Kayak fly fishing in a mangrove tunnel on Sanibel Island.
Michael Salomone/Courtesy photo
When people make mental associations with kayaking, whitewater enthusiasts are the first to pop into most minds. Fishing from a kayak has challenges that are easy to overcome given the bountiful benefits…with intrinsic rewards to boot. The fisherman with a fly rod sticking out of his head has discovered a new game: kayak fly fishing.
The mobility and ease of use that comes with a kayak is amazing. With a little modification to your existing gear, fly anglers embrace the positive benefits that come with kayak fishing. The ability to stand anywhere opens up a whole new water world for fish. From small still waters to large reservoirs, or anywhere along the many miles of river water that beats through the Colorado Rockies.
Fly fishermen can take their new skills to saltwater. Kayak fishing can open up entire bays that the foot angler could never get. To illustrate my point, I’ve fly-fished from a kayak in both fresh and saltwater in nine states so far.
The author hooks a barracuda at Peanut Island, Florida.
Michael Salomone/Courtesy photo
Useful equipment includes at least a 9-foot fly rod. Nine feet lifts the line adequately out of the water when cast. Longer rods 9 feet 6 inches or 10 feet and longer require some modification to your backcast to prevent your loop from opening up and hitting the water behind you. Stopping with the rod in a 90 degree vertical position allows the line to load the rod and keep the line high to deliver the forward cast.
Sinking lines allow the fly fisherman to dredge deep water unreachable with a forward-weighted floating fly line. Deep lakes and reservoirs are the type of water where a full sinking line presents flies in the water column. Intermediate fly lines excel in kayak fishing. An intermediate fly line threads in shallow water with finesse. The fly fisherman in a kayak with an intermediate fly line can fish streamers and nymphs efficiently and successfully.
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These techniques are best suited for fly fishing in still water, however, anglers are able to present flies in moving water after gaining proficiency. Not all moving water will be fishable. Pick and choose the best opportunities to cast while maintaining control of your boat and oar. Below the riffles, along the banks or using river braking structure, fly anglers can play with positioning for casting clearance and fly presentation.
A kayak is already in position for fighting and landing fish. Maintaining control of the kayak and rod during a battle with a hard-charging fish creates a level of intensity that cannot be obtained from the feet. A floating net or one with an attached strap is recommended to prevent loss in small rapids or accidental fall from the boat. A net gives the kayak angler the opportunity to remove the fly while keeping the fish in the water at all times.
Author kayak fishing Ross Lake.
Michael Salomone/Courtesy photo
Streamers imitate small baits, leeches and crayfish and offer more than a dog to tempt a variety of fish. I watched a pike gently approach my little crayfish pattern. The 30-inch fish slid toward the fly slowly, almost kissing it. When I pulled the fly within a few inches, the beast flared its gills and sucked the fly into its cavernous, pointed mouth. Then it was “game on” to fight the water wolf that was charging hard from my kayak.
Kayaks give anglers a stealth that is not easily obtained. Large boats spook fish from a larger silhouette and placing the angler higher above the waterline. Belly boats can give anglers the same perspective and presentations, but dangling your legs in cold Colorado water can leave you cold early. This is not a problem with a kayak, unless you capsize. Which leads to a discussion of the necessities every kayak angler should have while on the water…
Never go fly fishing from a kayak without a personal flotation device (PFD). There is no discussion on this point. Like wearing a seat belt in a moving vehicle, you just do it. The amount of high-quality, reliable and angler-friendly PFDs on the market today makes obtaining one easy to achieve.
It is never okay to go kayak fly fishing without a personal flotation device (PFD).
Michael Salomone/Courtesy photo
The positive attributes of kayak fly fishing range from eco-friendly and self-contained to ease of access and a new sense of DIY freedom. Kayak fly fishing opens up opportunities on kayak rental vacations and offers new access to familiar waters. It’s a whole new game.
The author, kayak fly fishing with his older brother.
Michael Salomone/Courtesy photo
Michael Salomone moved to the Eagle River Valley in 1992. He began guiding fly fishing professionally in 2002. His freelance writing has been published in magazines and websites such as Southwest Fly Fishing, Fly Rod & Reel, Eastern Fly Fishing, On the Fly, FlyLords, the Pointing Dog Journal, Upland Almanac, the Echo website, Vail Valley Anglers and more. He lives on the banks of the Eagle River with his wife, Lori; two daughters, Emily and Ella; and a yellow labrador retriever arm.