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The heat and humidity back East really gets me down as I get older. I've never tripped in that kind of weather and don't think I want to. The closest I've come to it was probably the Everglades in March, and that was borderline too hot to sleep for me. Since I've gotten back to Ak. a couple...

It's a nice feeling to have all your fish put up. The dip net scene down on the Kenai is too crowded for me but I was lucky to have been given five nice reds from a friend.

I had to look up Serge Corbin to see that he is a marathon racer. I'm sure his race results wouldn't have been the same if he mainly used correction strokes. My gut feeling is that I go 10 to 15% faster by switching. I think the Canadians aversion to switching goes back to their reverance for...

I have very little experience with doubles, but I would agree with Foxyotter that in order to get the most out of a single you will need to "sit and switch." Many single bladers are either reluctant to sit and switch or not yet proficient at it, so they may get better results with a double. I...

Sitting on the floor is something I occasionally get hankering for when I want to relax. It allows me to rest my back by leaning against a seat or thwart using my pfd to cushion my back. I don't need any padding under my butt.

This handsome guy was taking a break in my neighbors yard on the Anchorage hillside yesterday.

There're lots of variables when determining paddle length. The boat, seat hight, blade shape, the paddler, paddling style, conditions and even mood, among other things. Sometimes I prefer a shorter paddle, sometimes not. I always have two paddles of different lengths with me.

I've been using that Hornbeck technique, mostly for getting out. I recommend it to my bow paddlers for getting in and out, while I hold the boat steady keeping weight on both gunnels. It's very easy with the high mounted seats on my boats. With a centralized seat you will need to get your butt...

Nice find Jim. The only crooked knife I found was on my buddies work bench. I was very surprised as he is not a woodworker or carver. When I asked where he got it he said it was his Grandfathers. That made sense as he shoed horses and mules in the coal mines.

An otter tail on an otter tail.

Here are a couple of my thoughts Chip. As far as leaning and carving direction, I found that the more bow light I am the more I carve towards the side I'm leaning towards. I can see how the lack of rocker may affect it too. When it comes to paddle length, the shorter the paddle I use the...

When I was taking out friends and family that came up to Ak to visit we would do group meals. When meeting up with others from Ak my wife and I would do our own meals. I wouldn't feel comfortable planning group meals with folks I don't know real well, not to mention it can be a lot more work...

That's a good question that I've been wondering myself. Typically the shellack is applied to the filled canvas. The paint on the OT was mixed by eye and I'll probably have a hard time matching it. When I have to repaint it I may paint the bottom brown and when it gets scratched up shellack over...

I do the same with my treble hooks. On some lures I'll remove one of the hooks from the treble. On my six inch floating Rapala I removed the front two trebles and one hook on the last treble and still catch fish.

Why the hurry to restore? If the boat is pretty much watertight and there is no rotting wood anywhere you can enjoy more carefree paddling before you do get it restored. I always thought the keel was an unnecessary nuisance too, and maybe it is. I would not add the keel back on this boat in the...

Barbless hooks paid off in this situation. This guy was able to remove the hook by himself, to my relief.

Very nice boat. Here's a couple thoughts I have. Take it on a trip before you have it restored. The inevitable scratches you will get won't hurt as much. The other is about the keel. If you like the way the boat paddles with it, you may want to keep it on when you restore it. I just had my 18'...

I guess I’m more of a romantic than my wife. I’ve tried getting her to go out where she could lean on a backrest cushioned with pillows and a blanket but she’s not interested. Maybe it would be different if she knew the history of it. As far as the canoe in that last photo, I don’t see...

I can't argue with that, I have very little experience in dedicated solos. I'm just surprised that they are stable enough for you with the dog. Good luck with the new boat and your upcoming Wabikimi trip.

My wife and I are long past the courting stage, but still enjoy a paddle together. This past weekend was very hot and sunny and I was glad that I brought umbrellas. I brought them for rain but they gave instant relief from the hot sun. If you are going out with a lady on a sunny day take a...