Yes!! A Great Day!! Skunked and couldn't be happier!

[Padre]

The last 8 days were, as they always are, the busiest of the year for me - Palm Sunday to Easter Day and everything in between. Tomorrow i fly back to WV to spend a week with my family, and i was off today. I decided i was going fishing.

I had planned to drive down to the LA marsh to chase some reds, but i just had too much to do here before leaving for a week, so i decided instead to go to the LSU lakes, very close to where i live.

I spent hours out there (way more than i realized), paddling probably 3/4 the way around the biggest of the lakes, casting to the entire shoreline and never got a bite. Still, i couldn't have had a better time. Why, you ask?

BECAUSE I WAS STANDING UP THE WHOLE TIME!!!!

That may not seem a big deal to some, but it's the goal i've had from the minute i decided to buy a yak. I wanted to be able to stand and fish from it. I've tried every time i've been out but never made much progress. I decided today was the day. I had one rod, a water bottle, my paddle, pfd, and fishing license. I didn't care if i even saw a fish; i just wanted to learn to stand. I did it! It was a warm day, and the lake is only about 4 feet deep, so if i went in or even turtled the boat, there wasn't much at stake.

Man, that WS Ride is stable. I learned, quite accidentally, that you can stand on one leg in it. I did just that without meaning to a couple of times, and it never came close to tipping. I could cast, retrieve, pull grass, a styrofoam cup, and an old rag (i don't even want to think about what that was used for before it ended up in the lake) off my lure. I could lean over, set the rod down, get my paddle, and actually paddle around while standing. It feels like as big an accomplishment as learning to ride a bike or drive a stick shift.

I certainly won't say i mastered it. There was still plenty of wobbling going on and a couple of minutes of pure panic, but i've fished with four guys in kayaks up til now (including PlasticPirogue and ReelYankee), and three of the guys fish standing up all the time like it's nothing. I've been so jealous. Adam and Matt, the next time we're on the water together, i'll be standing right along next to you.

What a great day.

[Neo]

BRAVO!!!

[kayakbassTX]

Time on the water is the best way to spend getting to know your kayak. Congrats!!!

[Steelyak]

Congrats! I got skunked the day I learned how to stand up on my Ride and I was thrilled.

[oubassman]

Congrats on the newest accomplishment!

Planning on doing any fishing in WV? The smallies are calling

[Bass & BBQ]

Good deal Kevin. That should open up a bunch of fishing possibilities. Just the ability to do a little flipping and pitching opens up water. Congrats.

I'd love to join in the fun but I dont think I am going to be able to pull it off in my boat. That is one of the reasons my next boat will likely be a Commander.

[Padre]

Planning on doing any fishing in WV? The smallies are calling

None at all. I've been separated from my wife and kids since New Year's because of a job change. I've only seen them twice since, and after this week, i won't see them again until June. My wife will be at work and the kids at school during the day, but i won't be away from them for even a minute once they all get home. I loved the WV smallies while i lived there, but at this point, they can't come close to time with my family. That's not to say i won't be thinking about fishing, especially while they're all gone and i'm home checking things off the list that need to be done to sell the house and move; i will and will be probably be wishing i had my yak and could slip off. Still, once they walk through the door, i won't want to be anywhere else.

[Padre]

Planning on doing any fishing in WV? The smallies are calling

None at all. I've been separated from my wife and kids since New Year's because of a job change. I've only seen them twice since, and after this week, i won't see them again until June. My wife will be at work and the kids at school during the day, but i won't be away from them for even a minute once they all get home. I loved the WV smallies while i lived there, but at this point, they can't come close to time with my family. That's not to say i won't be thinking about fishing, especially while they're all gone and i'm home checking things off the list that need to be done to sell the house and move; i will and will be probably be wishing i had my yak and could slip off. Still, once they walk through the door, i won't want to be anywhere else.

[ReelYankee]

Yes sir! That is awesome!!!! We will have to do some fishing when you get back from WV. Have a good trip.

[ldsudduth]

Planning on doing any fishing in WV? The smallies are calling

None at all. I've been separated from my wife and kids since New Year's because of a job change. I've only seen them twice since, and after this week, i won't see them again until June. My wife will be at work and the kids at school during the day, but i won't be away from them for even a minute once they all get home. I loved the WV smallies while i lived there, but at this point, they can't come close to time with my family. That's not to say i won't be thinking about fishing, especially while they're all gone and i'm home checking things off the list that need to be done to sell the house and move; i will and will be probably be wishing i had my yak and could slip off. Still, once they walk through the door, i won't want to be anywhere else.

I couldn't imagine being separated from my wife, but then God calls us where He needs us.

and while I have no intention of standing in a kayak, congratulations on your accomplishment!! Good that you enjoyed your day; my time fishing is about being alone with the God of the Universe; whether or not I catch fish, I'm grateful for that time.