Brittany, welcome aboard. You have come to the right place. There is a brain trust of knowledge about wooden drift boats here. The history of drift boats on the McKenzie and Rogue Rivers as well as their movement to the Grand Canyon. Folks here have guided on many rivers, written the history of the boats and replicated the first boats to float the Grand canyon and other western rivers.

You'll find a group of helpful and knowledgeable people to help you out. Randy Dersham the originator of this site would be a good contact. He and others are also highly involved in the history and development of the McKenzie River Boat Museum. Roger Fletcher is the author of the only book on the history of the boats;  Driftboats and River Dories.

I have taken several hundred photos of the boats and some of the participants at the annual McKenzie River Wooden Boat Festival held on the last Saturday of April in Vida, Oregon. The majority of these pictures are posted on my page and can be found under "my pictures".

Good luck with your article, If I can help let me know.

Rick Newman