dpenrod
Jun 12 2005, 11:05 AM
don't know if this is the right place for this, but was wondering if anyone could recommend a good, reasonably priced two person kayak that is flyfish friendly. thanks for any input.
Fahrenheit_58
Jun 13 2005, 12:49 AM
I've flyfished from kayaks before. Not my first choice of craft.
Do yourself a favor and get a decent 15' or 16' Royalex canoe, if you can find an old Mad River (made before they left VT)w/ cane seats or an Old Town, I'm sure there are others that will do too. Durable, Light and fun. In the 15' range you can even pilot it yourself. The problem with Kayaks is both paddlers face the same way, so if you see a fish rise behind you you have to turn the whole boat around, and I imagine only one of you could fish at a time, comfortably. Plus canoes are more comfortable, your posture is better for casting and you're higher up so you can cast further, plus you can move around more for those nuances needed for those subtle presentations. There's room to store five extra rods, a cooler full of beer, camping gear, plus both of you can fish, and you can bring along the dog or kid, whatever your preference is. Man, canoes are just way cooler.
Kayaks are so trendy right now. Everybody just has to have one. And all the racks you have to buy along with them. I'd rock it old school in a canoe anyday over a kayak especially a tandem kayak, most especially if I were fly fishing!
But, and this goes against my personal tastes, and I'm not saying go out and buy a tandem kayak and look like a yuppie, but if you must, look for the widest one you can find. Get something with enough rocker so you can turn easily, most longer kayaks are built to track straight over open water. And something with lots of leg room, remember in a kayak you are stuck in a bucket seat. I have to say the cup holder for your mochachino is pretty cool though.
It sounds suspiciously like someone would be doing all the work while you had all the fun fishing. Is that the "Real" reason you want this boat...
Well then, I don't blame you!
Best of luck,
samuel