If you want to relax in the lap of nature, there is hardly anything that can be better than kayaking in a river or lake! It lets your mind and body rejuvenate, away from the clutter of urban life. However, people who indulge in kayaking have different related hobbies too. Some kayaking enthusiasts are shutterbugs and capturing beautiful sunsets is on their agenda while paddling in the middle of a river.
There are some kayaking lovers who love bird watching. Then there are the angling lovers who indulge in kayaking. The activity is called fly fishing. Fishing while you are paddling in a water body is an enjoyable experience. However, you need to know the tricks and it is necessary to carry the right apparatus for fly fishing.
Contents
Reasons To Indulge In Fly Fishing
If you already love angling, fishing while kayaking can be a new experience. You can catch the fish of your choice in a new way. If you hate the noise generated by motorboats, Kayaks are ideal. It lets you sneak up on fish in a stealthy way.
Tips To Excel At Fly Fishing
The abundance of kayak fishing apparatus and products may leave you baffled, at least initially. You may find it hard to get the fish catching your fancy while paddling without mastering the apt techniques. Listed here are a few tips that you can utilize.
Boat Selection Matters
Kayaks are available in varying sizes and shapes. The color variation is also amazing. Choose a kayak that makes fishing while paddling easier. What type of water body do you prefer for fishing? Is it large ponds, lakes, or river water? Take a kayak that can be maneuvered in your chosen water body with ease. If you rent a kayak, it is better. You can try a few models to figure out which suits your angling requirements the best. Ideally, your kayak has to be 12 feet long and at least 30 inches wide.
Get The Right Attire
Catching fish while paddling in a river or lake may become challenging at times. Some species of fish are harder to catch and you can’t even rule out the possibility of boat capsize. So, ensure you wear the right attire and carry the required accessories. You should be wearing adequate warm undergarments and a life vest is a must.
Observe The Location
If angling is on the cards, you need to know where the fish are abundant in the lake or river. It would be a good idea to practice paddling normally in the area where you want to do fly fishing a few times. This will give you insights into timing and areas where you can get a good catch without much effort.
Practice Balancing
When you catch a fish that is large and energetic enough, maintaining balance is the key to evading capsize. You have to evade leaning on the sides as far as possible. Standing up on the kayak is okay if you use a stand-assist strap.
Keep The Deck Ready
If you want to indulge in fly fishing, keep the deck area clear of clutter. Using a fly rod is cumbersome when there are too many objects on the kayak deck. Try keeping most items behind your seat in the kayak and not on the deck area.
Use An Anchor
When you do angling while kayaking in a lake or river, the water current and wind may play spoilsport. As the kayak is not very heavy, it may get drifted easily. So, you can add a suitable anchor system to your kayak. It will ensure your kayak remains in one spot when you set focus on the catch.
Get The Right Fly Rod
You need to know the type of fish you want to catch while paddling and so buy the fly rod accordingly. As a thumb rule, buy a bigger rod for catching bigger fish species. If you aim for midsized trout, rods weighing to 5 are fine. For bigger trout and bass, opt for 7 weight rods. To catch larger species like bonefish and snook, an 8-9 weight rod is ideal. The length of the fly rod should ideally be within 6.5 to 15 feet. However, most fly-fishing lovers opt for 8-9 feet long rods.
