President's Newsletter.
March 2007
Fly fishing from kayak?
It was a couple of years ago that I first attempted to fly fish from a kayak. In fact it was the first time I really went kayaking. Once before I went to an “open house” at one of the local outfitters and they let me try a rig that was set up for fishing. It had a rudder, a rod holder and space for a GPS and a fish finder. I think radar would have been out of the question, but you never know. I paddled around for about 20 minutes and it felt manageable enough.
But this was the real deal. The Sebago Canoe Club of Brooklyn had invited the Saltys to a day of fishing on Jamaica Bay. We would teach them how to flyfish and they in turn would teach us about kayaking. It was a beautiful spring day in May and the reports said that bluefish and stripers were all over the bay. So after some casting lessons and some safety instructions we were all outfitted with a kayak. Getting a dozen newbie’s into their kayaks at dockside was no small feat and not without a minor mishap. One of the Saltys, who will remain nameless, got a dunking. In any case, the “fleet” of about 15 craft, was soon on its way out of the inlet and across the bay.
The first leg of the trip, in the protected waters of the inlet, was done at a leisurely pace with some of the experienced kayakers up front leading the way and several of the others trailing behind to keep tabs on us slow pokes. Once we exited the inlet and approached the more open waters of the bay things got interesting. The goal was to cross the channel and fish the flats on the other side of an island that sat in the middle of the bay. The plan was to form a compact group at the edge of the channel, and then all cross at once so as to take best advantage of the window between the power boats cruising the channel.
This meant paddling the width of the channel under full steam. We all made it “almost” together. But we out of shape newbie’s needed a rest, so we fished for a while to no avail and then proceeded to the back side of the island. Most of the afternoon was fishless but then a small school of blues, in the 3-5 lb range showed up and some of the more agile boaters caught fish. As I watched the action I had a vision that made a Nantucket sleigh ride seem like a walk in the park. I recalled the first time I went water skiing and forgot to let go of the rope when I fell.
We had to cross the channel again on the way home and we arrived at the dock safe and sound even though I ran out of steam and had to be towed the last 100 yards. All and all it was a great day and I would do it again. But I did learn a few things as a result of the experience.
1- Kayaking is boating with all its pleasures and pitfalls, so all the boating safety rules must be strictly observed.
2- Become a good kayaker before attempting serious fishing from a kayak. (lessons should be considered).
3- Like any other sport, you need to be in good physical condition before attempting it.
Well, as fate would have it, our special guest for the March 5th meeting is John Thomson from Atlantic Outfitters who will tell us about “Fishing from a Kayak, and preparing for the spring run”. Perhaps Mike Johnson, our resident Pilates instructor, will again show us some relevant exercises.
See you all at the meeting!
Keep ‘em tight.
Bill