treadhead1952
June 3rd, 2010, 01:28
Hi All,
Today I accomplished a number of Kayak type things, I checked out the REI and Sports Chalet stores up on the west side of Las Vegas this morning. While both places had a few things, none were exactly up my alley as it were. Although I will admit to looking hard at an Ocean Kayak two person model lusting after the 600 pound carrying capacity. I did find a Borders Book store where I picked up the current issue of Kayak Angler, last copy on the shelf, and a copy of "Kayaking Made Easy" by Dennis Stuhaug as well for a little light reading. I also stopped in to see if Hahn's Surplus up in North Las Vegas might have anything interesting, they were listed as a Las Vegas Kayak supplier in a couple of web searches, but I am afraid that was wishful thinking on the part of that particular web service. And since I was just a couple of mountains and a pass or two away from Lake Mead and I did have all my fishing gear on hand, that was to be my destination.
I was wanting to check out the situation since my last visit was mostly to the Las Vegas Marina, Public Fishing Beach and PWC Launch areas. When I get my Kayak coming up in a couple of weeks, I was wanting a better place to try it out than any of them. I did check out the original location of the Marina which is about 9 miles north of where they moved it to as the Lake started to drop its' water level. Currently it is 122 feet below it's full level. While that may sound horrendous, and it is pretty bad, it still leaves a whole lot of lake stretched out along the length of the Colorado River. Lake Mojave to the south is only 5 feet below it's full level, they have just drawn down Lake Mead as it was so huge that it was more plausible and feasible to do so.
At any rate, between all the jet skiers, power boaters and activity that seems to be centered in the area just north of the channel to the dam, I had reservations about wanting to try my hand at Kayaking in those areas. I first stopped at the original location of the Marina and found that it is a small creek leading into the Lake at this time. While one might navigate parts of it with a Kayak, there would still be some walking to do to get close to it and even a few places where you would have to portage around. I did check out the various scenic overlooks and while they were inspiring to look at the thought of trucking a Kayak down a path like this to get to the waters' edge about a half to three quarters of a mile away was daunting to say the least, not to mention hauling it back up after a day of fun in the sun.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/treadhead1952/EmLM002.jpg
All was not lost however. After passing by where they are revamping the fish hatchery on the landward side of Saddle Island I got to the old Boulder Basin area where they used to have a second Marina. It is now called Boulder Harbor and Launch Ramp. There is another small fishing area there as well. The beauty of this place is that it is as calm as a farm pond being surrounded by land masses with the exception of small channel that leads out to the Lake. Hot Dog! I found where I can launch my Kayak career in relative calm without any distractions, practice some dismounts and remounts as well as a little paddling practice.
Heading around the south end of Saddle Island and heading north leads up to an area that, while an occasional jet skier might find his way and a boat or two is an area that is very intriguing for a little Kayaking. While it is part of what used to be the main lake area and most of what you see was way underwater, it is now a little bay area with a lot of islands and channels that beg to be cruised around in and checked out for fishy denizens.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/treadhead1952/EmLM004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/treadhead1952/EmLM006.jpg
To get to any of the shores of this area would require some serious humping up and down as well as distances of from 3/4 to 2 miles. With a Kayak, it is a little paddle work and you are right smack in the middle of it all. While I was there I did look to see if I could spot anyone Kayaking, but there was no one in our favorite craft plying the lake while I was there. All was not lost however, as I was leaving headed back to Vegas, I did pass two Kayaks, a SOT and a SIK on different vehicles headed out for a little evening fun on the water.
Jay
treadhead1952
Las Vegas, NV
PS. Yet another reason for getting a Kayak, fishing most of the day off the Public Fishing Beach, I did catch and release about 20 or so Stripers, but none of them were worth writing home about. Basically all they would do was suck the innards out of your Anchovies and run away unless you kept a taut line and reacted quickly to the little buggers.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/treadhead1952/EMailLakeMead004.jpg
Today I accomplished a number of Kayak type things, I checked out the REI and Sports Chalet stores up on the west side of Las Vegas this morning. While both places had a few things, none were exactly up my alley as it were. Although I will admit to looking hard at an Ocean Kayak two person model lusting after the 600 pound carrying capacity. I did find a Borders Book store where I picked up the current issue of Kayak Angler, last copy on the shelf, and a copy of "Kayaking Made Easy" by Dennis Stuhaug as well for a little light reading. I also stopped in to see if Hahn's Surplus up in North Las Vegas might have anything interesting, they were listed as a Las Vegas Kayak supplier in a couple of web searches, but I am afraid that was wishful thinking on the part of that particular web service. And since I was just a couple of mountains and a pass or two away from Lake Mead and I did have all my fishing gear on hand, that was to be my destination.
I was wanting to check out the situation since my last visit was mostly to the Las Vegas Marina, Public Fishing Beach and PWC Launch areas. When I get my Kayak coming up in a couple of weeks, I was wanting a better place to try it out than any of them. I did check out the original location of the Marina which is about 9 miles north of where they moved it to as the Lake started to drop its' water level. Currently it is 122 feet below it's full level. While that may sound horrendous, and it is pretty bad, it still leaves a whole lot of lake stretched out along the length of the Colorado River. Lake Mojave to the south is only 5 feet below it's full level, they have just drawn down Lake Mead as it was so huge that it was more plausible and feasible to do so.
At any rate, between all the jet skiers, power boaters and activity that seems to be centered in the area just north of the channel to the dam, I had reservations about wanting to try my hand at Kayaking in those areas. I first stopped at the original location of the Marina and found that it is a small creek leading into the Lake at this time. While one might navigate parts of it with a Kayak, there would still be some walking to do to get close to it and even a few places where you would have to portage around. I did check out the various scenic overlooks and while they were inspiring to look at the thought of trucking a Kayak down a path like this to get to the waters' edge about a half to three quarters of a mile away was daunting to say the least, not to mention hauling it back up after a day of fun in the sun.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/treadhead1952/EmLM002.jpg
All was not lost however. After passing by where they are revamping the fish hatchery on the landward side of Saddle Island I got to the old Boulder Basin area where they used to have a second Marina. It is now called Boulder Harbor and Launch Ramp. There is another small fishing area there as well. The beauty of this place is that it is as calm as a farm pond being surrounded by land masses with the exception of small channel that leads out to the Lake. Hot Dog! I found where I can launch my Kayak career in relative calm without any distractions, practice some dismounts and remounts as well as a little paddling practice.
Heading around the south end of Saddle Island and heading north leads up to an area that, while an occasional jet skier might find his way and a boat or two is an area that is very intriguing for a little Kayaking. While it is part of what used to be the main lake area and most of what you see was way underwater, it is now a little bay area with a lot of islands and channels that beg to be cruised around in and checked out for fishy denizens.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/treadhead1952/EmLM004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/treadhead1952/EmLM006.jpg
To get to any of the shores of this area would require some serious humping up and down as well as distances of from 3/4 to 2 miles. With a Kayak, it is a little paddle work and you are right smack in the middle of it all. While I was there I did look to see if I could spot anyone Kayaking, but there was no one in our favorite craft plying the lake while I was there. All was not lost however, as I was leaving headed back to Vegas, I did pass two Kayaks, a SOT and a SIK on different vehicles headed out for a little evening fun on the water.
Jay
treadhead1952
Las Vegas, NV
PS. Yet another reason for getting a Kayak, fishing most of the day off the Public Fishing Beach, I did catch and release about 20 or so Stripers, but none of them were worth writing home about. Basically all they would do was suck the innards out of your Anchovies and run away unless you kept a taut line and reacted quickly to the little buggers.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/treadhead1952/EMailLakeMead004.jpg