Monday, March 28, 2016

Overnight on the River - Planning


I just finished spooling 150 yards of 12 pound test line onto a reel. That leaves me with one thing to do tomorrow before heading out on an overnight kayak fishing float.
Last month I was offered an opportunity to go on a weeklong float and fishing trip that is one of those trips of a lifetime. I guess it is arguable that any weeklong float and fishing trip would be a trip of a lifetime since few people get the opportunity to commit that amount of time for a hobby. This trip was a little more special though, as it would have been through the Everglades in southern Florida.
A fellow pro-staffer with Johnson Outdoors, makers of Old Town Kayaks and Canoes, Ocean Kayak, Extrasport, Carlisle, Humminbird, and MinnKota amongst other brands, sent out an invitation to the rest of us on this trip. Mike has done this float annually and knows the long paddle well. The planning was near perfect, as he accounted for tides, times to paddle, times to fish, and where to set camp each evening.
One of his first questions to those who were interested in the trip was this, “have you ever done an overnight float trip where you needed to camp?”
I don’t know if I could think of a better first question to a group of experienced kayak anglers. You see, just because you can fish from a floating piece of plastic, doesn’t mean you know what to do on a camping trip without electricity, without cell phone coverage, and figure out what to take with you.
As for myself, I have stayed overnight on float trips before. Not for a week mind you, but for a two or three days float, yes. While hunting I have stayed on a five nights trip without heading back to the civilized world. It was possibly one of the most peaceful times I had, up until the point I was returning home and I had emails and texts hitting me from during the week about how things had blown up at work. I am not sure what is more stressful, having to deal with complete chaos at work, or having to deal with complete chaos at work a week after it occurred. I don’t have to deal with those scenerios any longer, thank goodness.
So, what do you need for a trip such as this, or even a two day overnight trip? Well, you start with the basics; food, water and shelter. Easy enough, right?
You also need the gear appropriate for the why you are taking the trip. I am going fishing, so I need my rods and reels and tackle boxes. I also need my safety equipment such as my life vest (pfd). Of course I need a paddle.
And here is where the thought comes in. A float pan is essential, just as the one given to those of us for the Everglades trip. If you do not return in time, or if you are not at the designated pickup area when you are supposed to be, they need to know how to find you. Different mapping websites such as Google and Yahoo maps makes it easy to measure distances and mark where your intended stops are located.
A kayak, or canoe if that is your means of travel, has a weight limit, not to mention limited space. Either requires a way to keep you gear dry. You do not want to try and sleep in a wet sleeping bag or soaked tent if the kayak or canoe turtles (flips). A secondary set of clothing in the dry bag gives you a change in case of such an event also.
And yes, this does happen. It happened to me on the Neuse a couple of years ago and even though the daytime was mid 70’s, I wondered if I was going to make it through the night without suffering from hypothermia when the temps dipped below 50 and found out my bag, tent, cover, and clothing had all gotten wet.
I will share how this trip goes in the next column. Let’s hope it is memorable due to the fun and excitement of both exploring the river and catching fish rather than other reasons.

11 comments:

  1. would like to thank you for an excellent hunt!!! My family had a great Spring Break. After talking with you numerous times on the phone, we finally booked in January, for the third week of March. The quality of game animals on your ranch is excellent! The mouflon sheep are as pure as the get,...and the amount of trophy Aoudad was incredible. The hospitality you showed us was more than expected and the accommodations were superb. My wife loved the ranch because all the extra amenities for her! I've hunted about a half dozen of different ranches throughout Texas and the SSS Ranch is hands down the nicest. We are already planning for next year. We came to the ranch as clients and we left as friends. I can't say enough, Steve ... THANK YOU!!

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  2. I would like to thank you and your staff for the wonderful hospitality and an excellent hunting experience that you provided for me and my family at The Triple S Wildlife Ranch. I don’t think that I have ever received such a warm welcome and easily paced hunt that allowed us to enjoy ourselves, as well as have fun after the day was over. I was amazed at how professionally managed your ranch is as well, and the variety of species that a person could hunt. There was such an abundance of animals, that I could not help but talk to many of my fellow hunters and refer them to you if they wanted the best hunt in the USA. Your prices are second to none for the quality and size that you offer.

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  3. What an incredible ranch!! Thank you for being dedicated to youth hunting. I thank you for caring enough to help my sons learn about the many exotics that you have in your game management. Apart from the wonderful exotics they shot, they came home talking constantly about how each learned the different species by reading in your wonderful trophy room. I have never seen such a vast and informative display anywhere else. And I feel that your caring to take personal time to teach your guests about the game on your ranch is something I have never experienced, but I feel is something which sets you apart from many other ranches which I have been to. God Bless. Visit there website at www.sss-ranch.com

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  4. The Triple S Wildlife ranch is the best! I truly want to thank you for helping a father and son enjoy the hunt and bond in a sport that I think every boy should be able to do. With my disabilities from the Iraq War, I would never have been able to take him hunting without your help and compassion. You truly have provided us with the best hunting experience we could ever ask for and I thank you for caring enough to provide us with that encounter. Visit there website at www.sss-ranch.com or www.wildcreations.us

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  5. Thanks to the Triple S Wildlife Ranch in Calvin OK, Well, after the second animal in a very exciting trip for me, I will remember you for a lifetime. David and the girls also took great trophies at the Triple S Wildlife Ranch. It was an awesome experience, as usual when you have a great guide like Ronnie ... he made everything a lot of fun and always gets you a wonderful animal. Thank you to the owner Steve Seibert and his team Love ya all.

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  6. We are proud to bring our corporate clients and associates to the Triple S Wildlife Ranch in Calvin OK . Steve Seibert and the staff at the ranch strive to exceed all your expectations of this extraordinary wildlife adventure. The Triple S Wildlife Ranch impressively accommodates the needs of each member of the group. Every year we look forward to another exciting outing

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  7. Steve Seibert and the fine folks of the Triple S Ranch in Calvin OK offer one of North America’s finest exotics hunting experiences. The accommodations, food, sportsmanship and hunting are unique to the heartland of this country. You will not find a better group of people or a more productive hunt. I highly recommend it.”

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  8. Let me start by saying the guys and I were simply amazed by the number of trophy caliber Whitetail that roam the grounds of the Triple S Wildlife Ranch in Calvin OK. The hospitality as well as the accommodations are the best that we have ever experienced. To look out from the back porch of the Lodge and see that gorgeous lake and the various wildlife is unbelievable.
    This was my second successful hunt at the ranch. The first trip netted a great elk trophy, and now I have a trophy mouflon ram to add to the office wall. The age and quality of the animals considered trophies on the Triple S Wildlife Ranch is a tribute to your game management style. The overall ranch size, as well as the supplemental feeding, food plots and cedar control measures, should continue to allow for trophy quality animals for many years to come. Rita already wants to come back and fish some more. We will be in touch with you regarding another hunting opportunity this fall

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  9. Gloria Noemi RamirezApril 12, 2016 at 4:41 PM

    The Triple S Wildlife Ranch in Calvin OK is like a home away from home. We are not hunters, but we love the outdoors. The first time we visited the ranch, we stayed at the cabins. The Lodge was still in the building phase. My son (4yrs), my husband, and I have truly enjoyed the photo safaris and the wildlife interaction. The rates are reasonable and the hospitality is unmatched. Steve says, "You leave as a friend" and this has been true. It is a great place to relax and get away from busy schedules.

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  10. We not only had a great time hunting at The Triple S Wildlife Ranch in Calvin OK, we also felt very welcome, were fed like kings, and were treated as though you and your staff all had nothing else on their calendars than to make our stay exceptionally wonderful.Thank you to the owner Steve Seibert and his team we will be back.

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  11. Just wanted to let you know how terrific our recent hunt at the Triple S Wildlife Ranch in Calvin OK was. The five hunters in our group had a great experience and everyone got the trophies they wanted. The bull elk and American bison were especially beautiful: long thick coats and impressive horns. We now have gorgeous shoulder mounts and all the top quality meat that we can eat. The bison bull that I took with bow was the fulfillment of a long-time dream for me. I have never been drawn for a bison permit in Utah's Henry Mountains, now I don't need to apply any more because The Triple S Wildlife Ranch made my dream come true. Thank you, we're planning a return trip to your beautiful ranch and incredible lodge.

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