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 Fly Fishing Kayak: Saltwater Flats & Dry Flies
Posted by jeremy on July 18, 2007
(4415 reads)
Kayak Fly Fishing Video
Five years ago I arrived at one of my favorite saltwater flats here in Maine, only to see the beach overrun by tourists with colorful umbrellas and the crystal clear water disturbed by kids and dogs splashing in the water. I bit the bullet, got back in my car and went straight to some kayak store and bought a kayak. I threw the kayak in the water and within minutes the sights and sounds of sunbathing tourists were replaced by miles of endless flats and sandbars. I typically fish dropping tides, so I would use the kayak as a tool to get me from one sandbar to the next. I would beach the kayak and prowl the flats in search of fish. We have 10-12 foot tides here in Maine, making for a dynamic and always changing flats fishing experience. The kayak was just the tool I needed and provided me with the transportation I need to bounce from one flat to the next and follow the fish with the tides. Many times, while paddling from one flat to the next I would spook nice fish. I tried standing up in my kayak, but immediately sat back down and realized how quickly a typical kayak becomes unstable. So, standing up to sight fish was out of the question and I resolved to using the kayak as a transportation tool only. But, another common scenario often emerged. I would see fish on top working bait on the edge of rips or just off the sandbars. The fish were just barely out of comfortable wading range. So, although I did not like sitting down and fly fishing out of my kayak; I could not resist those fish. During these times, I would fish out of my kayak. And even though I was casting to fish on top and pursuing these moving fish, I was still confined to that sitting position. I actually got
pretty good at casting, shooting line and fighting fish while sitting down in a kayak, but I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that I was always wanting to stand up. Here in Maine, it is not uncommon to spend the morning fly fishing the saltwater flats and the afternoon casting dry flies on trout and salmon rivers. So, many times I would show up to my trout and salmon spots with my kayak still strapped on top of my car. Several times, I would use the kayak as tool to get me to the spots that were totally inaccessible from foot. I would ditch the kayak on a rock pile or on the bank, and fish from foot. After one or two attempts, I realized that I did not enjoy trout fishing from the kayak. Fast forward to 2007 (a couple weeks ago), I retired my old kayak and got a new stand up kayak. I can row, while standing up and looking for fish, across miles of flats and sight fish with ease. I can row, while standing up and hunting for rising fish, up and down trout and salmon rivers. I still beach the kayak and fish from foot the majority of the time. But, when the opportunity arises and I want to fish from the kayak I can do so while standing up and that makes all the difference in the world.
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Re: Fly Fishing Kayak: Saltwater Flats & Dry Flies
by waterwhippa on July 18, 2007 | | That is serious business. Way to get in the game. That kayak is sick, it puts a whole new perspective on the flats game for you. Those sippers really got my juices flowing too. Killer vid as well , great job! |
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Re: Fly Fishing Kayak: Saltwater Flats & Dry Flies
by kranefly on July 18, 2007 | Sweet vid, Jer!
I have been considering a kayak for quite some time, but I have yet to find one like that. Who makes that thing? After Whippa's and my float 2 weeks ago, the dreams of doing a float on the Delaware, and thoughts of using a smaller watercraft to cast to Drake sippers on area lakes, my urge to get something like that has grown. I guess I will have to add this to the long "want list"...right behind the switch rod! |
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Re: Fly Fishing Kayak: Saltwater Flats & Dry Flies
by greg on July 18, 2007 http://www.fliesandfins.com | Great video and I have know idea how you pulled that off without a trained Chimp!
The first thing that I thought was what a quick way to get to those spots that are unfishable on foot. That particular craft looked easy to transport and relatively easy to use. Standing up is a big plus, great idea, where you get it? |
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Re: Fly Fishing Kayak: Saltwater Flats & Dry Flies
by alex on July 18, 2007 http://www.patagoniaflies.com | I am counting down the days as we speak brother. I can't wait to fish in Maine again this year. Keep up the great video work and see you soon.
Alex |
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Re: Fly Fishing Kayak: Saltwater Flats & Dry Flies
by JDog on July 18, 2007 | | What make is that kayak? I have enjoyed the benefits of a standard sit on top kayak for a few years now, but I wouldn't dare stand up in it. After watching your video, I think it could be time for me to graduate to a more stable yak. |
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Re: Fly Fishing Kayak: Saltwater Flats & Dry Flies
by ChrisR on July 18, 2007 | | I was looking at that kayak in the Orvis catalog. Looks like you put it to the test and it fishes/rides as claimed in the catalog. Dude that underwater footage is killer. Super crisp and clear. Did you get a new camera too? Especially love the brookie underwater part. What colors. |
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Re: Fly Fishing Kayak: Saltwater Flats & Dry Flies
by jinxed247 on July 18, 2007 http://www.jumpcut.com/flyfishing247 | | That kyak looks to be the answer to my prayers!! That is probably the best "sell" on a product that I have ever seen. Thanks for sharing...great video and story as usual. |
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Re: Fly Fishing Kayak: Saltwater Flats & Dry Flies
by Seabass on July 18, 2007 | Cool stuff jeremy... much more faster than our bellyboats , only in very windy conditions it must be difficult to go out..
Seabass ( Cornelis)
The Netherlands |
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Re: Fly Fishing Kayak: Saltwater Flats & Dry Flies
by wrh on July 18, 2007 http://www.theanglersnet.com | | nice vid, great shots of those underwater fish. I am a big fan of easy to transport watercraft. |
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Re: Fly Fishing Kayak: Saltwater Flats & Dry Flies
by joey on July 18, 2007 http://www.fliesandfins.com | | sweet rig j-bone. It might have to make the journey to Steel Country this fall. That would be a rush chasing a big chromer down the river in your kayak. |
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Re: Fly Fishing Kayak: Saltwater Flats & Dry Flies
by gilly09 on July 18, 2007 | Frankie told me that was you out there.
That was me that drove by on 295 and laid on the horn for about a mile!!!!
Looks like a fun way to get after them! |
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Re: Fly Fishing Kayak: Saltwater Flats & Dry Flies
by peterdk on July 23, 2007 http://www.flybox.dk | As allways....COOL VIDEO AND STORY!!
Tight lines.
Peterdk |
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Re: Fly Fishing Kayak: Saltwater Flats & Dry Flies
by mtnzone on July 24, 2007 | | SWEEETTTTT!!! hey know that first spot!!! fished it quite a few times.. nice location.. I love the ability of the standing kayak.. May have to try that some time.... Ever thought of trying that on the upper section of the Saco and casting to some big ol Browns??? River is so Clear sight fishing would be a ball.... We do it with Pontoon boats but that kayak would be the nuts... |
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