Whiskey Town Lake 03/20/09

Well hit the lake today for the family day.  I was thinking of getting there around 10 am.  Silly me, I had two girls to take.  We arrived around 2:30 with enough stuff for a week brigade across Antarctica.

My wife was excited to try out her new Hobie Outfitter.  All I can say is that thing is HEAVY.  Nice boat but a real back breaker.  We had some trouble getting the mirage drive to fit.  I think it had a little too much plastic around the pins.  It took us almost an hour to finally get one of the drives installed properly.  You would think of the price for that boat, they would trim the plastic on the drive better.  I finally had to take a knife to it to clean it up.  the second drive is even worse, I will have to file to clean it up at home.

So we finally get underway.  The wind was blowing a bit, so we wrapped my daughter up in my fleece and beanie.  The wind slowly died off and it became very nice.  I trolled up crystal creek for nothing.  I did talk the wife into going up to the power house.  We had to do some paddling against the current but made it.  It was fun actually.

I tossed some spinners around the power house, but no takers.  It began getting late, so we headed back.  I trolled on the way back for one good bite, but the fish came off.  Darn.

We saw alot of geese and ducks pairing up.  I was taking a lot of pictures, until my camera broke!  The LCD scene on the back got a crack and blacked out.  Darn....

Well we ended up traveling 5.8 miles, so a good workout.  The arms feel good!  I need some more of this to get ready for ocean season.

I am finding the simpler I keep the yak the better.  I just took one rod, a net, a small tackle box and a few drinks/snacks.  I love keeping it all open and uncluttered, usually hard for me to do.  I am a gear junkie.

Well all in all I had a great time with the family.  We shared some laughs and the daughter kept us entertained catching weeds which to her were "grass fish" which she had to take home as pets.  Wish the equipment would have cooperated better.

I was able to download the pictures from the camera.  Here are a few,

The launch:


The wife working the Hobie:


The view was nice:


The locals:


Paddling makes me thirsty....Chelada


The water was like glass:


The creek up to the power house.  We had fun running the "rapids" 


Now I need a new camera, likely a waterproof one.  It was nice to get out though.  Matt

Seriously stellar report, Matt!  I'm so glad you did at least get to download the pics for the day, because they're excellent - WTG.  Sorry about the camera death.   

Your wife working the Hobie with the kid in front is classic - congrats, Man, on having a partner who's into checking it out.   

on the third picture from the bottom, with the rod holder,

do you have any problem hitting the line with the paddle when trolling?

Thanks Abking.  It is work having the family along, but worth it.    I guess the camera death gives me the chance to get a new Pentax or Olympus waterproof model.  I really had to baby my last one in bad weather while on the boat or backpacking.

Futhel, I have not had any trouble hitting the line.  I have it angled up and a little toward the bow, either port or starboard depending on conditions, so it keeps it above and beyond the paddle.  The rod is a 6 1/2 footer (sometimes a 7ft).  I have clipped the rod itself during a hard power paddle, but not very often.  Usually while trolling, I just leasurly paddle at 1 1/2 to 2 mph.  The line stays well off to the side.  With a shorter rod I could see it happen though.  I definately like the rod in front too see the strikes and watch for snags, or for the spinner to quit working (sticks/leaves/grass).

Matt

Nice job Matt.  Family pictures are great.  Great to see someone getting their family involved in kayaking.  WTG

Thanks for the report Matt,
 Enjoy you daughter while she is still in the wonder years , because before you know it shes all grown up and gone!
My daughter (now19) used to go backpacking, camping, fishing, etc. with me until that kind of stuff was no longer cool and she discovered boys
Keep up the great parenting skills and family time Daddy
My wife Maureen (Mo), likes to yak also, maybe we could get the families together for a paddle some weekend besides us hooking up to fish
Hey, do you think the reason we got skunked on consecutive days at Whiskeytown was because we remembered the cameras? All I brought home on Thurs. were photos also
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Awesome report and pictures MattS. Thanks for sharing. Super cool of you to
involve you whole family into kayaking.

Jedmo

Great report.
Awesome pics.
Thanks for the info.

S.

Thanks for the report and pics, looks like a great time.  Having the kids involved makes up for the lack of fish.  My boy is 2 1/2 now and is really looking forward to going out with me. 

With spring here and 80 degree days in the forecast, look for the success rate to skyrocket...we're in for some good days on the water.

-beenfishin

Awesome report and photos. Love the kid on the water.
As for the camera, I just picked up an Olympus 1030SW and love the waterproof (down to 33 feet), low temp, shock proof features.
I can't wait to take it out and drop it down on a rod and look around under the yak, especially when ab season starts.


Jack Kwonsoo Kim