Ocean Kayaking Anyone?

No Thank You - I'll Pass!

Well, the big Memorial Day Fishing Festival has come and gone. Lots of people, lots of walking, lots of food and merchandise vendors. The adjoining carnival never fails to amuse me as the young "carnies" enticing you to throw a ring over something or break a balloon with a dart to win an "electric pink" stuffed giraffe. My daughter, just graduated from High School, went with us and I got to watch replays of the "Joe Dirt" carnival scene played out on her over and again. What a hoot!

One thing that caught my eye was a new vendor who arrived and set-up a huge tent and tables with kayaks. Now I've been in plenty of canoes but oh my gosh, these were smooth and sleek appearing to be a mere shell of some unknown blend of polymers that barely allowed one to sit after stuffing gear in the long, thin, fore and aft sections. All packed in dry bags and waterproof pouches for the eventual dunking!

I have had many opportunities to see them on TV and in photos positioning themselves amidst a pod of whales, Orcas and more, as the contented kayaker floats silently along shooting pictures through his waterproof digital camera case. I remember thinking "how nice that must be." After actually looking in one and touching them my thoughts changed 180 degrees to "oh my gosh this is a certain death trap!!" I would never set foot in one, I mentioned to my wife. They are not for the feint of heart and that's for sure.

A great day was had and the girls went for the other 3 days but pop stayed home. I am happy that I thoroughly investigated every merchant and ran into and closely inspect some high dollar kayaks for the first time. No repeat visits or inspections will be required for me. I have a new respect for kayakers that I never had before. If you're in rough water, the ocean or rapids, you'd better know what you're doing or potential disaster would appear to be an eventuality.

Kayakers kick butt - so a tip of the hat to you brave souls!

Holiday Greetings!

Wishing all who observe it - a safe and enjoyable Memeorial Day weekend!

A moment of silence for all of my fallen brothers from the U.S.M.C. and of course all of our fallen soldiers, in all branches, who have paid the ultimate price in combat!

.............. Gone but not forgotten!

Annual Fishing Festival Opens Friday!

Where's Dad At?

That's simple enough - he's gone fishing! The Yellow Perch are hammering small shiners on spreaders and in the 8 to 10 inch range. At $15.99 a lb. that's more like a part-time job than it is a hobby! Wow, they're really running large this spring and you don't have to travel far offshore to get into them.

The Walleye are hitting everything that moves, trolling crankbaits, drifting with worm rigs or casting bladed spinners, tipped with nightcrawlers are all producing 6 fish limits in no time flat. The only "con" is that you have to get out about 7 - 8 miles to get on the schools of fish.

Trout are moving in the rivers and in 40 - 50 feet of water - and the limit has dropped to 5 fish this year. I'm glad I don't care for this variety of fish which affords more time to spend on my favorites.

My absolute favorite fish has been declared as a "non-possession" species this year, so we can still go after these babies but we must release them back into the lake immediately. That suits me, since I don't eat Smallmouth Bass but they are by far, my favorite fish to catch. I love the feeling of them absolutely "hammering" the bait (I only use artificials), jig or crankbait and explode out of the water. They tail-walk as well as any Tarpon and pound for pound they're the toughest fighting fish in the lake.

We'll (my friends and I) be out in our 27' SportCraft hard-top kids. So Mom, you've got the kids this weekend and I really don't mind that you turned down my invitation to come with me (yay!). I'll be about 6 miles North of you but my cell phone will be turned on and in it's waterproof cell phone case, hanging from a ceiling hook.

Just give me a shout if you need me!

Stay Dry and Stay Alive!

Hypothermia is a Nautical Nightmare:

I have to admit that although I'm not an addict, I love the Survival TV shows and Amazing Rescues genre as well.

I have watched a whole heap of them and I would have to say that in 99.9% of the water related suvival or rescue shows, the biggest enemy is hypothermia. A very quick, painless and silent killer.

These guys can go miles on a fried rat or lizard and they do well drinking just about anything, including their own urine! What they stress and what we see them suffering and dying with - is always hypothermia.

These experts always stress how to keep your body core temperature warmed up by drying their clothes thoroughly, sleeping with warm rocks and even stripping down in the snow to induce shivering and teeth chattering shaking, in order to keep their body temperature raised to a decent level.

For all of you who will be out boating, or kayaking in cold waters - be sure to have waterproof matches (I'd recommend a couple of BIC lighters) and a magnesium firestarter. I have a few and they really burn like the dickens, all you need is some very dry, light kindling and you've got fire.

In addition, leave an itinerary behind and a few emergency supplies like a space sheet (the silver sheets of plastic film) or a dry bag filled with extra clothes.

I doubt that I'd go anywhere w/o my GPS and a hand held VHF radio preferably in a waterproof VHF radio case. That will keep it floating and they come with a lanyard as well for tying off to your gear.

I don't mean to sound like some harbinger of doom or a survival fanatic, but without a few precautions your afternoon on the Pacific might turn out to be your last kayaking trip. We don't want that.

Let's use our heads and with a bit of foresight, turn a quick dunk in the freezing cold water into a fireside story and not an obituary!

Keep Your Valuables High and Dry!

Getting Your Gear In Order:

With the spring comes hopes and dreams of vacations, boating, fishing trips, diving, boarding and more quickly come to mind. One of the most important bits of gear you may want to consider are hermetically sealed bags and all purpose pouches that keep your gear dry and free of sand, suntan lotion, grit and other elements we encounter in our favorite water sporting pursuits.

Ewa-Marine manufactures flexible and 100% waterproof products. Camera and video housings for underwater photography? No sweat, they've got one for you at pennies on the dollar by comparison to bulky, large, "hard" housings. What's really nice about them is that they're very affordable, 100% waterproof, contain clear, optical grade lenses and they're highly portable - they fit in their own carrying case after rinsing and drying off properly.

But much more than this, their range of waterproof all purpose pouches come in a variety of sizes - up to a full nautical chart size model! These pouches start very small - to carry a pager or keys, cash, hotel room key and the in between sizes can be left to your imagination.

Key uses would be any first aid items. These items must be kept like new to be of any use. They can contain emergency supplies of survival gear such as a compass, a GPS, cell phones, waterproof matches or a good lighter for fire-starting red plastic film banners for rescue, homing beacons and marking dyes. If you think of it you can find an all purpose pouch to store it in. How about baggies of trail mix, water treatment straws or pellets, candy bars etc..

Not one thing we've touched on can survive capsizing in a kayak or on a rafting/camping trip unless they are kept perfectly dry. Check out the line of Ewa-Marine waterproof all purpose sports pouches. They could really be a life saver!

Great Lakes Bass Are Turning On!

The Bass Boats Are Out In Force

In the past two weeks the bass boats are out in force, speeding at Mach-I speed to fish as long as and as many spots as possible. I have watched the Bass boats like some kind of incredible speed machines, loaded with more electronics than the NASA Space Shuttle come blasting into the harbors and other inlets in search of their quarry - the large mouth bass. These guys have their rods (several) pre-tied to a variety of lures representing every type, color and size of lure that they expect their elusive quarry to possibly jump on.

They come blasting in at blistering speed - something I have never understood. I suppose it's to save precious time and get more casts into the water? They're actually quite dangerous machines in all but the most placid waters. Try 60 to 70 mph through a light chop and they may up in the holding tank! A Cigarette open water racing boat might be a bit safer IMHO.

That said, I see them zero in on a bit of what they always refer to as "structure", a term coined on fishing shows of years gone by and now a common fishing term. Upon arrival they immediately run back and throw up the folding seat back on their swivel chairs with foot planted on the small trolling motor which is lowered into the water for precision boat placement in regard to the structure they will be casting into. One eye constantly on one of 2 or 3 fish / depth finders.

Only last week did I see the first bass of keeping size put in the live well. This week has been even more productive as I have seen increased hookups and more bass landed. I often wonder at the gear these bass masters use. The poles are very stiff - to ensure a solid hook-up and then they simply crank the fish into the boat and heft them inside w/o a landing net or any assistance. Kind of like choosing a Karate Bo staff with rope for line. Somewhat reminiscent of the old footage of hoisting tuna into the boats - fish on and over the shoulder, into the boat and flipped back into the boiling waters again - in one smooth motion!

Well have at it guys - enjoy! We eat Walleye and Perch in these parts and these somewhat frenzied efforts don't cut it with Mr. Walleye or Perch for that matter. Patience and experience allow us locals to know where the fish are. They are migratory and not local bass hanging around the same docks or weedbeds, year in and year out. It's a little more natural and realistic than what I witness with the frenzied Bass Boat guys zooming from dock, to rock, to weedbed, while switching poles every 20 casts and watching graphs for fish marks while working the trolling motor - all at once! That's what you'd call multi-tasking!