10-09-2003, 08:47 PM
[cool]Well, I guess I might as well chime in. Whenever I take somebody out the first time, I suggest doing a "Dryrod run" (sorry). In other words, we start by packing everything properly in the vehicle...last in, first out.
When everything is packed, then we start taking things out and "staging". Everything that goes in the tube pockets is put in and checked off. The craft is topped off with air, and waders are donned. If you only have a short ways to the water, you can make a couple of trips without overexerting. If you have to walk a ways, you can strap your fins and other loose items to your midsection with a fanny pack or plain belt. Balance the tube on your head and carry the rods and other goodies in your hands.
Make a couple of practice loadups and work on paring down the amount of stuff you take out. You hate to get out on the water and find out you forgot something. But, it is worse to sink your craft under a bunch of stuff you will likely never need.
After a few trips, you will develop a mental checklist of the stuff you need and how you need to pack it and carry it. But, that is a never ending process. Every trip is different...different seasons, different waters, different species. differnet water temps and clarity. There will be some things that are the same on every trip, and some things that are different on most trips.
The important thing on the first couple of trips is to get used to the feel of your craft and to get in tune with the advantages it can offer as a fishing tool. Then you can concentrate on the refinements that will help you take full advantage of what you have.
Above all...just enjoy the heck out of it.
[signature]
When everything is packed, then we start taking things out and "staging". Everything that goes in the tube pockets is put in and checked off. The craft is topped off with air, and waders are donned. If you only have a short ways to the water, you can make a couple of trips without overexerting. If you have to walk a ways, you can strap your fins and other loose items to your midsection with a fanny pack or plain belt. Balance the tube on your head and carry the rods and other goodies in your hands.
Make a couple of practice loadups and work on paring down the amount of stuff you take out. You hate to get out on the water and find out you forgot something. But, it is worse to sink your craft under a bunch of stuff you will likely never need.
After a few trips, you will develop a mental checklist of the stuff you need and how you need to pack it and carry it. But, that is a never ending process. Every trip is different...different seasons, different waters, different species. differnet water temps and clarity. There will be some things that are the same on every trip, and some things that are different on most trips.
The important thing on the first couple of trips is to get used to the feel of your craft and to get in tune with the advantages it can offer as a fishing tool. Then you can concentrate on the refinements that will help you take full advantage of what you have.
Above all...just enjoy the heck out of it.
[signature]