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thegildedgopher
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justpaddlin: "Congrats!
Maybe it's not that "everything slows down", maybe it's that you are just more in touch with your surroundings and the pace of nature. Sometimes I have brief chats with folks fishing from powerboats as I pass them; I remember a guy saying "that sure looks like a lot of work" to which I replied "that thing sure is noisy". Then he said "I like my way better" and I replied "me too"."
It’s more than just the noise. I think the biggest thing was the proximity to the water for me. I felt much more immersed in everything. 90% of the time in my motorboat I am using an electric trolling motor that makes less noise than a paddle. The outboard is pretty much only used when traveling. I still think it’s a wonderful tool and consider myself very fortunate to have it available to me. But I’m realizing the most efficient tool does not always offer the experience I’m seeking.
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Pinetree
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Menogyn is a great camp
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boonie
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That's great - for you and your son. It really is a different experience - enjoy the journey!
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ducks
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I really enjoyed reading this. Thanks for sharing.
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justpaddlin
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Congrats!
Maybe it's not that "everything slows down", maybe it's that you are just more in touch with your surroundings and the pace of nature. Sometimes I have brief chats with folks fishing from powerboats as I pass them; I remember a guy saying "that sure looks like a lot of work" to which I replied "that thing sure is noisy". Then he said "I like my way better" and I replied "me too".
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Speckled
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Love it!
I've owned a 20 foot crestliner with a 150, a pontoon, a 14 ft fishing boat with a 25 tiller and have fished out of all of them, along with many trips on larger boats out on Superior.
I enjoy fishing out of the canoe the most. It's hard to put into words what it is about it, but it's a combination of the intimacy of it, the close connection to the water and surroundings...really the romanticism of it all. I would choose 100% of the time to be in my Bell Rob Roy on a remote lake over any of the other options.
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TrailZen
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thegildedgopher: "To make a long story short, I think I am hooked. In summary: the old gopher has learned a new trick and I am ready to dive into this. Kiddo joked on the car ride home, “congratulations on acquiring another expensive hobby” and I worry he’s spot on :)"
You can dive in slowly by renting equipment for a few trips, buying used gear at season end, etc. Enjoy being 'hooked'!
TZ
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thegildedgopher
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Many people come to this site as experienced paddlers and canoe enthusiasts who fell in love with the bwca. My route has been a little different, having found this community while searching for car camping spots near lake trout fishing opportunities. Our first visit to the area was 2018 and we’ve been back to fish every year, always out of a motorboat. While I still find a 16 foot tiller with a 25hp outboard to be almost perfect as a fishing platform, I have been wanting to experience the way of the paddle as well.
To make a long story short, I think I am hooked. During a brief stay at Clearwater I took a couple day trips in a solo canoe with a double-blade kayak paddle. This was a great way to start, as I do have a little experience with kayaks. Clearwater was my intro to the bwca in 2018, so it made sense to start back where it began. Paddling to the palisades was a completely different experience than buzzing by in a boat. Everything slows down. Looking up at those giant rock faces, and then down through the crystal waters to see more giant boulders, you see how it all fits together. I hiked to the top of the palisades with my water bottle (fresh dipped from the middle of the lake), a pocket rocket and a couple packs of instant coffee, and spent a quiet morning breathing it all in.
Gopher Jr also had the good fortune to go on a trip via Menogyn this year. I asked him to be a good student and to be ready to teach his old dad a thing or two. This past weekend we spent about 4 hours paddling and portaging the short routes around Lebanon Hills in Eagan. He handled the stern with surprising patience, strength, and efficiency. Most importantly, the kid is a great teacher. He had excellent tips for paddle technique and loved teaching me the proper terminology for different strokes. He taught me how to portage the canoe, and I had a humbling workout with that tuffweave Adirondack— but I loved every second of it.
In summary: the old gopher has learned a new trick and I am ready to dive into this. Kiddo joked on the car ride home, “congratulations on acquiring another expensive hobby” and I worry he’s spot on :)
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bobbernumber3
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dogwoodgirl
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Smiling so much as I read this!
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straighthairedcurly
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Thanks for sharing this. I love hearing about how. you asked your son o share what he had learned so you could learn. Your story is a great reminder to me as to why I love dipping a paddle in the water to travel. I agree with Pinetree...Menogyn is such a great place, and is an important part of my childhood, young adulthood, and my son's as well.
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