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.