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About Us |
| The River's Touch is as much about a sense of place as it is about the original drift boats. Our passion for the quiet wakes of wood on water is equally matched by our affection for the milieu of the River. And our research into the origins of these lovely river craft have heightened our appreciation for the men and women behind the early boats. |
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Roger Fletcher is an educator, historian, artist and author. He and his wife, Sue, have spent 30 years exploring the Northwest's wild rivers in drift boats. As an educator he believes running white water in a wooden drift boat can be one of life's great experiences. As an artist Roger hopes his re-creations of the original boats will stir recollections of your own river experiences. As an author he brings to life the men and women behind the early boats. His work has reignited interest in the historical drift boats and dories. Re-creations of the early boats are being built around the world as fully functioning drift boats -- from plans that are the products of his research. | |||
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| The River's Touch also represents a unique trans-continental collaboration between Roger and the renowned boat builder and modeler, Harold "Dynamite" Payson. "In fact, Dynamite has been my mentor for the models," There is also symbolic significance to the possibility that the log driving bateaux, perfected in the early 1800s near Dynamite's home port, had some influence on Oregon's early river drivers. |
| Harold "Dynamite" Payson (South Thomaston, Maine) has been on the water all his life. He picked and sold blueberries in order to purchase his first dory (an old, used Banks dory) for "five bucks" at the age of 13. His life long interest in Northeast dories is tied to his love of wood on water. "Dynamite" is an accomplished author who has written numerous articles and books on dory modeling, construction and shop talk. |  |