Tenkara Hiking

Photo credit: Israel Dunn

I don’t know about you but I love exploring new areas and going places that are off the beaten path.  Maybe that’s why I love learning piano music that isn’t the most popular or why I love kayak fishing so much.  Because I get to share amazing music that isn’t common and search waters that don’t see much of any pressure.  One thing I’m hoping to do a little more this year is hiking.  It’s a fantastic way to get outside and get some exercise!  Plus you can find some really amazing creeks and small waterways.  Most are too small for the kayak but can hold some fun little fish to catch.  Obviously it’s hard for me to just hike on by and not get the urge to see what I can catch.  That’s why I want to try tenkara fishing!

Have you heard of tenkara fishing before?  It’s very similar to fly fishing except even more minimalistic.  There’s no reel and the line is connected to the tip of the rod.  Plus, some of the rods are collapsible.  Perfect for hiking!  One of my friends, Anthony Larson, from Coulee Region Adventures told me about tenkara fishing and suggest taking a look at Badger Tenkara rods.   I really like the features but haven’t pulled the trigger on one yet.  Then last year my buddy Israel Dunn from Shoreboundhero.com was using his Badger Tenkara rod on one of our outings.  He showed me some more of their features I think I found my next rod.  They are collapsible, lightweight, flexible, and perfect for those small streams I’m hoping to find when hiking this year.  Hopefully I’ll be able to show some pics of me hiking and catching some fish with one this summer!

Do you enjoy hiking? What about fishing?  Would you combine the two?  Have you ever tried Tenkara Fishing?  Let me know it the comments, I’d love to hear from you!

Photo credit: Israel Dunn

Yak Throwing

Picture edited by Jess Ott

Yak Throwing 101

First, squat down next to your yak and put your head in between it’s legs.  Wrap one arm around the front two legs and the other around the back two legs.  Then keeping your core tight, lift from your legs…… Oh…. Wait.  Yak as in a kayak, not the animal.  Well now that’s a different beast!

Loading and unloading your kayak on top of your vehicle or on a trailer is one of the common ways kayak anglers hurt their back.  While it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to do it properly it takes a little awareness to have everything go smoothly so you can head out on your favorite body of water.  Follow these 3 tips to help you avoid getting injured when throwing your yak around.

Get Engaged

No need to find the person of your dreams for this you just have to engage your core!

Your core muscles are your abs, obliques and lower back.  When lifting and getting your kayak set to load it’s easy to twist putting a lot of weight on you at weird angles.  To avoid this, keep your core engaged.  Generally most of us need will be at a weird angle at some point while loading or unloading but you can help stop it from injuring you by keeping your core muscles flexed.  Because they are flexed you may realize you can’t twist or bend as far.  That’s ok, it’s protecting you!

Knee Me

You’ve heard it since you were a kid, lift with your knees and not your back.  I hate to tell you but the advice is still good.  When lifting your kayak off the group or putting it back on the group, use your legs.  It may seem easier to just bend over and round out your back but you are killing your back and putting it at huge risk.  Keeping your core engaged, raise or lower your kayak using your legs and work at keeping your back straight.  If you round it out too much when holding weight you can tweak it and cause pain.

Two’s better than one

Having a buddy is great, especially when they are willing to help!  If your friend grabs one end of your kayak and you grab the other, it makes it a lot easier to take it off or put it on our car or trailer.  Remember that you still want to keep your core engage, use your legs, and not to round out your back.

Bonus tips

Boney

When we lift we use our muscles (duh) but when you’re holding onto something you can use your skeletal strength.  This means that your arms are straight and your muscles aren’t flexed while holding onto your yak.

Shoulder Shelf

Loading your kayak on top of your vehicle means you have to lift it higher than a trailer.  There are a few ways to get it at a good height but one way that I found that works great is set the kayak on its side on the ground.  Stand in the center and bend down (using your knees).  Have one hand grab the center handle and the other a scupper hole or other side of the yak.  Hold the kayak firmly and stand up.  As you’re standing up use the momentum and lift the kayak onto your shoulder using your hands to help balance it  Then walk it up to your car and place it on the rack.  Note that you will want to follow the tips above to do this without causing injury.

Strap me down

Now to get cruising….well, almost cruising.  After your kayak is on it’s rack or trailer make sure it’s balanced and doesn’t tilt one way or another.  Then strap it down using cam style straps.  Be sure it’s tight but not bending the plastic of your kayak.  Be sure you add bow and stern straps as well.  The last thing you want happening is it flying off your car and having it hurt other people or damaging other vehicles.

Picture edited by Jess Ott

Get a Grip on your Paddling

We put hours in our kayaks every year and paddle countless miles all in search of new destinations,a personal best catch, or just creating new memories with family and friends.  When paddling shorter distances or if you aren’t out that long then your hands may never get sore.  However, if you are paddling any length of time, especially consistently paddling like when you are trolling your hands and wrists can get sore.  These 4 tips will help keep your hands and wrists feeling great and ready to take you on your next adventure.

Change Grips

Yep, it can be that simple.  Just change your grip.  Start out by paddling with your hands on the paddle about one and half shoulder lengths apart.  After a little while, bring your hands closer together.  Switch it up as your paddling.  I usually like to switch every 10-15 minutes but you can do more or less, whatever is comfortable!

Stretch ‘n Roll

Let’s bring this classic back. Set your paddle in your lap open your hands stretching each finger (at the same time) to make it as long as possible.  You really want to feel the stretch across your entire hand.  As your fingers are stretched out bring one finger down stretching it downward.  Bring it back up and go to the next finger.  Repeat two times and the bring your hands into a fist.  Now roll your wrists in a clockwise direction two times.  Then roll them counterclockwise two times.  Open your hands and repeat the stretch and roll sequence.

Open your hand

This is a simple one but can do wonders.  As you are paddling, open your hand keeping the shaft of the paddle in your palm.  Pull back with the opposite hand (using proper paddling technique) and gently pushing forward with the open hand.  When you are out as far forward as you can go, wrap your fingers around the paddle and start pulling backwards.  Open your other hand that is now on top.

Paddle Grips

This one accessory has helped my hands stay comfortable when paddling for hours.  They are Yakgrips!  It is basically a small cushion sewn into a tube that fits around the shaft of your paddle.  They are a little tricky to get on but helps you from getting white knuckles as you’re paddling.  I’m sure there are other brands out there but I’ve had two pairs of Yakgrips and used them for many years and love them.  I get mine from Rutabaga Paddlesports in Madison, WI.  Check them out, you won’t regret it!  http://www.rutabaga.com/cascade-creek-yakgrips

3 Stretches to relieve Sea Legs

After paddling and reeling in those monsters for hours upon hours you decide it’s time to head back to shore.  As you are savoring in every amazing hookset and hoping your hero shot came out right you step out of your kayak onto the launch only to find that your legs and buttocks are stiff and not cooperating easily!  When that happens give these 3 stretches a try to relieve those newly found sealegs.  Remember, wait to get on land before doing these stretches and don’t stretch too far.  A little discomfort is ok but pain isn’t!

1. Runner’s Stretch - First kneel on the ground.  Then bring your right foot forward until your have a 90* angle in your right knee while having your right foot flat against the floor.  Place both hands on top of your right bent knee.  When you are here bring your hips forward.  You will feel the stretch in your left quad.  Hold for 5-10 seconds.  Release your hips back to their original place and repeat 2x.  Switch legs and stretch 3x.
2. Reverse Pigeon - Lie on your back and bring your right foot above your left knee so that your ankle is just on the outside of the leg.  Keeping your right leg in that spot raise your left foot towards your buttocks raising the knee.  Your right foot should be getting closer to your body and you will feel the stretch in your right glute.  To intensify it reach through the opening in between your legs and the outside of the left leg, grab your left thigh and gently pull it towards you.
3. Butterfly - For this move all you need to do is to sit on the ground, bring your feet together and let your knees rise of the ground if needed.  Place your hands on your toes and while keeping a straight back, lean forward.  You will feel this stretch in your inner thighs.

Give these moves a try next time you find you have sea legs and can continue to soak in every amazing part of your adventure!

2 Stretches to Relieve Back Pain

Let’s face it, we all get lower back pain from time to time.  Try these 3 easy stretches you can do anywhere, anytime, to help relieve your occasional back pain!

Cat/Cow yoga stretch
 Kneel on the floor placing your hands shoulder length apart on the floor.  Breath in arching your middle back upwards bringing your pelvis and shoulders towards eachother. Hold for a couple seconds then exhale arching your back in the other direction. Do this a 3 times each way.

Knee Twist

 Lie on your back on the floor.  Bring your right knee towards your torso.  Grab right below the knee and gently pull your knee into your torso.  Breath and hold for 5 seconds.  Then as you lower your leg bring it over to the outside of your left leg.  Gently push your right leg down with your left hand.  Try to keep your lower back flat on the floor.  Breath and hold for 5 seconds.  Place your right leg back to where it started.  Then repeat the sequence with your left leg.