Last April, I was paddling across Lake Fork in Texas just as the sun cracked the horizon. The water temp had just hit 62°F, and I knew the big females would be moving up. Twenty minutes later, my drop shot got crushed by a 7-pound largemouth in 8 feet of water. That's when the light […]

Last July, I watched the sunrise paint the limestone cliffs of the St. Croix River gold while paddling my fishing kayak through glass-calm water near Taylors Falls. A bald eagle swooped down 20 feet from my bow, snatching a smallmouth bass from the surface. That moment reminded me why Minnesota offers some of the most […]

There's a moment on the Kansas River when the morning sun hits the water just right, turning the prairie sky into a canvas of gold and rose. That was the moment I knew Kansas had been keeping secrets from outsiders. Three years and hundreds of paddling miles later, I'm still discovering new sandbars, hidden coves, […]

Last summer, I watched my paddle slice through water so clear I could count individual rocks 20 feet below. The Wood River's turquoise current pushed my kayak through a corridor of aspens while Mt. McLoughlin loomed in the distance. After paddling in 15 states, I can honestly say Oregon spoiled me – and it'll spoil […]

The first time I portaged around a low-head dam on the Maquoketa River, I had no idea what I had avoided. A local paddler later told me that particular dam had claimed three lives in the preceding decade. That moment changed how I approach every Iowa river. After 20 years of paddling the Hawkeye State's […]

The prairie wind carries a different kind of paddling promise. When I first loaded my kayak for a North Dakota adventure, I expected flat farmland and not much else. What I discovered changed everything I thought I knew about Great Plains paddling. Over the past few seasons, I've explored more than 40 distinct waterways across […]

Launching a kayak in Florida waters in means navigating more than just currents and tides. With the Florida Boating Safety Act of 2022 (SB606) now in full effect, paddlers face updated regulations that many still don't know exist. Whether you're a Florida resident planning weekend fishing trips or a visitor exploring the Springs, understanding current […]

Paddling through the heart of Chicago at sunrise, with skyscrapers reflecting off calm water while great blue herons fish along the banks, perfectly captures what makes Illinois such an extraordinary destination for paddlers. The Prairie State delivers an unmatched variety of experiences - from urban architecture tours to wild cypress swamps that feel like the […]

Is neoprene waterproof? Yes, neoprene is water-resistant but not completely waterproof. Closed-cell neoprene foam used in kayaking gear has an absorption rate of less than 5%, making it highly water-resistant while still allowing minimal water penetration under pressure. Solid neoprene rubber sheets are essentially waterproof. Here's what kayakers need to know about neoprene's water properties: […]

Getting stopped by Michigan DNR officers on a crisp Saturday morning can derail your entire paddling trip. I learned this the hard way on Lake St. Clair when my trolling motor triggered a registration check, and my life jacket was buried under fishing gear instead of being readily accessible. That encounter cost me $185 and […]