Our new kayak...

[MOturkE]

Having read the multitudes of kayak fishing information here and elsewhere on the web, we took the plunge and dove into one. We have a fiberglass canoe that is too heavy for me to load on the vehicles alone and no one in our family is physically able to help. The kayak is a great addition to our recreational options and it's great exercise too.
The kayak is a Perception America 11.0' (discontinued model), it weighs only 45 lbs. The opening is larger than most 9-1/2 footers so I can get my long legs into it (I'm 6'3"), and it'll hold up to 460 lbs. which allowed me to ride with my disabled sons for their first time out. Here are a couple of pictures of me teaching my boys to paddle.


T.J. and I... Trying to keep the blade straight.


Michael and I... Check out the smile on his face!

I was finally able to get it out by myself today and spent nearly 4 hours in it without a cramp or complaint. I was able to get some fishing done and caught one small bluegill. Casting from the yak is a breeze, nice to have room for a decent backcast.

I watched a small herd of deer wading along the shore, several blue herons, and a pair of white cranes. I cleaned up a little trash that nobody else could and had a pleasant afternoon. It's a good thing I'm not afraid of spiders, though. I had a good-sized one along for a ride after tying to some of the stumps in the lake. He seemed to want out but wasn't fond of me helping him out. So he had to wait 'til I was done.
Soon, I hope to get more pictures from the yak so you can see our local lakes.

Enjoy...

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There's almost nothin' wrong with the first lie, it's the weight of all the others holdin' it up that gets ya'! - Tim

[This message has been edited by MOturkE (edited 08 July 2006).]

[Bluegill Budd]

One of the things I love about my 'yak is that wildlife seem to ignore me while in it. I paddled up to brace of deer on the bank and they did not so much as raise their head to look at me. An immature Red Tailed Hawk in a brush on a point let me get within 10 feet before he flew off, and I am still not convinced it was I who spooked him, as he did not leave in a hurry. I have even paddled up to bass cruising the shallows and watched as they set up the run up into the skinny water to nab breakfast.

I used a canoe for years and never had the opportunities to view the fauna as I do now. I don't know if it is the fact that I am a lot lower in the boat than when kneeling in the canoe or the neutral color of my yak (a Sand color Perception Sundance) that allows me to do so. I will have to budget a water proof camera or case soon because my present camera is not suited for this type of activity.

I am anxiously awaiting the Dr's release to get back in the boat before the whole summer is gone.



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Clint

I feel closer to HIM when I'm fishing.

[MOturkE]

T.J. had his first tip-over in the yak today. He was in shallow enough water that he walked the yak back to shore. He had his PFD on and was able to escape the yak when under water. I made a point to tell him what a great job he did, but he's a bit timid to try the yak again. Michael was a bit nervous too, after he saw what happened to T.J., but he got in it and did alright.
We'll have T.J. back in it pretty soon and we'll definitely stay in that shallow water.



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There's almost nothin' wrong with the first lie, it's the weight of all the others holdin' it up that gets ya'! - Tim