Living here in Texas where the majority of your summer is spent in temperatures over 100 degrees you will find out very quickly what your cooler is made of. I do the majority of my fishing and camping out of a kayak so having ice for more than a few hours is of importance. There have been so many times while on an overnighter on the river i've opened up the cooler to eat lunch only to find that the ice has melted and I still have a day to go, you just can't go get more ice when you are miles from civilization.
I will be heading out this weekend and will be putting the new K2 Cube 30 through the paces.
Reasons why I chose the Cube:
1) Needed a cooler that could retain ice for 1-3 days while out in the sun.
2) Needed to be able to fit in the tank well behind my seat in the kayak.
3) Has to be sturdy enough to take the beating endured during river trips.
4) Could not empty my wallet.
5) Had to have enough room for food and drinks.
6) Needed to have strong handles.
The Cube by K2-Coolers looks like it will be able to handle what I am asking of it.
Being roto-molded and well insulated, it is designed to keep items cold for days. It is made to take abuse and comes with metal latches and heavy duty built in handles.
As soon as my trip is done I will post up a review of the cooler.
PS: Did not come with the nice stickers, did that myself.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Panfish on the San Marcos
Having never fished the San Marcos river and with the current conditions on the Guadalupe river I set out yesterday morning in an attempt to find a place to launch and catch a few fish on the fly rod. After a Google search there appeared to be a campground around Martindale that had a launch for a fee so this is where I set my destionation for.
After paying the five dollars and putting the kayak in the water I proceeded to go down stream tossing a popper and catching a few scattered fish here and there. After a little break I decided to go upriver and check it out. Once I passes the 1979 bridge the water got shallow enough that I tied the kayak off to my arm and proceeded to wade and fish while continuing to go upstream. The results were the same as I made my way to a low water bridge before the Martindale Dam and decided to turn around and fish my way back. Changed the fly out from the popper to a Panfish fly that JW at Dragonfly Angler Flies put together for me for the rivers that I fish and it proved to produce right away. Not only did I start catching fish right away but the size of the fish started to get larger. I didn't catch a bass on this trip but as I explore different sections of this beautiful river i'm sure I will. With it's greenish tinted water and the coolness of it on a hot summer day I can say that it is a nice hidden treasure.
After paying the five dollars and putting the kayak in the water I proceeded to go down stream tossing a popper and catching a few scattered fish here and there. After a little break I decided to go upriver and check it out. Once I passes the 1979 bridge the water got shallow enough that I tied the kayak off to my arm and proceeded to wade and fish while continuing to go upstream. The results were the same as I made my way to a low water bridge before the Martindale Dam and decided to turn around and fish my way back. Changed the fly out from the popper to a Panfish fly that JW at Dragonfly Angler Flies put together for me for the rivers that I fish and it proved to produce right away. Not only did I start catching fish right away but the size of the fish started to get larger. I didn't catch a bass on this trip but as I explore different sections of this beautiful river i'm sure I will. With it's greenish tinted water and the coolness of it on a hot summer day I can say that it is a nice hidden treasure.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Fishing with the Ladies
I was approached by my oldest daughter in a text message asking if I would take her fishing over the weekend in the kayak. The last time she fished with me was over fifteen years ago due to the fact that she didn't like to go to the restroom on the bank. My youngest daughter decided she would like to come along as well so a trip was made to pick up an extra kayak and plans were made.
I woke them up Sunday morning and we loaded up all of the gear as well as a cooler full of water and gatorade to help out with the extremely hot weather. After a quick stop to get a liscense for the oldest we were soon launching the kayaks on the Guadalupe river. I had them rigged up with some ultra light spinning reels with small spinnerbaits and I was throwing my 4wt Matthews fly rod and Solitude reel with a box full of Dragonfly Angler flies.
We fished for a few hours with very little to show for it. The temperature was around 109 degrees and the bite was extremely slow. With the fishing slow it was time to cool off with a little swim. The advantage of this area is that the springs from the Comal river dump cold water into the Guad at an intersection where they meet and makes for a cool resting place.
It was great to get to spend time with my daughters today, which was also my mom's birthday. I'm sure she was looking down on us smiling today.
Thanks girls
I woke them up Sunday morning and we loaded up all of the gear as well as a cooler full of water and gatorade to help out with the extremely hot weather. After a quick stop to get a liscense for the oldest we were soon launching the kayaks on the Guadalupe river. I had them rigged up with some ultra light spinning reels with small spinnerbaits and I was throwing my 4wt Matthews fly rod and Solitude reel with a box full of Dragonfly Angler flies.
We fished for a few hours with very little to show for it. The temperature was around 109 degrees and the bite was extremely slow. With the fishing slow it was time to cool off with a little swim. The advantage of this area is that the springs from the Comal river dump cold water into the Guad at an intersection where they meet and makes for a cool resting place.
It was great to get to spend time with my daughters today, which was also my mom's birthday. I'm sure she was looking down on us smiling today.
Thanks girls
Monday, August 22, 2011
Galveston oh' Galveston
Not a fly fishing trip, but a fishing trip is a fishing trip.
Made it out to Galveston on Saturday with my youngest brother and one of my best friends. I was taking my wife and youngest daughter to my brother's house to visit with him and his wife for the weekend since they would both be going back to school on Monday. My wife would be returning to teach and my daughter would be beginning her Junior year of College (send money).
Before we left Friday afternoon Chris called and said to bring a rod and any salt gear that I had in case we had a chance to fish. It was decided that night to give it a go so I called Ron and asked him if he was in and we all headed out at 4am for the hour and a half drive.
This was the first time for me to fish in the surf. How they talked me into getting in the water (sharks live there, i've seen them on shark week) i'll never know. Not only that but they did a good job humming the theme to Jaws as i'm chest deep in water.
The sunrise was beautiful and the sea was pretty calm as we waded out ready to cast our topwater lures. We chose to use artificials today and watched as most fish were caught on live bait around us. We were able to catch a few fish but it really didn't matter as it was all about the company.
Made it out to Galveston on Saturday with my youngest brother and one of my best friends. I was taking my wife and youngest daughter to my brother's house to visit with him and his wife for the weekend since they would both be going back to school on Monday. My wife would be returning to teach and my daughter would be beginning her Junior year of College (send money).
Before we left Friday afternoon Chris called and said to bring a rod and any salt gear that I had in case we had a chance to fish. It was decided that night to give it a go so I called Ron and asked him if he was in and we all headed out at 4am for the hour and a half drive.
This was the first time for me to fish in the surf. How they talked me into getting in the water (sharks live there, i've seen them on shark week) i'll never know. Not only that but they did a good job humming the theme to Jaws as i'm chest deep in water.
The sunrise was beautiful and the sea was pretty calm as we waded out ready to cast our topwater lures. We chose to use artificials today and watched as most fish were caught on live bait around us. We were able to catch a few fish but it really didn't matter as it was all about the company.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Fishing the Guadalupe
Was able to get out and finally test out the new Matthews Fly Rod on Saturday. I was wanting to try a different section of the river but even with the water as low as it is and the temperature being well over 100 degrees it amazed me how many people were camping and playing in the river. With this section being full I headed to the area where I fish most of the time. Got there and launched the Coosa into a river with it's dark green tinted water. Visibility was only a few feet down which played into my favor making the fish less spooked.
I added a Solitude 3/4 reel to the fly rod and loaded it with some Rio 4wt trout WF line to match the 4wt rod. The rod cast great and I was slinging the fly all over the place. Did good this trip, only lost two flies.
The Solitude reel worked great. The drag system on it does what it's supposed to do and is smooth.I also like the offset mount, it made it more comfortable to hold.
Didn't catch many large fish but I caught a lot of fish, had a lot of fun and saw a lot of big fish cruising around that would probably bite later in the day or early in the morning.
Most fish were caught on a wooly bugger and clouser, that were stipped in at a medium pace.
Don't know about you but i'm ready for some cooler weather.
First Bass from on the new rod and reel
I added a Solitude 3/4 reel to the fly rod and loaded it with some Rio 4wt trout WF line to match the 4wt rod. The rod cast great and I was slinging the fly all over the place. Did good this trip, only lost two flies.
The Solitude reel worked great. The drag system on it does what it's supposed to do and is smooth.I also like the offset mount, it made it more comfortable to hold.
Didn't catch many large fish but I caught a lot of fish, had a lot of fun and saw a lot of big fish cruising around that would probably bite later in the day or early in the morning.
Most fish were caught on a wooly bugger and clouser, that were stipped in at a medium pace.
Don't know about you but i'm ready for some cooler weather.
First Bass from on the new rod and reel
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