Tips for that first paddling adventure

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06-26-2014, 08:14 PM
Uncle Jesse

Tips for that first paddling adventure

I borrowed this from another BB (SE Flyfishing Forum), it makes a good of good points, some of which I have learned the hard way.

Tips for that first paddling adventure

So, you've decided to rent a canoe or kayak from one of our New River outfitters...and give it a try...either just to see if you want to continue to do this and chase smallmouth bass etc thru the summer...or maybe you are thinking about buying something. Here's some helpful guidance before you rent that boat....

A little research on paddling strokes and techniques is a really good idea for canoe or kayaks....as well as a little study on what to do if you capsize. It's all over the internet...or one of the books by Cliff Jacobsen.

Perhaps purchase your own life jacket, that you will wear, and with some pockets for sunscreen, fly box, and other accessories....so you don't have to go crawling and leaning around to reach a tackle bag...twisting and leaning in a watercraft can lead to an unexpected dunking...all dunkings and capsizes are unexpected. It can happen to veteran paddlers. Be prepared!

Anything of value, that needs to stay dry should be in a legitimate waterproof case or dry bag...secured to the boat.. And...make sure your car keys are absolutely 100% secure in a zip pocket or cord around your neck...and have a spare hidden on the car. Yep...seen folks loose their keys and no spare. You know the name of the creek...

A couple of 15-20' sections of 3/8 --1/2 floating rope (poly rope from Lowes or Home Depot....primarily to tie to the boat and to tie around your waist or clip to your belt when you want to get out and stretch, or to wade and fish. Don't want your boat to blow away and drift downstream...yep...seen it happen...not a pretty sight....same creek name...

Put the boat in the water, floating, before you get in...don't try to keep part of it resting on the bank and push off. Getting out...turn the boat sideways to the bank/beach and get out. Don't try to power the boat up onto the sand and rocks... It won't work and it's more unstable. Have the entire boat floating when you get in and out. Have one person hold it stable while the other gets in...then have the person in the boat stablize it with a paddle touching the bottom. Have a hand on each gunnel...and place a foot in the centerline.

If you have read up on anchoring, and you are comfortable with the process, then bring one suitable for a canoe or yak.... If you haven't studied up on anchoring, leave it at home and plan to rest the boat against a rock, ledge, shoal, bush etc to hold it in position when you want to fish a spot. A mesh bag, filled with a few rocks make a decent temporary anchor...and no weight to transport home.

Drifting, floating and catching and landing fish all at the same time is tough...if you hook up (or get hung up) you'll want to stop your drift. Best is to rest the boat against a rock or ledge or shoal to fish an area...or get out and wade...use the rope!
If you plan to wade much...wear good shoes or better still your felt-soled wading boots. Flip flops and sandals usually don't offer much foot protection.

On your first trip or two, keep the gear to a minimum e.g. do you really need a cooler with ice...and that full-sized tackle bag. And if you don't want to chase it downstream, tie it to the boat...more cord or rope

A simple first aid kit with antibiotic cream...and clean water or peroxide to flush a cut. there's some weird stuff living in our waters... I know of at least 2 serious episodes from cuts while paddling...

And maybe a simple folding seat e.g. Crazy Creek chair to supplement a crappy or non-existent seat in a sit on top kayak or strap to a canoe seat for some back support.
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06-26-2014, 11:45 PM
jimp

Good info, thanks for posting .
06-27-2014, 02:03 PM
Eric-WD

I stuck a hook in my arm and went into the clinic to get a tetnes shot. (should have done it the first of the season). when Itold the nurse what pond the hook was in justbefore it stuck me she gotall excited and told me about the staph infection her husband got fishing there and went into great detail of his treatment. the line about water and peroxide reminded me of this. keep your tetnus shot up to date, takesoap and water and clean all wounds especially puncture wounds.
06-28-2014, 01:05 AM
Uncle Jesse

Tetanus is good for several years, at least 5, maybe 10 years. I got mine renewed last year when I bumped my 6" part on some razor wire. I seem to find some reason to need one every 5 or 10 years, just naturally graceful I guess.
06-28-2014, 02:23 AM
rayhill190

Uncle Jesse,You bumped your 6"part on razor wire.I'm not going to ask how.
06-28-2014, 04:55 AM
smij

Addendum:

1. Make sure the anchor is tied to the rope. CHECK IT NOT ONCE, BUT THREE TIMES. Nothing is more humiliating than trying to run down a wayward kayak on a soft bottomed flat.

2. Don't hop in when a wave is about to reach you. YOU WILL FLIP. That bucket of blue crabs you purchased in hopes of catching your first tarpon will go in with you, releasing said crabs to safety. When you manage to right yourself, the kayak, and your gear, do not look back onto shore. That lady you passed on the beach chair has been watching the entire time. She has a mortified look on her face. Her concern grows as you paddle off towards the deeper water...
06-29-2014, 05:54 PM
Uncle Jesse

Quote:

Originally Posted by rayhill190

Uncle Jesse,You bumped your 6"part on razor wire.I'm not going to ask how.

Honestly, I was working, inspecting a pizza joint and trying to avoid the wire the previous occupant had put around the fenced in back of the restaurant. The previous occupant was this dude from NJ who got shutdown for consecutive health scores in the 40's & 50's,
11-13-2014, 05:55 PM
AGrant

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric-WD

I stuck a hook in my arm and went into the clinic to get a tetnes shot. (should have done it the first of the season). when Itold the nurse what pond the hook was in justbefore it stuck me she gotall excited and told me about the staph infection her husband got fishing there and went into great detail of his treatment. the line about water and peroxide reminded me of this. keep your tetnus shot up to date, takesoap and water and clean all wounds especially puncture wounds.

Several years ago, I was fishing from a jon boat and turned the jon boat around to fish the other side of the inlet and when I went to roll cast my line out in front of me, I sunk the fly in the side of my face...WAY past the barb! It didn't hurt at the time, I tried to push the hook through and that didn't work. The bummer of it all, was the bluegill were bedding and I had to go to the doctors office. He cut the hook out and said I missed a major nerve by a fraction of an inch! Whew! And yeah, keep that tetanus up to date! I got a tetanus shot, antibiotic shots, stitches, the whole nine yards. AND WEAR GLASSES! SAVE YOUR EYES! I wasn't at the time and possibly could have landed this hook in my eye.
11-17-2014, 04:06 AM
Gigmaster

They forgot one of the most important things......visit the bathroom before you get into the boat and get under way. Trying to relieve yourself in a kayak or canoe is not a lot of fun, especially at my age. It's only slightly easier than being in a belly-boat with waders. :D
11-29-2014, 06:49 AM
Gigmaster

How'd you bump your finger on razor wire?????:D

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Jesse

Tetanus is good for several years, at least 5, maybe 10 years. I got mine renewed last year when I bumped my 6" part on some razor wire. I seem to find some reason to need one every 5 or 10 years, just naturally graceful I guess.