[ken b.]

I’ve started researching kayaks for fly fishing, too, and I have to begin with a thank you to everyone that’s replied to this thread thus far. Great information!

I’m looking at a kayak for a number of reasons. First, more often than not, the afternoon wind comes up on most of the northeasthern California and western Nevada stillwaters I like to fish. I’d like to get into something with oars or a paddle to aid in the return to the launch site. Second, it’d be nice to have a multipurpose vessel – one that would be suited to occasional light recreational paddling. Third, it could be transported on the roof of my SUV, leaving the cargo space open for other stuff.

The one big disadvantage I see to kayak fly fishing, at least for me, is this: A very effective way to fish many of our stillwaters is to move along parallel to the shoreline, casting into the shallow water and stripping the fly out. With a float tube or pontoon boat, it’s easy to kick slowly and move. Unless I get into a pedal kayak, it seems like too much effort to cast, paddle a few feet to reposition, repeat, etc..

I’d appreciate any thoughts on this. Have you modified your fishing techniques for the kayak? I’ve never fished from one so perhaps I’m missing something obvious here. And I will, of course, demo a few models should I continue with this quest. Thanks!

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