Unknown Kayak Runs and Portaging

[sashimigrade]

Newbie question here. What do you guys do if you want to do a kayak run that isn't part of a livery stretch or is an unknown stretch to you? I'm hoping to take some 2-6 mile day trips off the beaten path this year.

I know I've been wading a few times and come across large fallen timber across the stream. Two of the areas looked particularly difficult and I was thinking that a portage could be really difficult.

I'm fairly certain that I can find most dams with the use of my state's DNR site but fallen timber seems difficult to plan for.

I'm guessing the answers to my question are going to be, "...man up and portage..." or, "avoid those areas". I just wanted to make sure I'm not missing any tricks of the trade. I'm just nervous about getting "stuck" halfway through the trip.

Sage advice anyone?

Thanks.

[oubassman]

You just portage around. Probably easiest thing to do. Best part about kayaking is getting away from the crowds and high pressure areas.

[sashimigrade]

Yea, I guess I'm overly concerned about getting into a tight spot. There's always a way around I guess.

Anyone ever blaze a path with a chainsaw or anything on fallen trees across the stream? I'm not talking about making cord wood, I just mean cutting a 40 inch path out to fit the kayak through. Maybe on a run that you particularly like? Or is that a breach of etiquette or against the law/property rights?

[mattbowers01]

Don't take any chances! IMHO, if I didn't have full detail of the stretch I was running, I wouldn't do it without further scouting. If you are running a small river, one large tree can cause a bank to bank strainer. Nobody is going to tell you to "man up" and just run it. Safety is key. Study the stretch you are planning on. Use maps, GoogleEarth, and any other info you can find. Nobody likes to hear that unexpected sound of rushing water downstream when they can't see it. By all means, if you know what you are getting into, plan possible portages by what info you get. Ground your yak, get out, and physically observe the conditions ahead if there may be any question of its safety, then decide whether to run it or portage. A whitewater kayaker looks for Class III's, and if he takes a dump, he takes a dump. A kayak fisherman possibly is carrying $500 or more worth of gear, plus his own neck, and a dump could prove to be a financial, or worse, disaster. There is nothing "macho" about barreling ahead into unknown conditions, I would consider it stupid, no matter the results.

[BMP]

Strainers in fast current areas can permanently ruin your kayaking career. They deserve respect.

Smaller flows (under 260 cfs I think) often have strainers because they flood enough to knock down trees but don't always maintain enough flow to flush them out.

Use Google Earth or BingMaps to arial scout a run. Wood can shift, but if you see piles on overheads, there will probably be some.

Yakfish and I did a small stream south of me that had several major log jams where the only way through was to exit the SOT yak onto the trunks, drag the yak over and then re enter the boat. Would have been impossible in a SINK, and very difficuly in higher water (We hit it in July).

Don't assume there will be a path large enough for you or your boat. The water can usually get through, but nothing says there has to be a path for larger objects. Thus the name strainer.

[wilp]

I've found good information at local livery and shuttle services before. Not sure if that's something available to you or not but you might find someone with knowledge of that section even if they're not running services there on a regular basis.

Now that being said I'll echo what was mentioned above, moving water changes constantly, even on a daily basis at times so I would still proceed with caution.

You could always paddle it from the bottom up, granted probably not six miles but you might get a mile or two in to scout it out. If you see something you don't like just turn around.

[sashimigrade]

Thanks for the tips.

I've been using google earth with known put ins and take outs to plot the paths and get the distance. I understand though that those images are several months or years old so it can be hard to tell. Plus the zoom isn't that great in a lot of areas and it's next to impossible to scout a whole run from a car.

I do scout ahead and enjoy exploring so I think I could stay out of trouble. Also, the water I fish is pretty shallow and not that fast usually. Don't get me wrong, I could get into trouble if I was really stupid but it would be very unlikely in the water I fish.

[Yakhunter]

Most of the runs I have done on different rivers have been exploratory...if the flow rate is not that fast..you should have time to scout a strainer and decide if there is room to run it or to portage around. I would say take someone with you for sure. Take a throw bag in case you need it. It can also come in handy pulling boats up steep banks to go around trees. Use your common sense around downed trees..if you are not comfortable running it..don't...then after you portage around you will have a better perspective for the next time you make the run. I used to make exploratory runs without gear also..so that I did not worry about dumping all my rods and gear in the event of a mishap. Most rivers in the US have been paddled their length by someone at one time or another..you can sometimes find info in the Internet about the stretch you are looking at.

Use caution..have fun..exploring new places are half the fun of kayak ownership..

[Giant607]

I would say to walk down the stream, covering the stretch you intend to paddle, the week before. 2-6 miles isn't too long of a trek on foot. Just check the property/laws for the area you are planning to run. Maybe take a machete, hatchet, or preferably a rod

[BamaFan]

Newbie question here. What do you guys do if you want to do a kayak run that isn't part of a livery stretch or is an unknown stretch to you? I'm hoping to take some 2-6 mile day trips off the beaten path this year.

I do those kind of trips all the time. Most of the guys on here that have fished with me can attest that I fish some slightly "off the beaten path" destinations. I mostly do what wilp suggested. I usually find a good access point below the area I really want to fish and paddle or wade up stream as far as I can go. It's much easier to judge rapids and pick a good route from below to use on the float back down. I sometimes carry one of those folding saws or a hatchet to remove fallen logs or limbs that hang too low to get under. Even after I know what the flow is like, I still prefer to go upstream at a few of the best flows. I think I catch more fish that way, especially in the warmer months when the fish are relating so much to the current. For me, it's easier to present a lure properly when I'm casting from below or slightly to one side of a rapid or shoal. Finding those hard to get to fishing spots is one of the things I love most about fishing out of a kayak!