Recent content by Whit30

Only tandem boat I’ve ever owned is my old Grumman I got in 73’. Can’t paddle it from bow seat cause there’s a thwart directly behind it in the way. But I used to kneel and lean against the thwart in WW. For flat water I usually sit in the stern and put gear in the bow to level it out a bit...

Paddled the river a lot in the 80s and 90s in open boats and yaks but never took any lessons. Bought a nice wooden Silver Creek kayak paddle from them way back in the day and ate at the restaurant often.

I discovered a few shortcomings of the bargain basement Amazon special. No ridgeline provided for the tarp. Next time I will def do one. Also the bug net eyelets were weirdly positioned. Instead of just one row down the center of the net to hold it up it has 2 side by side rows, neither in the...

Did an overnight a few wks back and took the hammock. Took me quite a while to get comfortable but I finally figured out a position where I got some decent sleep. Performed good as a tent bug wise. Tarp kept me dry making coffee during the morning thunderstorm. Next time I'll get a better hang...

Although we have more actual waterways in AL Id have to agree GA is better. GA has a variety of paddling opportunities from the northern mountains to the coastal plain, and its generally less developed and more canoe friendly overall. MS is pretty similar to AL but worse, not even any...

100%. It's tough here. Our history is one of waterways being prioritized for profit and convenience. Electricity, flood control, and commercial navigation has always been the top priorities. Any water big and deep enough for an outboard motor is totally dedicated to power generation, motorized...

They sell pills that do the same thing a truck stops.

This. Never heard either term until I spent some time in the North Country walleye fishing. Around here the geography and geology doesn't really call for a reason to "portage" between two bodies of water. Any 2 streams that close together and you would be likely be hiking over a mountain. Plus...

Arrives in Nov just in time for my local season. Def gonna have to sharpen my roll, its been a while. lol.

Some sections of the Coosa and Tallapposa in East Alabama have had a problem w those nasty flesh eating bacteria some summers. Usually the victim is some young water skier who got it in an open wound. Can't recall a case in the last couple of years tho. Usually happens during extreme drought...

I can't stand instant coffee so I'll bring my little stove and pour over rig for my morning coffee even if I plan to survive on peanut butter crackers and snicker bars lol.

My tripping is never longer than 2-3 days, on smaller class 1-2 rivers with minimal or no portaging, and rarely on big open water, so my 12" OT Pack or 14' Echo Lite is fine. The Pack actually carries more, has more freeboard, primary stability, and is 5-6 lbs lighter. But the Echo is sportier...

Poison Sumac is the only one Im familiar with. Hard to distinguish from Poison Oak or Ivy and the effect is the same. Ive seen massive vines, but never as a large shrub or tree, but for all I know it may very well take that shape on when old and mature.

Agree I need to go as light as possible. I have no plans to be caught in 3 ft swells, but thunderstorms and big winds can come up fast. Ive experienced it myself trying to get back to the launch ahead of one in a 14 ft jonboat, not fun. But it's a real possibility to get caught in one if you...

Id prefer to buy used to save $s even if I have to make a days drive to get it. For those familiar, Im talking about Guntersville, Wheeler, Wilson, & Pickwick. https://www.google.com/maps/@34.5664612,-86.877467,10z?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgxOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D They can range...