Doggy Paddle II Recap!

Kayak fishing has evolved tremendously throughout the last few years with the advent of motors, sonar capabilities, and other electronic gadgets that help anglers become more efficient on the water. While this has changed the sport drastically there are still a few events out there that have stuck to the grass roots of kayak fishing. More specifically, paddle only events. This style of kayak fishing blends simplicity, skill, and stealth, and allows anglers the ability to reach the most remote areas on the water. While it can be more physically demanding, paddle kayak fishing is very rewarding because success come from the skill of paddling and constantly positioning the kayak to catch fish.

One event that is taking root in Southeast Nebraska is the “Doggy Paddle” which serves multiple functions—promoting kayak fishing, raising awareness for animal welfare, and creating a family-friendly community experience. The “Doggy Paddle” concept grew out of a simple but powerful idea: combining the strong local kayak fishing community with a cause people care deeply about—helping rescue animals. A couple years ago I was brainstorming the idea with good friend Keith Stevenson who was with Kayak Angler Magazine at the time. He is actually the one who came up with the name of the event after much deliberation about how we could offer a back to basics kayak fishing event. At the same time, benefit the awareness for Hearts United for Animals which rescues and provides a sanctuary for animals in need. Especially those who are abandoned, abused, or overlooked in our communities.

The first event brought numerous anglers together and was a huge success, so much that we decided to offer it again at Duck Creek Lake which is located a little less than an hour south of Omaha, Nebraska. This year was a very special event as we not only combined our efforts to promote basic kayak fishing and awareness for animal rescue. But also to memorialize the life of Hannah Moore, daughter of Nebraska legendary kayak angler Andy Moore and his wife Shelby. She also has a brother RJ and sister Abbey. Hannah was in a tragic and fatal vehicle accident recently and a loved her adopted dog Noka. Andy and his family are very supportive of dog shelters and especially what HUA does for them across the country.

Doggy Paddle II was once again a popular event for local anglers bringing their paddle kayaks to Duck Creek Lake which had recently flooded from extreme rainfall and rose approximately four to five feet during the previous few days and then dropped rapidly as the excess water drained through the dam. This sudden change in water levels left a very murky stain to the water along with much colder surface temperatures giving the fish a triple shock in the process. This can rapidly change how the and where the fish feed.

The morning was gorgeous as the sun rose from the east with calm conditions and an air temperature of around 60 degrees. Anglers brought bags of dog and cat food along with treats and set them on the benches near the ramp. This was the entry fee for the event. There were several youth and adults participating this year and due to the interest of more youth we created a division for them as well. At six-thirty A.M. the anglers launched their craft and paddled their way to various locations on the lake. The sun warmed up things nicely. Finding fish in water that looked like chocoloate milk proved to be a huge challenge for the kayak anglers on this Memorial Day weekend. Bites were few and far between. Some anglers figured out a pattern finding a few bass in clumps of vegetation using finesse tactics. There was incredible comaradarie as anglers helped each other find success.

In the meantime, Hearts United for Animals set up a canopy and greeted people as they passed by near the ramp. They also teamed up with the local Auburn Subway and Kayakjak Outdoors to provide a nice lunch for the anglers as they returned from their day on the water. They brought a couple of dogs as well from the HUA shelter near Auburn. Executive Director, Kelcie Keeling was on hand as well and was very instrumental in planning this event.

As anglers came back in the talk revolved about how challenging the bite was and many anglers fished the day with out getting a bite. Others found one or two bass while a couple of anglers were able to find three to four fish. There were no limits attained in the challenging conditions. This did not deter these anglers as everyone enjoyed the event and looked forward to the drawings and the “Throwing of the Sticks” for the dog retrieval and presentation of the custom made paddle by Sawyer Paddles and Oars out of Oregon. Before the awards we gave a special recognition to the Moore Family and renamed the event, “The Hannah Moore Memorial “Doggy Paddle” in memory of her and there will also be a memorial bench placed at the HUA grounds and plaque placed in the headquarters there that the Moore Family brought. Then the Moore family made a substantial donation to the Hearts United for Animals. It was quite an emotional presentation.

We then proceeded with the awards and drawings. Winning the youth division was Brooklyn Taylor with a 15.75 inch bass. The runner-up was Ewan Guenther of Humboldt with a 14.5 inch bass. Taylor won a St. Croix fishing rod donated by Jay Eslira.

In the open division Larry Horstman of Iowa used the Neko rig to land four bass and take the “Doggy Paddle II” title with 50.75 inches of bass. In second place was Andy Moore from Omaha with a three fish total of 38.75 inches followed closely behind in third place by Marty Hughes of Auburn who had 36.5 inches on his three bass landed in the kayak. The Microbag sponsored by ZMan Fishing Products was won by Marty Hughes with an 8.5 inch bass.

There was a bobber drawing for a couple more prizes with Jason Taylor winning the YakAttack Blackpak. David Hutsel won the Newport battery case donated by Mack Flanagan. An additional drawing was conducted later with Mack Flanagan winning the DHukr device that easily removes hooks from skin.

A very exciting part of this event is when the anglers throw out a stick for a dog to retrieve. Whoever’s stick is returned is the winner of the custom made Sawyer Paddle! Our original canine was unable to make it due to an urgent matter with his owner so RJ Moore had his dog Riley do the honors. It was an epic scene as Riley chose the largest stick out there and triumphantly brought it back to the ramp. Corey Paris of Rockport, Missouri won the paddle!

The kayak fishing community is a tight-knit, grassroots group of anglers that has evolved together by a shared passion for fishing, self-reliance, and time together on the water. At its core, kayak fishing is less about horsepower and more about skill, creativity, and connection. The camaraderie is genuine and where there is a need this special group of anglers always rallies together to help any way they can. The “Doggy Paddle” is a great example of this pride we have in helping others.

The “Doggy Paddle” will continue and we hope that it continues to grow and bring awareness not only for rescueing animals but also let us experience kayak fishing the way it originally started many years ago.

Thanks for your sponsors YakAttack, Hearts United for Animals, DHukr, ZMan Fishing Products, and generous donors Andy Moore Family, Bob Kanne, Jay Eslira, and Mack Flanagan.