For seven years, Brian Johnson has been exploring the vast waters of Flathead Lake from the cockpit of his kayak. It’s a perspective few experience and one that he is eager to share.
In May, Johnson opened Sea Me Paddle Kayaking Tours in Lakeside. The retired deputy sheriff from Michigan has been kayaking for 16 years and will now use his expertise to introduce others to the sport. His girlfriend, Joli Hailey, also an avid boater, is the operations manager and marketing director of the company.
“We wanted to let people experience the outdoors in a way that they normally wouldn’t be able to. Our ultimate goal is to be ambassadors to Flathead Lake,” Johnson said.
Previously, Johnson led outdoor trips in Michigan and has worked for Glacier Adventure Guides, based in Columbia Falls. He is also an active member of Flathead County Search and Rescue, the Flathead County Swiftwater Rescue Team and the sheriff’s department’s dive team.
Johnson originally hoped to offer guided trips around Hungry Horse Reservoir, but the National Forest Service does not issue guiding permits for the area. Consequently, Johnson began seeking an alternative, which led him to Lakeside where the Fish, Wildlife and Parks department is responsible for permits and grants them much more freely. In exchange for his permit, FWP requested that Johnson keep a log of all wildlife and vandalism activity on Cedar Island, one of his tour destinations. At the end of the season Johnson will write an annual report summarizing his observations.
“Fish Wildlife and Parks can’t get to all the islands and be there 24/7 so they rely on information from people who are visiting the islands to tell them if someone is starting fires or damaging the property,” Johnson said.
Johnson was granted permission to lead tours in Somers Bay and to Wayfarers and Westshore state parks and Cedar Island. On Cedar Island he takes clients to a 1920s homestead cabin and to see ancient Indian pictographs that can only be viewed from the water.
The company was denied access to Wild Horse Island because it is located on the Flathead Indian Reservation and only the tribe can grant guiding permits for the area.
Johnson originally intended to only offer guided tours, but he received so many requests for boat rentals that he ordered an additional four kayaks to rent. Sea Me Paddle offers tours for up to six people, not including the two accompanying guides. Every boat is equipped with a universal cockpit, meaning it can be adjusted to accommodate a client’s height and weight. Johnson said the boats can also be adjusted for children depending on their age, weight and size.
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Brian “BJ” Johnson, Sea Me Paddle owner and lead guide, right, and Joli Hailey are seen in their office in downtown Lakeside with their dog Boogie. Lido Vizzutti | Flathead Beacon |
Sea Me Paddle offers a variety of tours, from two-hour family paddles in Somers Bay to overnight trips that visit Cedar Island and feature a campout at either Westshore or Wayfarers state parks.
The company provides all of the gear necessary for the trips as well as food for overnight excursions.
Johnson intends to keep Sea Me Paddle running throughout the winter, insisting that, with the proper equipment, paddling in the winter can be an exciting adventure. The company will even offer overnight trips as long as the state parks are open for camping.
“It’s a common misconception that you can’t kayak during the colder weather, but I have never been cold kayaking,” Hailey said,
The company currently employs one guide apart from Johnson and Hailey, although Johnson plans to expand the operation in the near future.
“We are hoping we’ll be buried and we’ll have to hire one or two more people,” Johnson said.
Sea Me Paddle offers tours by reservation and also welcomes walk-ins. The company’s hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week and the office is located at 7220 Highway 93 S. in Lakeside. More information can be found at seamepaddle.com or on Facebook.