Cameron Mortenson
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Orvis has put a lot of time into their How To Fly Fish website and Tom Rosenbauer’s podcast is worth a listen to as well.
Eric…as I was researching my first kayak purchase a few years ago it seemed like two things were happening. First, someone would want Kayak X (whatever it was) but it was past their budget. They would purchase something cheaper as a substitute but it really wouldn’t live up to Kayak X and so a year later they would flush the substitute for half of what they paid for it and then purchase Kayak X. I opted to save my money for six months longer and just get Kayak X so I wouldn’t be spending money all over again.
Here’s a quick run down of the kayaks that I have experience with and would fully recommend for purchase.
1. Native Ultimate – I’ve paddled both the 12 and the 14.5 solo/tandem. I own the 14.5 tandem since it was our first kayak and I really needed something to be versatile for fly fishing, family trips, etc. It’s kind of a beast to lift on and off the top of the Element but super stable and just as comfortable in solo as it is in tandem. If you wanted to invest in a kayak that you and your wife could enjoy together but also could outfit for fly fishing for yourself then the Native would be my first choice.
2. Diablo Chupacabra – I’ve had the Chupacabra for over a year now and really dig this SUP Yak for ponds, marsh, and rivers. It’s short length (10’6″) makes is really easy to access both the front and the back of the kayak for gear. It’s a wide kayak which means it’s very stable but that width works against you when paddling against the wind. The Larry Chair is very comfortable and it’s good to be off the floor of the kayak for fly fishing and still be sitting down.
3. Liquid Logic/Native Versa Board – This is a great family fun boat that you can also modify easily into a fly fishing kayak too. Again, very stable and standing up to paddle/fly cast is easy. There are a couple seating options to look at from a simple folding foam seat to sitting on top of a YETI Cooler to the Native seat system as well. My wife digs her Versa Board a lot and it’s great on moving water as a river boat.
4. Jackson Coosa – I don’t own one of these but have been around them quite a bit and they are a great kayak to consider as well for stability, comfortable seating, and great on moving water and stillwater as well.
Demo if you can. Whatever you buy I’d recommend paddling for a season before drilling holes and adding a lot of modifications. There are a lot of ways to junk up a kayak for fishing and really in the end I’ve found that simple is best.
Lastly, of any gear that I’ve bought in the last five years the purchase of our kayaks was by far the best investments we’ve made. My wife and children love to be on the water and it’s been neat to watch our seven year old daughter go from passenger to picking up the SUP paddle and now takes off on the Versa Board all by herself.
If you have any questions feel free to send me an email at thefiberglassmanifesto@gmail.com.
