New to Kayaking

Hi all, no kayak as yet. In the next few weeks, after what is supposed to be bad weather (surprise) I’ll visit a dealer North of where I live in W. Salem to rent an Outback and possibly both PA’s for an hour or so each to see which one I’ll take home. I’ll start with an Outback which I believe may be the boat of choice, but I want to try the others as my age may be a factor; you know balance and all.

Roughly 40 years ago I built wood, McKenzie River style, Drift Boats with Don Hill in Springfield, OR. We used those same hard boats for guiding on many of the Oregon Rivers including the Deschutes through White Horse, Wapanita, Oak Creek and more of what was then known as treacherous white-water. I’ve owned and paddled Aire inflatable kayaks and learned how to paddle ala Bill Mason style, my Navarro Osprey Canoe, owned a couple Sailboats and bunch of power boats both prop and pump.  All those boats are gone. I’m not new to the water, but I’ve never tried, peddled or paddled a hard shell SOT.

I’ve very interested in fishing Black Bass from a Kayak in Dorena instead of my float tube. I’d also like to give ocean fishing a try from a Kayak. I’m not too far from Depot Bay or Sunset Beach for that matter. I plan on attending as a visitor during the upcoming Rockfish Classic; boat or not. I’ve a friend who owns a beach house in Gleneden so the commute to the Classic won’t be but four miles.

It’s nice to find this forum; I’ll keep in touch after I get a kayak.  I’m pretty sure ocean fishing will be next year. This year will likely be lakes and slow parts of the Willamette.

Welcome, RV!  If you want to try out kayaks the Next Adventure Summer Splash is going on next Saturday at Sellwood Park in Portland.  You can try out all kinds of kayaks during the day for free.  More info here: http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=13243.0

Thanks for the heads up. Saw the mention of it on Next Adventure's website and thought about it, but think I want to spend more water time than they would likely want during their fest. However I may go up early and if its not too busy I'll go for it.
I thought it was supposed to rain today... got the lawn mowed and the sun is out.