Bye Bye Baseball.... Hello Hunting and Fishing

Summer is upon us here in South Texas.  It has been quite some time since I posted due to career stuff and our other outdoor family passion.. Baseball.  Rest assured though that I am still quite the avid outdoorsman and continue to have a great passion for getting our youth hooked on the outdoors.  My disappointment escalates as the weeks fly by on the calendar without a chance to get on the water or in the woods.

Unfortunately, deer season came and went without a shot fired for my family. I don't think we even had time for bow targets in the backyard.  I was able to get to the lease a couple times during bow season, but that was about it.  So, as deer season closed out, I vowed to get into the woods for some shenanigans involving a turkey and a shotgun, but that opportunity never surfaced as my nose remained firmly pressed against the proverbial grindstone.  In addition to being a partner in Twisted Oak, I also flip houses and with the real estate market hot here, I have been VERY busy.

Baseball is also very much a big deal around our house as my oldest son Cole plays both Little League and select/travel baseball and I coach.  Fifty or more games per year is not at all uncommon (in fact, it may be a little low).  We shared a dream of going to Williamsport to play in the Little League World Series since he was about 5 or 6, but as I have recently learned through experience is usual with that dream, well intentioned adults have a way of pursuing it so fervently that they destroy the dream in many kids (and adults) with the constant pushing and prodding, league politics (from the international level on down to the local level), and cheating the system.

Recently, we have found a great organization (Texas Pro United) here in San Antonio that has a great coaching staff of former players and coaches that have a well rounded approach to the game and truly prepare their athletes for success in high school and beyond.  Because of the reasons listed above and the reality of knowing I will never change it, I have decided not to seek re-election to the Board of Directors for our local league in order to chase this dream.... Getting kids outdoors!  

We have recently taken holiday opportunities to hit the river in our Malibu kayaks to have some fun. While we still have baseball commitments over the summer, the schedule will open up to allow more hunting and fishing.  More on these exploits next time.

Adventure Files: Learning to Fish From A Kayak

Recently, I celebrated a birthday... I turned a whopping 46 years old.  The kayak fishing adventure has just begun for me.  I have no earthly idea why it has taken me so long to see a kayak as an acceptable vessel for fishing.  I fished from canoes as a kid.  Banging around all over the place, we tied it off to trees, trolled, drifted along fishing Rat L Traps and creating great memories.  One would think that fishing from a kayak would be the next logical step. Fortunately, I came to my senses, so, I embarked on another kayak journey with Cole in celebration of my 46 years on this earth.

I was looking forward to doing some fishing, but I knew that still only having one kayak, that was not going to be a real possibility.  I really wanted Cole to experience the kayak as well. I took him along knowing that he would monopolize the time in the kayak, and leaving him to fish by himself on shore while I tooled around the cove fishing was a monumentally bad idea for a multitude of reasons, though it did cross my mind. Fortunately for both of us, I'm slightly more intelligent than that!

The planning for this little adventure being what it was found me at Wal Mart at 11 PM on my birthday eve purchasing a new paddle because of our paddle fail chronicled in Adventure Files: Kayak Fail (not so much) Part 2.  I found a small Propel paddle for just the right price at $23.87.  This will make a great stow away paddle when my new kayak and paddle arrive at Twisted Oak.

A boy and a borrowed kayak
Photo Chris Carson

The next morning, Cole and I headed back to Canyon Lake again.  The water was back to a more normal level.  Boat ramps were open again and most of the picnic tables were out of the water.  The water had receded about 60 yards or so since the last time we were there.  The wind was blowing out of the South at about 15-20 mph. The water was a little choppy in the cove we were in, but we handled it well.  I was a bit nervous about getting broadside to the wind, but the Aquaterra proved to be pretty stable given how narrow it is.

I must admit, I am beginning to like the Aquaterra more and more.  I still can't wait for my Malibu Stealth 14 to come in, alas, I must have patience.  In the meantime, I will enjoy this kayak and milk it for whatever lessons I can gain and use it to teach Cole water safety and how to position the boat for a multitude of scenarios.

The first thing I realized today is the importance of an anchoring system.  On our previous trip, the wind was calm and we could have easily positioned the yak.  Today, I showed him how to read the current to set up a drift since we had no anchor.  Without a drift anchor this also proved to be difficult as we were moving way to fast to be effective (especially in the summer when fishing deep and slow is usually the key).

The Anchor Rock   Photo: Chris Carson

After a bit of frustration, I fashioned an anchor from some parachute cord and rock.  I was inspired by a post on Facebook by Eugene Mora.  It wasn't pretty, but it was effective.  Notice above that I said an "anchoring system".  "System" is a key word here as without an anchor trolley to move the anchor to the back or front of the boat depending on how I wanted to position the boat, I spent most of my time broadside to the wind.

I also quickly realized that dumping a 15 lb. rock overboard with no anchor line management system was a good way for Cole to lose a finger.  Loose rope laying around with a heavy object tied to it is not a safe practice.  

 

Kayak Crate   Photo: Chris Carson

In other news, the kayak crate that I made awhile back worked well.  Although the Aquaterra is lacking in places to stow such an item, we strapped it down with bungees and made the best of it. Cole accidentally flipped it once trying to get out of it in deeper than he thought water. But, the crate stayed in place, one of the rods actually never left the rod holder.  All other contents floated long enough to recover easily, none the worse for wear.

Anchor line management is a different animal altogether though... I'm open for ideas, so comment below or on Facebook and give me your thoughts.

This trip was an exercise in getting a feel for fishing from a kayak.  Figuring out what works and what doesn't was the goal. There are many nuances such as casting angles and gear management that must be re-learned and mastered from a kayak.  For instance learning to flip a jig while sitting at water level will be interesting I'm sure! It's all part of the journey and I look forward to it! 

There were no fish injured or otherwise harmed in this excursion.

Adventure Files: Kayak Fail (not so much) Part 2

The adventures have been few and far between for awhile now as I have had to make time in my schedule for coaching my boys' baseball teams.  Although we are in the thick of Little League All-Stars, we finally had a day off on Tuesday, so we got in a little adventure!

Quick Disclaimer: although "failure" is involved in this installment of Adventure Files, the title is more of a continuation of the original story (another chapter if you will), than a failure.

Mini X by Malibu Kayaks

We (at Twisted Oak Hunting & Outfitter Supply) have finally been able to get kayaks into the store. The nice folks at Malibu Kayaks have approved us as a dealer and we are currently awaiting shipment of our first order.

My son, Cole, just turned 11 and we ordered him a Malibu Kayaks Mini-X.  It's a 9' kayak complete with adjustable foot pegs, 4 flush mount rod holders, front storage hatch, another storage hatch between his feet, and standing platform, a rear storage area with a bungee, and the all important cup holder. We also got him a Jr. Explorer seat and paddle to complete the initial package.

Cole's care package from Malibu Kayaks

The only problem with all of this is that we weren't able to close the deal on this purchase before his birthday.  So, I called my contact there at Malibu and asked if they could send me a sticker or something to let him know he was getting a kayak for his birthday. They were happy to make that happen and went above and beyond by sending him an entire care package complete with stickers, a cap, some magnets, a certificate naming him the owner
of a Mini-X in Desert Camo, and

best of all (according to Cole)... A Backwater Assault Paddle.  I must confess, I want one too!


Cole had been driving me crazy (and still is) with questions like "Dad, where is the first place you want to go when you get your kayak?" Of course, I ordered myself one. It is a Stealth 14 from Malibu Kayaks along with an X-Tank, and a Spider Angler seat from Crack of Dawn Paddlesports. So I decided to take him to Canyon Lake and learn some things using the kayak from my original Kayak Fail.

This kayak and I had a brief, but sorted history.  However, I wasn't going to let that deter me from letting Cole have some fun learning to kayak.  We loaded up and headed to Canyon Lake for an afternoon of fun.  We arrived at the lake and chose a spot that was easy to access.  We unloaded and headed down to the water.

The lake was up from the recent flooding, picnic tables were in the water and boat ramps were closed, but we drug the old Aquaterra about 100 yds. down a hill and across the grass to the water and I let Cole have the first run... He paddled around and had a blast.  After a few minutes, he wanted me to try.

My original experience with this kayak was less than successful, so I was a bit apprehensive to attempt to mount this thing for the fear of looking like an idiot in front of my son and a few other on-lookers. Getting in was a bit of a chore, as it was the first time, but without the fear of a cold water kayak baptism, I was able to get in and began paddling around.  I noticed a "No Wake Zone " buoy about 200 yards out and made it my goal to reach the buoy.

This is where things begin to get sketchy.  As I paddled out, (at about the half way point) I noticed a difference in my right and left paddle stroke.  I looked down and the top rivet that secured the blade of the paddle to the handle had come loose. Being attached only at the bottom presented a bit of a challenge.  However, I was determined to reach the buoy.  I used my right "traffic" finger (aka: the bird) to secure the blade to the handle.  I'm still pretty sure I looked like an idiot with my right hand all the way down to one side of the paddle and 3 feet of handle sticking of the left side, but it worked.  I got the the buoy, turned around and came back.  Cole was disappointed that I did not touch the buoy, but I considered the affair a "WIN".

When I returned, I got out and Cole embarked on another voyage.  He began tooling around and the paddle broke.  With only a one sided, long, unwieldy paddle at our disposal, I decided to have Cole practice re-entry and flipping the kayak in order to make Mom a little more comfortable in the notion of getting him a kayak for his birthday. He did a great job.

The video to the right shows him in water too deep to stand.  This time was the only time he didn't get in on the first attempt, which worked out because he was able to demonstrate both ways he learned to flip the kayak.  We probably did it at least 10 times.

After about 30 minutes or so of that, I remembered that there was a two piece paddle stowed in the hull.  Cole got it out and paddled around a bit more, the I decided to take another trip to the buoy.  I didn't get too far before that paddle broke too!  Upon further inspection, it had a flat spot (like it had been run over by a car) near the blade of the paddle.

So, this was actually more of a paddle fail than a kayak fail, but all in all, it was a great time. Cole got to test out his Backwater Assault Paddle, which by the way is AWESOME as Cole says, and we got to spend some time on the water.  No fishing, nothing extravagant... Just good, quality, fun in the sun!
Can't wait for my Malibu Kayak!!!

46 Things To Do Within 46 Miles of Hwy. 46

There are many great things to do outdoors.  There is bound to be something on this list that will get you, your kids, and/or the whole family outdoors.  Below are 46 ideas of what to do outdoors.  I have not pulled up Google Earth and measured specific sites and such, but I'm willing to bet my paycheck that all of these can be accomplished to some degree within 46 miles of Hwy 46... In other words, right here in the Texas Hill Country!

1. Whitetail Deer Hunting  This species is one of the easiest and hardest to hunt.  While being quite abundant and fairly easy to pattern, they will frustrate even the most seasoned hunter with their keen senses and ability to sense danger.  This is a great way to spend Thanksgiving weekends and Christmas holidays with friends and family.  The good times and stories produced in deer camp are legendary.
2. Turkey Hunting One of my all time favorite hunts.  If I had a place where turkey were consistently abundant, I would guide these hunts.  There is something about the interactive nature of this hunt that makes my pulse race.  The ability to call a turkey within 30 yards or so is an experience you won't soon forget, and it is best done with a partner to call while you hunt. That makes it a great opportunity for family and/or friends!
3.  Hog Hunting Over the years I have had the opportunity to hunt these creatures with a multitude of means and methods... rifle and bow, from a blind, a tree stand, a jeep, the back of a pick up truck, spot and stalk by moon light or during the day, trapping, with tracking dogs and attack dogs.  
4. Quail Hunting Another great hunting experience here in Texas.  Best done with dogs. This is alot of walking over all kinds of different terrain.  It's a great opportunity for exercise, but get a good pair of waterproof snake boots.
5. Small Game Hunting A great opportunity to get kids started hunting.  This can be a static endeavor sitting in a blind or a jeep or truck.  Or if you want more exercise, cover some ground!
6. Dove Hunting This is another great event for groups.  Bring the family AND the dogs.  A little campfire action after a good hunt and some fresh dove kabobs are hard to beat on a cool September night!
7. Shed Hunting An opportunity to get back into the deer woods and learn something about their habitat while looking for the antlers they shed in the Spring.
8. Scouting Start looking for patterns, scrapes, and rubs on those bucks in late summer and early fall.  Bow season is right around the corner. Don't just go sit in your blind, get a broader view so you can see the bigger picture.  
   
9. Camping Camping is an outstanding opportunity to get the family together and enjoy a campfire.  Sleeping bags, tents, s'mores, ghost stories.  Awesome fun under the stars!
10. Hiking Whether it's hiking into a camping spot or just a walk in the woods, this is a great way to enjoy many of nature's wonders, and the slow pace is great for teaching kids about nature.
11. Night Hikes Up for a little adventure? Take a flashlight and go for that hike after dark.  Many state parks have guided night hikes.
12. Trail Running A great way to change up that exercise routine.
13. Orienteering Basically a hike or run using a map and compass.  Off the beaten path using using specific points along the way for bearings.
14. Adventure Racing Usually combines running, orienteering, some sort of water sport like kayaking, and a mystery obstacle. 
15. Geo-Caching This activity is like a world wide scavenger hunt.  Find little trinkets and leave something for the next person to find it.
16. Cycling Another great opportunity to exercise.  Great scenery and all the hills you want to endure.
17. Mountain Biking Take those two wheels off road.  Many great places for this activities and trails for beginners and experts.
18. Horseback Riding A trail ride is a great way to enjoy the outdoors.  Again, many state parks offer equestrian trails, but bring your own horse.
19. Rock Climbing Whether it's a rock wall at the gym, or a bluff somewhere outdoors, or Enchanted Rock, you will get a great workout climbing. The views you are rewarded with are priceless.
20. Zip Lining This is a fun activity for just about anyone who doesn't have a heart problem.  Go sailing through the trees or across canyons and rivers.
21. Spelunkering (Caving) Take that rock climbing adventure underground and see the interesting things caves have waiting for you. Or, just take a cave tour.
22. Wildlife Safari Whether it's on a ranch somewhere, a commercial drive thru safari with african animals, or just a Sunday drive in the country, there are many beautiful things to see in nature. take the binoculars and look close. Scan the horizon and spy on a herd of deer.
23. Bird Watching If birds are your thing, head out to local lakes, ponds, parks and look around. Sometimes, the backyard can be a productive place for this activity.
24. Bat Watching Head out to one of our many area bat caves at Sunset and see the bats come out.  Forr you city dwellers, there are bridges and buildings where you can see this on a smaller scale.
25. Star Gazing Find a comfy place away from the city lights and relax while looking for constellations or shooting stars.
26. Outdoor Photography Many of these activities can be done with camera in hand.  get a good camera and start documenting your trips, the birds you are seeing, interesting flora & fauna, etc.
27. Picnicking A classic way to enjoy the outdoors.  
28. Archery Puchase a bow and start shooting.  Hunting, 3-D ranges, and competitions await you.
29. Canoing/KayakingGood old fashioned family fun on the water.  Take a trip on the river or a clm peaceful paddle on a lake.
30. Stand Up Paddle Boarding Great exercise and yet another way to enjoy the water.
31. Tubing A lazy float on the Guadalupe or Comal River may be just what the doctor ordered.  Get some Vitamin D!
32. Rafting When the river is up, we have some pretty aggressive rapids nearby.  Take the opportunity to live on the edge with a little white water rafting.
33. Paddle Boating Whether it's white water or just a lazy afternoon paddle, the scenic rivers and lakes offer great opportunities to experience the outdoor life.
34. Kayak Fishing Arguably the fastest growing segment of the fishing industry, fishing from a kayak
    
    offers a whole new set of skills and thrills.
35. Fishing (rod & reel) Fishing is probably one of the best ways to enjoy the outdoors.  It can provide a challenging experience and keep you guessing. Skills required are few to get started but there are endless techniques and strategies to learn.
36. Fly Fishing Maybe one of the most exciting ways to fish and enjoy the outdoors.  Some advanced skills required, but fun to learn and even more fun to catch.
37. Bow Fishing A great way to help manage invasive species as this method is not lawful for taking gamefish, but it sure is fun and will test even the most skilled bow hunter or angler. 
38. Boating An afternoon boat ride, weather it's to enjoy the wind in your face, or view the marine life, boating is a great way to enjoy the water. Stop and take a dip along the way.
39. Personal Water Craft Jet-Skis, Sea Doos, pick your poison... Get out there and have a blast on these funwater toys, but have some respect for other folks enjoying the same water you are!
40. Water Skiing A great way to spend a weekend on the water.  Take your turn! Slolom maybe?
41. Wakeboarding A close cousin of traditional water skiing.  Take it to the next level with tricks and jumps.
42. Wind SurfingA surfboard with a sail... what could go wrong? Worst case scenrio, you get wet... but isn't that why you are on the water anyway?
43. Sailing Can be a little work, but rewarding when you and mother nature work together to get you where you are going.
44. SCUBA Diving Explore the depths of area lakes.  There are two towns that were flooded when Canyon Lake was impounded.  
45. Swimming Why would you want to go to the pool when you have the beautiful rivers and lakes we have around here to enjoy a swim or just play in the water. Rope swing anyone?
46. Hammoking   Yes, I said "hammoking".  The art of napping in the shade while swinging peacefully between two trees. RELAX in the Texas Hill Country!                                                                                                                            

There are a ton of things to do int this area and wherever you might be.  Get out there and look for them.  Weather it's land based fun in the sun or a day on the water, all of these things provide a great opportunity to experience what nature has to offer.  Remember to pack sunscreen, life jackets and other safety items needed for your trip.

Pick something on the list and go do it! 

Kayak FAIL

My first kayak outing was a dismal FAILURE.  I have been looking forward (for months now) to getting into a kayak to fish and paddle.  I heard the White Bass are running on the Guadalupe River,  and figured a quick little trip to the calm waters of Boerne Lake would be a good idea so I could get used to the kayak and get things organized, so I could take a float trip to the Guad.  Instead, I learned (well, not so much learned as confirmed) a few things I will outline below.

I had to purchase a few supplies, so I spent about $100.00 on a life vest, whistle, small bungees, a waterproof pouch for my phone and a pair of rubber/neoprene boots that will double as my hunting boots next season.  Having procured my supplies and cleaned out the back of my truck, I loaded the kayak, paddle, crate, rods and reels, along with a cooler for some water and sandwiches.  With all the excitement of a kid going fishing for the first time, I headed to Boerne Lake with my hopes high and smile on my face.

To start with, I should probably set the scene.  It was a beautiful day outside,  the temperature was probably in the mid 70's (don't let this fool you though, the water temperature was probably in the 50's).  The wind was blowing out of the southeast at about 10-15 mph which resulted in a 6-8" chop on the water.

I think the first thing I learned, is that it's not as easy as one might think to strap all that stuff to your kayak.  Bungee cords leave something to be desired.  Although they were tight, things still slid around.  I will have to work on this.  I guess it's all the years of building things and hauling materials around, but I like things to be solid; no movement.  Also, because the kayak doesn't lay flat, it was a little difficult getting things situated.  Between the slope of the boat ramp and the kayak rolling over, things didn't want to stay where I put them; so I was left to leash, lash, strap, and otherwise tie down with one hand while I held and steadied with the other.  I know I need to get better at this and more efficient.  A boat ramp on Friday around noon is not a very busy place in the middle of February, but I would have had some folks pretty angry folks around if it were June.

Once I got everything strapped down and ready to go, I stepped down into the water with a plan.  The goal (and reason for he plan) was not to get wet.  Ultimately I had a picture in my mind that looked very similar to the photo on the left.

Fortunately, there are no pictures or video (that I know of) of the events that transpired over the next 2 minutes.  I faced the lake and headed out with the nose of the kayak in hand.  When I got out to the point where I would have filled my boots with water had I taken another step, I stopped and eased the kayak into the water floating it between my legs to the point where the seat ended up right below me.  Everything was great so far.  I sat on the kayak and immediately realized that I wasn't far enough out and the rear of the kayak was still on land.  In case you are wondering, this makes the boat flop violently right and left with every movement.  This is also the point at which I realized my plan was inadequate.

I began lunging forward to try to get the boat fully into the water.  I tried, unsuccessfully I might add, to put my feet in the boat... one at a time, then both at the same time.  Every time I picked up my feet, I had to slam them back down into the water to regain my stability.  By now, I had about a gallon of water in each boot. This might be a good time to point out that although I got them on clearance, I made a $50 investment in a pair of boots to keep my feet dry.  So, I put my paddle on the surface of the boat ramp and leaned toward it, swung both feet in the boat and pushed off at the same time.  I was finally actually on the kayak, in the water.  It was about this point in time that I realized that all the water that was previously in my boots, was now soaking its way through the small foam stadium seat that I used as a seat cushion.  It's also worth mentioning that there are two scupper holes in this boat to drain water , and neither of them are under the seat.

I gave a few paddle strokes to get away from land.  Then I began to try to get a feel for the stability by moving around a bit.  It still felt a bit unstable and therefore made me a bit uneasy.  Before I knew it, the wind caught the nose of the boat and pushed me broad side back to the concrete ramp and beached me.  I pushed off again only to get pushed back again.

At this point, I decided that my maiden kayak voyage, as short as it was, was over.  Already soaking wet, from my rear to my feet and from mid forearm to fingers on both hands, I figured that this kayak thing needed a new plan.  So, I bailed out and drug the kayak back on shore.

I went back to the truck and drove down to load it up.  While finishing up getting all my things off of the kayak, I noticed a guy getting into his truck.  I think he had been walking across the dam or in the park on his lunch break because he seemed to be changing his shoes while watching me load up all the rods and crate etc. He drove up next to the boat ramp and asked if I needed any help.  Loading the kayak is really pretty easy, so I refused.  He smiled and waved as he took off making me wonder if he had seen the whole ordeal.

All in all, it took me 40 minutes to drive there, about 15 minutes to unload the boat, get all my gear situated, put on my boots and PFD, 2 minutes in the water, and 10 minutes to load up and another 40 minutes to drive home.  Travel/prep time to water time ratio was 107:2.  I must admit failure on this one.

However I can pick out three positives this trip left me with.

1. The guy that stopped to ask if he could help had a Hobie sticker on his truck.  A fellow kayaker maybe?  It's good to know that if I needed help, he was willing.

2. I feel pretty good about my crate set up, although I need to figure out a better way to tie that down.  It took some violent weight shifts and jostling without losing anything.

3. After this ordeal, I wasn't 5 minutes from the lake before I was on the phone with Diablo Paddlesports in an attempt to get a WIDE, STABLE, kayak for Twisted Oak.  I had a dealer pack by the end of the day!

In no way am I giving up here.  I will be back on a kayak soon.  Hopefully a Diablo.  When the water warms up a little more, I will even give this kayak a shot again... when I don't mind getting wet!

Kayak Fishing... No More Excuses

If you read my "What's In A Name" post or know anything about me, you know I am no stranger to fishing the waters of Central and South Texas.  Canyon Lake, Medina Lake, Travis, the Guadalupe, Medina, Blanco, Colorado, Frio and the Nueces Rivers have all been my fishing waters along with the bays and shorelines from Rockport to the King Ranch on down to the Port Isabel Causeway.  I even have a story about alligators, deer, and a Game Warden at Choke Canyon that someday I may write about.  Of course I will have to change the names to protect the innocent (no really no laws were broken).  It's an interesting story nonetheless.  However, one thing I have NEVER done is fish from a kayak.  This week, that will change!

I have been looking (for quite some time) to put kayaks in our store, Twisted Oak Hunting & Outfitter Supply.  We are finally close to working out a deal with a company that will remain undisclosed until we get that worked out, but to say the least it has been a long hard road.  Since I began thinking about this (over a year now), I have wanted to give it a try.  It can be an economical way to get away from the crowds, and high pressure fishing that public access banks provide. In the last year I have made many friends in the fishing community and many of them fish from the yak and do well.  My excitement for this new endeavor continues to grow, but as we have not been able to get any kayaks here in the store, I have refrained from just going out and purchasing a kayak (to the dismay of my 10 yr old son) because I want to paddle what we sell.  However, my friend Brian Taylor with 5x3 and several other sponsors has graciously loaned me the use of his kayak while I am trying to get this worked out, putting an end to my wait!  (THANK YOU BRIAN TAYLOR!!!!!!)

Several weeks ago, Brian brought me his Aquaterra kayak. She is sleek and seems a little narrow for my 260 lb frame but that will not deter me.  It is a Sit On Top (SOT) model with adjustable foot pegs large front and rear hatches and came equipped with what looks like a couple Scotty Rod Holder mounts that need the actual rod holder pieces.  Other than that, your basic kayak with a paddle.

As it does not have the actual rod holders.... and the temperatures have been a bit low... and I have no experience kayaking... and I have no cold weather gear to wear on said kayak... and I have not yet purchased the all important PFD,  I still haven't put this thing in the water!  So, I have been working on an anchor trolley, a kayak crate with rod holders (I cut and flared PVC to make my own rod holders), and figuring out my general set up.  Also, it's worth noting that I haven't spent a dime yet... Remember, I said it was economical!  However, I'm quite sure I will want to change it all when I get it on the water!  Oh well!

Sometime this week, I will be purchasing my PFD and finishing up all these little projects.  Still left on my list is mountings for tools, a lid for my crate, leashes (I plan on making those too), and an anchor.  I plan to share with you my experiences good and bad about kayak fishing.  Once school is out I will be introducing my son to kayak fishing as well and relating that experience as it unfolds, so stay tuned!  Hopefully we will have a little video along the way as well.

I have been a little apprehensive about getting wet as water temps this time of year are likely in the 50's, but I can wait no longer!  Afternoon temps will be in the 80's this week, so I'm hanging out the shingle: GONE FISHIN'!