Kayaking and Camping In The Ozarks

Have you ever dreamed about floating down through a river in a boat, covered by mountain rocks and trees, the silent waters showing their true colors and fulfilling your inner desires, the soothing voices of the birds humming in a symphony with nature? Beautiful, isn’t it?

In case you want to stop dreaming about it and experience all the magic in real life, the Ozarks Mountains are waiting for you to come and experience the ultimate kayaking and camping.

Located among the Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas states of the US, Ozarks plateau is the perfect place to be for adventure seekers. The major rivers passing through the region as well as the lakes, landscape and the vegetation makes the Ozark a perfect place for fans of kayaking and camping.

While boarding for the Ozarks, it is necessary to pack all the things that you might need during this adventure. As already mentioned, you will be able to experience kayaking like never before. Hop-on to the kayak and let your thrill-filled soul chase the floating water miles down the river.

But first, you will have to choose the type of kayak you want to paddle.  If you are hitting the rapids you will want a white-water model.  For those who plan to paddle and relax then a sit on top kayak will do just fine.

Also, do not forget your personal floating device.  Everyone on the water should have their own PFD.   Safety is the most important component when starting an adventure on the water.  I would recommend getting a dry bag to keep all of your important papers and electronics in case of the kayak flipping over.

The camping in the Ozarks are a must.  There is so much fresh air and beautiful nature to explore.  This is a great place to visit to detach from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Experience the camping you always dreamed about by inhaling everything that nature has to offer. While you are at it, try to listen to the history that some of the oldest rocks have to tell as you sing along with the birds and watch the stars in the night from one of the best camping spots.

What Ozarks Has To Offer You

The water way will provide endless hours of enjoyment.  Whether going for an easy paddle or charging the rapids there will be memories made to last a lifetime.

Research the type of water you would like to navigate before heading to the Ozarks.  There are several areas to chose from.  You don’t want to get stuck near rapids if your plan was to be lazy on the river.

There are several nice camping areas to chose from.  Again, research beforehand so you can get the best out of your trip.  Once you set up a camp, wait for the night and watch the stars in the light of the campfire.  Or better, you can sit with nature and do some yoga in the morning.

Hook yourself tight to the zip line, and feel like flying across the sky, watching down on the trees, rocks, rivers, and some of the most breath-taking scenery.

There are many other activities to choose from.  Feel free to make a plan to go fishing even if you are bad at it, as we are sure that the Ozark rivers and the lakes will offer you something.

If you want to take a peaceful ride through the mountains the Ozarks provide just that.  The beautiful scenery goes on for miles and miles.

Hiking is also a great past time and the Ozarks provide plenty of places to explore.  The routes can range from easy to difficult so make sure you have plenty of water and a compass.

The Best Time To Visit The Ozarks

The Ozarks have something to offer you all year round. If you wish to wake up in a warm morning in Ozarks, visit during the months of July and August. In case you wish to visit the Ozarks and remain dry, you might want to come here in the months of January and February.

If you are a snow-loving person, the month of October may be just perfect for you. Rain can be found most of the time in the Ozarks, so you do not need to worry about that.   Do your research, pack for the occasion and enjoy what the Ozarks have to offer.

Kayaking And Camping Adventure at Emerald Bay

Lake Tahoe is widely considered as one of the leading vacation destinations in California. If you choose to visit Lake Tahoe, it is important to know in advance that there is no other place like Emerald Bay that manages to exquisitely showcase the natural and authentic beauty of the area.

Emerald Bay offers you beautiful and breathtaking scenery and different outdoor activities such as swimming, biking, hiking, camping, and kayaking.

The Boat-In Campground

This is one of the pleasurable ways for you to be able to fully experience the best that Emerald Bay has to offer.  The small campground is located a few feet from the edge of the water and it is a popular spot for kayakers.

The campground is only accessible by boat and requires reservations since there are only about 20 camping sites available on this coveted location. Not too long ago, first-moving boaters (motorboat or sailboat) used to be the ones to get the campsites since they arrived faster compared to kayakers.

Then the campsites used to be offered on the basis of first-come, first-served. At present, kayakers can also make their way to the campsites knowing in advance that they will get a spot for camping.

It is important to note though that during the busy seasons including the summer and weekends; almost all the campsites are usually reserved and busy.

However, if you are not lucky to get a camping site, you can still get other private sites above the bay along the hillside. You will have flat areas for your tent, fire pits, and picnic tables, bear boxes, and much more.

Kayaking

Whether you want to access the Emerald Boat Camp or just to see the picturesque scenery that the area has to offer, kayaking makes this possible. Kayak hires are available at the beach and usually, you will be given some pointers and basic lessons in regard to kayaking around the area.

Choose a kayak that is easy and stable to paddle. A double boat is perfect if you happen to have a child. A kid can paddle his or her own kayak if accompanied by an adult or a guide on the water.

However, kayaking to Fannette Island is only allowed for those who are over 15 and therefore if you have a child, using a double kayak is appropriate. The Fannette Island is the only island found in Lake Tahoe and it is located in Emerald Bay.

Lake Tahoe generally has calm waters which are also crystal clear and there are no common navigation problems encountered. For that reason, kayaking on Lake Tahoe can be done by even beginner kayakers. Just note that you should try to avoid kayaking during the time when there are afternoon winds as you will have a rough experience.

In conclusion, kayaking and camping at Emerald Bay enable you to enjoy the serene shorelines of the alpine lake. You can spend the rest of your afternoon in the area fishing, float tubing or even swimming. And at night, you will be able to experience outdoor fine dining in the wilderness in the company of overhead stars.

Site seeing at Emerald Bay cannot be complete without tasting the superb food available. If you want to experience a great dining experience, you can eat in any of the top restaurants.  There is something for everyone at Lake Tahoe.

Kayaking the Chesapeake Bay

Everyone loves adventures, one such adventure is kayaking.  Everything looks beautiful while paddling through the ocean away from the chaos of city life.

The best part about kayaking is you get to explore new areas which larger boats can not maneuver through.  Kayaks are smaller, and streams are more accessible when using one.

There are different things to learn before you can start kayaking, one of the most basic is the types of Kayaks.  For more in depth you can learn more about sun dolphin kayaks.

Types of Kayaks

There are different types of kayaks based on the type of water. They are Flatwater Kayaks and White-Water Kayaks. These are further classified into more types on the bases of different designs and uses.

Flat-water kayaks are; pedaling kayaks, sit-on-top kayaks, recreational kayaks, and touring kayaks.  These are best if you love exploring and are planning to go from any point A to point B.

Types of white-water kayaks are; playboats, creek boats, inflatable, and river runners. Not all white-water kayaks travel long distances, some people enjoy the waves too.  Inflatable kayaks, in the case of white-water kayaks, are quite stable and offer a good experience.

Once you’ve decided the type of kayak that best suits your requirements, decide where you want to launch your kayak at.

A great option for kayakers is the Chesapeake Bay, with many areas to explore.

Popular Areas of the Chesapeake Bay

The Chesapeake Bay, a popular spot for kayakers, has several spots fit to have a fun kayaking experience. The shallow waters and several tributaries merging into it are a kayaker’s paradise.

There are several trails to chose from in the Chesapeake Bay.  These are some popular areas to kayak in and near the Chesapeake Bay (ideal if you are planning to explore areas)

Choptank and Tuckahoe Rivers Trail

Gloucester County to Virginia Blueways

Nanticoke River Water Trail

Potomac River Water Trail

Mathews Blueways Water Trail

These are some trails you can follow in the Chesapeake River for a great kayaking experience.

After selecting a spot to kayak, you must now consider all the risks you can come across while kayaking.

Dangers to Consider When Kayaking

Kayaking can be very dangerous if you set off in undesirable conditions. It is important to consider all possibilities before paddling away in your kayak.

Bad Weather

The first rule of kayaking is to not paddle if the weather conditions are bad. By doing so you are putting your life at risk. So, it is always recommended to look at the weather reports and make decisions accordingly.

Lack of Kayaking Knowledge

You must know the basic of kayaking, to do so take a beginner’s course. It may cost money but will keep you safer. And if you don’t even know how to paddle, how can you kayak?

Unfamiliar Trail Route

There are chances of getting lost and encountering unwanted dangers when you wander off into an unfamiliar route. To avoid this, it is always a good plan to map out the trail you want to take.

Equipment Failure

Always check equipment and kayaking gear to dodge the risk of failure. Some common kayaking gears and equipment are buoyancy aids, helmets, bilge pumps, and a paddle.

Now that you know a thing or two, kayaking will not turn out to be a bad experience. So, get out there and paddle!

Tips On Wade Fishing For Red Fish

Redfish has risen in rank to becoming one of the most sought after trophy fish. Catching one especially by wade fishing can be quite a thrilling sport. So what exactly does it take to catch a channel bass, red bass or red drum as it’s also referred to while wade fishing?

USE THE CORRECT BAIT

Whether it’s a whole school of redfish or just a few casual feeders, they will most likely to drawn to a bait that mimics what they’re eating at that time. When the tides are high, redfish tend to move to the mudflats in search for food.

This means that they’ll be looking for crustaceans such as crabs which are quite prevalent in the shallows. Therefore using a bait that looks like a crab should be the best option if you’re fishing for redfish in such areas.

On the other hand, if you’re fishing for them in deeper creeks where small crabs will most likely not be present, then switch to a bait that’s present there. Once you figure what they’re eating, catching them should be a lot easier.

BE OBSERVANT

Redfish are driven by two main factors, their need to feed and their need to breed. So they’ll most likely be found where the baitfish are. With this in mind, you’ll need to locate the baitfish so you you can find out where the redfish will be.

Baitfish tend to move with the tide. When there’s an incoming tide, the baitfish will move into an estuary or a creek, on the other hand, they’ll be moving back out if there’s an outgoing tide. So if you spot some baitfish like shrimps or crabs, redfish are most likely there as well.

Check out our Guide on : hobie pro angler 12 vs 14

BE STRATEGIC WITH YOUR MOVES

Oyster bars are great for redfish fishing but only if you move along the edges. You will be less likely seen by the fish if you work this way and you’ll also be able to work your lure a lot better if you’re on the shoreline. Most redfish also tend to move along the edges as they look for food.

LOOK FOR THEIR TRANSITION AREAS

Redfish can seem to disappear overnight due to them being forced away from the shallows to their transition areas. Sudden changes in water temperature, clarity or availability of forage could cause this to happen.

Whenever the redfish transition, they often move to deeper waters that’s quite near to where they were most recently spotted. If they were recently seen in muddy shallows, a good transition area to look for them would be a nearby drop-off or a deeper creek.

Transitioned redfish also like to stage themselves in schools of tightly packed fish which makes their strikes a lot more aggressive and fierce because of their heightened competitiveness.

The best way to beat the odds while fishing for them in their transitioned areas would be to target them by vertical jigging while using either live baits or soft plastic lures.

If you’re successful in getting a redfish from a spot, mark the location on your chart plotter because the probability of getting more fish from the same area is quite high.

HAVE THE CORRECT GEAR

Lighter is better when it comes to wade fishing for redfish. You’ll need a medium sized spinning combo that’s about 7 feet with about 10-20 pound brad, coupled with about 2 feet of roughly 20 pound fluorocarbon leader.

You’ll also need a tackle tray with a variety of spoons, top-waters, jig heads and suspension or sinking baits. Add some hooks, corks and a bait bucket to keep your baits in. A gear belt will also come in handy to keep your fish gripper, pliers and a stringer.

Wade fishing can be quite a rewarding experience especially if you’re looking to burn a few calories while you’re at it. The above set of tips should make it a a lot easier to catch one.

Kayaking And Camping Adventure In Patagonia

Kayaking is growing in popularity in Argentina which is in South America. Patagonia is one of the best places and common for this activity. It’s one of the largest regions in the Republic.

When you visit Patagonia, you will be amazed by the outstanding wilderness scenery. The towering mountains and ridges are amazing to watch. On the southern side, the glaciers offer an amazing view.

On the Northern side of Patagonia, is the lake district. It offers an excellent kayaking opportunity for any paddler. If you love paddling, Patagonia is a place you can visit despite your skill level.

The activities range from multi-day adventures and half day tours. For multi-day adventures, camping would give you a good experience. The best time to go for kayaking is from October to April. Some of the amazing activities and places you can visit include:

RIO NEGRO

The Rio Negro is also known as the Black River. Its located at the junction of Neuquén and Limay rivers. You can plan to go for a multi-day visit to the river. The trip would take a total of 14 days.

It begins at Neuquén city to the Atlantic ocean. Only small groups of adult kayakers can go for this extrusion. They should all be experienced, fit and capable of swimming.

NAHUEL HUAPI NATIONAL PARK

The national park is accessible by anyone in San Carlos city with ease. The city is also the gateway to Patagonia. You can fly in from any South American city. The park has several lakes, and there are a series of kayaking companies in the region.

You can choose to go for a half day or a full day tour which would be perfect for you and your family. If you are a professional kayaker and physically fit, you can go for multiple days camping in the park.

SEA KAYAKING

This would be one of the fantastic adventures you can enjoy in Patagonia. The tour takes place at the South Atlantic Ocean beginning from Peninsula Valdes.  This is the region where the Southern Right whale calving takes place. The elephant seals and Magellanic penguins also have colonies in this region.

There is multiple days tour in the Atlantic sea region. Beach camping is fantastic since you would spend nights close to whales nurseries. During the kayaking tour, you would be able to spend a night at the Sheep Ranch. Late September and Early December are the perfect moments if you need to go for sea kayaking.

MULTI-DAY TRIPS

If you and your friends can make a group of more than 14 individuals, you can have an overnight tour. If you choose an excellent camping company, you will get all the necessary camping gear, drinks, and food.

You should carry your sleeping bag during this kayaking summer events. Since in Patagonia it can rain during summer, it’s advisable to bring a waterproof jacket.

You can carry lightweight clothes which would dry quickly. Its good also to carry light equipment since everyone would carry their tools to the camping site. The wild scenery is a fantastic place for your camping tour. You can carry your camera to take pictures while you are on your tour.

KAYAKING COURSES

If you need to improve your kayaking skills, you can visit the various schools in the region. You can also choose to learn leadership skills. The training would equip a learner with comprehensive life-saving skills and leadership skills. After completing the course, you are awarded a certificate by the American Canoe Association.