Kayak question

[the_agent]

To all yakers out there, Seems like straight forward to ride your yak all around the lake, does anyone ever fish the Mojave? Is the current too fast to go up and down the river?

Thanks all.
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[gnelson651]

It depends on the time of year and the time of day. The river current is governed by how much water is released from Boulder Dam.

The current is greater in the canyon around Willow Beach area but not noticable around Cottonwood Cove area.

It also depends on your kayak. How well does it cut through the water? Length and width play a part in the speed and ease of paddling. The longer the kayak, the easier to paddle. The wider the kayak, the harder to paddle but better stability. Sit inside kayaks have a smaller draft and are easier to paddle but are not great fishing platforms.. Sit on tops are better for fishing but can be harder to paddle, depending on length and width.

I've kayaked up the Colorado from Willow Beach many times and the current is usually gentle and not too difficult to paddle against. I've paddled two miles up river to the gaging station and Emerald Caves without much difficulty. However, when it gets windy combined with the current, it gets harder but not impossible most of the time. Just takes more muscle power to get around.

Or you can get a Hobie or Wilderness kayak with peddle power or a trolling motor on an Ocean Kayak Torque.



Colorado in background a mile up river from Willow Beach.



Emerald Cave



Gaging Station
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[TheWhizzle]

Don't worry about current. Not here. If you are fit you're fine. Be worried about what the wind can do to you.
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[ihuntforfish]

Agreed on all points, but I want to emphasize the power needed to get up river. You can move up stream with quite a bit of ease, but the trip is obviously a lot more work than if you were on the lake or something. But think of it like this: Kayaking is like biking with your arms, the farther up stream you go (like going up hill on a bike), you have a nice relaxing trip going back (like going down hill). That perspective has always made yaking the river easy for me...or more worth it anyways []

btw nice pics gnelson!! makes me itch for some kayaking
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[gnelson651]

[quote ihuntforfish]

btw nice pics gnelson!! makes me itch for some kayaking[/quote]

Thanks ihunt...I'm ready to go out anytime you and are free. PM me and we'll make arrangements.
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