[title subtitle=”WORDS Scott Faldon
IMAGES courtesy Jason Crosby and Arkansas Department of Tourism”][/title]
Springtime is kayaking time in The Natural State. But if you’re new to it, what kind of kayak do you want? What accessories do you need?
The first step to answering these questions is determining what type of kayaking you want to do. In general terms, there are three styles of kayaking in our region – recreational, fishing and whitewater. Since whitewater kayaking is more advanced, the other two genres are where most start.
While many people automatically think of sit-in kayaks, the most popular boats now are sit-on-top versions. The openness of the boat combined with more width and stability makes sit-on kayaks perfect for beginners and experts alike. They are easier to re-enter should you wind up in the water. Sit-on-tops are also self-bailing. Water goes in, then it goes right out of the scupper holes, unlike sit-in kayaks.
Recreational Kayaking
Recreational or “rec” kayaking is also known as floating. If you’ve ever rented a kayak on the Mulberry or Buffalo, you’ve been rec kayaking. Boats like the Crescent UltraLite, the Jackson Staxx, the Jackson Cruise and the Vibe Skipjack 90 are great choices for this type of kayaking.
In addition to the Buffalo and Mulberry, the Illinois River, Ouachita River, Frog Bayou, King’s River and Big Piney Creek are popular nearby floats. Depending on the water level, you may run into some small rapids on these waters. But, for the most part, the floating is easy and relaxing and well-suited for family outings.
You’ll either need two vehicles to shuttle between the start and end points of your float. Or, you can arrange a shuttle through various outfitters on some of the rivers. Guidebooks like A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to the Ozarks by Tom Kennon and Paddling the Ozarks by Mike Bezemek are good starting points for research.
Kayak Fishing
Kayak fishing has exploded in the past few years. Organizations like the River Valley Kayak Anglers host bass tournaments most weekends. But unlike big boat tournaments they don’t have a weigh-in. Instead, each angler must have a certified measuring stick (aka a “hawg trough”) and then takes photos of each fish caught. Those are texted to the tournament official who totals up the length of the day’s catch to determine the winner. If competitive fishing isn’t your thing, kayaks still make a great way to stealthily approach highly pressured bass or trout. They also allow you to get into spots unreachable by bigger boats. Lake Fort Smith, Blue Mountain, Shores Lake, Jack Nolan and the various city lakes like in Charleston or Muldrow are easily accessible from Fort Smith. The previously mentioned streams and rivers have great fishing opportunities as well.
A Jackson Coosa or Big Rig, a FeelFree Moken 10, a Vibe Sea Ghost 110 or a Crescent CK1 Venture or LiteTackle make great fishing platforms. Jackson even makes a kayak designed specifically for fly fishing in the Mayfly.
What To Take
Regardless of what type of paddling you’re doing some things don’t change. You’ll need a paddle, but paddles aren’t one-size-fits-all. They need to be sized to fit the kayaker’s height and the width of the boat. For longer days on the water, lighter paddles made of carbon fiber reduce fatigue.
A high-quality personal floatation device is your most-important safety item. Unlike life jackets used for boating, PFDs designed for kayaking are more comfortable and less restrictive while paddling thanks to their low-profile designs. A whistle attached to your PFD for signaling and a throw bag of rope for pulling other boats round out a basic safety kit. Don’t forget the sunscreen.
While sandals like Chacos and Tevas seem like the right footwear choice for floating, closed-toe water shoes like those by Astral or Keen offer more protection from hazards such as rocks, stumps or treble hooks.
Quality dry bags to protect your phone, spare clothes and vehicle key fobs are needed. A small cooler like an IceMule will strap in behind the seat to hold cold drinks, snacks and lunch.
If you’re hitting a river or stream, be sure to check the water levels via the US Geological Survey’s real-time website at dashboard.waterdata.usgs.gov. American Whitewater also has detailed river and stream descriptions at americanwhitewater.org.
Planning your next outdoor adventure?
Visit The Woodsman Company in Fort Smith, Arkansas for all your adventure needs!
5609 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith, Arkansas
479.452.3559
thewoodsmancompany.com
