newbie & dog experience on Trident 13

I've owned the T13 angler for a couple of weeks now.  Second trip out was Alder Lake, 48f air temp and light winds, although a good breeze picked up out of the NW as I was headed back to the launch site.

In addition to it being cold out, I wanted to add to the challenge and brought along my dog Chloe.  She loves the water and I didn't think it would be much trouble coaxing her onto the deck, and later into the water, but I was unsure of how to handle her when inevitably, she wanted back on board.  Well, I thought, what better way to prepare for the challenges of landing a big Chinook on the kayak than having to pull aboard a 38lb hyperactive border collie?

We practiced the drill close to the rocky, stumpy and muddy shoreline before heading out into deeper water.  The T13 handled the situation well.  By compensating with my body weight I was able to keep it fairly stable each time as she jumped from bow and stern.  Helping her scratch her way back onboard was a little more challenging but at no point did we come close to capsizing.  I have a bad right shoulder so each time she wanted aboard I directed her to the port side near the stern, and then held the flat of the paddle out to starboard for extra stability with my right arm (don't know if that helped much). Reached around with my left and pulled her onto the back deck well.

Was a fun time for both of us and I think I learned a little more about the T13's stability along the way.
 

 

Nice, I have been meaning to do this with my waterfowl retriever as well. I have really been tossing around the idea of duck hunting from the Fish 'N' Dive this season.

well, you're roughly in the ball park bracing like that with the paddle. and sounds like you and Chloe have the launch and retrieve scenario down pat now too. shouldn't be too much of a hassle after a few more practices..

btw, where exactly were you launching from ? Rocky Beach Boat Launch near Elbe? Rainbow Beach Park just south of the main park entrance? or up at the actual boat main launch? i scouted that area pretty heavily last year looking for a decent place for a Heroes On the Water event . what you described seems like down at the far south east end off Rocky Beach..That deeply green water seems like it's almost bottomless. one day i'll take a sonar down there with me and see how deep it really is.

WR, they've pulled the drain plug on Alder and there's nothing but mud left at the end between Elbe and Rocky pt.  I've been parking further west at the park at the town of Alder.  Boat launch ends in mud there, wouldn't stop anyone from launching a kayak of course, but over at the mooring near the swim beach has worked out pretty good for my trial runs.  I have found it tough but doable to carry my kayak down from the parking lot to there.  Co-worker offered to loan me some wheels and I may give them a try next time.

wow, shows you how little time i spent there this year.. had no idea it was drained out... wonder if they plan on fixing the dam that it's so low..

wow, shows you how little time i spent there this year.. had no idea it was drained out... wonder if they plan on fixing the dam that it's so low..

What's wrong with the dam?

According to Tacoma Power they 'drain' the lake in the late summer and early fall to help the salmon spawn better.

ok, to clarify.. i was wondering if there was a problem of some sort with the dam that they drew down so  heavily. i never even thought about them dumping water to increase the flows on the Nisqually for the fish.

shows ya how much i kno 

hyperactive border collie

Is there any other kind?    

Ha!  And I was thinking that yet ANOTHER dam was in need of repair!

If I had a bigger yak, I would love to take one of my boys out for a paddle, although a 70lb Golden Retriever might cause some stability problems!

What Lee said.  They keep the flow to a certain min. level downstream of the dams.

BTW... I hiked down into the canyon 2 days ago just 100 yards below La Grande just because it's an awesome place and lots of spider webs so very few people go down there.  I think the area is class V rapids but it seems there are spots between the Mashel confluence and the dam that would great place to try bank fishing except you would probably burn a 6 lb. coho's worth of calories on the hike back uphill (couple hundred+ ft. elevation gain).  I don't know the regs. For those that don't know the general area, it's part of the upper Nisqually roughly between Eatonville and La Grande, WA.  Water flows from 1200ft elev. at Alder Lake and drops to about 700 ft above sea level at the confluence with the Mashel.

Sorry to get so far off subject but it is great to chat with you all.

from the military tank crossing bridge (located one mile upstream of
mouth of Muck Creek) to 400' below LaGrande Powerhouse

ALL SPECIES - Aug. 1-Oct. 31: night closure and anti-snagging rule.
All Game Fish July 1-Oct. 31 Catch-and-release except up to 2 hatchery STEELHEAD may be retained.
Selective gear rules.

Basically, from about a mile above the Nisqually reservation there is a tank bridge (single lane crossing to Fort Lewis) and above that, you can ONLY keep 2 hatchery steelhead.  Everything else is Catch and Release

yeh been told by coworkers thats the area to bank and wade for good fish.. just never had to time to find it..