Any canoists/kayakers/fisherman here? (Dayton, Warren: rentals, live, dangerous)

[Giesela]

Thinking about getting out when the weather gets warmer and giving paddling a try. Good places for beginners?

[wrightflyer]

I enjoy the Little Miami Scenic River. Anywhere from Greene through Warren county is winding river. I know further north it gets a little too dangerous with gorges and other traps, but the length south of John Bryant State Park is wonderful. It is slow with some mini radpids and sits amonst farms in the countryside. River's Edge Outfitters is one canoe/kayak rental place on the river. There's two more, but their names escape me right now.

No matter what tough, always wear your life jacket!

[Hartwell Girl]

And helmet for kayakers!

[Crew Chief]

You know, I can't imagine myself EVER getting into a canoe or kayak again. But I really wish Dayton would float (no pun intended!) a bond issue to build an awesome canoe/kayaking park in downtown. I truly believe it would be an awesome tourist draw. Considering all the stupid stuff Daytonians want the rest of us in Montgomery Co. to pay for, I'd go for that in a heart beat!

[Ohioan58]

A friend did his sculling at Caesar's Creek Lake and also at Eastwood Park in Dayton. Cowan Lake south of Wilmington would be nice, too.

[Daytonnatian]

Geez, kayaking/canoeing/fishing is kind of our thing around here, due to the gazillion awesome metroparks we have. Good suggestions above, and also try Barefoot Canoes in Tipp City and West Milton as well.

The best will be if we ever get this, though:
Dayton: Downtown Whitewater Rafting
(whitewater rafting downtown- supposedly it's still a "live" project)

[Giesela]

It does seem like there are a lot of dams and gorges someone needs to be aware of. A bit scary.
Ah, Miami county - not someplace I had thought about - what do they paddle on in West Milton?

[Buzzweiser]

Around Dayton probably the best canoe/kayak place is in Bellbrook right along the Little Miami. Don't remember the name of the place but they drive you to different points and turn you loose. Good fishing on the Little Miami and also Ceasars Creek has good fishing as well. Ceasars gets to be really too busy on weekends in the summer to enjoy fishing though. The Stillwater river to the north of Dayton is a good place to fish. It also has a few small areas to canoe. The Miami river also to the north has some decent areas in it but its limited on canoe liveries. Personally I think the best place around to canoe is Kiser lake in Champaigne County. The fishing isn't bad either. Its a decent sized lake that allows no motors what-so-ever. They have rentals available there if you do not own your own.