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Kayak Trips |
     
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Kayaking is a great way to see the river. Not only can you see the river,
but you can get away from the public access points along the river and get
some degree of seclusion. This is what drove me to get into kayaking many
years ago. It was an affordable means of transportation that allowed me to
get to more and bigger fish. I began using my kayak for trout fishing about 1999. I started out only using the boat to get other wading areas (shoal hopping) and carry lunch and gear. Somewhere along the way drift fishing from a kayak became an acquired skill that blossomed into the best part about all of this. Flyfishing from a kayak is a challenge on many fronts, but that is part of what makes it so much fun. I offer guided trips from a kayak only to people who have some degree of flyfishing experience. It is simply too hard for beginners to sit so low on the water and try to learn to cast a fly line. Even experienced flyfishers must make a few adjustments to their casting stroke.
The fun really begins when you begin to feel comfortable sitting on the
water and casting. Controlling the boat and getting comfortable with your
balance in it is crucial, but most people are surprised at how quickly they
can achieve comfort and control. Of course just when you begin to feel
comfortable you hook a good fish and things get chaotic. Fighting fish is
not always crazy, but crazy things are bound to happen. Fish run under your
boat and jump out of the water on the other side and spit the hook. They
snag up and break off on anchor ropes, rocks, tree limbs etc. In deep slow
water things are usually under control. In shallow moving water there is a
challenge. It happens fast and furious…dropping anchors, spinning boats,
avoiding rocks and then there is that 18 inch Brown trout on the end of your
line which is running directly where you don’t want him to go. There are so
many ways to lose a good fish in this situation that when you do it right
and net a great fish the “high” is incredible. I’m addicted to the thrill
of the fight. The degree of difficulty only adds to the thrill and I have
yet to find a method of flyfishing that offers more in terms of a variety of
challenges. There is also a tranquil side to kayak fishing. Sitting on the water and drifting slowly down river can be extremely peaceful and relaxing. Kayaks make far less noise and cast fewer shadows on the water. Just sitting in the boat and seeing what you sneak up on (both in and out of the water) is great fun. If taking a guided kayak flyfishing trip interests you then we need to talk. To my knowledge I am the only one offering this in Arkansas. These trips are dependant on many variables which must be discussed. I generally like for these trips to be with only one client. One-on-one instruction and assistance is much easier and more effective in this situation. I have the means to take two clients, meaning I have three fully rigged kayaks at my disposal, but I am hesitant to take two clients at a time unless one has been before. Water levels and generation can make kayak fishing futile so if a trip is planned there will be back up plans in place. Rates for kayak fishing trips vary due to which section of the river is fished. This is due to the cost of running shuttles to different boat ramps among other things. If this interests you get in touch with me and we can discuss all of the variables at length.
This site was last updated 07/08/05 |
