Wooden Boat People
By McKenzieDriftBoat.com
Cold Weather Boating
Anybody ever been out when it's really cold? I was just wondering if there are any pitfalls to winter steelheading from a boat other than the obvious ones... such as freezing one's butt off! ha.
We actually gave it a shot a couple weeks ago and it was the first time the boat had ice freezing in the bottom (cold in the morning - but warmed in the afternoon) But it was fun... more fishing than catching but we had a good time. Experimented with "centerpin floatfishing" when we were out - that was pretty fun. I will post a few pics when I get my camera plugged in.
We will hopefully give it another go when we get a warmer day above freezing... its 20 degrees today. Not used to the cold yet.
Tight Lines,
-jk-
We actually gave it a shot a couple weeks ago and it was the first time the boat had ice freezing in the bottom (cold in the morning - but warmed in the afternoon) But it was fun... more fishing than catching but we had a good time. Experimented with "centerpin floatfishing" when we were out - that was pretty fun. I will post a few pics when I get my camera plugged in.
We will hopefully give it another go when we get a warmer day above freezing... its 20 degrees today. Not used to the cold yet.
Tight Lines,
-jk-
Views: 181
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike Dearing on
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I do quite a bit of boating in the winter months Jason. I actually very much enjoy it.
We can only float the Illinois spring through fall when the rains come. The beauty of this is not many people like to be on the water when the temps start plummeting, but for the brave souls who do, its an experience you wont soon forget.
Winter steelhead fishing is my favorite, not because of the fishing, but more so because there are fewer fishermen to contend with. Four years ago we started doing an annual winter Rogue trip for the same reasons, less or no people. I just got off the river yesterday form what was the best December trip yet. We had the river to ourselves for three days and to nights, never saw another soul. The river this time of year is spectacular, its amazing to watch it change with the seasons and boating it in the winter is seeing it in another phase that few people do.
Boating in the winter is all about having the right gear. Drysuits are a must on tougher rivers IMO. This single piece of gear pretty much opens up boating all year long. For camping, I have tents and sleeping bags that can survive on the side of Everest (not kidding) and I usually don't goof around with a real fire, instead I bring one of two kinds of propane heat depending on what river we are on. This is more for safety then convenience, if somebody swims, sometimes its utterly important to get them warm quick and propane does this. This year I also brought two full size pop up shelters to lounge and cook under. It was really nice to not have to goof around with putting up a river wing, I'm pretty sure they'll always be coming along on these winter trips from now on.
Quick pic from trip of Blossom from the bottom, flow was around 4000cfs at Agness. I'll be posting more of them on my facebook page. Shoot me (Mike Dearing) a friend request if you would like to see more.
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Permalink Reply by Jason Knight on
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Thanks for the info Mike. I will probably make a trip in the next couple weeks or so. It has really shifted into winter mode here and the ground is frozen, the trees bare, and the snow is flying on a daily basis. I will definitely be rethinking my gear and will post some results. We get lots of shelf ice that will break off and flow downstream and the night time lows commonly dip into the teens and singles, so safety and staying dry on the river is essential.
-jk-
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Permalink Reply by David Jensen on
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Like Mike, I enjoy cold weather boating because of the solitude. I have had a few ice on the floor board days. One item which my wife insists upon is a propane heater in the boat. That really is great for your guests, and nice for you when you stop rowing. Stay warm!
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Yeah a heater is starting to sound better & better...
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Permalink Reply by Karl Mueller on
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Careful with your gore-tex around propane heaters!
Don't ask me how I know.
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haha - I already know how that story ends! I will need to engineer a safe way to make a heater work. Any of you use a heater in a wood boat? Is this a really bad idea? Any thoughts appreciated.
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Permalink Reply by mitchell on
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propane heater sitting in a stand of some kind. I use a small plastic milk crate. It holds a 5 gal propane tank perfectly. That said, I'd like to down size the tank to a 2.5 gal or less to save a bit of room in the boat.
I've had problems with high winds blowing out the flame
I've had problems with the flame melting a rod
I've had problems the flame melting my fleece jacket
I've had problems with lighting the flame
I've had problems with the element blowing a yellow flame=not working
If used properly it can still find a place in the boat when I'm out in below 30 degrees.
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Mitchell,
You have had a few problems! lol.
I am going to see what I have that might work... definitely want to keep the melting of things to a minimum... : )
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