How Hard is it to Fly Fish from a Kayak?

[@davidaguiar1387]

I've been fly fishing from a kayak for near 25 years now myself. I'll just say that this might be the best 4 min of advice any potential Fly Fisher can get in regards to fishing from Kayak! I'll just add one more point. Having a raised seat position ( either by design or sitting on a PFD) makes casting from a sitting position MUCH easier. Thanks for sharing!

[@skorflyfishing]

It's great advice to say that you should choose fly fishing or conventional gear, but don't try to mix them. Not only for the reasons you discussed (line and rod management,) but for newbies to fly fishing, it keeps them from using the conventional gear as crutch. When all you have to work with is your fly rod, you learn to use it much faster.

[@barry4fish]

I do occasionally fly fish in my touring kayaks. But, my craft of choice for fly fishing is a Fish Cat with 9’ inflatable pontoons, a comfortable chair in the middle and powered with wooden oars. I have a mesh apron in front of me, sitting just below the water, that manages the fly line and keeps it wet while stripping. The entire craft weighs about 50 pounds (mine has an aluminum frame), and it’s very stable. The oars are tightly fitted with north river-style oarlock horns and there is no slop to them. Oaring the Fish Cat is fast, but not as fast as my sandpiper 130 kayak, which I use when I want to get to a spot faster or go into the wind to get there. But, for fly fishing, the setup I have works better than a kayak.

[@ChrisFunktheFeralOne]

For you, I don't see that doing the things I do in my kayak or the distances that I paddle. Glad we both have options!!!

[@1790jman]

This is what I needed to hear i got back and ankle problems can’t stand for long periods of time wanted something I can still fly fish so I was looking at something I could sit down but not break the bank I wasn’t sure if u would since fly rod is way different watching you video reading comment it’s very doable and I’ll be looking a kayak I can enjoy

[@ChrisFunktheFeralOne]

It is very doable! The stealth alone will allow you to get closer than you imagine. Hope you have a blast!

[@permrussiatoday]

You're absolutely right about not trying to go out with both conventional and fly rods on a kayak; pick one or the other.

[@emmettbowen4431]

Won me over with the honesty 😮

[@thebeardedpaddler]

That's a great video, Chris. When I'm doing a clinic or just talking to folks in the shop, I tell them these exact things!

[@mendtheline99]

I was thinking about doing a similar video. Well put and well done! I now carry only one rod instead of two as well. Keep up the good vids!

[@MattTrux-YakChum]

Good explainin. Have fli rods but can't get past the long ass rod and flinging line behind me watching it and all.

[@EscapingTheCity]

Good advice. I really only fly fish on a kayak. I have conventional gear but I rarely use it. One rod is all you need, usually it's my 8 weight. And that's the thing I love about fly fishing, you are forced to learn how fish feed, where each species is likely to be found and behaving at a particular time of year. Some of these guys that bring 5 or 6 baitcasting rods on a kayak clearly don't know how to tie their knots quickly and efficiently because I can swap out my flies faster than they can swap their rods on a rod holder. I don't mess with all those fancy gadgets either, all I really need is a rod holder, and anchor, and a paddle holder. That's about it. Casting sitting down is exactly the same as standing up. The only difference is it's harder to see the fish for sight fishing, but a good pair of polarized sunglasses will help somewhat.

[@Bamaoutdoors]

Well it's true my phone is always listening to my conversation lol!! I've never seen your channel before and this video pops up🤔 and yes I've been talking about trying my hand at fly fishing just never tried it! Thanks for the tips I'll be watching more!!

[@ChrisFunktheFeralOne]

awesome! let me know if i can help, i am in the upper corner of lower alabama !

[@DustinRea]

I've been fly fishing for 30 years and this will be my first year using a flyrod from my touring kayak. I've been on rivers exclusively and used tackle for lakes because I was always a guest on a powered boat. Well maybe tomorrow I'll be trying out some adams and maybe a doc spratley or something gnarly on a small lake when the bugs come out

[@BigBaitPosse]

good advice..good tips

[@colinbailey5505]

I find that sit-in kayaks with a skirt make line management much easier. Sure, standing up is no longer a good option, but the skirt is the perfect apron to put your fly line down on. You can mount rod holders behind your seat with the fly rod low and pointing out the back (I fish stillwater, so perhaps this isn't as safe for the rods on rivers with more bush and more difficult maneuvering). I also just run an anchor over the side of my kayak just behind where I sit on the right side - with the breeze at my back, I get a really nice fishing angle over the left side of the bow. I keep most of my gear either under the skirt or under bungees behind me, so I rarely snag my line on anything attached to the kayak.

[@ChrisFunktheFeralOne]

sounds like a good option! for me, the SOT or a good hybrid style boat like the Kilroy is my go to. the kilroy is AWESOME for containing line, it is basically a floating stripping basket LOL

[@robertbrink2240]

50 years flyfishing. 4 yrs in a kayak. It's no different than wading waist deep and easier than float tubing. If you can cast you'll have little difficulty casting sitting on a kayak. I carry two rods one with a floating and one with a full sink. I rigged up one rear rod holder to keep my spare rod parallel to the water. A small towel between my legs makes for a good apron,hand wiper and sound deadening. All you fly fisherman go for it. A whole new world awaits you.

[@ChrisFunktheFeralOne]

I agree wholeheartedly! Soon as I get done with VBS thus week, I am loading up my 6 and 8wts and getting after it!

[@jeremydrouin9975]

Informative video. I currently fly fish out of a 13' inflatable Saturn kayak, but am considering upgrading to a Jackson Bite (I like the clean deck). However, I wish it had a higher seat position. What is your primary fly fishing kayak? Thanks.

[@ChrisFunktheFeralOne]

the Bite is mine now Jeremy, I love that boat! i added a Kayak Kushion to raise me up a tad and it is super comfortable for all day trips. if you are anywhere near east Alabama, holler at me an i will put it in the water for ya!

[@jeanwilson8211]

‘Nuther good one!

[@JD-cs1zv]

weird question, have you ever been to isle royale national park, and did you lose a gopro?

[@ChrisFunktheFeralOne]

sure haven't! but thanks for checkin' !

[@fiegled]

The other day I spent 95% of the time tangled up than catching fish. 😂😂😂 But you don’t learn if you don’t keep trying!

[@ChrisFunktheFeralOne]

We will get ya up to speed bro, don't give up!

[@caryverhalen]

Great content ❤

[@wadesoutdoors1914]

Is there a certain time of year that you think it’s better with a fly fish rod ?

[@ChrisFunktheFeralOne]

For me, warmer months, just because I prefer to fish faster stuff or topwater. Cold months take slower moving deeper running flies and I rarely have the patience or skills for those!

[@DavidBrooks-vb8do]

I’m new to fly fishing. I’m not new to kayak bass fishing. What is a simple fly I could use to catch some panfish? Thank you

[@ChrisFunktheFeralOne]

honestly, a simple yellow popper like a trim jim is hard to beat and as much fun as you can have!!! especially right now while the mayflies are hatching!

[@luzhenriquez9683]

when yo go fly fishing on kayak, you use a wader? o regular pants? how recomendable is to use wader?

[@ChrisFunktheFeralOne]

i don't, if i am out in colder weather i just wear rain pants to protect from paddle drip.

[@Nestta5252]

I never have understood the long distance casts in fly fishing. Most of the time 30 to 40 feet is more than enough. And with all honesty how accurate can you be past that with a cast? Most liars will say perfect accuracy or within a foot or two.... B.S.! Lol But seriously if you are in a boat why do you need to cast out past 30 ft? Saltwater excluded.

[@ChrisFunktheFeralOne]

i would agree with you for the most part except for a few exceptions. one is this area is shallow and very clear, it helps to be able to reach out a bit to prevent spooking fish. the other is just the simple reason that range (not necessarily accuracy) allows me to hit places where a fish shows itself faster with a longer cast than it does if i have to reposition the boat and then cast. but you are correct, most of the time the 30 -40 foot cast is fully sufficient!

[@Annamariap2010]

What gear are you using

[@ChrisFunktheFeralOne]

this was a redington pursuit 6wt and a redington predator 7wt i believe!

[@tdog9150]

Is that a big fish boat ?

[@ChrisFunktheFeralOne]

Jackson Liska, now i run a Jackson Bite Angler

[@tdog9150]

I just bought an unlimited ,, I hope it’s very stable ,,

[@aurorahiraeth5896]

I made your Kayak paddle.

[@ChrisFunktheFeralOne]

then i owe ya a tip of the hat!!! love that thing!!!

[@aurorahiraeth5896]

@@ChrisFunktheFeralOne It’s an amazing place work. They are like family to me. Glad you are enjoying the paddle. Make my heart sing to see kayakers using them.