Lurker Uncloaks

Hi Kayak Anglers!

This is my introductory post, ...been lurking/learning for awhile on this web-site.

First,... thanks to all who have participated in these discussions and reports.  I have already learned much about this new-to-me sport.

Bit of background:
Born in Miami, Fl. long ago. As a youngster was a fly-rod warm-water fisher and loved it.  Over time my water-related sporting interests morphed into competitive/commercial spearfishing, scuba diving/instructing, etc., and (hook and line)fishing diminished as a part of my life.

When roughly 40% dead (1976) moved to Oregon.
Retired now and find myself with time, freedom, and enough means to begin some of those "gonna do it someday" plans.

Always been a boat nut, and spent a number of years studying and working on small boat design. (For a few examples of what I may be able to contribute or share on such subjects, see this link to a thread on a Texas kayak forum):

http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=121544&sid=1ce9e6c289d4b6c853626966cf645f27   (Look for posts by "Longtooth")

I was motivated to sign up today by reading a discussion of drift anchor rigs in one of the forum sections, where I found myself tempted to offer a few thoughts. (may do so before long)

As to kayak fishing  I, like many others here, was captivated by the "Beverly Beach" couple's segment on Oregon Field Guide on OPB TV.  So, I am now the owner of an Ocean Kayak Malibu-Two XL tandem, along with a number of other small watercraft, and have begun outfitting/rigging studies here and on other forums. Wet/dry suits, PFD's, etc. on hand for myself and lovely partner, and fishing gear being accumulated.

Actual Kayak fishing experience? None. Small boat experience - a good bit, and career background includes considerable experience/training in water rescue.

I met briefly a couple of friendly members (Yaknitup and AMB) one day when they were out at PC, and have been impressed with the spirit of adventurous fun and cooperation among the posting membership of this forum.

Yaknitup's report on that day is here ; http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,3437.0.html

The kayak gear I was testing was a unique set of deep sand wheels/tires for a kayak cart. More on that when I finish the project.


Hopefully at some point I will be able to make some contributions to the group, ...meanwhile I will continue to learn from and be grateful to those who are already doing so.

Best wishes to everyone, for fishing success

Longtooth (Dallas, Or.)



 

Good on ya for un-lurking and welcome to the cure!!

Z

  Seems to me like you already ARE contributing!  Welcome! Always glad to hear more thoughts on how this all works.....................Chris

always room for another Texan! Welcome aboard Longtooth.

always room for another Texan! Welcome aboard Longtooth.

heh, we'll soon have to start our own roll call again.... .

The kayak gear I was testing was a unique set of deep sand wheels/tires for a kayak cart. More on that when I finish the project.
Longtooth (Dallas, Or.)
 

Wouldn't happen to involve pool noodles would it? 

Sounds like my kinda folks! Welcome!

Thanks for the welcomes, guys.

Very pleased to be aboard.

To correct a mistaken impression,...I posted a few times in the Texas kayak forum, but was born, raised and spent half my FD career in Miami (second half in Salem, Or.). Diving was in Fl. Keys and Bahamas. Fly fishing mostly in the pre-channelization Kissimmee River N. of Lake Okeechobee.

BOR, I'm wondering whether you are psychic, psycho, or what ;-)?
Pool noodles indeed, for sand flotation - mounted on rust-free plastic wheel-chair wheels, with cut/stitched bicycle tires for protective treads. Overall about 3-3.5 inch width X 24" diameter. Not hatch stowable, but easy rollin'. Cable-tie stitches. Pull stitches tight when cool and warmer weather pumps closed-cell "tires" up really tight.

Inexpensive parts (damaged wheel chair from Goodwill, noodles, used bike tires, etc.) - folding kayak/canoe cart from Costco(or Harbor freight, can't remember. Hard plastic sprinkler hose for lightweight inner-tube, to help support softer noodle. Noodle split like hot-dog bun and wrapped around wheel/hose. Bike tire cover handles abrasion which could eat up fragile noodle foam.

Still have to mount wheel-chair bearings/axles to cart frame. Bearing lube should be only real maintenance consideration.

Stock cart works well-enough on harder surfaces, but larger wheels much better in the soft stuff. Will switch wheels to suit situation.

An example of a big-wheel use: Gonna take the long beach-walk route from Bev. Bch State Park underpass to launch below Devil's Punchbowl.  About a 1/2 hour walk.  Timed it the other day, and counted the stairway steps (100+). Step rise seemed about standard 7", with a couple of landings. Alternate mostly-paved route down north side has difficult section at bottom, and unfriendly nearshore rocks to get dumped onto if landing in surf.

Cart would descend stairs ok, but upsy-daisy would be a different story, ...and then there's the 2nd trip(at least) with gear and hopefully fish.

I'd rather let the cart carry the weight of the loaded yak, and put my energy into a relatively easier, if longer, pull.

Easier said than done, to be sure, but relatively unfished areas usually take some extra effort.  Will be using a tandem, and can switch-off pulling duties with partner (or harness-up together).

Will try to post photos of cart when finished, and will report on sanity of tug-trek after actually doing it.

Incidentally was walking in a lean-into-it wind from NW when timing the route. Got into the wind-shadow of the bluff a good ways out, and protected water tucked under the bluff looked good. I figure in any sort of similar-direction wind I'd stay out in(not much), and if swell conditions were ok, that protected area would stay relatively smooth.

Watchin' the weather and knowing when to quit should make this trip fairly low-risk, if not low effort. At least the rocks are close-in.

I like a fabrication challenge for sure, an certainly gunna watch how this unfolds for ya.  I have ideas in my head of wheels made of noodles as well, however constructed in a different configuration.   

BOR, I'm wondering whether you are psychic, psycho, or what ;-)?
Pool noodles indeed, for sand flotation - mounted on rust-free plastic wheel-chair wheels, with cut/stitched bicycle tires for protective treads. Overall about 3-3.5 inch width X 24" diameter. Not hatch stowable, but easy rollin'. Cable-tie stitches. Pull stitches tight when cool and warmer weather pumps closed-cell "tires" up really tight.

Naaah, not psychic. I've just been working on the same thing (cheap beach wheels)
Pool Noodles had not occurred to me though until I saw these El Cheapo Beach Wheels a few weeks ago on the KFS board.



Mine are a bit different than his or yours though as I'm using transverse lengths of noodle instead of making a tire. I'm going for wide and stowable instead of tall.

Looks like its time to start a thread in the "drilling and cutting forum". One of the really nice things you'll find on this board is you'll get good, positive criticism and generally folk will improve a good idea.
(but don't think we won't point and laugh if given half a dance chance )

Wali