Back in the Coho..... Finally.

[Steve in Idaho]

A little over a couple years ago, I had some serious medical issues that came on rather suddenly and left me weak and unbalanced. But this isn't about that. I'm okay now. I got back into paddling later in that year - enough to participate in a BWCA trip - but I didn't stand with a pole for more than a few minutes for two whole years.

The thing is, after a good year to mostly recover, I still had lost a lot of stamina and muscle tone, and balance was still iffy. When I finally felt good enough to try poling for distance again early this year, I was appalled at how little progress I was able to make upstream.

I had to ease back into it over several day trips, but I finally feel like I'm making good progress. Last week, I was able to get out in the Coho two days in a row without feeling sore at all. On the second day, I attained a good three and a half miles up the Middle Fork of the Payette - and could have gone much farther if I wasn't running out of time against a scheduled event.

I think my balance has completely restored, and I'm gaining on my poling condition. This does wonders for my back. Life is good!

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

Congrats, Steve. I'm beginning to have some balance issues. Nothing diagnosed but it's annoying. Is there a difference between the two poles? Non-poler question: Why two?

 

[Steve in Idaho]

Is there a difference between the two poles? Non-poler question: Why two?

I hope you can keep that balance issue at bay, Glenn.

Why two? Good question. Because it's not unusual for a pole to get stuck. If it's stuck good and you don't let it go, it'll jerk you out of the boat (maybe whacking you in the head on the way). The second pole is for getting back into position to retrieve the stuck pole.

I almost always go with a light pole and a heavy pole. One in this photo is a 3 lb "Home Depole" fir closet rod. The other is a 5 lb ash pole I carved from a plank. The heavier pole is better for deep and pushy water because it gets to the bottom quicker. It has a longer and stronger spike on each end too. One of my aluminum poles has those conical bronze shoes and also weighs 5 lbs

That closet rod was my very first pole. I'm amazed that it has held up so well. I did pick through a lot of stock to find one with straight grain and no runout. I have had to replace the hanger bolt spikes a few times. The spikes on the ash pole are grade 8 bolts with the heads ground off. They don't seem like they'll ever wear out.

 

[memaquay]

Glad to hear you are getting back into the pole of things. I'm hoping to do a real trip this summer too, first in a few years.

 

[eckilson]

The ultimate poling boat. you lucked out getting that boat. Did you buy it new or find it used.

 

[Alan Gage]

Good to hear you're back in action!

Alan

 

[Steve in Idaho]

The ultimate poling boat. you lucked out getting that boat. Did you buy it new or find it used.

I bought it new, but there was a bit of luck involved. Unexpected windfall cash that wasn't needed for anything else. Also, IIRC, it was the first canoe that Kaz applied this honeycomb material (that I can't remember what he called it) in the floor for stiffening. That has proven to be very robust and rigid - superior to the usual foam sandwich IMO.