Dick

The best and least expensive wading staff is a broomstick. They only cost a couple of dollars at your local hardware store, or maybe your basement or garage has one. Drill a 1/4' hole near the top of the broom stick and attach a piece or 1/4" rope. tie the rope to your wading staff. Broomsticks are strong, cheap, they float and come in many sizes. You don't need to worry about breaking it or losing it because they are readily available. I've been using broomsticks for a wading staff forever.

I have a set of Thule j cradles for sale. They attach to any roof rack-for carrying a kayak on its side. Lightly used over last 2 or 3 seasons and in great shape. Straps included. Retail $150. Will sell for $60.

I have had to get something else because they do not work for Native Ultimate due to the pontoon shapes on the hull. They will work for any traditional or sit-on kayak that does not have that feature.

Gregg

Hi Greg,

I'm a new member of ISA and am looking into the idea of purchasing a kayak for fishing purposes. Sorry I don't have any interest or need for your roof rack system.

Was sort of excited to see that you acquired the Native kayak, which is the one I seem to prefer over other models/brands. Would like to ask a couple of questions about using a kayak for fishing purposes. Some background...

My idea of getting/using a kayak is to avoid having to shuttle my car to a take out point downstream. Am wondering if its practical to consider paddling upstream on a river and then fishing back to the launch site? Probably would fish from the kayak however I think my preference would be to use it as transportation and then get out and wade selected areas. Is this idea practical? Do you wear waders when fishing from the kayak? I would probably wear the waders. Thanks for your help, Dick Dragiewicz

I am a mellow fellow Norm and not crabby at all. Welcome to the ISA Dick. You will meet some fine folks here and some great fisherman. If you head for the Kankakee be sure to hook up with the Master of the Kankakee Norm Minas. He looks like Jerry Garcia from the Gratefull Dead so don't let that frighten you.

One of my nephews used to follow the Grateful Dead around on their concert tours. Wonder if he'd like to meet Norm also? I'll look for Norm on the Kankakee. Dick.

We've had a very successful show season, so I'm hoping there are a lot of new members getting familiar with the forum. I'm starting this thread to serve as a spot for introductions. We want to hear who you are, where you live, where you fish, etc., etc. etc.! We know you're lurking, so now's the time to break the ice.

 

Not only do I want the new guys to chime in, but I think it would be helpful for the old salts to say hi as well. I'll start:

 

My name is Jude Torre, co-coordinator (no, I'm not stuttering) of the NW Region. I live in Cherry Valley (just S.E. of Rockford), and my home water is the Kishwaukee. My other home water is the Apple. I'm a topwater junkie with either the spinning or the fly gear. Usually, when wading I use the fly rod, but I'm still learning. That's why I use spinning gear when I'm in one of my kayaks. I usually fish two or three times a week between April and October, pretty much always for stream smallies.

 

I'm married with two teen-aged daughters and two labs.

 

There...that was easy. Now it's your turn. Welcome aboard!

Hi, I'm Dick Dragiewicz a new member of ISA. After reading Jude's note requesting introductions I felt I should do this now, because at the Bronzeback Blowout I won (actually bought) Jude's offer to take someone kayak fishing on the Kishwakee River. Recently I started thinking that I should investigate the pros and cons of fishing from a kayak/canoe. This trip is my opportunity to see what its really like. I've been fly fishing for a long time for trout/steelhead. Several years ago I was introduced to river bass fishing with a fly rod. Am beginning to think that I should give up the trout fishing and just focus on bass. Most of my bass fishing has been on Wisconsin rivers. Am getting anxious to fish the Kishwaukee with Jude. Now we just need the snow to melt, the rives to open up and the bass to start feeding.