Paddlefish
04-10-2002, 10:44 PM
First, the moniker: "Paddlefish" doesn't represent that long-beaked denizen of the upper Missouri River system; it's simply my usual mode of propulsion when I'm out chasing the fishies.
For the record, I've never been a fan of enriching Big Oil and certain sheiks. My primary commuting vehicle for the last 30-plus years is a bicycle (and I even admit to eating granola on occasion.) During my collegiate gotta-have-a-boat days, my girlfriend bought me a $25 rowboat, which I lovingly "restored." It served its purpose for a few years (two fall chinooks one memorable day and I still made it to my wedding on time,) but eventually I noticed that its 125 lbs. was awfully heavy for car-topping and that I was always going backwards! Hence my first canoe. It was christened with a Willamette springer, which taught me that it's sometimes easier to get a salmon into a canoe than it is to keep him there.
Now, 25-plus years later, with six fishing, cruising, racing, and whitewater canoes in my garage, plus a double touring kayak,I'm almost set in my ways (though drift boats and Pacific City dories and a few other craft beckon occasionally.) Admittedly, there are a few places I can't go: Columbia Gorge sturgeon, for example, appear to be safe from this predator. However, I can launch anywhere, carry my boat 1/4 mile by myself, and fish the low, late summer sea-run cutthroat rivers when the larger craft don't have a chance. I much prefer the gurgling sound of a paddle stroke to the rattling of a two-stroke, (though we're reportedly about even on exhaust fumes.)
Ive learned a heap and enjoyed my exposure to the ifish board. I've pursued just about every fish Oregon offers in the last 40 years. I'm excited to see the fly fishing board, as taking a nice fish on a feather collection of my own design is a special treat. But, heck, if there was a "carp-tournament-on-2-pound-leader" board I'd probably be excited about that too. (Great way for kids to learn how to play a fish,by the way.)
Thanks, all, for the education and entertainment so far. Glad to be a member. :smile:
For the record, I've never been a fan of enriching Big Oil and certain sheiks. My primary commuting vehicle for the last 30-plus years is a bicycle (and I even admit to eating granola on occasion.) During my collegiate gotta-have-a-boat days, my girlfriend bought me a $25 rowboat, which I lovingly "restored." It served its purpose for a few years (two fall chinooks one memorable day and I still made it to my wedding on time,) but eventually I noticed that its 125 lbs. was awfully heavy for car-topping and that I was always going backwards! Hence my first canoe. It was christened with a Willamette springer, which taught me that it's sometimes easier to get a salmon into a canoe than it is to keep him there.
Now, 25-plus years later, with six fishing, cruising, racing, and whitewater canoes in my garage, plus a double touring kayak,I'm almost set in my ways (though drift boats and Pacific City dories and a few other craft beckon occasionally.) Admittedly, there are a few places I can't go: Columbia Gorge sturgeon, for example, appear to be safe from this predator. However, I can launch anywhere, carry my boat 1/4 mile by myself, and fish the low, late summer sea-run cutthroat rivers when the larger craft don't have a chance. I much prefer the gurgling sound of a paddle stroke to the rattling of a two-stroke, (though we're reportedly about even on exhaust fumes.)
Ive learned a heap and enjoyed my exposure to the ifish board. I've pursued just about every fish Oregon offers in the last 40 years. I'm excited to see the fly fishing board, as taking a nice fish on a feather collection of my own design is a special treat. But, heck, if there was a "carp-tournament-on-2-pound-leader" board I'd probably be excited about that too. (Great way for kids to learn how to play a fish,by the way.)
Thanks, all, for the education and entertainment so far. Glad to be a member. :smile: