As I sit here in the shop entering information into our system to help the upcoming season run smoothly, I’m easily distracted by the warming sun gleaming through the windows, It reminds me of two things, one, i need to clean the windows(kind of hard to do when its minus 20) and two, it reminds me of the upcoming paddling season. This is the hardest time for me during the entire year. The month or so before spring when that all-important melt slowly starts and transforms our rivers and lakes into ideal kayak fishing conditions, and locations become accessible to boats again. I’ve tried ice fishing a fair bit, some people love it, and are super passionate about it. I am not one of those people.
The days I'm longing for...
The pre-Spring post valentines time for me means planning, paying close attention to paddlingmaps.com and wearing out my copy of Marks Guide for Paddlers. Dreaming up new and interesting angling adventures, new ideas, and techniques, new gear setups and layouts, not to mention looking at all the new beautiful boats and colours that are being released into the market. Did I mention the Edmonton Boat and Sportsman show? Its coming March 12, and were in booth A8!!
The only type of winter fishing I enjoy
Things I have been working on for this upcoming season include a trip to a northern Saskatchewan lake for massive pike and lake trout, and a few different options for multi overnight kayak fishing adventures. I can’t forget sturgeon; I want to land my first from a kayak. This is shaping up to be a summer of big fish, rivers, and new species for me, and I can’t be more excited!
Let’s not forget the Western Canadian Kayak fishing Trail, there’s going to be lots of action on the trail this year at events in Alberta, BC, and Saskatchewan. Unfortunately, this season will only be attending a few, I have two many other adventures planned and not enough time. But don’t worry, I will be gunning hard for first place at the Eastslope kayak Fishing Classic this year, I need to up my second place finish from last year.
Second Place at Eastslope in 2019, maybe this year is my first place.
We look forward to seeing everyone trickle back into the shop for the new season, come and say hi. Its going to be a good year I can feel it. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the shop with any kayak fishing related questions or concerns.
Here's a Little Haiku Poem I wrote this time last year
A Winters Haiku, By Me.
Inside sits the Yak
Lonesome, frigid, Saddening
Pondering springtime
Thanks for giving my blog a gander, until next time
Andy W
Asst. Manager Aquabatics Edmonton.
