More fishermen are using canoes, kayaks, and there’s a show coming to town

From the response I received, I’d guess that everybody is ready for the outdoor show season to begin. Thanks for your correspondence. I enjoyed reading all of it.

I especially liked Steve Packer’s letter explaining how he watched as a friend pinned Victor the Wrestling Bear in New Jersey many years ago. Steve is a South Carolina resident but subscribes to the Daily Herald electronically.

Sleepy Hollow resident Andy Horn is a long-time visitor to the Canadian border’s Boundary Waters, a legendary canoe destination. Andy saw that I mentioned a canoe show coming to town and he wanted to know if I had more information. I do.

With the price of a brand-new, fully-equipped bass boat like the pros fish out of, approaching six-figures, the average guy is looking closely at purchasing a kayak to fish out of.

When I first heard about fishing kayaks being on the market I was astounded. You see, I can capsize anything that floats. Ask my wife about my nearly drowning us by overturning a catamaran in Jamaica. The operator had told us the boat was unsinkable. He didn’t know my reputation, I guess.

I figured that kayaks would be totally impossible for me to use. I was once invited to a seminar at Bass Pro headquarters in Missouri for a presentation on fishing kayaks put on by Hobie.

I watched the presentation and got extremely nervous when all of us in attendance were invited to fish from the new Hobie kayaks on the White River. I was petrified as I climbed into my kayak.

I was pleased to find that my kayak was exceptionally stable. I got in and out of it with ease. I was able to fish comfortably. Then came the moment of truth, I needed to stand up. I did and the watercraft remained dry and upright. I was able to fish standing up without problem.

Even better, was the fact that Hobie was the first manufacturer to come out with a kayak that was driven by foot pedals. You didn’t need to propel yourself with paddles. Now, this foot pedal drive isn’t like anything you’d find on the paddleboats you rent at water parks, the kind where you pedal so much you are exhausted before you’ve even traveled 100 yards. This new pedal drive system had me cruising fast and moving long distances without expending much effort at all. It was something I could really get into.

Kayak and canoe usage for fishing is growing like mad. There are pro tournaments for kayak anglers. One of today’s top pros, Mike Iaconelli, has made a strong foray into bass fishing from a kayak recently.

Kayak and canoe fishing is making the idea of owning a watercraft possible again. It’s fun and easy and is a concept that can have a kayak owner fishing on waterways that were not accessible in the past. There are a lot of lakes, ponds and rivers that do not allow people to launch boats. Kayakers and canoeists don’t face that.

To answer Andy Horn’s question, Canoecopia is the largest paddle sports consumer show in the world. The Alliant Energy Center Exposition Hall in nearby Madison, Wisconsin, will be the home to more than 100,000 square feet of kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, outdoor equipment and clothing. This is a can’t-miss show for anybody who has an interest in paddling or pedaling on the water.

Canoecopia takes place at the Alliant Energy Center at 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way in Madison, March 8-10. Check out www.rutabaga.com/canoecopia for more information.