Recent content by mdkelley

Michigan has many online resources and mobile apps for lakes and rivers (interactive and pdf maps). There are also the USGS resources that have a bunch of hydrology information. Much of the lake data is listed under the fishing section of the DNR website...

This thread motivated me to look around for travel rods since I donated my old one to goodwill when I sold my house last fall. It was a 5' 5pc. UL (berkeley spidercast it was called, no longer made bought it in the mid 90's) and I need something ML or M for a good do-it-all rod. As a result of...

anyone know if it would be a good short excursion rig for flat water (lakes, lazy/deep rivers)? I can't find out much about it other than most say is isn't a very good design and doesn't turn well. That could be good for lake tripping though and the stability would be nice for fishing. If it...

a bit of research on the internet and I think it is a lotus dandy. The seller told me it somehow got damage to the side of the hull while in storage. Probably not worth $300 unless I really want a project to work on.

any ideas? The seller doesn't have many details other than it is ~14' long and lightweight, 30" wide. He said he weighed about 350lbs when he bought it and it felt unstable to him. I run about 180lbs. I am looking for a lightweight boat to do some weekend lake tripping. My kit is pretty light...

Yeah, a setup like that I could see you getting wet, not much overhang past the netting. A lot of exposed wall there especially if there is any wind or heavy rain on hard ground that would splatter. With a tarp you have to rig it for the weather, maybe set a low side into the wind etc. Not as...

I use a tarp and a bug bivy quite a bit. I have been in some all night soakers and stayed as dry as I would in a tent. Issue is just humidity in the air which a tent won't eliminate. My bug bivy is just for one person so not as much room as the one you pictured but works great for a small...

Did you find a new home yet? I agree with many others - Michigan can be crowded during July/August. A lot of people vacation here from all over so the popular spots are good to avoid during prime time. I believe, like anywhere else, there are many more hidden gems than popular spots that you...

have you tried the northstar pearl? wondering how it compares to your polaris.

after reading a bunch of Rutstrum books and also a couple Bill Mason books that was my conclusion as well. A good, lightweight 16' tandem paddled solo is probably going to be the best do-all unit for me. I don't get out in a boat as much as I would like at this point but am keeping my eyes out...

does anyone know if canoecopia offers opportunity to test out boats, or is it mostly just a go look at what is new? I looked at the website and didn't see anything one way or the other about test paddles.

many hydro electric dams here in Michigan don't make as much money as they cost to maintain anymore. There are ongoing talks with DNR, energy companies, environmental groups and property owners of what to do with the dams along the Au Sable as well as several other well-know rivers. Major issues...

I may make a trip to the WI show, will look up info on that. Stevet - I love winter! Unfortunately, the wife does not and plans for us to go somewhere warmer for Jan-March every year it sounds like. Oh well, I can adapt. Well, reading about the northstar boats (northwind solo, polaris with a...

I will reach out to Ron. I work out of Ann Arbor and will be down there in a couple weeks... Thanks to all for the suggestions and advice. Reading about the bob special, that sounds like it may check off most of my wants/needs even if it isn't a dedicated solo. I will also look for events/shows...

New member from Michigan here looking for help. I currently have a meyers sportspal s13 squareback that works great for flatwater fishing with a trolling motor but doesn't paddle well, pretty much have to use a double blade or pole it in shallow water. It is very thin aluminum so it wouldn't...