The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

I'm looking at getting one since gas prices are so high for fishing the delta and local lakes, and the Lower Sac/American. I keep running into a guy down on Grizzly Island where I walk my dogs that kayak fishes, but he only fishes live bait for sturgeon (Montezuma Sleigh Ride) and he uses short rods and conventional baitcasting rigs. Most people use conventional gear, how bad does flylines get tangled on a kayak? I have a bunch of 10' rods I used to use for float tubing and dryline steelhead, are they too long for landing fish (stripers)?

I been looking at the Ocean Kayak Big Game Prowler or the Trident Angler, when I get skinnier I want a Hobie Outback with Mirage drive so I can pedal and fish, but I'm too big still to fit. I have to get some other kind of exercise, since I HATE the gym so much. It's crazy living 5 minutes from the water and not being in it everyday.

I have yet to fish from a kayak, but like you, I am seriously interested. I have been scouring Craigslist for deal on any one of the more reputable angling kayaks like the OK Big Game and Trident 15, the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 160i, and Malibu Kayak X-Factor. I think the fly line snagging issue has a lot to do with kayak design (e.g., foot pedals, rudder cable locations, etc.) and how you rig the kayak. For flyfishing, I would assume less is more when it comes to adding things like rod holders, depth finder, etc...basically fewer things to snag fly line. I have been lurking around www.norcalkayakanglers.com for information on kayaks and fishing opportunities. The folks on the forum mostly fish conventional gear for fresh and saltwater. However, I am sure there a few members who fly fish from a kayak. It might be worthwile to drop a post for tips on kayaks that are flyfishing friendly.

I fish from a sit-in, sometimes-closed kayak, and can't say enough good things about it.

You're right -- keep stuff off the deck, not just to clear the way for your fly line, but in case you go over. I haven't had it happen yet, but I constantly plan for it, which is the only way to fly.

It's funny about the line; I sometimes let it lie on a closed cockpit, and it doesn't get tangled there. But I often just make sure there's no water bottle nor bag lying in the way, and let the line coil up inside, where it is usually wet and the chances of line catching on your legs is about nil.

Anyway, fishing from a kayak is a blast in itself. I could get ten motor rigs if you gave me a couple days to liquidate, but won't -- yet. I like the ease and lightness and portability and immediacy of the kayak.

I follow the norcal board too, and post a few things about kayak fishing on my own lil blog too.

Dang it, not that ERL thing again. Personally I prefer

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Check out Ricky Mitchell's website paddleandflies.com He is out of the Fresno area and fishes Millerton for stripers and bass. Ricky did a couple of programs in Tracy and Fremont last month so I got to pick his brain on rigging, etc. He does guided trips as well from his kayaks. I know he fishes both lakes and coastal areas from kayak from California to Texas. He even came out with a pretty nice book recently on yak flyfishing published by Orvis. He is pretty fond of Greenland paddles and I would have to agree after using one that they are nice, but the price of those paddles run around $200. The Greenland paddles use your torso as opposed to your shoulders, so if you do use the yak, it should slim you down. I picked up a couple of the Heritage fish kayaks cheap last year. It is a sit in 9.5'. If you have a club, try to get him to do his program on yaks and flyfishing. I have fished with him on a private pond a couple of years back from one of his kayaks and it took some getting use on full size open sea kayak. I have to agree about the clean deck for casting. I did notice that wind can be an issue if you wish to be stationary. An anchor would suffice. and if you want some real excitement try standing up in one.

Ricky is at all of the Paddlefests as well, if you want to bump into him.

Hope this helps.

I have an "Old Town - Dirigo" 10' kayak set up for fishing. I mostly use it for lakes. It's light enough at 10' to toss up on top of the Blazer and carry down to the water. Casting isn't a problem at all. Even with the rod holder. I let the line fall on my lap. Sometimes I'll put a wooley bugger on with a small bb weight on the head so I can get down deeper. Place the rod in the rod holder and slowly troll around. Caught a lot of fish that way. I also have a Coleman Scanoe that I like using, but it's a lot harder with only one person, carrying it and maneuvering around the water, though I have done it quite often in the past. Was a lot easier when I had my ex in the front for ballast and paddling.

Beerfly

Yes, frequently. Wilderness Systems -Tarpon is current model in several sizes. More when I get off the road!

Not to thread jack...but I would like to hear about your thoughts on the Wilderness Systems Tarpon series.

Thanks.