Have bought a couple of automatics. Initially for the sailboat - get knocked in the head, fall over board...felt the auto feature may make the difference between life and death. Same for on the stream. We have taken them fishing as well. The automatics can be made to be activated manually or automatic. For the difference $ I'd advise the automatics. Offshore type certainly better, bought mine from the "local" BassPro. I think Cabella's offers similar name brand quality. Never get a second chance to have a safe trip...

BTW-they are relatively light weight, caution to be heeded if you're wearing a vest. I got camo pattern, figured the high vis colors would be out of place on a stream. My .02

Cheerios,
Mike K.