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Don Hill
 I was born in Portland and raised in Springfield, Oregon, otherwise known as the Gateway to the McKenzie River and home of the McKenzie River Drift Boat. My earliest childhood memories are of watching trout in the upper McKenzie River when my father took me fishing. My desire to build boats was fueled by financial and physical limitations, (I couldn't afford to buy a boat and was tired of getting beat up hiking up and down the river). I built my first boat in 1961 when I was 15 years old with no plans or guidelines, but with a great deal of help from my high school shop teacher, and many hours of research with some of the original McKenzie River Boat builders (Woody Hindman & Tom Kaarhus), I was able to produce a wooden McKenzie River Drift Boat within a year, and I've been building, guiding and fishing ever since. Over forty five years have passed and in that time I've obtained several degrees in construction and building technology and have a strong background in engineering and design. I've also written a construction manual for school systems which enabled students in Fortuna California to place first in their state competition in woodworking. I'm a lifetime member of the Federation of Fly Fishing, Oregon Trout and Northwest Steelheaders, also a supporting member of many other groups and clubs. I hope with my extensive personal experience with fishing, guiding and running the boats, I can make your choice of boat and equipment a little easier. Although I am not involved with the business, Don Hill River Boats, any longer, I am volunteering my time to provide technical support and assistance for those building boats from my plans or need help with equipment decisions.
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