First Paddle of 2012

[ted4887]

Got out today in a brand new Native Ultimate 14.5. It was a really nice day to do some paddling on the Mississippi's backwaters. Anyone else been out yet?

[itchmesir]

That was a pretty slick looking.. canoe? kayak? what's it considered?

[ted4887]

Kayak... I think. I guess I would consider it to be a hybrid. Kind of the best of both worlds. The boat paddles like a dream though. So easy to paddle, even with the wind. I'm actually looking forward to getting it out again tomorrow, even with the wind!

[Stick in Mud]

I picked up my new MNII today in Wisconsin...got back to St Cloud late this afternoon and took it out for a quick run on the Mississippi. It was a great trip, even considering the ice floes we had to dodge.

[OnAFly]

That's a pretty good lookin view

[ted4887]

Carmike - Dodging the ice must of been fun! We're completely ice free down here so I don't have anything to worry about.

Onthefly - Yeah, it was a fun time. Just so much water to cover. It's hard to find a place to start!

[Nastynate]

No Fair! we still have ice up here,hoping it will go out soon! I'm on Vacation in 4 days! That's a cool kayak you got there.

[tolle141]

Jealous! I'm putting my rack on Friday. I like to get at least a week or two of spring driving without it whistling. That Native looks sweet! Did you order that in or pick it up somewhere in state?

[ted4887]

It's a fun rig to paddle tolle, that's for sure. I picked it up at Rutabaga in Madison, WI. Rutabaga actually had both kayaks I was interested in their shop so it worked out well. I'm glad I went over in person to look at them, because the one I was going to get turned out to not be all I had expected.

[MN BassFisher]

I got out last sunday on a nearby small lake to chase Crappies but it was so windy that I was limited to a small shallow cove or I was getting blown all around. I look to get out again soon when its not so windy and get the first slime on it of 2012.

[Connan]

Nice!! I got out for my first few kayak runs last week! I did a section of the kinnickinnic, and it was a blast!! It was 80% relaxing, and 20% exciting fun! There was a few spots where I got stuck on shallow sand bars, and a few spots with rapids that got me soaked, and a couple trees I had to duck under. I found a Lake Superior agate along the way as well!! I look forward to many more kayak trips and would love to eventually get into some white water stuff.

[Redlantern]

Had my first outing of the season in a kayak. Never been in one before. Paddled thousands of miles in a canoe (with a minimum of mishaps) but within ten seconds of my maiden voyage in a kayak, I seemed to find myself in a horizontal type position. Now, being the novice I am, I thought this might be the way it's done. So I thought I'd just try to enjoy this (it was my girlfriends kayak and she really was adamant that I'd like this). Well, I learned a couple of things from this experience. One, why bring a cellphone with me? Really, who was I planning on calling while I was paddling along in a horizontal position? Second, that cellphone should've been in a ziploc bag. Third, I could've left the wallet behind as well. Not too many places out there on the water that really wanted to see proper I.D. or my gold card. Fourth, the water is still cold, things shrink substantially in cold water.

Well, now that I've been out once, I consider myself an expert. Anyone need lessons, just let me know. I can help you out.

[Duffman]

My first paddle of 2012 was actually in February in the Pacific. Fished out of a sit on top kayak for an hour, honestly I thought my solo canoe was uncomfortable, but it's nothing compared to that kayak. Rented it for an hour and could not wait to get out of it and stretch my back out. But it sure was fun riding up in down in the ocean swells while fishing, and I actually caught something. Fish On!

I plan on getting the canoe out this week sometime for a paddle.

Stay topside people! The waters fricken cold!