American River 12-14 Feb 09

Snapperhead - my experience with the mini-x is that it paddles OK on flat water when you keep a nice easy paddling cadence, some glide but not a whole lot.  On the river though its a lot of fun because at just over 9ft it is very maneuverable, you can turn on a dime, and slide in and out to hold in back eddies real easy.  If you're thinking about a smaller boat I'd also check out the T-11. Sean had his at the seminar last week and it looked sweet as well.   

Abdiver - yep, the wind can get ripping through that stretch.

Yakattack - I'll share my experiences with yaks on the river so far and others can weigh-in as well. River safety was a major discussion topic at the recent steelhead fishing seminar that Sean White (SBD) provided and needs to be closely considered when dealing with rivers and currents. Yes, I think the p13 would be OK on the American, particularly at these low flows. However, I don't know if you have had your p13 on a river before and are familiar with handling her in current.  If so, great! If not, then I would recommend that you take a few trips, ideally with partners, without the fishing gear and just focus on how the boat handles in current.  It's a different game than flatwater and requires constant attention as the current is continually changing from place to place, and within each place at different times as the flow changes (flow on AR has been low and fairly constant this year). There are many potential dangers and safety issues to consider (strainers, underwater rocks/stumps, getting pinned, what to do if you end-up in the water/current, etc.). To most efficiently fish from the yak you'll need a quick-release anchor, which has another set of concerns relative to anchoring in current. If you don't plan to fish from the yak very much you could get by without an anchor and use the yak as transportation between bank fishing spots. I am not an expert on yak river safety by any means, but I know from my personal experience, and the listening to the wisdom of other experienced folks on this site, that it is best to start slowly, and with respect for the river.  Hope that is of some help. Good luck.

  If you're thinking about a smaller boat I'd also check out the T-11. Sean had his at the seminar last week and it looked sweet as well.   

Where you had a seminar?
Tanks.
Santiago.

Thanks for the advice Bird. It's very much appreciated.

Santiago - the seminar was a one night lecture that Sean White presented last week in Petaluma on kayak steelhead fishing.

Bird, thanks for the info!!!!

Nice time to get out and apply some of the newfound knowledge. Thanks for the pics too. I have something to visulize now, as i do an imaginary-drift down, WITHmyBOBBERofCOARSE!

Hope you get some time real soon to get jiggy with your bobber FH!