Archive for category Tips & Tricks
Tips for Catching More Fish in Early Spring
Posted by Will Hanke in Fishing, Tips & Tricks on April 15th, 2013
One of the best meals on a Missouri float trip is a fish fry. And what could be better than frying up the freshest fish ever from your catch of the day? Experienced Missouri anglers find that fishing in early spring requires different fishing strategies than those used in summer and fall. Early spring water is still generally cold. The following early spring fishing tips will help you with catching more fish. Read the rest of this entry »
Paddling a Canoe – The Importance of Learning Your Canoe Strokes Part 3
Posted by Will Hanke in Canoes, Tips & Tricks on March 7th, 2013
This is part three of a three part series on paddling a canoe. Part One | Part Two
Once you understand the phases of canoe strokes and the proper form for executing the forward stroke and J-stroke, you’re ready to learn the proper form and execution for the draw stroke. Here are some guidelines.
Like the J-stroke, the draw stroke is also used to correct a canoe’s direction while it is moving. The J-stroke can be executed by the paddler in the bow or stern of the canoe as a way to correct or compensate for the direction of the canoe. Also, the draw stroke is one of the most important strokes to know and ironically one that many recreational canoeists don’t use because they’ve never heard of it. You can tell the canoeists who don’t know about the draw stroke’s existence because they’re the ones who keep switching from side to side as they paddle. If they knew about they draw stroke, they wouldn’t have to keep switching sides in order to keep their canoe moving straight and forward. With the draw stroke, you begin by pulling the canoe to the side and as your paddle gets close to the canoe you rotate it into a forward stroke. Read the rest of this entry »
Paddling a Canoe – The Importance of Learning Your Canoe Strokes Part 2
Posted by Will Hanke in Canoes, Tips & Tricks on February 27th, 2013
Continued from Part One
While there are a variety of paddle strokes you can employ on your next float trip, the forward stroke, J-stroke and draw stroke are the most commonly used. Here are some guidelines for using these three strokes.
The forward stroke is the primary stroke used by the person sitting at the bow of a canoe. While the forward stroke is viewed by many as the simplest and most straight forward of strokes, proper form is essential and it’s not always as easy as it looks. Proper form includes sitting up straight and proper torso rotation. Read the rest of this entry »
Tips for a Safe Missouri Float Trip
Posted by Will Hanke in Float Trips, Tips & Tricks on January 28th, 2013
Each year hundreds of adults go on their first float trip, too embarrassed to admit they never paddled a canoe or floated on an inner tube down a river or stream as a kid. Consequently, they don’t know how to properly prepare for what could go wrong. Here are some safety tips for a safe Missouri float trip.
First and most importantly, no matter how many float trips you’ve been on, you and everyone else should wear a personal flotation device at all times. While it may sound like simple common sense, you should never swim or boat alone. You should always stay within sight of companions. Read the rest of this entry »
Storing Your Canoe & Kayak for the Winter
Posted by Will Hanke in Canoes, Tips & Tricks on November 12th, 2012
Missouri is blessed to have four seasons but with shorter days and cooler temperatures, there’s no denying the time has come to store your boat for the winter. Each spring many boat owners find their kayak or canoe doesn’t perform as well as it did in years past. This can happen when a canoe or kayak sits improperly stored for 5-6 months of the year. Properly storing your boat is important and you’ll be glad you spent the extra time figuring out the storage method that works best for you when it comes time to take your boat on the next float trip in the spring. Here are some tips for storing your boat for the winter. Read the rest of this entry »
Wi-Fi Coming to a State Park Near You
Posted by Will Hanke in Camping, Tips & Tricks on July 16th, 2012
Most of us spend our days connected to the Internet in one way or another, whether through our home or office computer, an iPad or other tablet, our cell phone, or other devices. We have become accustomed to quick communication through email, Facebook or Twitter. We immediately search for answers to questions that arise or keep up on the latest news. Internet has become an integral part of our lives. It is no surprise, then, that even when we “get away” to the out-of-doors when camping we are reluctant to be cut off from Internet access. Read the rest of this entry »
Tips on Inner Tube Floating
Posted by Will Hanke in Float Trips, Tips & Tricks on June 4th, 2012
This summer many people will float on Missouri’s rivers in canoes or rafts. But a select few will enjoy a long, leisurely float on inner tubes, enjoying the scenery while staying cool in the water. With advanced planning, a successful float trip on inner tubes is even more enjoyable. Here are some tips for your float trip with inner tubes.
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Protecting Your Gear From the Water
Posted by Will Hanke in Float Trips, Tips & Tricks on April 23rd, 2012
If you’ve spent a significant amount of time on Missouri’s rivers, you’ve come to appreciate the value of a good dry bag
Don’t Forget Trash Bags
Posted by Will Hanke in Rivers, Tips & Tricks on March 8th, 2012
Every year the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) spends $1 million dollars in litter clean up along rivers, streams and lakes. While there are few people statistically who litter in Missouri, there are still some who do, making littering a lingering problem for the state.
Quite often, trash bags are one of the last things we think to pack for our annual float trips. In fact, sometimes we forget to bring them at all. Or, we make our best effort to collect our trash throughout the day, but then our canoe tips over and our trash scatters all over the river out of arm’s reach.
All Natural Bug Repellants
Posted by Will Hanke in Float Trips, Missouri Animals, Safety, Tips & Tricks on June 6th, 2011
With the summer rapidly approaching, it brings with it a plethora of different bugs and one unwelcomed variety is the mosquito. Because mosquitoes carry diseases like encephalitis and the West Nile virus, it is important to use insect repellant if you are going to be exposed to these pesky bugs for any length of time. Some people are sensitive to the ingredients in commercial insect repellants, which is why some individuals prefer to use precautions and all natural bug repellants to ward off these tiny flying vampires.
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