In response to the requests for a drift boat that could be “carried in” to small remote waters, Hyde built the Sportsman’s Drifter Series (seen below). This boat was about 130 lbs and could easily fit in the back of a pick-up truck or be trailered. Built to carry two anglers, this boat is perfect for back-country rivers and streams.

Hyde also built a line of flat bottom canoes for several years called the “Hyde Kanoe”. To focus the company’s efforts on drift boats, this popular canoe line was ended in the mid 2000’s.

Early 2000s

Many anglers wanted the ability to drift down a river and motor back up to the boat ramp at the end of the day. The Hyde Power Drifter was designed to meet this need. Built with a small 60/40 H.P. jet motor this boat could move up stream with ease.

Some of the features included:

• Tunnel in the transom
• Oars
• Leg Brace
• Cooler seating for passengers

The blue Power Drifter above was first seen on the Dean River, BC Canada.

 Mid 2000s

Hyde Started Building the Contender Series. This new line offered a more simple boat, comparable to our competitor’s high end drift boats lines. While more simple than Hyde’s Professional Series, this boat still offers more features than competitor boat models, including:

• Several interior seating options
• Front and Rear Leg Braces
• Built-in rod storage with recessed pocket (for the reel) and open side storage compartments
• Hyde introduced the new 3-Point Leg Brace in this model. This brace allowed anglers to stand and face any direction in the boat while maintaining full leg support. The brace also helped keep passengers centered in the boat.

Taking their drift boats to the next level in luxury, Hyde built the LH Limited Edition as seen above. Featuring the new G4 bottom and built-in storage compartments.

Hyde also came out with a completely redesigned Sportman’s Drifter model (shown above). One of the major upgrades included Hyde’s innovative front leg brace (built into the bow). This addition provided increased stability and comfort to anglers fishing in the front of the boat.

The redesigned Sportman’s Drifter Featured:

• All fiberglass design
• Inclusion of built-in front leg brace
• Added the rounded stern to decrease drag and improve the ease of rowing the boat

For our many customers in the Northwest U.S. and others that run really big water, Hyde developed the Northwest Series (seen above). It’s footprint is similar to Hyde’s Classic 16.8′ model, but with even higher sides to allow it to run many types of large rivers.

 Late 2000s

To answer the call for a boat with even more room for anglers and gear, Hyde came out with the XL Hybrid Series, as shown above. The XL Series Hybrid was the first in this line with nearly a 17′ centerline! The Hybrid model had a combination high side bow with two low profile sides (to allow easy entry/exit from the boat).

The Hyde Hybrid model was such a success that they designed an XL Low Profile model, as shown in the image above. This boat provided all the benefits of the professional series low profile, while providing even more room for anglers and gear.

Requests for a boat that could get into small backwaters, while still providing ample space in the boat’s interior, lead to the creation of the Hyde Rocky Mountain Skiff, as seen above. The skiff can make it’s way through small waters and cut through windy weather.

Other Notable Events

– This year marked the 50th TV show featuring LaMoyne Hyde.
– The Hyde Outfitters, Last Chance Lodge was sold after 10 years of operation and thousands of professionally guided fly fishing trips. As more drift boat models were being designed and produced, the time came to let go of this part of the business to continue expansion of our drift boat lines.

Early 2010s

After years of testing, the Contender Series went through a couple design revisions. Some of the changes were as follows:

• The front leg brace was restyled to be more sleek like the Hyde Professional Series
• The recessed rod holders were extended to house longer fly rods
• The chines were slightly modified
• Larger storage boxes were added to the boat with a top end lid

From the excitement of Hyde’s other XL Series models, and due to many customer requests, Hyde came out with an XL Series High Side Drift Boat. Using the same footprint as it’s companions in the XL series, this model had full high sides while still giving a nearly 17′ centerline. The XL High Side provided a great option for anglers who run diverse waters and want plenty of room to stretch out.

The Future of Hyde Boats?

…Whatever new ideas you give us!

Here at Hyde Drift Boats listening to feedback from You (our customers), has made us what we are today. Thank you for making our history rich. There have been years of adventures accumulated by all the fishing that’s been done in Hyde Boats, and we’re grateful to be a small part of your many fishing memories. We look forward to more great years ahead fishing with you.

Sincerely,

Hyde Drift Boat Team
(Photo above – 2012 Hyde Drift Boats Team)

Other Notable Items

NOTABLE PEOPLE
Meeting of some great minds in the fly fishing industry: LaMoyne Hyde, Jack Dennis, Buck Goodrich, and several professional fly tiers.

One of many fishing trips with friends in a Hyde Boat: left to right – Kohn Smith, Johnny Bench, Bobby Knight.

COMMUNITY & WILDLIFE OUTREACH

• Annual contributions to Trout Unlimited. Hyde has also competed several times in the Green River Single Fly Tournament.
• Annual contributions to the Fly Fishing Federation
• Sponsorship of the Jackson Hole One Fly Tournament
• Contributions to Ducks Unlimited
• Contributions to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation – helping the preservation of Idahos’s Elk habitat.
• In 2011 LaMoyne Hyde received the Lee Wulff Award for his many river conservation efforts and innovation in the industry.

All the families of the Hyde Drift Boats Team

One of many sessions filming on the river with John Barrett, John Havlicek and LaMoyne Hyde for ESPN’s Fly Fishing America.

The Hyde Drift Boats Team took 3rd place in the ESPN Fly Fishing Challenge: from left to right – LaMoyne Hyde, Cassandra Osborn, Rod Bowden, Pat Bennett.