On the water Emergency / Survival Kit / Bail out bag

Most bloggers research for post but the reason my blogs about kayak and canoeing is because I have been doing it for over a decade. They say, "speak what you know" and that's what I'm doing. Having made a statement like that doesn't mean I can't be wrong but in this case I'm writing about what I have in my bail out bag and what I carry on my boat for safety. By all means if I missed something please comment! I may be a bit outdated but I will say I pass USCG certification inspection for safety.
Having been a boy scout when I was in my youth safety was always not only important but a part of everything we did. It's instilled in me and because of this I probably carry more than I should but our motto was, "Always be prepared."
There are a ton of things you can take with you to make any nasty situation a bit more comfortable but luckly for me I have never had to use any of the stuff in this bag. One thing though... Make sure you update your first aid kit when needed because some of the meds expire, as well as the flares.

I'll take you though my bail out bag:

Here is the bad full of safety/survival goodies

Bail Out Bag:
First Aid Kit - Meds, anti itch cream, gauge, tweezers,  Etc...
Water bottle
Flares
Hand warmers

Fluorescent green sea dye survival marker

Survival Kit
     Extra batteries
     cord
     signal mirror
     compass
     Waterproof matches
     Space blanket
     Small roll of duct tape

PFD:
USCG whistle (cool thing about this is it works even when wet)
Knife - Mine is a Gerber River Knife (make sure it wont corrode)
Water proof camera

Throw Rope -  This I attach somewhere on the boat mainly on the bail out bag.

All together it seems like a lot but it fits into a small 10L bag and it didn't cost me a fortune especially since I gathered all of it over time.

I often think I carry more that most recreational boats do but since I'm more liable to get into trouble I suppose it's ok to over do it.

Please comment if I'm missing something I'll be sure to add it!

First Canoe rigged and Ready for Fishing

As I stated earlier in the blog I sold a Jon boat and got his Wally world special (That's what southern derelicts like me call Wal-Mart for you yankees) Canoe and rigged it with as much PVC as I could find. Ugly as it was it got us to where boats couldn't or weren't allowed to go and caught us fish. I started with a PVC pipe push pole to get us though the flats as quietly as a Calusa Indian. Later I got lazy and hooked up a trolling motor which was great for those days you were our real far and wanted to take a break from paddling. One time while maxed out on the 30lbs of thrust some bottle nosed dolphins criss-crossed at the bow of the canoe. It was such a sight I didn't want to even look for the camera in fear I would miss a second of this magnificent scene. So, this piece of crap canoe got me into places motor boats couldn't go, caught me more fish than I ever caught on any boat, took a beating better than a, well never mind you get it. I ended it getting a Kayak after but this canoe was great when fishing with a buddy. Best of all you could bring a big cooler to stuff with sandwiches and drinks then later fish!

Piece of crap canoe circa 1999

There is always going to be a place in my heart for a canoe for many reasons. Among those are that you can share your day with someone, carry more gear (I'm not one of those light packers) and the fact that at least in mine, you can stand up and stretch your legs!

The day I got my Wilderness Systems Tarpon 140

My wife and I were attending a semi destination wedding in Key Largo (we lived in Miami at the time) and it just so happened to be my birthday weekend. A half mile down from the Marriott where we had a great wedding there was a Kayak / canoe shop. This was the ideal shop having the bay right behind them to try any paddle boat your heart desires. Paddles, and everything you could ever need on the water this place was awesome. It's called Florida Bay Outfitters It's still there and again what's so great is that unlike many places you can try before you buy. I ended up trying the T120 but due to my weight   I felt the 140 would be better. Fast forward 10 years later and it still in great (rough) shape in my garage waiting for it's next journey.

Initially I knew I wanted a "fishing" kayak but I also wanted something on the quicker side and also something comfortable to fish in. I thought about the 160 but the thought of 2 more feet of length in tight mangrove maze situation made me stick with the 140.

This boat is plenty fast, has storage space enough for all my gear. I got it with the rudder which I would recommend on any kayak. though the years I outfitted it with different gadgets depending on my needs but the first thing I did when I got it was put rod holders. Took it out on a short paddle so I can get an idea where I wanted the rod holders to go. Gotta say the day I drilled a 1.5 inch hole I was pretty nervous. No regrets though everything came out great.

Along with the Kayak I purchased the paddle a Werner Skagit 230 which I still have. I have always wanted something lighter like a ONNO but never got around to it.

Proud owner of a brand spanking new T140!

Ready to go on it's maiden Everglades voyage. (looked so new)

Everglades National Park Memories of a Better Day...

Although I'm very happy in Nj because career wise, it's the way the go, I yearn for the simple days of fishing and paddling the Everglades. I told my wife if I die before her to cremate my body, put the ashes in a "Bustelo" coffee can, transport the ashes to my favorite fishing honey hole in the Everglades National Park (ENP) and spread my ashes there. I truly love that place and spend many hours paddling and fishing there either alone or with a few and I do mean few buddies that dared to venture out into the mosquito infested backcountry mangroves. I was going to say alligator infested but trust me the bugs were more to recon with. A day in the ENP was guaranteed stress relief! Problem about NJ is that you can't get away from civilization. ENP you were miles out and away from the roads, people and anything that can make your blood pressure rise. Enchanting and majestic, I was in love with this place and hope to one day be close (when I win the lotto).

Then there is the fishing...

Mud Lake 26in Snook, notice the head net...

Bear Lake baby tarpon caught by Adolfo

Snake Bight redfish caught in 6 inches of water

Sea Trout caught in "Tin Can" by Eddie

That makes up and Everglades "Grand Slam" but among those fish we caught Groupers, Snappers, Black Drum, Sheepshead and Many more. 

Cranberry Lake, Hampton, NJ

Lake Profile:
Cranberry Lake, Hampton, NJ
180 Acres
Caution: Motorboats

October 11th 2009

I gotta say I think Fall is my favorite time of year. This lake might not have been this enjoyable in the summer months. For starters its heavily populated, there are houses dotted along most of the river. Each of them with motor boats and or canoes & kayaks spewed across the back of them. This must get real active in the summer months in fact so active that a paddle for an outsider like myself  might not be as enjoyable as it was on this day. Once you launch from the convenient little dock you can go left to explore the small bridge although the lake ends just after it or you can head across it towards the peninsula. If you look at the togo map you'll see it practically cut the lake in half. I paddled this day with my wife and It was very windy so without being anchored you wont stay put long. It was a cold day too we had to make sure we were layered up because this wing made it feel a lot colder than what it was. We made our way through the middle of the lake and paddled quietly as to not to disturb the neighbors as we got closer to the shoreline. Some folks were out on their poonton boat, dogs aboard and everything. One of the Labs sat up front in captain pose. 

I usually bring a rod with me to throw some soft plastics but no takers this day. I know the lake must be full of bass, probably taking shelter under all the lilly pads. 

Once you make your way pass the tip of the peninsula it looks like a different lake all together. the view of the Allamuchy mountains in the backdrop of the lake is spectacular. 

You can spend hours here just exploring every nook of this place and as beautiful as it was I don't see myself coming back here frequently. There isn't that feel of wilderness because you practically in someone's back yard so you feel like an outsider, well because you are. 

Directions:

From Route 80 West take the Waterloo Exit 25 and go North on 206 till you get to South Shore Rd and make a left.  you'll be lead to the lake but also to a couple of parking areas to your left. When you see this the lake entrance for the launch is directly to your right. There's parking at the opposite end of the launch or you can drop off your canoe and drive back down to the parking area.

Green Turtle Pond, West Milford, NJ

Lake Profile:
Green Turtle Pond, West Milford
40 Acres
Electric motors only
Unpaved road leading to pond parking on side of the trail.

Sept 13th 2009
   This Little hideaway pond probably doesn't get much attention considering Greenwood Lake and Monksville Reservoir are a stone's throw away 
(no not literally). I really enjoyed this lake and 
have been here several times by myself with the 
kayak always running into the same paddlers.  
One of it's most unique features are the Mini -
Islands that meet you about 50 yards ahead from 
the launch.  It's a quick paddle where you wont be bothered and it's stocked with trout. Can you 
really ask for much more?
My Wife and Sister-in-law accompanied me on this second Canoe trip. Although I have caught bass here before I didn't catch any on this trip. This Lake has a remote feel, almost like your miles away from civilization. It's Quiet and pretty protected from winds. To get there you must take a dirt road with pot holes the size of volkswagens. GO slow because people sometimes hike here and you just might see some wildlife such as deers, turkeys or black bears. Yes it's bear country so be careful.
If your looking for a peaceful no thrills relaxing day paddle this is your escape. It might be a good idea to bring your binoculars there is just a ton of wildlife out here. Herons, hawks, turtles (plenty hence the name) just to name a few.

A lot of people bring their dogs to play in the shallow bank. I'm thinking of brining by dog here on the next trip, he's a bit wild and like to drink the water. The last time I had him on a canoe was in Florida so it's been awhile. 


Directions: Once in Ringwood State Park coming from Tuxedo, NY, take State Rd 511 AKA Greenwood lake Turnpike West. Turn Right on Awosting Rd at approximately half mile up to your right will be the entrance it's real easy to miss so go slow. Follow the unpaved road to the lake, there is no parking lot but you can pretty much park anywhere just stay out of other people's way to others can launch too.

Shepherd Lake, Ringwood, NJ

Lake Profile:
Shepherd Lake
Ringwood State Park 1304 Sloatsburg Road
info 973-962-7031
Charge at the gate is 5-10 dollars but free in the offseason.
No engines only electric motor (good so there will be no loud racing boats creating wakes)

Sept 6th, 2009
The maiden voyage of my new canoe. As I loaded it up on the subaru I noticed how virgin the plastic was. No scratches or dings, not sure how long that will look that way but I knew while unloading it would bring a different picture. I chose Shepherd Pond as my first trip for a few reasons. My wife was going in the front seat and my sister-in-law came along to try out that center seat. It's a 14 ft canoe not really suitable for 3 person paddling because it's not that roomy but plenty of capacity for weight. Needless to say it handled like a barge. Actually it handles better under heavy weight than light.

This lake is settled in a recreational area where families gather for picnics and barbecues so it's pretty noisy. The water was not as crowded as I imagined, just a few kayakers and boater's (rented).

The North end is covered with lilly pads and we came across some great mountain rocks laying along the banks. The best part of the lake is furthest from the beach area where the noise is muffled and the big blue herons hang out. The fishing here is supposed to be good for largemouth although I didn't catch anything that day. Like Most of NJ mountain lake this is bear country so beware! Would I paddle this lake again? Yes but not the place to go in the middle of summer where all hell break loose. Thunder Mountain is up the same mountain and that's where you can shoot clays so when you hear some shotgun blasts while on the water there is your explanation.

Directions: You can punch in the address on your GPS and it will get you as far as the entrance at the bottom of the mountain. Once traveling north on Sloatsburg make a right on Morris Rd. Ride up and you will come to two Large statues of eagles bracing the entrance of the skylands botanical garden that is where you make a left on Shepherd Pond Rd which will lead you to the entrance on the lake. Put in is at the right after the gate. So bring the family and a portable BBQ some meat for the grill and drop your boat in. Fun for everyone. 

A little backround...

    My name is David I was born in Belleville, NJ so that makes me Native regardless of the fact I lived in Miami for 16 years.

Eight years ago before I got married I sold my jon boat and got a canoe. It was a man they called "Canoeman". that planted this idea in my head, well not directly, but through the posts of an online forum and website by Captain Mel based in Tampa. I used to read stories about his fishing adventures and I thought to myself, "this is what I want to be when I grow up!" My first trip in Florida was on the Indian River. After that it was the Everglades and I after that I wasn't interested in paddling anywhere else.

         The Canoe was a means to get me on the fish but after time I developed a real joy for just being on the water, fish or not. I especially liked the fact that there was no motor and everything was just quiet. One of my favorite things to do is to get on the water while it was still dark and watch the sun rise in the glades. The fish bite was on during that time as well.
     After a few years on the canoe the hype was all about the kayak. I went out and got one but it didn't replace my canoe. Sometimes when your by yourself a kayak can handle finer in the wind.

I loved that canoe but I left her in Miami as I set out to Jersey in 2005. I used my kayak in Jersey but I gotta say I didn't think I was going to miss my canoe as much as I did. I missed that canoe so much that 3 years after the move I bought the same exact one here in Jersey. It's nothing special really in fact it handles clumsily, it's quite heavy but it looks similar to the one the Canoeman had.  It also took a tremendous beating. It was ready for whatever I had to dish out for that day. Oyster beds were no match for the polyurethane barge I would command over them. It's nearly 40 inch beam also makes it the most stable canoe around which is great for taking out newbies.
This blog is about the New Jersey adventures with the new canoe. My Wife Letty has taken some interest in paddling. Not sure if it's just to do something together and "it's nice" or a genuine interest of being in the outdoors. Don't really care much she seems to enjoy it and it's nice to have her join me, she is even doing a decent job paddling me around while I fish.
One thing is different for sure, No alligators here, I guess it's good in a way but I do miss the encounters, it was part of the everglades allure. What can be said it that I traded one of the worlds most unique eco setting for the mountain lakes and the Oh, so famous "Joisey Shuwa". I don't regret the move I gottasay, it does feel like home. 
 
Read more about the late Merrill "Canoeman" Chandler at the Capt Mel's site http://capmel.com/CanoemanRemembered.htm