Kayaking river,creek.....?

[H2only]

I live in Lincoln, and was curious what strip of water would be good for a new to kayaking type like myself. I would like a half day at least of being on the water. Any suggestions not too terribly far from my location?

[FISHALOT]

I personally would recomend the Republican River as it is flowing pretty well currently. As long as they are letting water out of Harlan County you should be able to make a trip with out getting sanded to many times and ther are plenty of spots to stop and fish as well. good luck

[Edwardo]

I have a buddy who thinks Salt Creek would be a fine destination. He has also suggested Antelope Creek after a good rainstorm....but...

I would love to kayak this area:

http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/boating/...ls/calamus.pdf

[Jump n Fish]

I think Salt Creek would be a good start. Even the Platte would be fine if you wear your pfd. Its pretty swift, but its wide open enough, you could probalby play it safe and avoid the logjams. I would avoid high water though. Even a small docile creek can become a hazard with enough water raging through it.

Fishing swift water though, its only a matter of time before you flip regardless of your experience level. This past weekend I planned a 3-day kayaking trip on 3 different rivers. I had taken over 100 pictures of everything from fish to gators, to snakes, to scenery on two of the best floats I've been on. I've been kayaking on the river probably close to 100 times and towards the end of trip two, I misjudged my clearance on a log I was gonna go under and I also misjudged the current speed. I got pinned against the logjam and rolled before I could even think about what happened. I dumped all my gear, including my camera with all my pics from the trip. Recovered almost everything except my camera with all my pics and a few other items, but I would highly recommend lashing down anything you don't wanna lose. I could touch my feet on the bottom, but if I couldn't, that lifejacket would have been a necessity to survive this one as the water was roaring down some pretty steep grade, and even standing I was powerless to even wade against it. My only option was to climb the logjam.

You'll be fine if you know the basics of paddling. My first time in a kayak was on a river and about 95% of the rest of my time has been as well, and you'll find there is no better way to explore rivers and creeks.

[H2only]

thanks for the input, wasnt planning on any fishing, just wanted a little trip in the kayak. As far as the Salt, any good starting/stopping points?

[clrke1879]

cedar river near fullerton

[WalkingNe]

Originally Posted by Edwardo

I have a buddy who thinks Salt Creek would be a fine destination. He has also suggested Antelope Creek after a good rainstorm....but...

I would love to kayak this area:

http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/boating/...ls/calamus.pdf

I hunt a couple ranches in that stretch of the Calamus, that river really winds back and forth those first 20 miles, quite a few fences across river also. Would be a heck of a trip I must admit.