Kayaking is a fun and exciting sport that is suitable for nearly everyone. You can kayak in smooth waters, white water or the ocean. All offer their own unique pleasures and challenges. Kayaking is not a difficult sport that requires a great deal of time and effort to learn, although experience or an experienced companion is necessary for white water and ocean kayaking. There are also two person kayaks, which allows for even beginners to experience all the thrills of a more challenging waterway in a safer way.

Kayaking, even on calm water, burns a lot of calories and is great for your core muscles as well as your shoulders and back. Staying upright requires you to engage your core muscles for balance, while paddling on both sides gives you an even amount of movement with the shoulders and upper back. Combine your kayaking with some hiking and you get a full body workout while you enjoy nature and the fresh air. The great thing about a kayak is that you can easily bring gear with you if you plan to take a trip. Any gear can be stored in the kayak with you as long as it’s placed in waterproof bags, and your kayak is light enough to be toted for short distances. With a one man tent, a sleeping bag and some food, toiletries and water, you can be set for a wonderful weekend outdoors.

Depending on the type of water you will be kayaking in, your equipment needs are pretty minimal. You can rent a kayak and paddle from a number of places near most water recreational areas and only need a long sleeve shirt, hat, pants that allow for movement, sunscreen with a bug repellent, sunglasses and water socks. The clothes and shoes should be made of a material that breathes well and dries quickly. Rougher water and the open ocean require heavier duty gear, since you may roll or be out for an extended amount of time.

Fly fishing is fast catching up as an adventure sport and hobby of sorts. Fly fishing is quite different from still fishing as fly fishing needs more technique and provides better game too. In fly fishing, saltwater fly fishing and freshwater fly fishing at the two demarcated zones. Obviously freshwater fly fishing is when you are fly fishing in lakes and rivers whereas saltwater fly fishing is done in the open seas.

Salt water fly fishing is actually quite different from freshwater fly fishing. Besides the place where fly fishing happens, saltwater fly fishing uses larger sized tackle and hence requires more strength and the experience to handle it. This is because of several factors which include the size of the fish in the sea which are considerably bigger. Secondly, you will have to cast longer lines in the open seas and the tides and wind always play spoil sport in the sea.

Fly fishing guides will repeatedly tell one to spend a lot on the equipment and specifically on the fishing rod and to spend less on the reel. The fishing rod obviously is the most important aspect and a good rod is essential. One does not necessarily have to go for a high tech high priced rod, but spending on a good rod would be a good idea. As for the reel, the amount you want to spend on it can depend on what you allocate for the rod and reel budget. But do take care to buy a reasonably good quality reel that is saltwater useable. There is no point buying a reel that gets rusted or corroded in saltwater easily. Even with a saltwater reel, one must take good care of the reel and wash it after use every time so it’s not exactly a maintenance free device either.

For starters, when salt water fly fishing, it is always good to have a spare rod in hand. The weather conditions and the fish themselves will play major roles in stressing the rod and hence an extra is always essential. Secondly always have secondary reel loaded with a line and also hold a wet tip which will allow for quick changeovers. A stripping guard is mandatory on your stripping finger. Safety is essential like any fly fishing guide says and hence if you plan on salt water fishing off shore, always wear fly fishing vests that are reflective, waterproof and visible at all times. Similarly when going into the sea, it is always essential that you check weather conditions, tides and have all those details and maps on you to assist you on your fly fishing trip.