Anyone able to help me with my maiden yak voyage?

I just bought a stohlquist bpod from kayakproshop.com.  They are on sale for $500.  Check it out if you are still looking.  I'm 6'3" and 220 and the XL is large enough for me to layer up in colder weather.

I am starting out myself. I'd like to talk to someone on the phone about meeting to go fishing.  503 360 6045

I am starting out myself. I'd like to talk to someone on the phone about meeting to go fishing.  503 360 6045

You might find most people will be hesitant to chat over the phone with someone just getting their first post up.  There's plenty of people hanging out on this forum who would be more willing to chat(lower left corner: "Who's Online") with you or schedule an outing you post up in a new thread.  Keep in mind there aren't a whole lot of active members in the immediate Salem area but there are plenty of places in that area that are good places for beginners.  I and several other people on this forum have been hitting up Walter Wirth recently because of the trout they have been stocking. 

Now that I think of it, why not introduce yourself so we know a little more about you.  Welcome to the forum!

FWIW I had a guy stop by yesterday and buy a cord of wood.  He wants to swing by each Saturday for another cord until my wood is gone.  So if he doesn't flake out on me I'll be buying my drysuit next weekend.  That means I'll probably be wanting to do my maiden voyage President's Day weekend if not sooner.

Andrew

Where are abouts are you planning your maiden voyage?

I'm undecided.  A lot of it depends on who, if anyone, is available to help out.  If nobody from on here is available to join me I'll probably just hit Clear Lake or Big Lake up here in Skagit County.  Those are both pretty close to home.  My neighbor has a small boat and would probably join me for safety's sake.

If you (or anyone else on here) wanted to meet at a lake somewhere in between that would be cool.  Ideally I'd like to go somewhere that's open for fishing so I can embarass myself even more try to catch a fish too.  Even if it's just a panfish that gets CPR'd. 

I'm undecided.  A lot of it depends on who, if anyone, is available to help out.  If nobody from on here is available to join me I'll probably just hit Clear Lake or Big Lake up here in Skagit County.  Those are both pretty close to home.  My neighbor has a small boat and would probably join me for safety's sake.

If you (or anyone else on here) wanted to meet at a lake somewhere in between that would be cool.  Ideally I'd like to go somewhere that's open for fishing so I can embarass myself even more try to catch a fish too.  Even if it's just a panfish that gets CPR'd.

sumpnz,

I'm down at the south end of Whidbey Island. Maybe we could meet up on one of the lakes up at the north end of the island. Or even do Coronet Bay, if you want to be adventurous. It is spectacular.

Pass Lake gets a lot of anglers, as does Campell Lake. I don't have a fresh water fishing license, so I don't have a clue if they are open not. But I would be willing to meet with you, and maybe help you get your comfort level up a bit. I haven't been paddling all that long myself, so I am not any kind of an instructor. But I could certainly show you how I do a self rescue. I'm riding an Ocean Kayak. What kind of craft are you paddling?

I'm self employed, which has been pretty skimpy in this economy. Lately, I've been spending more time working out than I have working  , so my schedule is pretty flexible. I go out year-round, anything above 35°, and less than 15 mph winds. At least to start. I am just starting to kayak fish myself.

cultusbayyakker - I'm pretty risk averse, at least until I develop some confidance in my capabilities.  So I think I'll pass on the salt water for now.  After a few freshwater trips, and once I have a couple other items like a VHF and a fish finder (and some effective motion sickness preventatives) that hesitation will be much reduced.

Be fun to meet up though on a lake.  Maybe we can make a three/foursome with islandson671 and/or another guy that PM'd me depending on everyone's schedules.

I bought an OK Prowler 13 from islandson671.

Looks like the weekend of Feb 4 is out for me.  My wife is taking off for some extended family stuff and I've got the 2 older kids for that weekend.  So the soonest I'll be doing the maiden voyage is the weekend of Feb 11.  Depending on the weather of course.

Pass Lake is fly fishing only, C&R only, but is open year round.  Campbell Lake is open year round and some retention is allowed. 

Big Lake and Clear Lake (both of which are pretty close to me) are open year round.  Lake McMurray and 16 Lake are both closed to fishing until April, but if no fishing was going to be attempted there's no prohibition to playing on them in our yaks. 

I am starting out myself. I'd like to talk to someone on the phone about meeting to go fishing.  503 360 6045

You might find most people will be hesitant to chat over the phone with someone just getting their first post up.  There's plenty of people hanging out on this forum who would be more willing to chat(lower left corner: "Who's Online") with you or schedule an outing you post up in a new thread.  Keep in mind there aren't a whole lot of active members in the immediate Salem area but there are plenty of places in that area that are good places for beginners.  I and several other people on this forum have been hitting up Walter Wirth recently because of the trout they have been stocking. 

Now that I think of it, why not introduce yourself so we know a little more about you.  Welcome to the forum!

I gave the Walter Wirth a go and failed/skunked.  Weather was quite nasty the day I made it down. Not sure if it was the wind chop or what but the water was very murky.   

I've  got Andrew covered. We will be hitting a local lake to have him get a feel for his new yak and he'll have his new drysuit. We will practice some self rescues and he will have a divers belt and a 10lb drift anchor attached to his waist. Sure glad he has that SPOT Might even try for some early Bass or Trout if time and weather permits.