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Outdoor News - June 2002
Paddling Power…finding the nooks and
crannies
of the fishing world
By Tori J. McCormick
It’s all a matter
of taste.
Perhaps that’s
true for everything in life. We make choices every day based on our
individual tastes and desires.
Bill Plantan of
Rochester agrees. Actually, it’s his theory. As co-owner of River
Ridge Custom Canoes, he naturally applies the same logic to purchasing a
canoe and rigging it for fishing. Partly because he can’t help
himself. And partly because he understands that the smart and savvy
choices of today make for happier canoeists and anglers of tomorrow.
“There are so many
choices out there,” Plantan said. “We’ve tried to hone in and cater to
what our customers want.”
Sound business
plan. After all, canoes come in various shapes and sizes and designs,
not to mention colors. They’re after all, made from everything from
birch bark to aluminum to fiberglass and more. And the choices don’t
stop there. When it comes to rigging a canoe, you’re bound only by a
“creative imagination” and the size of the craft – and perhaps a healthy
pocket book.
Plantan’s odyssey
with canoes and canoe fishing began in 1985 when he and a friend rented
a canoe on Labor Day weekend. They were fishing the Zumbro River in the
southeast for smallmouth bass and big brown trout. Before the day ended
(they did, in fact, catch several smallies), they had successfully
dumped the canoe in the Zumbro’s tea colored water.
“We did dump the
canoe,” said Plantan with a laugh, recalling one of his first days
fishing out of a canoe. “But I also remember we didn’t see another
person on the water, that we were secluded because the river wasn’t
easily accessible. It was a wonderful day.”
In the years that
followed, Plantan made several similar trips, catching lots of fish and
honing an idea that had been spinning in his head. Why not manufacture
a user-friendly canoe that’s easy to navigate in the swift currents of
rivers – rivers that heretofore had been virtually unfished?
Why not
manufacture a canoe from which fishing is easy and fun and safe? And
why not manufacture a canoe that has infinite rigging possibilities?
It’s all a matter
of taste, Plantan thought. Choices abound. On May 5, 1997, his
fermenting plan had been realized in the form of business that has
proven to be a quantifiable success. Today, he sells canoes all across
the compass, from Japan to Alaska to Maine and Minnesota. “I think
we’ve sold canoes in every state but two,” Plantan said. ‘I can’t
believe the interest.”
Part of the allure
of fishing from a canoe, Plantan said, is the intimacy of the
undertaking. Canoes can pretty much go anywhere, in water as shallow as
three to four inches. Perhaps most importantly, however, canoes allow
the anglers to fish close to the water, as if they were hovering on a
plane just above the water’s surface. “It’s a different kind of
fishing,” he said. “It’s not for everyone, but I’m finding that there
are more and more people wanting to try it.”
And that’s where
the fun starts: rigging the canoe for a day on the water. Plantan said
there are several canoe amenities without which he wouldn’t leave home.
Again, it’s all a matter of taste – and the choices are limitless.
Let’s break down the rigging possibilities in levels of importance, as
seen through the eyes of Plantan. Keep in mind, too, that each canoe is
different; therefore, what you can do to one canoe may be a pipe dream
for another.
Level 1: An anchor
system and appropriate paddles. The latter is a simple concept. To
navigate the wind and the current, good paddles are a must. Also, an
anchoring system that allows you to stop at a certain spot to fish is
equally as important. “Without each, you’ll find the experience less
than satisfying, Plantan said. “There are certain holes on each river
that you’re going to want to fish. A good anchoring system will allow
you to do just that.”
Plantan also said he wouldn’t
leave home without an electric trolling motor. An important point:
Plantan’s canoes are rigged with the motor on one end and the battery on
the other, which allows for better weight distribution and balance.
“Our design simply makes navigating easier,” he said. “There’s not too
much weight on one end, which can cause problems. There’s no boat I
know of that you can fish without control. A trolling motor gives you
control.”
Would-be riggers
should be careful with electric trolling motors. Plantan advises. “We
wire ours through the gunwale of the right side of the canoe. If you
have wires everywhere, that can be dangerous because of the water
factor. They should be waterproofed in a way that stops them from
getting wet and shorting-out.”
Level 2: Rod
holders and backrests. Plantan says he has as many as three poles
rigged and ready for each trip. Having a rod holder that’s to your
immediate front and perpendicular to the canoe provides easy access and
comfort. “You don’t want to be stepping on your poles,” he said.
And for long days
in a canoe, backrests are mandatory. “It’s all about comfort and
safety,” Plantan said. “If you’re uncomfortable and moving around a
lot, that increases the chance you may tip the canoe.” The gold
standard is a mounted swivel seat that provides comfort and mobility.
Level 3: Tackle
boxes. Plantan said his canoe design is made with a small area for
tackle and other fishing accessories. “ Too many bad things can happen
with an open tackle box in a canoe,” he said. “And another
consideration is space. The more you have, the better the overall
experience.”
Level 4: Floor
rack. Plantan says if you covet dry feet, you’ll want a floor rack,
which rests on the floor of the canoe. “ This is something we started
because a customer asked for it,” he said.
“It’s a very nice
addition.”
Level 5: Other
amenities. Each canoe, depending on size, carry capacity (total weight
allowance) and design, may only be able to handle so many extras.
Still, Plantan offers potential clients a laundry list from which to
choose: canoe stabilizers, solar panel battery charger, a wood tray,
umbrellas, a brass-plated cigar holder, hunting blinds, covers, and
more.
“ I particularly
like the tray and umbrellas because they serve a certain function,” he
said. “The tray can be used to play cards or to clean a fish on. The
umbrella is nice to have on those days that the sun is just baking you
to death. You’d be surprised how many of each we sell each year.
People want them.”
Another important point:
Plantan says that people need to learn how to properly and safely
navigate a canoe. And that requires time on the water. ”Try to find
someone who has had experience in a canoe.” He said. “And learn.”
In the end,
picking a canoe, and rigging it for fishing, is all a matter of taste.
How many creature comforts do you want? For more and more canoe users,
the sky’s the limit.
Bill Plantan of
River Ridge Custom Canoes can be reached at (507) 288-2750. His web
site address is
www.riverridgecustomcanoes.com.
This article
appeared in the May 31st issue of Outdoor News.
Thanks to Tori for permission to reprint it.
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