By Capt. Scotty Davis
]f there was a perfect craft for the fly fisherman, it has to be the kayak. Depending on your boat’s design and your rigging, everything is accessible…assuming you have the fuel.
Here in Charleston, we are blessed with hundreds of grass flats that redfish haunt most months of the year. Many of these jewels cannot be accessed but by the shallowest drafting flats boats, canoes and kayaks. If you have never experienced redfish in the grass, paddle through the taller grass until you reach a field of flooded shorter grass that should be covered with 6 to 18 inches of water. First, wait and see if any tails pop up before you start your hunt, then stand in your kayak if possible and use the paddle to push along the bottom or sit and paddle very quietly. Grab those old ping paddles and find your stealth rival a ninja. When fish feed on crabs or other bottom-dwelling prey in such shallow water, their tails pop up like targets. Determine which way they are traveling and drop a fly a few feet in their path. Remove all slack and keep your tip down and wait. Hopefully, your fly has all the attributes for which they are looking and they will whack it as soon as they see it! No stripping or moving the fly is generally necessary. Remember most prey will try and hide rather than flee and give away their location, and they never swim at a predator!
Freshwater ponds and lakes can also be fished effectively from a human propelled boat. The absence of foreign noises and the unobtrusive nature of canoes and kayaks make them perfect! Lily pads, structure and docks can all be great bass hunting ground, so plan your attack accordingly. If your water has deeper structure that isn’t visible, it may help to invest in a small sonar (depth finder) system. Otherwise, keep it simple; after all isn’t that the point of kayak fishing?
You’d have to be very careful, but flowing trout rivers can also be fished from the right boat. Even if they just get you to wadeable water where you can pull onto the shore and fish a run, they can be invaluable. Multi-day camping trips for trout or smallmouth bass can be loads of fun for families or groups; and many canoes can carry over 500 pounds of people and gear.
Remember to plan well and be safe. Canoes and kayaks are the oldest form of water transportation, and although the materials have changed, their usefulness cannot be overlooked. Just about everywhere is accessible to the paddler: lakes and rivers and shallow saltwater flats are all just a short car ride for almost everyone. Their simplicity is also a big draw for the fly fisherman. A rod and a shirt pocket with a few flies and a spool of tippet is all you really need to catch fish. Remember sunscreen and plenty of water to make sure you make it back out!
As always, call or stop by the Lowcountry fly shop if you need help, advice, or just want to hang out…that’s why we’re here!
Capt. Scotty Davis
(843)388-5337
www.lowcountryflyshop.com
