Friday, November 2, 2018

Yakking At The Pond

It wasn't about fishing so much as learning how to fish from a kayak.

Since the "Yuki" incident a couple years ago I've not been allowed to kayak. But, last August at Upper Lake when we were mostly unable to use the Inflate-A-Yak, my wife has moved toward hard kayaks. Much more aerodynamic and you can take them on the water when you can't the Inflate-A-Yak.

Thus the "His & Hers" kayaks.

Since they have started stocking Lake Camanche, I thought a trip out to the Trout Pond was in order. Unfortunately Yuki is still down with the crud so it was a solo trip.

I really wanted to get my yakking karma together more than I was concerned whether I caught a fish or not. Good thing because I was fishless for the day.

Got to the pond about 9:00 and started putting together what I would need for the day. The kayak has two rod holes behind the seat and one "holder" that attaches to the right side for "trawling".

Ready to go
I put out one rod in the "holder' with a white mice tail and a couple white power eggs. By the time I was ready with the second rod and a pink Kastmaster, the first rod had managed to tangle itself in the handle at the back of the kayak.

With both rods in, I made my way across the pond and put one rod out with rainbow PB and threw the Kastmasters. Just allowed the kayak to drift. I had to move out away from shore and found out that the rod in the back was tangled up with the paddle. I did manage to get a system going so I wasn't fighting the rod, but it was definitely a pain.

One thing I did learn is that when you cast to the side, when you're reeling in, it tends to pull the kayak in that direction. I don't know what that means except if you keep casting to the left, you end up going around in circles. Sometimes life is like that.

OK, I won't go into all the gyrations I went through with the paddle, the rods in the holes behind the seat, and the rod "holder" on the side. Suffice it to say that I've come to one conclusion.

Ditch the rod "holder". Forget the spinning rods. Next time I'll bring my fly rod.

I might even catch a fish. Could happen. 

4 comments:

  1. Nice. Looking forward to the next installment... Fly line management in the kayak is always a treat!

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  2. Mark your making me proud. A sterling comeback like my Red Sox.
    Try flies next time, as the waters cool the trout should be closer to the surface.

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    Replies
    1. Interestingly enough, most of the ones I saw caught yesterday were in about 10 feet of water.

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  3. Mark
    You got my vote for the fly rod on your next outing!!!

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