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At age thirteen, I acquired a used fifteen-foot
Grumman Aluminum canoe. During the next twenty
years or so I was able to venture into some of the
rivers, lakes, and streams of Pennsylvania, New
York and even Maine to chase freshwater trout and
bass. Alone, or with a friend, this canoe opened
many areas of fishing that were otherwise
unattainable. Many other boats came and went, but
this canoe still was used occasionally to access
difficult waterways effectively. When I moved to
Florida and purchased a flats boat, the canoe stayed
up north and was eventually sold. In the Tampa Bay
area, winter brings cold open water temperatures
that give snook, one of my favorite fly fishing
quarries, lockjaw. A couple of wading experiences in
rivers and northern parts of our bay had me longing
for a way to explore this warmer water “back
country.” Another used canoe entered my life. A
fourteen-foot Kevlar Solo Canoe that weighed only
forty-five pounds was purchased.
My travels soon connected me with several fly club
members who introduced me to Kayak fishing. They
showed me how to get in and out of a kayak in the
water as well as the many ways to maneuver the
vessel. We put two rubber paddle “snaps” on my
gunnels to hold my paddle when not in use. Instead
of a canoe paddle, I can use a kayak paddle to
maneuver the canoe. I now own a canoe and kayak,
but I will devote this article to the canoe.
It was natural for me to choose a canoe because I
spent many hours fly fishing from one in freshwater.
Frequently it was used to get me to a place to fish.
Once there, I would get out and wade. The canoe
serves as a natural reservoir for the fly line. This is
one of its biggest advantages. If all of your casts are
relatively short, which is often the case; line
management is less of a problem. The light weight
allows me to easily put it on the roof of my vehicle for
transporting to my launching site. My flats boat takes
me to areas where I find many places to use my
canoe. Some adventurous fishermen transport their
paddlecraft with a larger boat and then leave their
boat to pursue shallow water. Most places where the
canoe is used are too shallow or narrow for any
other larger craft.
One of my favorite mangrove lined waterways is
usually fished taking advantage of the tide. I go up
river as the tide comes in and back downriver as it
goes out. While there, I have maximum water
available to ply the mangrove shorelines, as well as
enough water to enter the many dark bottom bays
that have warmer water holding cooperative snook.
Fingers of land, often harboring oyster bars, reach
out into the main stream and create ambush points
for snook and reds. Undercut banks are definite fish
holding areas that should be explored with your flies.
Horizontal casting with tight loops will allow you to
tuck your fly into many productive areas. If the water
gets too shallow, use wading booties and attach the
canoe to your waist or anchor it.
Many of these creek-like areas will fish best on an
outgoing tide in the afternoon. This way, the water
will have an opportunity to warm considerably from
the sun’s rays. A couple of stable weather days
between cold fronts should make conditions ideal.
Equipment requirements vary with the length of the
trip. A clear waterproof “dry bag” is used to hold
camera, sunscreen, personal items, and clothing. A
collapsible anchor and line, small cooler, and a
wading pack that caries my fishing needs, are all that
is needed besides my paddle and life jacket.
Two fly rods usually are carried and secured to the
gunnels with thin Velcro straps. If you only have one,
a floating weight forward line is my first choice. With
two rods, one will have a sinking tip. Shorter rods are
most useful because accuracy and maneuverability
are needed more than distance. I carry a seven and
an eight weight that are eight and one half feet long.
Leader for the floating line is usually seven and one
half feet with a thirty-pound fluorocarbon shock
tippet. Since the sink tip is clear, four or five feet of
leader is fine. Spare leaders, tippet material, pliers,
and flies are in the chest pack, which is attached to
the canoe yoke when not worn wading.
Flies will be
the same favorites you carry when fishing open water. The water here is very clear so I favor smaller patterns. Crab and shrimp imitations as well as some
clousers, deceivers, and poppers will complete the
selection.
Think of the many places you’ve seen in your travels
where a canoe or kayak will get you into some “virgin” water. If you haven’t tried paddle fishing with
your fly rod, you’re missing a lot of fun, as well as
exercise and great scenery. Do it once and
I guarantee you will come back for more.
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