Tell me stories about canoeing

[Snow]

Bonus points awarded for pictures.

I have always wanted to have a canoe or kayak to explore the local rivers and streams with. When I was a kid, I read a lot of western books about native Americans and pioneers. I specifically remember reading about Hiawatha and thinking his canoe was awesome. Huck Finn was a classic, of course. Who wouldn't want to float down the Mississippi on a raft? There's something very American about the idea of taking a small watercraft out on an adventure.

Lately I have started to become obsessed with the idea of getting a canoe, but I think it will be a while. I got my latest issue of the Backwoodsman the other day and there was a cool story about a guy who built his own canoe and took it on a 4 day trip down a river. That only made things worse. I need you guys to help me live vicariously.

Show me pictures of your canoes, kayaks, or boats of any type and tell stories about adventures you've had. If nobody posts, I might even offer a prize for the best pics and story!

 

[dipbait]

When the Salt river is low, its been high for two years now, I canoe often. Mostly solo. Its one of my favorite things to do. I fish and catch lots of them with a canoe . The craft mostly takes me to the fishing spots where I wade. A canoe is hard to control and fish at the same time. I often tether it to me . I have a plastic Old Town Guide , 14 foot. No keel. It bounces over rock bars better than aluminum and there is no keel to snag on rocks. Id rather canoe a small stream than motor on big waters. I see all kinds of wildlife. Heres a pic , tethered to me , fish in hand , knife on belt.

 

[Jenner 515]

Dipbait.

Great pic, and great description. I've looked at those Old Towns and really like 'em Is it true you can get about 600# of gear and people in one of those?

I was considering a Grumman Aluminum as our canoe...pending as much feedback as I can get on the diff.

And I mean no offense by this but you really look like your avatar image.

 

[dipbait]

Ive had five hundred pounds in it before, and it handled good. The Old Town hull will flatten out {pancake} , but it doesnt effect the performance. Its an inexpensive canoe , I only wish it was lighter.

 

[dipbait]

You mention Huck Finn. Coincidentally I live in Hannibal, home of Mark Twain. I use to dress like Huck Finn and ride my bike to the river and fish by the paddle boat. Tourist were always taking my photo.

 

[Guyon]

Canoe schmanoe. Get yourself a yak! :thumbup:

 

[Guyon]

I've been slowly modifying this Wilderness Pamlico for river fishing.

I've added a dashboard with rod holder, an anchor trolley, paddle holder, and stakeout pole holder. Just yesterday, I cut some holes and did a dry fit with some rear rod holders that I'll finish installing later today.

Couple caught from the yak...

 

[dipbait]

Rod holders are a good idea. I need one for my canoe. I have trolled jigs over deep holes to take smallmouths and walleye. Difficult to do in a canoe without a rod holder.

My brothers have yaks and like them a lot.

 

[Mentor]

I love canoeing, and try to get in some paddle time whenever I can.

In 2006, I spent two weeks canoeing Murtle Lake, in Wells Gray Park, BC. It was probably the best wilderness trip of my life. The lake is accessible only after a lengthy portage, and it is paddle-only, so the amateurs and weekenders tend to keep clear. Murtle is also quite large, and most people tend to spend their time in the Western arm (better fishing). On this trip, I spent most of my time in the North arm, which is pretty much "in the middle of nowhere". There were a few days where there probably wasn't another human in a 30 km radius. Anyway, here are a few canoe-related pics from the trip:

Calm before the storm photo, looking west while canoeing up the North arm. Ten minutes after I took this, it was rain, thunder, and whitecaps, and it was necessary to put into shore and seek shelter.

View looking North, near the end of the North arm. It's possible that there are more beautiful vistas, but I have yet to come across one!

View looking West, from the West arm of the lake.

Happy paddling,

- Mike

 

[dipbait]

A canoe story: I was fishing a river twenty miles down stream from a flood control reservoir. They released a bunch of water causing the level to rise quickly. Im use to this , it happens often. So Im leisurely letting the current take me down stream when I spot some baitfish action in an eddy. I swing the canoe in step out on a log and start fishing. Theres a lot of floating debris amassing along the log then I slip and fell in. I climbed out and had dozens of spiders on me. I dont like spiders.

 

[mdauben]

Lately I have started to become obsessed with the idea of getting a canoe, but I think it will be a while.

I did a lot of canoeing when I was younger, including some extended wilderness trips. Its been a while but I was thinking of getting myself a canoe again, too.

I got my latest issue of the Backwoodsman the other day and there was a cool story about a guy who built his own canoe and took it on a 4 day trip down a river.

Heh. Check out Canoeing with the Cree by Eric Sevareid. Its the true story of he and a friend canoeing from MN to Hudson Bay back in the 1930's. Classic canoe literature! :thumbup:

I was considering a Grumman Aluminum as our canoe...pending as much feedback as I can get on the diff.

Grumman aluminum canoes are generally heavier and noisier than the various composite and plastic boats available these days. On the other hand with only modest care they will last for decades. Since they do last so long, they are also widely available on the second hand market for pretty good prices (1/2 or even less the cost of a new one). I admit to having a soft spot in my heart for Gummans. I learned to canoe at Scout camp in one and did most of my wilderness tripping in them.

 

[DWK2]

My late mother taught me to paddle in New England in a hand-made 15 ft. Old Town wood & canvas. I still own it but don't have a digital camera.

My longest trip (in terms of distance) was about 300 miles down the MacMillan River in the Yukon. I also paddled the Hyland River in the Yukon, which was a bit over 200 miles. It had a canyon with some serious rapids that nearly killed a member of our party.

I've paddled the Big Salmon River in the Yukon twice (around 200 miles). It is mellow and beautiful. One time I devoted almost 5 weeks to the run. Spent a few weeks at the headwaters lakes.

The most remote river I paddled was the Snake (not the one in Idaho), which runs over 200 miles from the Yukon to the NWT, passing through the Arctic Circle. I'd like to run that again.

A shorter river in the Yukon was the Nisutlin. Pretty water and you can put in and take out by vehicle so you save floatplane expense. Not that far from airline access to Whitehorse.

In the NWT I canoed a couple rivers but can't recall their names other than the Sibbeston, which runs in to Little Doctor Lake near Fort Simpson.

I've run a lot of rivers in AK and one was by canoe (in the Deshka drainage, as I recall). However, AK floatplane outfitters (especially in Western AK) tend to favor rafts so most of my AK rivers were rafted. AK rivers can be a bit busier than the most remote Yukon rivers but if you go when the salmon are running, the fishing can be exciting. Some also have monster rainbows. More brown bear than the Yukon, however.

My advice is to take a canoe class. If you develop good paddling technique early, you will handle the boat much more safely and expend a lot less energy. A guy whom I got started on canoeing now races canoes and has won his solo category a number of times. Took second overall in one race, beating a bunch of tandoms and kayaks (which is very unusual for a solo canoe). He's around 60.

Best of success.

DancesWithKnives

 

[DWK2]

Grumman aluminum is fine for mellow stuff. If you ever plan whitewater, consider something along the lines of an Old Town Discovery 169. Very durable. I saw the shredded remains of a Grumman in the bushes at the bottom of the bad canyon on the Hyland River. We were running royalex-hulled Old Town Trippers (but the Discovery is a better deal for a beginner).

My racer buddy now favors Winonas but they aren't cheap.

DancesWithKnives

 

[Jenner 515]

All of my canoeing will probably be with two kids in PFDs on nice calm lakes and ponds.

I completely spaced on secondary market sources thanks for the heads up.

 

[DWK2]

The Discovery 169 is a better river boat but Old Town also made a Discovery 174 that had the hull shaped for lake applications. A step up from the Grumman. For a bargain boat, I have a 15 foot Coleman I got "used" for around $70, if my memory is working. It's great for when you will be hiking and leaving the canoe on top of your vehicle (exposed to thieves). I paddled it on one of my Big Salmon River runs and it worked well enough for one person with gear. For a family, I believe they make a 17 footer. I've seen lots of Colemans available used.

DancesWithKnives

 

[j williams]

Man, weve wanted a Canoe for awhile.... I love takin to the river on em. The Buffalo in AR is a gorgeous river to paddle. MO has ALOT of great spots to float.

I was just lookin at some Old Towns at Bass Pro on Sat... Id also like a Yak, but I see a canoe coming first....

 

[mete]

My first was in HS when 4 of us took a week to canoe the Fulton Chain of Lakes in the Adirondacks. The most fantastic part was crossing the largest lake at night and watching a huge display of northern lights !
I've hunted geese here on the Delaware River in a canoe. A challenge especially if you're alone. I did meet a guy who hunted deer from a canoe .I don't know his skills but he shouldn't have shot off the side of the canoe with a 7mm mag. He, the gun , and canoe rolled over !

 

[DWK2]

I've shot out of a canoe at a 90 degree angle with a 12 ga. shotgun. I think I could do it with a 7mm Mag by leaning into it a bit, but I don't believe that shooting over water with a rifle is allowed in our state. In any event, there are a couple companies that make after-market, removable outriggers for canoes that dramatically increase your stability when shooting from or transporting kids in the canoe. Cabela's used to sell some.

DancesWithKnives

 

[Guyon]

Happy paddling,

- Mike

Freakin' gorgeous. That ought to be on a post card. :thumbup:

 

[Mentor]

Freakin' gorgeous. That ought to be on a post card. :thumbup:

Thanks Guyon! I tried to take some similar shots with the (huge) full moon and northern lights in the background, but evidently night-time photography requires skill and know-how beyond the 'zoom and click' variety.