Welcome to the Michigan "Places to Paddle" Archive Part 2

Sanford Ann Arbor
Insurance
Male
State or Province: MI
Describe your favorite Michigan paddling location: Isle Royale National Park. Truly a great wilderness experience. At Feldtman Lake the Moose come to see the people.
Other favorite Michigan-area paddling locations: Pine River, Huron River, Lake Superior, Lake Erie.
What type/brand/model boat do you paddle? Romany 18, Cape Charles 17, Folbot Greenland, Eskimo Diablo
Other comments: None
(Optional) Your e-mail address: Sfinsilver@aol.com

Mr. Marion Rife Dayton
retired
Male
State or Province: oh
Describe your favorite Michigan paddling location: None
Other favorite Michigan-area paddling locations: None
What type/brand/model boat do you paddle? touring----four and still looking
Other comments: looking for right kind of Wash. and Canadian touring--not too "tracky"---and also does aquaterra make a light paddle,as in Sea Passage ??
(Optional) Your e-mail address: hatrife@aol.com

Matt Swier Muskegon
College Student
Male
State or Province: Michigan
Describe your favorite Michigan paddling location: I really like to paddle on the White River, near Hesperia. It is a slow flowing river with a lot of obstacles thanks to the resident beaver population. It passes through the Manistee National Forest, which is an incredibly beautiful place.
Other favorite Michigan-area paddling locations: Pere Marquette River, Pine River, Prentiss Bay of Lake Huron
What type/brand/model boat do you paddle? Necky "Santa Cruz" kayak and a Mad River Canoe "Intrigue"
Other comments: None
(Optional) Your e-mail address: SM478100@hope.edu

Todd Southgate
Realtor
Male
State or Province: MI
Describe your favorite Michigan paddling location: You'll think I'm crazy but the Detroit River. Put in near Wyandotte or Trenton and paddle down to the mouth of Lake Erie. There are some little islands like Celleron and Sugar islands. You can also go into some inlets at Lake Erie Metro Park.If you stay on the East side of the river most boats won't bother you it's too shallow for them and jet ski's don't want to mess with the weeds. It's nice in the early morining and if you live Downriver it's about the only game in town.
Other favorite Michigan-area paddling locations: The Huron River putting in at Lower Huron Metro Park. After you float past the park you get into an area that has wild life. The currents are slow enough that you can paddle upstream back to your car.
What type/brand/model boat do you paddle? Perception, Arcadia
Other comments: None
(Optional) Your e-mail address: todd1@pcgroup.net

Todd Southgate
Realtor
Male
State or Province: MI
Describe your favorite Michigan paddling location: You'll think I'm crazy but the Detroit River. Put in near Wyandotte or Trenton and paddle down to the mouth of Lake Erie. There are some little islands like Celleron and Sugar islands. You can also go into some inlets at Lake Erie Metro Park.If you stay on the East side of the river most boats won't bother you it's too shallow for them and jet ski's don't want to mess with the weeds. It's nice in the early morining and if youlive Downriver it's about the only game in town.
Other favorite Michigan-area paddling locations: The Huron River putting in at Lower Huron Metro Park. After you float past the park you get into an area that has wild life. The currents are slow enough that you can paddle upstream back to your car.
What type/brand/model boat do you paddle? Perception, Arcadia
Other comments: None
(Optional) Your e-mail address: todd1@pcgroup.net

Thomas Paton Port Huron
marine sales
Male
State or Province: MI
Describe your favorite Michigan paddling location: 1)Pictured Rocks Lakeshore-beautiful vistas,clear water, what more could a person want? 2)Black River at Port Huron-put in at Norman and take out at Wadham's bridge-quiet, lots of wildlife and a gentle current. One portage around the Dodge property waterfall, worth it though. 3)southern Lake Huron-lots of fun on a big lake.
Other favorite Michigan-area paddling locations: St. Johns Marsh In New Baltimore-its a wildlife sanctuary. South east Georgian Bay-incrediable!!!If you stay in the island/rock area, you don't have too many troubles with the weekend boaters. very friendly locals, for the most part.
What type/brand/model boat do you paddle? Homebuilt stripper, cross between a Gullimot and something else.
Other comments: None
(Optional) Your e-mail address: None

Doug Hill Traverse City
Retail Outdoors
Male
State or Province: MI
Describe your favorite Michigan paddling location: If want to go to a pristine spot go north to the upper penisula and goto Pictured Rocks and Grand Island many caves and sunken ships to explore. Watch out for the bears though!
Other favorite Michigan-area paddling locations: South and North Manitou Islands in Lake Michigan and also along Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
What type/brand/model boat do you paddle? Wilderness Systems Epic the quintisential Yak!!
Other comments: In Traverse City there is also along with Backcountry Outfitters there is Salamanders and Eastern Mountain Sports those two also boast a good selection of boat and gear.(Backcountry Outfitters is way over priced your best bet is to go else where for a boat)
(Optional) Your e-mail address: Cragman850@aol.com

Dan Kiaunis Rockford
Newspaper Production, Surveyor
Male
State or Province: MI
Describe your favorite Michigan paddling location: YELLOW DOG RIVER (MQT. CO.)From Co. Rd. 510 to Co. Road 550 during the Spring meltdown. Normally non-navigable, the Dog can rear up and bit you in the arse during the meltdown period, normally around May 1. This is a narrow and treacherous sweeper-filled trout stream with four drops of over 6 feet. Must portage at Bushy Creek Falls. Scenic, bumpy, and sure to abraid the bottom of your yak.
Other favorite Michigan-area paddling locations: PIER'S GORGE- Norway-Iron Mountain area. Put-in near the Methodist Church on River St. in Niagara, Wisc. Warm-up at Sand Falls rapids, the gorge is down river from there. SCOUT FIRST. Volkswagon Rock can kill you. River levels are fairly stable because of the dam at Niagara. Short, but best whitewater in the midwest. Nationals held there in late 1980's. Contact Argosy Adventures (raft trips) for more info...if they are still in business. ROGUE RIVER, Rockford (15mi N. of Grand Rapi
What type/brand/model boat do you paddle? Dagger Vortex, Perception Corsica. Also an Old Town Tripper with sprayskirt...big, bold, bomb-proof.
Other comments: Lumbertown Canoe and Kayak in Muskegon, MI has the best in-stock canoe and kayak selection that I've seen, with the possible exception of Alder Creek Kayak in Portland, OR. (Unfortunately, Lumbertown doesn't do much with whitewater yaks.) If you do need a new boat, check with Tom Huntoon at Lumbertown.
(Optional) Your e-mail address: Yakker13@aol.com

Courtney Marshall
Highschool student
Female
State or Province: Michigan
Describe your favorite Michigan paddling location: My first experience learning to kayak was on the AuSable main river starting at Grayling. I reccomend it to beginners because it is an easy place to learn, and in between populated areas it has some peaceful and beautiful scenery. Although crowded at the beginning, I was often alone around the 4 mile mark which made for some peaceful moments through to the end.
Other favorite Michigan-area paddling locations: None
What type/brand/model boat do you paddle? Rented
Other comments: None
(Optional) Your e-mail address: None

Cindi Mt. Pleasant
Child Care Director
Female
State or Province: None
Describe your favorite Michigan paddling location: Lake Superior, Picture Rocks...awesome.
Other favorite Michigan-area paddling locations: Hamlin Lake/Ludington...great waterway from put in to lake.. Sandyshores to explore...Lake Michigan shoreline in Ludington Lake Magurethe-Grayling..quiet early morning paddle/Eagles to observe.
What type/brand/model boat do you paddle? Wilderness System Manteo
Other comments: Looking for nice inland route for extended kayking/camping trip. Also looking for great spots on the Great Lakes. Anyone every kayaked Drummond Island....
(Optional) Your e-mail address: c.doty@gte.net

Tina Maly Manchester
Outfitter
Female
State or Province: MI
Describe your favorite Michigan paddling location: I am of course prejudiced, but I own a kayak and canoe rental on the River Raisin in Manchester, Michigan. A great river to kayak!! Lots of fun steering around things, very interesting landscapes, secluded. Although there may be many other people enjoying the river, the river is so winding that you never see them.
Other favorite Michigan-area paddling locations: None
What type/brand/model boat do you paddle? We rent open top kayaks - just to wet the appetite and for people who have never kayaked - they are easy to handle and no experience necessary.
Other comments: None
(Optional) Your e-mail address: cmaly86@aol.com

Shannon Shull Manistee
School Psychologist
Female
State or Province: MI
Describe your favorite Michigan paddling location: The Little Manistee River is a fun paddle, even in a 15 foot sea kayak. Lots of eagles, muskrats, ducks and occasional big trout that make the water move under your boat. Kayaking out to Lake MI through the Manistee Lake works too!
Other favorite Michigan-area paddling locations: Houghton Lk, Lower Heron Lake, Big Manistee River
What type/brand/model boat do you paddle? 15 foot Merlin by Eddyline sea kayak
Other comments: None
(Optional) Your e-mail address: sshull@manistee-isd.k12.mi.us

Gly
OB/ Peds Nurse
Female
State or Province: Michigan
Describe your favorite Michigan paddling location: Just started kayakng in Michigan last Sept. Been on the Indian River, Sturgeon River, and Higgens Lake. I live on the lake & I know its a zoo with boat traffic in summer months. BUT the fall is incredible. Higgens is a deep(60-100 feet in places) spring feed lake. I paddled across the lake(about 6 mile round trip) in Nov., & it was flat like glass all the way & back. On another Nov. day I paddled to the island while snow fell on my deck. I shared the lake with a few loons. Higgens Lake is
Other favorite Michigan-area paddling locations: I'll fill this out after next summer.
What type/brand/model boat do you paddle? Looksha IV
Other comments: I've lost 15 lbs. since I started kayaking, and eating chocolate every day!
(Optional) Your e-mail address: Gly4wdRNC@aol.com

J.R. Greenville
Marketing Consultant/Designer
Male
State or Province: MI
Describe your favorite Michigan paddling location: Muskegon river behind the Hardy/Croton Dams. Miles and miles of water with plenty of wildlife. Lots of coves and inlets to explore. Easy access. Need to hit off seasons, or early morning etc. to avoid boat traffic in some areas. You can literally paddle for hundreds of miles on the lakes formed by these dams.
Other favorite Michigan-area paddling locations: Ludinton Stat Park, either Hamlin Lake or Lake Michigan. Easy access to both.
What type/brand/model boat do you paddle? Looksha IV
Other comments: None
(Optional) Your e-mail address: jake@iserv.net

Tallen Lupton
Financial Advisor
Male
State or Province: MI
Describe your favorite Michigan paddling location: Venture to the Rife River for enjoyable paddling in Michigan's great outdoors. Throughout the river there is much to see. There are periods of pleasant paddling and area that may challenge your skills. This is a great place to enjoy a weekend in the norhern lower region. The Rife River also offers excellant camp grounds for a weekend stay. Check it out!!
Other favorite Michigan-area paddling locations: Kalamzoo River, near the Battle Creek/Marshall area.
What type/brand/model boat do you paddle? I normally rent!! Unless I can bum a boat off my close buddies for the weekend:-).
Other comments: None
(Optional) Your e-mail address: Tallen@wwnet.net

Howard Rice Kolonia, Pohnpei
Asst. Professor
Male
State or Province: Micronesia
Describe your favorite Michigan paddling location: Round Island. Across from Mackinac Island. superb, more remote than one might think. Nice in June-July. Good coffee shop only a few mile paddle over to Mackinac. I paddle the reefs of Pohnpei during the winter months and northern Michigan (my home) during the summer months these days.
Other favorite Michigan-area paddling locations: High Island, Pictured Rocks, Sturgeon Bay (tuned up for a solo rounding of Cape Horn on Sturgeon) during gale season-November. Lake Michigan shoreline in spring during ice break up, amazing
What type/brand/model boat do you paddle? Klepper Aerius 1 with sails
Other comments: None
(Optional) Your e-mail address: hrice@mail.fm

Rusty McBride Alto
Sales
Male
State or Province: Michigan
Describe your favorite Michigan paddling location: The Coldwater River out of Freeport. It is a beautiful trout stream that alway produce plenty of nature, deer, owls, ducks, etc.. You can put in near the trouts Unlimited club on Baker St. and take a lesure 8 mile trip to the Thornapple river and take out at the overpass on 100th st. The summer time makes for a quiet slow trip 8 hour trip, but the spring meltdown can be a challenge for a vetran.
Other favorite Michigan-area paddling locations: Thornapple river, Grand River
What type/brand/model boat do you paddle? Keowee 9'6" recreation
Other comments: None
(Optional) Your e-mail address: rustaman@worldnet.att.net

Troy Dykema Wyoming
Kid 9
Male
State or Province: MI
Describe your favorite Michigan paddling location: Ludington State Park Platte River
Other favorite Michigan-area paddling locations: Saugatuck- Kazo River
What type/brand/model boat do you paddle? "SEE PONY" 13' Cape Charlie By Chesapeake
Other comments: None
(Optional) Your e-mail address: None

Wes Boyd Manitou Beach
newspaper
Male
State or Province: MI
Describe your favorite Michigan paddling location: Put-in-Bay and surrounding Lake Erie Islands: You can take a fairly cheap ferry to South Bass or Middle Bass islands, with the kayak on the ferry, or paddle out from Catawba Island, which is northeast of Port Clinton. Several good paddling opportunities. Boat traffic is heavy in summer, especially on weekends. Camping in private campground (may close next year) on Middle Bass Island, or at State Park on South Bass. There's no good place to land right at Put-In-Bay in the harbor; our group uses
Other favorite Michigan-area paddling locations: None
What type/brand/model boat do you paddle? Old Town Heron
Other comments: The town of Put-In-Bay, South Bass Island, and Lonz Winery can be a zoo on summer weekends. If the weather is too rough to paddle, though, there's a lot else to see.
(Optional) Your e-mail address: wesboyd@dmci.net

Wes Boyd Manitou Beach
newspaper
Male
State or Province: MI
Describe your favorite Michigan paddling location: Lake Hudson State Recreation Area, Lenawee County, near Clayton, MI. The lake is 650 acres, about three miles long and winding. It's an artifical lake, completely surrounded by state park, and has a "no-wake" limit on the entire lake, so no Jet-Skis or water skiiers. Water is rather murky, due to artifical nature and bottom, but it's usually pretty quiet. It's managed for trophy-sized muskies, so there are usually a lot of fishermen out there. Neat place; I'm out there a lot.
Other favorite Michigan-area paddling locations: None
What type/brand/model boat do you paddle? Old Town Heron
Other comments: None
(Optional) Your e-mail address: wesboyd@dmci.net

d. b. hendersnville
Male
State or Province: north carolina
Describe your favorite Michigan paddling location: The Blind Sucker Flooding, Luce County Approximately 5 miles of open water surrounded by acres of wetlands, swamps and floodplain. Two state campgrounds with waterfront sites.
Other favorite Michigan-area paddling locations: Two Hearted River, Luce County From the Reed & Green Bridge to Lake Superior.
What type/brand/model boat do you paddle? Perception-Acadia
Other comments: None
(Optional) Your e-mail address: None

Neil W. Bloomfield
Ad Man
Male
State or Province: MI
Describe your favorite Michigan paddling location: Walpole/Harsen's Islands (St. Clair River): Perfect blend of big water/little coves. You can "play" with ocean-bound freighters or slip through silent backwater marshes. Touch the Canadian shore just to say you did it!
Other favorite Michigan-area paddling locations: Close: Huron River (Hudson Mills to Delhi) & Addison Oaks Far: Sturgeon, Pideon, Lake Huron Caution: Ocqueoc too low, had to walk most of it in May, sharp rocks!
What type/brand/model boat do you paddle? Dagger Edisto
Other comments: None
(Optional) Your e-mail address: nhepburn@vsi-hq.com

T.J. Keene Zirconia (Wat????)
Environmental Education/Carpenter
Male
State or Province: North Carolina
Describe your favorite Michigan paddling location: I dig on any place on the Great Lakes. I grew up in Michigan City Indiana. The Great Lakes hold a special Kind of JuJu for me.
Other favorite Michigan-area paddling locations: None
What type/brand/model boat do you paddle? I paddle a Necky Looksha that leaks through the rudder holes and I can't reach it because I don't have a million socket set extensions.
Other comments: I am starting a Kayak program and I want to make paddling friends in that region. I'm also looking for staff for a boring summer of humdrumming on the water.
(Optional) Your e-mail address: quag@earthlink.net

Geoge Granlund Saginaw
Educator
Male
State or Province: MI
Describe your favorite Michigan paddling location: Best so far has been in the North Channel out of Spanish, Ontario This is about 110 miles east of the Soo. A labyrinth of islands some rocky beaches, Aird Island has about 5-6 sand beaches to cam on Much protected paddling.
Other favorite Michigan-area paddling locations: None
What type/brand/model boat do you paddle? Chesapeake Light Craft (Chesapeake 18') homebuilt.
Other comments: I like to tour and am always looking for touring partners.
(Optional) Your e-mail address: ggranlund@aol.com

JEFF A SELESKY NEGUANEE
EMERGENCY DISPATCHER SUPERVISOR
Male
State or Province: MI
Describe your favorite Michigan paddling location: LAKE SUPERIOR SHORELINE FROM MARQUETTE'S UPPER HARBOR TO LITTLE PRESQUE ISLE A DISTANCE OF ABOUT ABOUT 8 MILES ROUND TRIP
Other favorite Michigan-area paddling locations: TEAL LAKE IN THE CITY OF NEGAUNEE. GREAT ROCK FORMATIONS ON NORTH SIDE OF LAKE
What type/brand/model boat do you paddle? WILDERNESS SYSTEMS "SEACRET"
Other comments: None
(Optional) Your e-mail address: JSSEL@AOL.COM

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