Fly Fishing with Bob Shirley (Part 4)

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

There is a wonderful and very natural relationship between fly fishing and boats.  We use boats to get us to places where we can find fish and then, from them, we are able to stalk fish and cast to them.  In the interior on lakes and streams, float tubes, canoes, and kayaks are widely used for fly fishing because of their convenience, practicality, and functionality.  The relatively placid waters in rivers and on lakes lend themselves to fishing from these small self-propelled craft made of rubber, plastic, Kevlar, or fiberglass.  These craft allow controlled positioning for casting, a stable platform to allow us to cast, and a stealthy approach to the fish.

On or near the Gulf Coast, using a float tube might be like trolling for sharks or gators, so their use is limited.  Here on the Coast, where distances can be huge, winds are ever present, and water turbulence is greater, kayaks especially shine as personal fly fishing craft.  Canoes or even surfboards are used too, but the stability, speed, safety, and diversity of the kayak buoys it to the head of the class. You are able to sail, paddle, and/or peddle today’s kayaks.  Peddling allows hands free operation of the craft with only minor adjustments of the rudder while casting.

Today we generally sit upon kayaks and not “in” them.  Kayaks today are usually molded bubbles of plastic allowing us a seating position several inches above the water. This means you don’t need to modify your casting style as you would if your craft put your seat near or even below the water level as in a canoe.  Imagine sitting on the ground with your legs straight out – now cast – a tough job at best.  Sitting even a few inches above the water with your legs slightly bent makes casting much easier and allows a more natural, strong,  and normal casting stroke. The plastic of kayaks also allows you to add rod holders, anchor line brackets, sea anchor attachment points, and much more simply by drilling holes through the plastic and using screws or bolts to attach accessories.  The storage holds in most kayaks have water tight lids and allow packing for overnight trips or extended stays.  There are usually flat areas on the kayak (usually behind the seat) with stretchy, tied down elastic lines where our modified milk crates with rod holders attached, battery powered live wells, or clothing stuffed waterproof bags may be stowed in security and where they will be out of your way when casting.

Catching fish in saltwater from a kayak is especially fun because even small fish are able to pull the boat around.  Hooking into a big red, jack, or small shark might get you towed for several minutes and many yards.  There are tales of being towed for hours and miles if large sharks, tuna or bill fish are hooked, so bring a lunch and plenty of water.

On the Gulf Coast, a lot of fly fishing is done from “bay boats”, “flats boats”, and other small craft.  There are obvious advantages over self-propelled craft using these boats.  First and foremost is the increased range possibilities and that you get to where you’re going quickly.  The ability to store and carry large quantities gear and high numbers of accessories is very appealing.

When fly fishing from larger boats, there are some important things to consider though.  Since we have yards of line and a fly with a hook in the air both behind and in front of us for every cast, we need plenty of unobstructed space around us.  While casting on salt, there is ALWAYS wind too.  I have banged my fly rod on antennas, poling platforms, guides and friends.  You will also snag yourself and those around you with the hook, or whip yourself and everybody else with the line.

So, think about obstructions around you on the boat, which direction the wind is blowing and how to adjust your cast to compensate for it, and who can be injured by the cast. If you are casting from a platform on the front of one of these boats, take a good look at that platform before you step up there.  Once you step up, note how slippery it is and if it is bowed to shed water or will water pool at your feet and make it slippery.  How much deck do I have to move around on?  Are there any things the fly line might get hung up on or wrap around (if so, the line will find them – I guarantee it)?

If I fall off the platform, do I just get wet or will I land on bad things in the bottom of the boat?  Is the platform big enough to accommodate a 5-gallon bucket to act as a stripping basket?  Am I standing on the line I stripped off the reel to make a long cast?  To avoid standing on the line at your feet, go bare foot whenever possible so you are able to feel the line beneath your feet! There is little need for specialized rods or lines if you fish from a boat.  The same rods etc. work well for both wading and casting from the boat.  Only if you fish deep water where you need a heavily weighted fly or sinking line do you need to bring any extra equipment.

At this point I feel a note on safety is appropriate.  Never never go out without wearing your life preserver and having your other required safety equipment aboard.  I have lost two friends to boating or rafting related accidents, and several friends have had close to death near misses on the water.  I have personally been aboard boats that sunk out from under me, kayaks that have overturned, canoes that have flipped, and I have been swept off my feet or tripped while wading in rivers and while fishing in the surf.  I hope you get the message that safety is paramount!