping out of this boat is awsome, plenty of room for all the comforts of home. The rowers seat has plenty of adjustment so our mom can grab the oars and row it up while our pops fishes. We think the best aspect of this fine fishing craft is the super low maintanance, easy to clean and repairs,from our mom hitting rocks are a snap, like P-texing a ski base. This means on our dads guiding days off he can take us floating , which makes us happy, instead of timley costly repairs.This is without a doubt the most dog/family friendly driftboat on the market today. The fact that John, Dave, Kelly, and the rest of the crew at Hog Island are super cool, friendly, and customer service orientated is the best bonus of all. Thanks for hookin our dad up with such a bomber product. Get your mojo on and "float and be happy". Don t forget to take your family too. Lola and Sophie see you at Hogfest on the Green for some doggie mayhem this summer. Tigger and Monte Dibblee |
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"Having rowed fiberglass boats I found the roto-molded Hog Island boat to be easier to maneuver on the river, easier to row in the wind, and a whole lot more quiet when you hit rocks. After the rocks I hit on the Miracle Mile in winter flows any other boat I¹ve seen would be in the shop." Karl Eppich Sheridan, Wyoming |
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"Best concept and material I have seen yet. Handles and rows easily, and roomy inside." Bart Taylor - Professional Fishing Guide Jackson, Wyoming |
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Dear Hog Island, What can I say. After rowing a fiberglass boat for a few years, it's nice to not have to worry about sliding up into some grabby sharp stuff that would hurt you and jar the bones of your clients. My confidence factor has gone way up and now that I can row with no worries. It's super quiet, which helps when my clients want to hear the sounds of mother nature doing her thing, instead of the clunk you normally hear on glass and aluminum hulls. With the lowsides, I don't get pushed around in the wind. |
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| The storage is bottomless, with plenty room for campgear for those overnighters. The cockpit is huge with nothing to trip over: when you need to get up front to tend to something just take a step forward and you're there. Nothing to trip over or kick. Lots of other neato things like snagproof interior, maneuverability, easy to use rod holders and more. I guess I'd sum it up with one word.....BOMBER. as in bombproof, quiet & quick, stealthy, and just the tool I need to drop the bomb and kick some steelhead ass on challenging northwest steelhead rivers. Thank you Johnny. Jamie Briscoe - Guide Oregon / Washington |
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"Best Investment I've ever made in the sporting world. I think the boat will outlive me. I could not find a better watercraft. It is a crime to have to work when you own this boat. You should be able to float every day. My boat does everything I ask it to on the water. My wife is very comfortable rowing. She tells me she feels in control and not at the mercy of the river." Matt Thompson Wilson, Wyoming |
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