Darwin proposed the "survival of the fittest." I think he also proposed
"size matters," though this may have been proposed by his wife. And
both laws fit our roads and waterways quite well.

donquijote1954 wrote:

Darwin proposed the "survival of the fittest." I think he also proposed
"size matters," though this may have been proposed by his wife. And
both laws fit our roads and waterways quite well.


Niche is as important, or more so than competition. While the bass
boaters are restricted to a two or three mile stretch of river behind
a dam, paddlers have a couple hundred miles of quiet, remotely
beautiful and largely unspoiled river.

But, that short stretch of river frequented by the bass fishermen is
an economic engine for the state, with boat registration, fishing
permits and fishing guide businesses.

Let the muthaboaters have their piers and concrete ramps. Paddlers are
happy to have a dirt or graveled pull-off from any state road that
runs near the water. There is little that can rival the beauty of
silently gliding on a waterway unassaulted by the hand and removed
from the noise of man. In fog-shrouded morning or gold and red-hued
evening, these quiet places become transcendent.

A canoe or kayak is the best time machine invented. It takes you into
the distant past (or far future, beyond the reign of man). It is not a
question of survival of the fittest. It becomes an appreciation of
aesthetics, an exercise of our brain's highest functions. No longer
anchored by primitive survival requirements, we progress into levels
of metaphysical beauty. We flow on currents of expanded consciousness.




--
"This president has destroyed the country, the economy,
the relationship with the rest of the world.
He's a monster in the White House. He should resign."

- Hunter S. Thompson, speaking to an antiwar audience in 2003.

"Frederick Burroughs" wrote in message
...
donquijote1954 wrote:

Darwin proposed the "survival of the fittest." I think he also proposed
"size matters," though this may have been proposed by his wife. And
both laws fit our roads and waterways quite well.


Niche is as important, or more so than competition. While the bass
boaters are restricted to a two or three mile stretch of river behind
a dam, paddlers have a couple hundred miles of quiet, remotely
beautiful and largely unspoiled river.

But, that short stretch of river frequented by the bass fishermen is
an economic engine for the state, with boat registration, fishing
permits and fishing guide businesses.

Let the muthaboaters have their piers and concrete ramps. Paddlers are
happy to have a dirt or graveled pull-off from any state road that
runs near the water. There is little that can rival the beauty of
silently gliding on a waterway unassaulted by the hand and removed
from the noise of man. In fog-shrouded morning or gold and red-hued
evening, these quiet places become transcendent.

A canoe or kayak is the best time machine invented. It takes you into
the distant past (or far future, beyond the reign of man). It is not a
question of survival of the fittest. It becomes an appreciation of
aesthetics, an exercise of our brain's highest functions. No longer
anchored by primitive survival requirements, we progress into levels
of metaphysical beauty. We flow on currents of expanded consciousness.

Have you ever considered strapping a tank to your back and checking out what
the surface of the water looks like from the other side? You might be
amazed. I've got limited kayaking experience, but I'd much rather swim with
the fishes.

Chris Guynn wrote:


Have you ever considered strapping a tank to your back and checking out what
the surface of the water looks like from the other side? You might be
amazed. I've got limited kayaking experience, but I'd much rather swim with
the fishes.


Never had the pleasure, largely because I don't get the chance.
Closest I got was snorkling in Key West. The rivers where I live are
very low volume, as in knee deep at best during the summer. Canoe and
kayak are best suited for the local aquatic niche. Scuba classes are
held in some of the local abandoned rock quarries, all on private
land. Much of the river banks snuggle up to National Forest, open to
public use and camping. So, I take advantage of what's in my backyard.
I can be on either the North or South Fork of the Shenandoah River
within 10 minutes from my home.





--
"This president has destroyed the country, the economy,
the relationship with the rest of the world.
He's a monster in the White House. He should resign."

- Hunter S. Thompson, speaking to an antiwar audience in 2003.

"Frederick Burroughs" wrote in message
...
Chris Guynn wrote:


Have you ever considered strapping a tank to your back and checking out
what
the surface of the water looks like from the other side? You might be
amazed. I've got limited kayaking experience, but I'd much rather swim
with
the fishes.


Never had the pleasure, largely because I don't get the chance.
Closest I got was snorkling in Key West. The rivers where I live are
very low volume, as in knee deep at best during the summer. Canoe and
kayak are best suited for the local aquatic niche. Scuba classes are
held in some of the local abandoned rock quarries, all on private
land. Much of the river banks snuggle up to National Forest, open to
public use and camping. So, I take advantage of what's in my backyard.
I can be on either the North or South Fork of the Shenandoah River
within 10 minutes from my home.

I lived within 15 minutes of the headwaters of the Nantahala in NC. I
enjoyed my limited kayaking, but I'd still rather travel farther to watch
the fish in their natural habitat. :-)

In rec.boats.paddle Chris Guynn wrote:
snip
: Have you ever considered strapping a tank to your back and checking out what
: the surface of the water looks like from the other side? You might be
: amazed. I've got limited kayaking experience, but I'd much rather swim with
: the fishes.

As I see schools of latex fishies passing me in my kayak, no, I have not
considered jumping in...

http://www.chicagopaddling.org/grandcalumetsign.jpg

--
John Nelson
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chicago Area Paddling/Fishing Page
http://www.chicagopaddling.org http://www.chicagofishing.org
(A Non-Commercial Web Site: No Sponsors, No Paid Ads and Nothing to Sell)

Chicago Paddling-Fishing wrote:
In rec.boats.paddle Chris Guynn wrote:
snip
: Have you ever considered strapping a tank to your back and checking out what
: the surface of the water looks like from the other side? You might be
: amazed. I've got limited kayaking experience, but I'd much rather swim with
: the fishes.

As I see schools of latex fishies passing me in my kayak, no, I have not
considered jumping in...

http://www.chicagopaddling.org/grandcalumetsign.jpg

You're probably thinking, "Gee it's a jungle down there." But hey, it's
a jungle on the surface too, let alone on land so go ahead and jump.

Chris Guynn wrote:


Have you ever considered strapping a tank to your back and checking out what
the surface of the water looks like from the other side? You might be
amazed. I've got limited kayaking experience, but I'd much rather swim with
the fishes.

Did, do both.
Kayaking is great, for the sport itself, for the social aspects, for the
nature experience.
There is wildlife and calmness above the surface, too.
You can take a small tent, mat, sleeping bag, something to cook, it,
catch fish, and vanish into wildlife. Only to meet dozens of others
doing the same, sometimes ;-)

Unfortunately there are not yet real camo kayaks. Too difficult melting
with the surface.

Matthias

PS: we take minor scuba equipment to learn rolls ;-)

"And what of the dolphin who kills the shark, yet eats his fill of
sardines? The problem with sardines is that they are designed to be
eaten....."

See what I mean? Typical Conservative: the sardines are designed to be
eaten, probably designed by God...

Has it ever crossed your mind that they are living creatures, no worse
than sharks? Why then we don't pick on them? They are ugly for one...

Well man, I got news for you, sardines are pretty and they have the
right to cooperate to survive. By the way, dolphins (save for a few)
belong with the little fish because they are smart and also cute.

I think there's another Law of the Jungle that says (or ought to say)
SURVIVAL OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL.

"Just like a pack of Wolves ha? Yeah They are efficient predators. The
needs of the PACK outweigh the needs of the individual, But wait with
in the PACK there is always the Alpha male & Alpha female. How does
that quote go, we are all equal but some of us are more equal then
others.."

Predators do cooperate all the time, and you can observe it at the
Tundra, the Jungle or the United Nations...

All the more reason for the little fish to get together and cooperate.
They won't be the exactly the same (a lie planted by communism) but it
will ensure them SURVIVAL AND LIVING WITHOUT THE PREDATOR.