Although new on the market, KFin trolling weights have been in the testing stage for nearly three years.  As stated by a devoted user in Appleton, Wisconsin, “I’ve never had to tie a knot with KFin, and I haven’t lost a single one while trolling.”  A man of few words, this life-long fisherman added the following curt, but sincere endorsement, “they work.”

Developed by a Milwaukee, Wisconsin entrepreneur (as well as an avid fisherman), KFin Trolling weights seem to provide an easier means to catch the fish you want.  John Lindeman, CEO/Founder of Kingdom Fishing Innovations explains, “KFin weights can be changed instantly to match depths active fish are feeding at.”  Talk about the benefits of not having to cut and tie a desired weight onto a fishing line – less time doing that means more time actually fishing.

Picture this.  You’ve got the boat ready…conditions seem perfect, so you attach KFin weights a stealthy 50 feet from live bait or lures.  You begin trolling at a steady 5 mph. When you hook a fish, you reel up to the weight, instantly release it, then continue the retrieval process. It’s that simple.

The company also claims the weights are durable.  Testimonial from one user proves it.  ”I actually ran one over with my truck then used it the next day.” (That line gave me a chuckle).

Why not investigate this innovative fishing product for yourself?  You can find out more at www.gokfin.com.  They even have links to videos showing how this new type of trolling system works.  After researching this easy to use trolling device, I’m going to give it a try myself.

Watch future posts for more information on unique fishing innovations.  If you do, you will be bound to catch more fish!

1) How to dress: Wet suit or  wicking clothes – You can borrow a wet suit from your kayaking school, or dress in wicking clothing so that you can keep moisture off your skin. Some activities may require a wet suit, such as drills which involve flipping the kayak.

2) Float bags – These fit in the front of your boat, and keep it afloat if you fall out.  These should be available with your kayak rental.

3) Dry bags – These can be purchased or borrowed. You can put your lunch or your camera in them, and they should keep your gear dry.

4) First aid kit and water – Be prepared. Make sure you have a first aid kit on your kayak and plenty of water. While it might not be too hot out, you can be quite exposed on the water.

5) Weather report – Keep your eye on the weather report any time you head out to kayak. You don’t want to get caught in a storm you could have predicted. Plan your trips carefully around the weather; you don’t want to find yourself in a thunder storm on water. Your kayaking instructor should also advise you if your scheduled lesson is not at an appropriate time.

Beginner’s lessons:

While you should be able to learn many techniques quickly, a good beginner’s lesson should cover a solid description of the basics.

1) Getting in and out of your kayak – It sounds simple, but this can take a bit of practice.

2) Launching – How to get your kayak from the dock to the water.

3) Different strokes – Different ways to effectively use your paddles to move your kayak.

4) Turning your kayak – How to move in different directions.

5) Kayaking self-rescue – How to get out of an overturned kayak, and how to get water out of your kayak.

6) Stability – You will learn about first and second stability and how to get used to it.

After a few sessions at your kayaking school, you should be able to make educated decisions about which gear you think might be worth investing in and which might be a bit overkill for a beginner. Take it slow, and learn what you like before  making any large purchases.

The main goal of hiking rain gear should be obvious – you need to keep dry. If you or your supplies get wet, they become heavier, and the increased weight can make your hike more difficult. Wet clothes can be cold, and they can lead to illness if outdoor temperatures also drop.

The problem is that rain clothes also take up space in your pack and can weigh you down on a sunny day. Depending on the length of your hike, or if you live in an area where weather can fluctuate quickly, you should consider taking some sort of rain gear.

1) Large rain poncho – These can be useful, as they can cover both your body and your pack. They are often light-weight, and they can be rolled up to a tiny size. The down side is that they are usually made of very heavy material that does not breathe well, but unlike other rain gear, air can get in under the poncho and keep you cool. I use my poncho for hikes about 1-3 days long in spring and summer, but prefer something heavier in colder weather.

2) Rain pants – One of the main problems with rain pants is mixing breathability with rain protection. While there are more lightweight rain pants, they often get wet quicker giving them the same problems as regular pants. Heavy duty rain pants can be useful during heavy downpours, but are overkill in light rain.

3) Wicking clothes – these can also help with keeping comfortable. Wear a wicking shirt and wicking pants to keep sweat off your body and rain from getting too close to your skin. These won’t be enough if there is a lot of rain, so better to pair them with a poncho and rain pants.

4) Rain hat – In cooler temperatures, it can be important to have a good rain hat. Wet hair isn’t comfortable on a cold day. Many ponchos and rain coats have hoods, but these can be uncomfortable during a hike. They don’t keep the rain out of your eyes, and they can be difficult to keep in place. Consider getting a rain hat with a visor that covers your eyes.

Did you know there are five Great Lakes in North America?  They are Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, and Lake Superior.  These huge bodies of water, formed as the last ice age retreated, offer amazing fishing opportunities.  From the frigid waters of Lake Superior, which is the largest freshwater lake in the world, to the glorious depths of Lake Ontario, as well as in the other three lakes, anglers will experience a type of fishing heaven.

If you are used to fishing on placid lakes, then the first thing you need to understand is that the Great Lakes are just that – great.  The waters can be rough at times, and the wind can be wicked.  If you have a problem with motion sickness, be aware that you may need to take medication before you set sail.  I’ve heard of many would-be trophy fishermen who ended up deathly sick once the chartered boat reached churning water.

But if you have sea legs, you will be happy to know that the Great Lakes teem with fish.  You may hook a Lake Sturgeon, a Lake Trout, a Musky, or even a Pink Salmon.  The diversity of fish is so great, that one site lists over 150 species. (On a side note, Smelt is a local favorite in my home state of Wisconsin, and many local pubs serve fried Smelt with Bloody Mary’s and beer chasers on Sunday mornings).

If you love the competition of fishing tournaments, then the Great Lakes will not disappoint.  During the summer, there are many tournaments sponsored by local communities, many as fundraisers for worthwhile charities.  Especially popular are the salmon fishing tournaments.

Check out this site for the latest on 2012 tournaments in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana; however, Tournament Trail is just one way to keep up with sport fishing on the Great Lakes – quick Internet searches will let you know about sport fishing events on the lake you wish to visit.

The Internet also makes it easy to research and to book charter fishing boats.  Have an idea of what you want to pay, as well as your port of call, and you will be able to book your Great Lakes fishing adventure with ease!

I’ve been fortunate enough to experience four of the five Great Lakes, so I can truthfully say, they are worth experiencing, especially for a sport fishing trip.

Four Mile Ecological Park. Located on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River across from Ft. Myers in residential Cape Coral, this boardwalk gives hikers the best possible views of the natural mangrove forests of the area, as well as a glimpse into the diverse ecosystems of the river. The round-trip is an easy 1.3 miles, and it only takes about one hour to complete, making it a perfect side-trip from the nearby white sandy beaches. Mangrove forests are becoming increasingly rare around the world, so the Four Mile Ecological Park is quite unique. Visitors can even rent kayaks and canoes to get a closer look at the massive mangrove roots and the wild creatures that inhabit them.

St. Jude Trail. The St. Jude Trail lies on Pine Island, a rugged and unpopulated area sandwiched between Cape Coral and Sanibel Island. This trail also highlights the rare and beautiful mangrove swamps of southwest Florida. This trail is well maintained and only a mile long, so it is the perfect place for families to come for a picnic or excursion. The trail is largely shaded by the massive mangroves, and it ends in a spectacular boardwalk.

Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. Six Mile Cypress is a familiar name around the Ft. Myers area. The preserve runs from Estero Bay all the way to the wilderness of northern Lee County, skirting populated and touristy areas the entire way. The preserve is 2,200 acres, but the trail is only 1.1 miles roundtrip. There is a complete boardwalk, two observation areas, guided tours, and plenty of wildlife. There are five plant communities within the preserve, along with plenty of species of Floridian wildlife. Tourists often see blue herons, anhingas, alligators, raccoons, as well as the elusive red-tailed hawk. October and April are particularly popular at the preserve, as the migrating warblers often make a brief stop at the preserve. As the preserve connects to the backcountry, it is important to keep in mind that bobcats may be present on some occasions; however, it is usually safe, and is a great place for vacationers.

Lovers Key State Park. Whereas the southern part of the island is great for beachcombers, the northern part is the rugged Black Island Trail system. This trail includes many tropical plants and loops down small fingers of land into the bay. This is the perfect place for a morning hike.

For people who are on a really intense workout plan, you’ll aim for higher calorie counts, but most will be between 2000 and 2500 calories. If you are going for a ride that is over 90 minutes long, be sure to prepare snacks for yourself. Some experts say that you should aim for 70 grams of carbohydrates per hour. You can do this by drinking a 5 to 8 percent electrolyte sports drink or by snacking. I prefer to take it in liquid form. For shorter rides, eat something beforehand. One of my favorite snacks is a banana with a little bit of honey on top.

When it comes to recovering from your workout, fruit is one of the best ways to help the process. Take advantage of the fresh fruits that the summer season has to offer.

Blueberries are one of the top choices. They are filled with anti-oxidants that protect against free radicals. They also suppress inflammation. This will help to keep your muscles healthy!  Berries are great for you; another berry to snack on is the blackberry. Blackberries are high in fiber so they are good for a slow/steady source of fuel. These should be eaten before long rides. Other than lots of fiber, blackberries also contain vitamin C, vitamin K, and manganese.

Another great fruit is watermelon. Watermelon contains lycopene and vitamin A. The lycopene protects the skin from UV rays, and it increases the amount of iron absorption. It’s also easy to digest, because a lot of it is water weight and simple sugars instead of fiber (which is hard to digest). Mango is something that you want to eat before your ride. It contains papain, a digestive enzyme that helps to break down acidity and proteins. Mango contains simple sugars and vitamins A, C, and E. Another fruit that is great for recovery is the kiwi. Kiwi contains a lot of potassium, and this will help repair your muscles.

The great thing about biking is that you can eat while riding if you eat the proper snacks!

1) Arrange small teams – You can play with 2-10 players. If you don’t have that many guests, split up into 4 teams of 3, or whatever works with your numbers. Set up a tournament.

2) Establish clear rules – What are the boundaries? Will the rules be strict? Will there be a referee? Or will it be more informal and just a lot of people trying to hit the ball? How many people can touch the ball before it goes over the net? How many points per match? You can be quite flexible here. Set a limit of 15 points. You don’t need to follow official rules.

3) Distribute kids evenly – Encourage your kids to join in. Just make sure the teams are balanced with the same amount of kids on each team. Remember, kids have the disadvantage of lack of height, so this evens the playing field.

4) Establish a prize – Create a fun gift for the winner. It could be anything from first people to get dessert to a gift card, depending on how seriously you want to treat the competition.

5) Get everyone to play – When the tournament is over, try to have one giant match with as many people as possible playing. This is always fun, and it tends to get the super competitive players out on the field.

So what are you waiting for? Get that volleyball net up and get playing.

Over 1.2 million visitors come to the park every year, making Devil’s Lake State Park one of Wisconsin’s most popular places for recreation. Located in the Baraboo Range in Sauk County, the park is easily accessible for tourists from major cities such as Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and Madison. Devil’s Lake State Park truly stands apart from other outdoor destinations in the region. Formed by a glacier nearly 12,000 years ago, archaeologists believe that the Baraboo Range was once taller than the Rocky Mountains. The remnants leftover today include 500-foot bluffs that overlook the pristine 360-acre Devil’s Lake.

The lake is surrounded by a conifer-deciduous forest, making it a great place to escape the summer heat, as well as to view the spectacular fall foliage that graces the area every October. The north and south shores of the lake include modern facilities with food courts and restrooms, and they are a perfect jumping off point for the park’s 29 miles of trails. Overall, the park has several handicapped-accessible trails, difficult level trails, and rock-climbing areas. The Ice Age Trail, a 1,200-mile trail circling the state of Wisconsin also runs directly through the park, making the options for hiking nearly limitless.

The trails at Devil’s Lake State Park are punctuated by strange natural rock formations, as well as spectacular panoramic views of Wisconsin. Deep gorges and natural sandstone bridges can also be found hidden alongside the many trails. The neighboring Merrimac Preserve, Parfrey’s Glen Natural Area, Baxter’s Hollow, and Gibraltar Rock also provide magnificent hiking trails and pristine natural landscapes. A forty-five minute drive will take you to the Spring Green Preserve, which includes the “Wisconsin Desert,” or 1,000 of the last acres of the last dry prairie in the state. This area includes sand and plenty of cacti.

Back in Devil’s Lake State Park, for those who want to get off of the hiking trail, there are several campsites, recreational facilities, and beaches that provide blissful relaxation. On the lake itself, many visitors bring canoes, kayaks, and even paddleboats to get out on the water and explore. Fishing is a popular activity at the lake, as well as exploring the nearby Indian burial sites. The nearby Northern Lights Amphitheatre even provides entertainment on Saturday nights.

A final bonus of this location is the feeling of solitude it exudes.  Unlike busier parks, Devil’s Lake never seems crowded.

For a fulfilling and relaxing outdoor getaway, Devil’s Lake State Park is sure to provide the perfect atmosphere.

You may not agree, but I start with the outside. For me, starting with the things I need on the outside makes it easier to keep the items attached in the long run. I attach the sleeping pad first and attach it vertically to avoid trees and more. Another place to put it is horizontally and on the bottom of the pack for equal weight distribution and to keep things near your center of gravity.

After that comes the sleeping bag. Starting in reverse order of the things you will need is a great thing to keep in mind. I put my essentials on the top, like rain gear, and the sleeping supplies on the bottom. Plus, you can keep pushing your sleeping bag down as far as you can — if you have a compression sack, use it to shrink the bag down as much as possible.

Now for the heavy stuff. The heaviest things go in the middle and closest to your back. Depending on the size of your tent and your bag, you might be able to put the tent inside of your bag. If not, strap the poles to the outside of the bag and keep the cloth in your bag. Other heavy items that you may want to include at this point include your cooking gear. Speaking of cooking gear, try to fit all of your equipment in your biggest container. If you’re making warm meals, make sure that your fuel is in a tightly sealed containers. Nalgene bottles can be great fuel holders and it might be smart to keep them attached to the outside of your pack (just don’t drink it!).

When it comes to food, make sure that you have everything separate and in sealing containers. Separate your foods into things that you want easily accessible or not. Also, you might want to invest in a bear canister. If your food doesn’t fit, eat it or trash it!

Some other things to pack include clothes, water, medical gear, and more.

You should consider investing in a few inexpensive pieces of snorkeling equipment, because kids can use them frequently. A mask , a snorkel, and a pair of fins can be a huge investment, or something you pick up for a few dollars on the Internet. To teach kids about snorkeling, I would say go with something inexpensive. If you take a trip and do some more advanced snorkeling later, chances are you will rent equipment anyway. Ideally your kids should have a chance to try on the mask and flippers before you purchase them, but for playing a few games in the pool, fit isn’t that essential. You want to make sure the mask sits snugly enough to prevent water from entering it.

Snorkel treasure hunt – If you have private access to a large pool, hide a few pennies or beads all over the bottom of it. Have two or more kids hunt for the pennies, and see who can collect the most in a given amount of time.

Underwater shuffleboard – You need a hockey puck and some shuffleboard sticks. Designate two sides of the pool that will serve as goals. Play shuffleboard using your snorkel equipment, and try to score goals against the other. This works best in teams of one to four players.

Underwater frisbee or bowling – Purchase an underwater frisbee, and an enjoy a game of catch, or watch what happens if you try to carry a bowling ball in the water.  While you cannot bowl in the traditional sense, you can play pass the bowling ball.

Visit the local lake – While a lake doesn’t have the exotic sea life of the Caribbean, you can probably spot a few crabs, fish, and plant life. Take a day trip to a lake, and see what you can see. Buy a cheap underwater disposable camera to let kids capture their finds on film.  Have a scavenger hunt, and see if the kids can find everything on your scavenger list, or take photos of everything.

Snorkeling can be a great way to get kids interested in sea life, water, and moving around outdoors. With a  few pieces of inexpensive equipment, you can open up a whole new world for them.