Anyone able to help me with my maiden yak voyage?

Since my gun sold I'll be picking up a drysuit tomorrow (assuming the shop still has my size available on the clearance items).  Got the PFD and rescue knife, and a PLB for Christmas, and picked up a paddle from Craigslist.

I was thinking about hitting one or more of the local lakes over the MLK weekend.  SWMBO is taking the kids to Portland Friday next week and not coming back until late Monday.  The local lakes that are open for fishing are Big Lake and Clear Lake about 10 minutes south of Sedro-Woolley.

But, since I've never actually paddled a yak, it would be aweful nice to have someone else there to help me with paddling technique, self rescue practice, launch and recovery, etc.

I'm definitely up for meeting at a different lake if necessary to mesh with someone else's schedule and personal knolwedge.

As for fishing I'll most likely take the bug wands.  I've got 5wt, 6wt and 8wt rods/reels, so that should cover any size fish I'd be likely to catch.  Might take one of the kids spinning set ups.

PLB?
SWMBO?
I have no clue what those mean bro.

Coming from Intel where all we talk is acronym gibberish.   

PLB = Personal Locator Beacon (in this case a SPOT).
SWMBO = She Who Must Be Obeyed.

PLB = Personal Locator Beacon (in this case a SPOT).
SWMBO = She Who Must Be Obeyed.

Ahh!   

Oh yeah, I was thinking I'd go up to the Bellingham public pool on Tuesday or Thursday to do some self rescue practice.  If anyone wants to join me let me know.

They will let you drop a kayak in the Bellingham public pool?

TLW - The Little Woman

They will let you drop a kayak in the Bellingham public pool?

TLW - The Little Woman

Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8-9PM (after they're otherwise closed for the night) they do.

DAMNIT.  Shop ran out of my size in the clearance drysuits.  Back to the drawing board.

Guess I'm not taking the yak out next weekend afterall.

I wear waders and a semi-dry top. If you have waders you may be able to get out more cheaply than with a full dry suit.

Turns out that with the Outdoor play coupon I can get the same drysuit for only $20 more from them since there's no sales tax.  However I really want to try one on first, just to make sure I'm getting the right size and style.  Anyone in Skagit, Whatcom or Snohomish counties have a Super Nova Angler in XL that I can try on?

Without being indelicate, what size are you?  I'm 6'1" and 185 and have both an XL and a L.  I wear the XL most as its a little baggy on me and gives me lots of room for layers if needed.  Both fit fine for someone my size, I'm right on the "size overlap"  border of both.  If you are larger/taller go XL, if smaller go L, if about my size I'd still recommend XL.  IMO it doesn't hurt to have it a little big but you're screwed if its to small.

I'm about 6' and 200#.  Hoping to get back to 170, but if wishes were horses we'd all be eating steak.

When I talked to the guys at Kayak Academy in Issaquah (where I was going to get that clearance drysuit) they said I'd be a lot happier with an XL.  They said if I was under 180 the L would be doable.  But they sold out of their clearance model in XL.

Turns out that with the Outdoor play coupon I can get the same drysuit for only $20 more from them since there's no sales tax.  However I really want to try one on first, just to make sure I'm getting the right size and style.  Anyone in Skagit, Whatcom or Snohomish counties have a Super Nova Angler in XL that I can try on?

the people at Outdoor play will help you just fine. Alkasazi is a member here and is a big part of that organization,. PM him if you really need further help. Thats not to take away from Mr. Gronseths company there in Issaquah... they have a rep as being first rate too. Just sucks to be in a common size  for a commodity like that because they vanish as fast as they show up. as master Po said to young Qwai Chang Kane, "patience ass hopper"

I'm about 6' and 200#.  Hoping to get back to 170, but if wishes were horses we'd all be eating steak.

When I talked to the guys at Kayak Academy in Issaquah (where I was going to get that clearance drysuit) they said I'd be a lot happier with an XL.  They said if I was under 180 the L would be doable.  But they sold out of their clearance model in XL.

I am 6' and 200 lbs.  I was even a little heavier last spring when I did a lot of sturgeon fishing.  I have a Large G-tex Kokatat dry suit.  During milder weather, it is very comfortable and fits me well.  In the colder winter weather, I wear a base layer shirt, a thin fleece over shirt, and a thick fleece jacket under it.  It is fairly comfortable once I flail around trying to get it on over the top of these layers.  The mistake I made is that the salesman absolutely convinced me I should buy a large, even though I was thinking the XL would be better.  He is a sea kayaker that claims to be a kayak fisherman and was probably relating my purchase to his minimal experience actually focusing on fishing from a yak. 

What I have since learned is that sea kayakers, for some reason, feel you must suffer to enjoy your sport. I think bike riders feel the same way. Do they actually think those seats are comfortable? What ever happened to those cool banana seats for bikes we had as kids (on our cool bicycle choppers) that were comfortable? Anyways, the salesman claimed the tighter fit would be better.  Also, if you are touring and paddling constantly, I have found you don't need as many layers (duh! I know).  But, as a kayak fisherman, I frequently use an anchor during the cold winter months sturgeon fishing.  That is when I wish I had the extra large.  However, there is nothing that says you can't add more layers over the top.  A couple weeks ago while trout fishing, I had my normal layers on and added another fleece jacket over the top and then my dry top over that.  I think I had six total layers on and still froze my but off. 

If you really want to try to make the large work, it probably will.  But, If I were doing it again, I would go XL.

-Craig

Be patient.  Go with the XL.  Baggy is better.