The canoeing and kayaking tips and advice page is intended to provide information and advice on a variety of topics, including:
As of today March 19, there is still about 2 feet of ice on the lakes and only a few small places where the rivers are open, usually just below the dams. But there is bound to be a great spring run off for several weeks. Start to plan now for late April. The water will be deathly cold so use wet suits or dry suits if you go out. I really like my Muck Luks for cold water and cool weather. Ask me about Taylor County river trips. We have some very nice ones.
I am a bit of a pessimist about rain this next summer so I am leaving the message below just in case I need it again in 2008.
River and stream levels in north central Wisconsin have been extremely low for the past three years. Here are some of the current conditions for rivers in our area As of September 20 2007. In all cases the rivers are low. Those with impoundments are better but you should check with local folks to be sure about what you are going to have for depth.Feel free to call or e-mail anytime for more or up to the minute information.
Jump River: conditions here are just too low for fun. Walking the river for fishing can be great fun now. A small light canoe or sit on top kayak can be great to pull around and help to get into those holes where the fish are lurking.
Yellow River:
Conditions here are too low so plan an extra hour or more for each 4 hours you normally plan to paddle.
Black River: Conditions here are too low in the upper river for much fun. I don't know about the conditions from Clark County on down.
Rib River: conditions are too low for much fun.
Mondeaux and Chequamegon Waters flowages are excellent for paddling and always georgeous places to spend some time, especially for fishing, photography and when the rivers are low. There is easy access but little development on both. Lots of wildlife to be seen. Eagles, otter, beaver, water fowl and shore birds, song birds
fox and maybe even a wolf and dear will be seen near shore.
Campgrounds are available along the water. Fishing on Chequamegon Waters (Miller Dam) is pretty good according to many.
For All Who Long to Wonder
"A simple equation exists between freedom and numbers: the more people the less freedom".
Royal Robbins, Basic Rockcraft
Have you ever watched an old timer who is very good at what he or she does, just go about doing? There is a maturity of purpose and efficiency of movement; a neatness in habits. Their routine seems natural. Even though they no longer have the elasticity or quickness of step that the younger one does, they get it all done with fewer issues and perhaps more certainty.
When you see these qualities on the water there is no excess, no glamor, no compulsion for vanity; just the satisfaction of traveling well. Planning, preparation and practice have lead to what seems natural talent. They move through the water in a smooth, easy and deliberate way. These matured paddlers can be young or older but their movement speaks of experience. They make little fuss and don't distract the rest of us with noise or flashy colors. The patches, tears, mismatched straps and faded colors of their gear speak of adventure rather than catalogs.
Camp chores are natural too, as if they are part of a daily routine. Their camp is clutter free and their fire small if there is one at all. You will see their tents a little further back than usual. They pack less stuff and it's always stowed neatly and compactly; nothing gets lost. In the morning they are off and going, dry, well rested, well fed, and well ahead of the rest of us. If you stop at their campsite, it is hard to see they were even there. They have learned to satisfy their needs simply and simply enjoy the pleasures wild places offer.
In the last 25 years or so of my paddling and camping I have seen a dramatic growth in the use of wild places. One example is of camping near the most common put-in for the Apostle Island National Lake Shore sea caves. Back then we might see no one for days. Now there is a parking lot for about 50 cars, restrooms and a blacktop road to the site. When you arrive you better move quickly so as not to be in the way of others wanting to get to the beach. A National Park employee is on duty watching over everything. It gets chaotic, off and on the water. On a nice day the lot is full by 10:30 a.m.; not many old timers here. I've been doing more winter camping and paddling.
Those of us who use our very special wild places have a responsibility to respect the peace and nature of the area. We need to be well practiced in the discipline of leave-no-trace camping. We must respect others by disturbing them as little as possible so their visit is peaceful and rewarding. We have an obligation to protect each other's experiences in the wild. Patience at portages and boat landings, speaking in low tones, and using gear with less imposing colors when appropriate, all help insure that the wild place is wild for all. In politics they refer to plausible deny-ability, in the wild I call it "overlookability". If I can paddle past a campsite and easily overlook the fact that it is occupied, I feel my wild place,and that of all those who follow, is less intruded on.
In less than my lifetime the number of people in the United States has doubled. As numbers increase so do rules to keep the peace. Only by acting responsibly and courteously can we avoid more regulations and keep the freedoms we go to the wilderness for. Part of our planning must be about how we are going to make our passage. Will we have some of that old timers maturity of purpose? Will we learn to intrude on others less? Will we act consciously to preserve the qualities and freedoms that wilderness provides? Through respect for others and our natural wonders we will keep the wonder of it all, for all who long to wonder.
By Dan Renzoni 1-08 If you have reactions to this piece, please respond.
Buying canoe and kayak gear for birthdays presents and the holidays can be a bit daunting. Christmas isn't exactly the time of year to try out that canoe or kayak on the water. Think about what the new owner will want to do most with the canoe or kayak or accessories. Then think closely about what you have to spend and write that down; it is easy to spend a lot in this business. Next check with someone who is actually knowledgeable about the industry, not just a boat or a brand of boat. When checking with retailers look to see if their policies are friendly and reasonable. Can you try things out? Can you return them if they don't fit or don't seem to fit as well or work as well as hoped for or maybe just don't quite fit the preferences of the new owner. Will the retail facility store the boat or other items for you until you want to give it to the person and is there a charge for that? Ask about complimentary lessons and package discounts. Are other services available like advice on trips, gear for camping, groups to paddle with, repair skills, and fun ideas for ways to enjoy being on the water? Finally, and perhaps all encompassing, are you comfortable with the person/s you might be doing business with. The Holidays, including the winter ones like Christmas, new Years, Thanksgiving, Easter can be great times to take advantage of sales and still meet your primary goals of the right equipment, at the rite time for the right person. Happy contemplation.
Dan
PFDs/Live Jackets can be a wonderful holiday gift idea. This is a gift that keeps on giving. When it comes to paddling a PFD should be short waisted so it doesn't ride up under your chin, it should be highly adjustable so it can fit sung and comfortably, it should provide good, head up flotation, be soft and flexible and provide good visibility if that is a desire of the paddler. If the color isn't right or the fit is a bit off, the PFD is easy to exchange for a different one. A comfortable PFD is far more likely to be worn and more than any other factors except good judgment and skills, will increase safety more.
Paddling and Camping during the shorter daylight hours of late fall, winter and early spring require a shift in my attitude. Usually I think of this time of year as less favorable because I can't paddle as far or hike as long. It seems that no sooner have I broken camp than I am having to stop and start making camp again. However, as I grow a bit older I don't mind stopping sooner to enjoy the camping experience. There is more time to cook wonderful meals. More time to sit around the campfire and more time to just kick back; I am forced to by mother nature. I have a hard time with kicking back but short daylight hours help a lot, especially now with the wonderful LED headlamps. Base camping is more desirable now and lets you explore all the little and special nooks that we otherwise go right past because we don't linger long enough. So don't give up on outdoor adventure because daylight gets short, just get ready for increased camping enjoyment.
Wool clothes are wonderful.
My favorite camping/paddling pants are Filson wool whipcord. They are seriously expensive but warm without being sweaty, shed water reasonably well, dry reasonably fast and feel good to wear all day and night. Put them under rain pants and you are comfortable in cold weather, wear them in your summer weight sleeping bag and increase the comfort zone by several degrees,wear them alone on most days and they are just right. Their versatility lets you pack lighter and still stay comfortable.
Any time you plan a multi day trip with novice paddlers/campers be sure to give yourself an extra one to two hours time to set up camp. This is especially true during the spring, winter and fall when daylight is not as long as the summer months; we tend to want to paddle longer to make the distance and loaf in the afternoon sun, so camping can get pushed into the evening a bit too far. If you have to show everyone how to set up the tents, gather firewood and make a fire and then cook for the group, you will be one busy camper. After a day or two everyone is better able to help and camp will get set up faster and faster. However, throw in a new factor like heavy rain, thunder storms or an injury and it is a new experience all over again.
Whenever possible dry run some of the camping tasks with your novice trip partners before the actual events. They will feel better if they can help and camp will be more relaxed and fun for everyone.
For any paddling trip where a map is necessary, a clear on both sides map case with some kind of tie downs is a good idea. Even with this water proof maps are the way to go. Larger maps cases are usually better because you don't have to open them up as often; an especially good feature on rainy or stormy days.
Many paddlers suffer with chronic tennis elbow. There are some things you can do to relieve some of the pain. First be sure your paddling technique is correct. Don't bend your elbow to pull the paddle through the water; just let torso rotation do most of the work. A bit of stretching and warm up often helps you get off to a good start. An elastic band wrapped around the forearm, just below the elbows relieves some stress on the tendon and a thicker paddle shaft can help too. Wear a pair of padded bicycle gloves to give the thicker grip effect. If you don't have tennis elbow, good technique will probably prevent it from starting.
Back pain is the plague of sitting upright all day in a canoe seat; at least for many of us. A good way to relieve this is to outfit your canoe for alternately sitting and kneeling. Glue some three quarter inch thick mini cell foam to the inside bottom of your canoe right where you will kneel. Then outfit your canoe with a seat that will tilt down and back up so you can change position easily and often. The kneeling position lets you straighten out and releives stress. The doctors and chiropractors tell us that sitting puts great strain on your lower back.
A good seat back can work wonders too. Even though it is not good to use one in challenging conditions because it makes you more top heavy in your canoe, it is a great way to get some support and take a load off for a while. Good ones will last forever and make good stadium and camp seats too.
I am going to try this just for fun: Let me know if you have any good ones to offer.
YOU MIGHT BE A PADDLER IF:
A trip around your yard revels several "Mysterious" large football shaped dead spots in the grass
If you find yourself telling your friends that you have canoes on your car roof to prevent hail damage.
If people always ask what died in your car trunk.
Here's a new one. I "reasoned?" that I could paddle from the solo seat (half way between the yoke and stern seat) with a similar weight friend in the bow and make up for the weight distribution with gear. This is a Wenonah Prospector after all; the original do anything you want it to do, canoe. I like the solo seat because I prefer to kneel when paddling. After two hours of watching two complete novices showing their guide(me) how to paddle a meandering stream we made camp and changed to a more conventional seating arrangement. Paddling became fun again. Keeping your canoe trim is really important. I forgot how important until this experiment.
Ever take the exact same line as the boat in front of you but dump anyway, with them watching?
Ever load up at a busy portage and just before heading out, dump in front of everyone?
Ever struggle over a long hard portage with a heavy pack and get passed by some slender and incredibly fit person who is ten years older than you?
Ever have the wind rip your only map out of the tie downs and blow it fifty yards in the direction you just struggled to come from?
Ever gone paddling on a well below freezing day to find your kayak too heavy with encrusted ice to pull it up the slippery shore?
Ever forget about your wet neoprene booties in the back of your truck for two weeks in summer?
I have.
Paddling is about fun, quiet, friends, exercise, adventure, excitement, challenge and memories. With gas prices going up the way they are it can save money over using a three or four mile per gallon boat. There is no gasoline, oil, battery or heavy duty vehicle needed to get you and your gear to the destination. If you don't have enough room to haul your canoes or kayaks, look at the very handy canoe trailers. I carry Slick Rydr Brand because they are excellent and never rust. Trailers allow you to haul all your gear for the whole family including your bikes, luggage, boats and accessories. When not in use the trailer can store you boats and accessories so all you have to do to get going is hook up and drive.
