Inflatable Kayak Blog

We were in Michigan’s upper peninsula the last full week of May visiting family and friends. Their spring season was just beginning and although it was still fairly cold and windy most of the time, we did manage to get into our inflatable kayak a couple times and get in a little paddling.

Our first paddling venture was on Lake Superior in the bay below the statue of Bishop Baraga between L’Anse and Baraga. I’m working on a historical video feature about the statue and I wanted to shoot some video from out on the lake towards the bluff where the statue has stood for almost 40 years.

It was cold and windy day, much colder and windier than we usually paddle in, but I wanted to get that video from the lake and seeing we don’t get up that way very often, we decided to brave the cold … Brrrr!

We inflated the boat then got in the car to warm up before heading out to paddle. There were some small white caps, a bit choppier than we are normally in, but when you have a destination in mind, you just have to get out there and do it. And, we did! Got some good video for my story. Once we had the boat loaded in the trunk and back in the nice warm car, we both decided that it really wasn’t all that bad after all and will be a fun memory of our trip.

A couple days later, the temperatures were a bit warmer and we managed to put the boat in one more time. My sister, Gretchen wanted to go for a paddle, so once again we braved the wind and cold to put the kayak in the water. We were just a block away from the boat launch area in Hubbell, so we put in there. My sister had never been in an inflatable kayak and was surprised how easily it inflated and how quickly we could get it in the water. Once she got the rhythm of paddling we were moving along quite well, though she didn’t want to get too far out from shore. We were still in some choppy water, but she felt confident the boat was stable. We did cut the ride short because the wind was biting, but she did enjoy the paddle.

One thing that we did have another chance to try out was our Wind Paddle Sail. We’ve used it on a few occasions, but not always in the best conditions. The wind this week was probably the best sailing winds we have had. One of the tricky things to learn is folding the WindPaddle into it’s compact form. Recently I had gotten some practice getting it folded and connecting it to the boat correctly. Now I have it down to where I can confidently fold it up even while sitting in the kayak. With a little more practice and a few more windy days, we should have an even better feel for using the sail. I must say that having used it this last time, it was a nice addition to our paddling experience.

If you get a chance to travel to the Upper Peninsula, you will find so many great places to kayak. Or if you are simply looking for a great scenic vacation destination, the U.P. is someplace you should definitely consider.

By Sam Wright

It is four in the morning, and I have never seen the boys so excited. We borrowed a larger inflatable fishing boat and extra lifejackets for my two sons. We are heading out on an adventure. Our plans entail a short road trip to our local dam that has some of the best crappie fishing around. My buddy Tom wouldn’t eat a crappie. He is sure it is beneath his refined taste, and he brags of his expertise fishing skills and his luck with bass. I, however, am pretty sure I am easily as good a fisherman as my pal Tom, and my taste buds sure like a good cornbread battered crappie.

Riding to the dam, I decided I needed to educate the boys so they would learn to appreciate this time. “Boys,” I said, “Zane Grey, my favorite outdoors writer, once stated, every fishing water has its secrets. A river or a lake is not a dead thing. It has beauty, wisdom and content. And to yield up these mysteries it must be fished with more than hooks and for more than fish. Strange things happen to the inquiring fisherman. Nature meets him halfway on his adventure.”

My little guy spoke up, “Daddy, will there be mysteries like aliens? Is that the strange things that we will see today?”

“Not likely son, Mr. Grey most likely meant that we need to pay attention to all the noises, all the sights, all the smells, and all the animals. You will see and hear things today you probably have never seen or heard before. Watch for that.”

My oldest son eagerly interjected, “I saw frogs and a turtle the last time I got to go fishing.”

The conversation continued as the boys imagined all sorts of varmints and critters they might spot today. The boys asked me why I liked to go fishing, and that took me back to my dad and grandfather, and the rest of the trip they listened intently as I told them of other fishing trips. They understood this was a family tradition that someday they would pass on to their children. Pride and smiles flourished as much as the new fishermen’s souls that were being cultivated.

We arrived and I showed the boys how I picked out the best spot. We looked at the clarity of the water, the type of cover, and even the temperature of the lake. If the water is warmer, the fish are more likely to be closer to the surface. If the water is clear they also are also more likely to not be as deep. Continuing to enlighten their fishing minds, I explained that in murky waters, the fish are more likely to be tighter together as their visibility is decreased. Understanding the season is important as well. As the season gets warmer, the fish migrate to shallow protected bays and coves. They will eventually spawn in these areas.

“Dad, what is spawning?”

Answering my oldest son, “That is when fish make babies.”

“Oh,” my son continued, “Dad, how did you learn all this stuff?”

“Many trips with grandpa and you will learn by many trips with me.”

“That sure sounds good. I like learning all this stuff. Do you think I will catch a fish today?”

“Son, we never know, but we sure hope we each catch many fish. If not, there is always another day.”

Arriving, unpacking and getting on the lake went quicker than expected. I was surprised how quickly the inflatable boat pumped up with only a small foot pump. This was a bigger boat than I had used before and it worked out very well. The boys eagerly followed instructions and baited hooks. Then we waited. Waiting proved to be the hardest element for the boys, but we found that a few stories helped to pass the time. In the middle of one of my yarns, the littlest boy got a bite. Instructions flew as the little guy hung on and was a real trouper. He listened well, and with a little help, he reeled in the first fish of the day. “What is it,” he screamed. “Son, you have your first crappie and he will be mighty tasty for tonight’s dinner.”

Hours passed before another fish was boated. Thankfully, my older boy got a bite. The little guy was issuing instructions like the new found pro, and luckily it was one of those days when the older brother kept his mouth shut and let the little guy beam with his pride of his new knowledge as the ‘expert fisherman.’ Both boys landing a fish made it the perfect day on the lake.

The author, Sam Wright is Kentucky born and bred. Sam lives with his wife and two sons and often enjoys the many lakes and rivers in his beautiful state. Sam occasionally writes about his adventures and enjoys sharing his journeys.

By Sam Wright

I was upset that my work had arranged a meeting for me on a Friday in California and another one on Monday. That meant I had two days in between with nothing to do. My beautiful wife reminded me to make lemonade out of my lemons. She mentioned my inflatable kayak and “Why didn’t I enjoy the weekend by myself?” I remember why I love that woman.

A few months back I had purchased an Innova Twist portable inflatable kayak which weighs in at sixteen pounds and fits into a space as small as 17 by 11 by 7. The kayak was the perfect size for traveling. I was saving it for a spring break weekend but instead, I would get to try it out in sunny Southern California. I found several possibilities for places that were each just a short drive from where I would be staying. I decided I would try out one on Saturday, another on Sunday, and take some of my new found knowledge to plan a summer vacation later in the summer with the family. Watching dolphins, seals and sea lions are not the type of kayaking trips that we get to do in Kentucky. I could just picture the awe in my boy’s eyes seeing sights like this up close.

There were tons of choices but I ruled out one place in particular. The Drakes Estero offered great views of Harbor seals, leopard sharks, bat rays and pelicans. I was ready to try this one but discovered that they close from March 1 to June 30 each year to protect the seals. My research led me to find Channel Islands National Park which offered the thrill of exploring such exciting places as: sea caves, crystal clear water, and the opportunity to check out various tunnels, arches, grottos and blow holes. This sounded like something this Kentucky boy needed to experience.

Channel Island is just off the coast of Santa Barbara and Ventura. This took care of Saturday, now picking what I would do Sunday was a tough call. Catalina Island offered a natural history tour as well as snorkeling and overall, seemed very family friendly with camping as part of their package. I really want to check this place out to see if it might offer a summer vacation spot for the family; however, the Sierra South kayaking school that offered a one day class in white water kayaking caught my eye. The Kern River, Sequoia National Forest, and real Hollywood instructors (they have worked with many television crews) were calling. Out of all my kayaking and water experience, I had never tried white water, so I thought, “What better time than this?” Maybe those Hollywood instructors would discover a raw new talent. I can just see it now, “A star is born,”. How’s that for making lemonade?

The author, Sam Wright is Kentucky born and bred. Sam lives with his wife and two sons and often enjoys the many lakes and rivers in his beautiful state. Sam occasionally writes about his adventures and enjoys sharing his journeys.

By Carole Ann Moleti

I hadn’t intended to do any kayaking on last summer’s road trip in California, but when we happened upon Morro Bay’s azure water glimmering under a bright blue sky, my plans changed.

The waterway was not crowded, offering kayakers a narrow channel which separates the bustling fishing village from a spot of sandy beach with an imposing rock formation. If you put your kayak in at the marina adjacent to the National Estuary, you can enjoy ogling sea lions basking on the rocks.

The vistas were magnificent along the roughly 100 miles of the Pacific Coast Highway known as Big Sur. Unfortunately, the pounding surf obscured marine mammals frolicking in the open ocean. Kayaking there requires skill, the proper gear and a guide.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium was the perfect place for an East Coaster like me to learn more about the marine mammals and coral reefs of the Pacific Coast. This wildlife sanctuary extends about 30 miles from Monterey to Santa Cruz, offering great paddling opportunities.

Advised to go out early, I sipped coffee with fisherman on the wharf in Santa Cruz and wondered where to launch. Public Dock #1 had been taken over by a colony of adult males and juvenile sea lions left behind when the females migrated south to Big Sur to give birth and recover.

I joined a guided tour with Megan of Venture Quest and heeded her advice to paddle shallow through the kelp forests. This area would have been a perfect spot for paddling my inflatable kayak, which, of course was home on the East Coast. The inflatable rides higher in the water than the hard shell kayak I rented, with no moveable rudder to get tangled up, and less chance of getting wet, even in the light chop.

All vessels are required to stay far away from sea otters that are grooming as well as ones that are still asleep wrapped in kelp. This makes it so they don’t drift into open ocean and fall prey to sharks. We lingered near Seal Rock, which actually harbors sea lions. Harbor seals have a stationary flipper that hampers their ability to climb, and we spotted a few amongst the otters.

This can be a strenuous paddle if the wind picks up which was the cause for kayakers in my group to get seasick from the swells. Currents threatened to pull us into Steamer’s Lane, a surfer’s paradise just below the rocky cliffs.

The water is deep (about 15-25 feet) and cold (about 64 ºF in summer, in the 50s during winter months). For day long trips across Monterey Bay, wetsuits or other waterproof garments are in order, including watertight gear bags. Life vests create a handy chest pocket to tuck your camera into. Megan warned that in the fall and winter months, the water is rougher and colder. The rock formations are submerged and wildlife as well as marine mammal viewing may be limited or even nonexistent.

There are many sea birds in the Bay, including ibis, pelicans, and blue cormorants besides the usual gulls. Bird watchers, inexperienced paddlers, or poor swimmers might want to test their skills at Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Reserve which is in nearby Castroville, but heed advisories about tides, currents, wind conditions and low impact paddling.

On my next trip, paying the airline’s fee to check my Sea Eagle 370 inflatable kayak will save me money on rental fees, and give me the opportunity to sneak in more paddles along the way.

The Author, Carole Ann Moleti spends her winters sliding down steep, icy Northeastern slopes and summers on the lakes, rivers, beaches, and bays of Long Island Sound, upstate New York, and Cape Cod. With her inflatable Sea Eagle 370, there’s no limit to the places she can go. For a fictional account of paddling the salt marshes, check out an excerpt from Carole’s novel Unfinished Business which was posted on the InflatableKayakBlog on 4-27-10.

Fishing season is getting into full swing and, if you’re a fly fisherman, you’ll probably be interested in this new blog … FlyFishingWithJeff.com.

The blog is written by Jeff Carmichael, an avid and very successful fly fisherman. Jeff’ has been fishing since he was a kid and over the years has accumulated a vault of information and techniques that he’s decided to share with his fellow fishermen and women.

Jeff purchased a float tube a few years ago and enjoyed fishing from it so much that he wrote an article about float tube fishing for us. We published it in our monthly newsletter. Recently Jeff and I were talking about his desire for sharing his knowledge about fly fishing and decided to launch the new blog.

So far there’s only been a few posts, however, with the season upon us, Jeff will be posting regular reports on his fishing trips, as well as fly fishing tips, product reviews and sometime in the near future some “how to” videos.

Check out FlyFishingWithJeff.com. I think you’ll enjoy the reading and, most importantly, benefit from his extensive knowledge of fly fishing.