Fitness Levels & Local Knowledge

I was wondering if anyone has tried to express suggested fitness levels for various activities.  I got to thinking about this during the time leading up to butt fishing with ohb.  He had been telling me it was a couple miles out and I had been paddling a lot (for me) to determine if I thought I could do that.  I determined I could and felt pretty good about that.  Then it actually ended up being 3 out...   I was not about to say, "I don't know if I can do 3 out and back with the paddling in between for the drifts."  Well, I made it... but I was not really ready, I don't think, for that kind of paddling. 

So, I was wondering... how far should a person be able to paddle at 2.5/3 mph (minimal current) to go to...

Pacific City
Depoe Bay
Westport
out of Hobuck
out from the boat launch at neah bay
wherever else you think of...

Now, I know that there are MANY factors... so, let's figure minimal to no wind... include the idea of current... big exchanges make for tough paddling and weird water movement and people should be aware.

Also, we all - I think - know it is best to NOT go alone... but many of us to... where are the salt water places that you should (even if experienced) not venture alone... or the places that you shouldn't go, alone or in a group, that you need advanced knowledge of...

You should be in good shape to be able to handle the "what if". What if you're three miles out and you hulu. What if the winds and currents change and you have to fight your way back in. Are you a good enough paddler? Etc

Like you mentioned there's a lot of variables when it comes to knowing the "fitness" level of being able to handle fishing any certain place so I don't think you can get a clear answer. Trying to quantify fitness is also objective. One thing I would suggest is listening to other more experienced kayak anglers and taking baby steps based upon that advice. Throwing yourself in the big water after kayak fishing a few dozen times is very risky. Being with a more experienced kayak angler is helpful but in the end you have to be self sufficient and take care of your own safety. Some of the more experienced kayak anglers here can tell you first hand stories of newbs who went over their heads with bad consequences.

When starting kayak fishing, taking on one fishery at a time, one's that are less physically intensive first, and then moving on. Lakes are a great place to start. Trout / panfish is a good first step. They are challenging and gives the beginning kayak angler a controlled environment to try out techniques and figure out how to get over any possible issues that arise. This is also a great place to practice self rescues! When confidence builds, bigger types of water can be the next steps.

Current and wind are major factors in how dangerous any type of kayak fishing can be. Also each type of fish requires different types of "wrangling" as well. There are types of fish/fishing that I think contain those factors. So newbs should try and work their way through skill levels accordingly.

I think the following could be a good list to go through.

1. Trout / panfish (lakes)
2. LM/SM bass (lakes)
3. SM bass (slow rivers)
4. Rockfish / Lingcod (non-surf launch)
5. Sturgeon (slow rivers)
5. Salmon (slow rivers)
6. Salmon (Puget Sound, Strait, ocean)
6. Sturgeon (bays and estuaries)
7. Rockfish / Lingcod (surf launch, Puget Sound, Strait)
8. Salmon / Steelhead (fast rivers)
8. Halibut (any waters)

When a group of us attempted halibut out of Pacific City we discovered, once we got to our fishing depth, there was   a 1.5 mph current which had already carried us about 1 mile south of where we anticipated being.  So, our three mile out trip actually ended up being 4 miles from our launch.  So, like Noah said, be prepared for the what ifs.  Going out sure was a lot easier than coming back due to the current.

My personal policy is, if I am not 100 % sure, I don't go.  There is a reason that little voice in your head is speaking up.  I have 3 kids and am the only income earner in the family. Therefore,  I am a lot more cautious then when I was young and single. Also, I can't fish if I am dead and I don't want to be the cause of new regulations. This is also another reason I wear a dry suit.  It is cheap life insurance.  I don't want to spoil my fishing buddies' trip, or put them in danger because they have to help me.

Hey, sorry my friend.  Actually my GPS had not acquired satellite when I spouted out the 3 mile it was 2.3 miles out.  I figure we paddle and accumulation of maybe 7 or 8 miles in all.  In the strait the wind will blow us back to shore eventually, is this a good back up plan? I dunno but it works for me.

I do have a question or 2 myself to post.

I think between Doug & I we could have managed a reasonable rescue, I always have my tow rope with me. 

I would say Local knowledge is pretty high on the list in ocean and river environments, I would be asking alot of questions in unfamiliar surroundings.  I wrecked a nice boat on the Hoh a few years back cause even though I got some good intel before we started our float I got a little cocky and didn't follow the good advice given, the good advice of a local guide service   Well I'm learning but I definitely lean towards the Rambo approach.  We were never in any real physical danger, had our PFD's on and immersion stuff.  But my canoe was toast.

No apology necessary! I had a great time!

1. Trout / panfish (lakes)
2. LM/SM bass (lakes)
3. SM bass (slow rivers)
4. Rockfish / Lingcod (non-surf launch)
5. Sturgeon (slow rivers)
5. Salmon (slow rivers)
6. Salmon (Puget Sound, Strait, ocean)
6. Sturgeon (bays and estuaries)
7. Rockfish / Lingcod (surf launch, Puget Sound, Strait)
8. Salmon / Steelhead (fast rivers)
8. Halibut (any waters)

I really like the form of this list.  It makes me want to come up with a system of symbols, like ski/snowboarding slopes have, that we could use to inform those that are less experienced in the area find a place that is suitable for their skill level.  But hell, why not just steal their system; it seems to work well.

With rivers in particularly here in the "sunny" PNW (Columbia, Willamette, Sandy, etc.) they can go from Bunny Slopes to Double Black Diamond depending upon snow melt, rains and wind. One day it can be a piece of cake and next week it's dodging monster logs and navigating white water in gale force winds!

Make sure to check the actual river and weather conditions before you go and don't go alone, even if you're an "expert".

My dad was a flight instructor in WWII, he used to tell me "There are Old Pilots and there are Bold Pilots...but there are NO old Bold Pilots."

Guess he saw his share of cocky rookies burrow in. He died within 3 weeks of turning 90.

Bless his heart, bet he's doing Immelmann Rolls over the Pearly Gates.

iHop