Floating By Yourself

[Hays]

No doubt it is safer to canoe with another canoe, especially if you're canoeing solo. But the urge to canoe alone is strong. Any words of wisdom?

[jdmidwest]

Al Agnew does it all of the time. I kayak solo whenever I get the chance.

Wear a PFD and let someone know your schedule in case something happens. Most MO streams should not get you into any trouble due to rapids and sweepers. They can usually be avoided.

[Al Agnew]

There is risk in lots of things you can do. Either accept the risk or don't. In floating solo, jd's advice is right. I don't weara pfd if it's warm and the water level is normal, but I do in cold weather or high water. I try not to go if there's a forecast of severe thunderstorms. I'm a little more careful about handling fish to avoid getting hooks in bad places in my anatomy, especially my hands...you should know the rope trick for getting hooks out of your hide, but you can't do it if the hook is in a hand because you need two hands to do it.

Mainly, though, just be prudent and don't do things you can avoid that add to the very small inherent risk. Like, don't decide you want to dive off that bluff for the heck of it.

[Mark]

Al does a lot of things other people don't do!

Multiple day solo floats are a lot of work. After a long day of floating, setting up camp, gathering firewood, and cooking dinner makes for a long day.

Depends on the person. I prefer some company no matter what I am doing.

Safety wise, you have to be much more careful floating by yourself. Things happen. Agree that it is important to let someone know where you are going and when you expect to finish. Much more important in the offseason.

[Ham]

I prefer to go with someone, but I will float solo if need be. Good advice above. Leave a float plan with someone. Be a little extra careful. Know your limits. It's about having fun and catching a few fish, try not to turn it into a Survivorman episode.

[Coosa]

I do most of my floats alone. Like the above said. Just be extra careful taking fish off the hook. I recently buried a zara spook between my pinky and ring finger. Had to paddle the last 2 miles with a spook in my hand then had push it through and cut it off .Before that i really didnt understand how people managed to bury hooks in themselves. It happens fast. I recommend taking a pair of pliers and some side cutters when floating alone.

Personally I think it's more dangerous just driving down the highway.

[fishinwrench]

Personally I think it's more dangerous just driving down the highway.

Absolutely ! I like having company sometimes but there are a lot of things you will notice when you are by yourself. My level of concentration is amplified x10 when I am solo and I know for a fact that I fish better because I am completely engaged in it.

I have a retired neighbor that periodically gets mildly offended if he notices me pulling out solo with the canoe, Jon, or bassboat loaded.

Fishing CAN be a team sport, but it certainly doesn't have to be.

My girlfriend always expresses worry when I go on a river trip alone but she doesn't seem at all concerned when I WORK alone. Funny that !

[Gavin]

Floating alone is nice sometimes. You have to be a little more cautious, be prepared, and let someone know your float plan. Try it once and you will probably like it. Thinking of a 24 mile solo float middle of next week.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I think it takes some clear thinking, but that's pretty easy. I'm out wading a lot more when alone, I simply avoid anything that might remotely put me where I need help. A strainer that is a little tight will likely see me walking passed, but no loss, fish it.

I think PFD's on our rivers can get you in just about as much trouble as they can keep you out. Like AL said cold temps make them mandatory because you can't swim in cold water like in warm. People limited in swiming ability should always where one. They are more likely to get you into an obstruction than not however.

[Terrierman]

Love my solo trips. My words of wisdom are don't wait any longer, just get out there.