The internet's a great resource for the fly fisherman! I had recently made contact with Simon Everett a Photo journalist and I offered to catch some Bass for the camera. Fools make promises to people with cameras but never the less the offer had been accepted so the pressure was on. . Simon was planning on staying with me in Porthleven for a couple of days so that allowed enough time to find a few willing fish. Hopefully.
Simon at sea
Simon Everett Is a professional Journalist a keen saltwater fly fisherman and a experienced Kayak fisherman and also the Secretary of Bass Sportsfish Society so I was in good company . Simon arrived a little late on the Monday unfortunately and we missed a great tide at one of my favorite marks. The swell was building too ,so it was probably a blessing in disguise. We went to the local pub instead and made are plans for the next couple of days. When you live this deep into Cornwall you have to be prepared to change locations quickly as the weather never seems to live up to the weatherman’s predictions. You plan a trip at dawn to a spot based on a south westerly force 4 and awake to a Northerly force 6.
The next Morning we decided to do a Kayak fishing session at a mark that can produce bigger fish .The ground is very heavy and the Bass will usually come in Mid tide in search of crabs and other inhabitants of the reefy areas and rock pools. As well as producing Big Bass the mark can also produce a big zero from time to time and alas on this morning it did just that. We had great light and a big swell ( too big for this mark) .And also too big to fish from the Kayak! So Simon concentrated on getting great photos while I concentrated on getting drenched! Gore Tex gear is not designed to take waves crashing down .
‘’ That’s it Austen Stand there excellent photo!’’ The photos were worth the drenching.
We returned back to base and after a cooked breakfast we decided with these big seas the best plan would be to hit one of the local estuary’s. The choice of location was made so we drove to a suitable launching spot. After the extreme kayak fishing session of the morning it was wonderful to be afloat in such a safe and picturesque environment. We launched and headed up the Estuary with the tide with the hope of finding Bass in the rips hitting shoals of fry.
First stop was at a gravel bar with a nice flow of tidal water squeezing its way through . We began casting and within a few casts I was into the first Bass of the day. The fish fought well in the tidal current but was soon ready to land when up against a 9# rod . The fish was small at about 1 ½ pounds in weight but a very welcome regardless. The fish fell to a size 6 Chartreuse and White Clouser Minnow fished on a floating line. No prizes for innovation there but what the hell . The classics work well for a reason. We had a couple more similar sized fish from the gravel bar and then as the tide slowed down over the bar the fish moved off or went of the feed. We split up and paddled off in different directions . I went further up the Estuary and found a huge shoal of mullet with a few bass hiding in amongst them. The Bass will often follow the mullet shoals around and co exist with them in peace. Many anglers believe the Bass are using the mullet as cover from which to grab un weary baitfish .
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A few photos from up the creek , its hard to believe this is saltwater fly fishing! A Magical environment sheltered and full of fish! |
I managed to pluck a bass from amongst the mullet and decided to continue searching for new spots. I made my way up with the tide in much the same way as the fish we were pursuing that is by just sitting in neutral gear and drifting slowly as the water crept into the creeks and gullies. When you find yourself just floating in amongst the shoals of fish you are as close as you are ever likely to get to them or being a fish, all day long I witnessed large boils as I spooked fish a foot or so from the bow. Magical stuff!! I missed the back end of a couple of fry attacking blitzes at the mouth of a creek and judging by the speed of the shoal they were mackerel.
So I paddled against the tide to rejoin Simon close to the middle of the estuary ,near to where we had started. The soft mud that we had carried the kayaks over at low tide was now flooded and the water was warm from the afternoon sun ,Bass and Garfish were hunting in amongst the weed beds in about five to six feet of water . We had several Bass during the final hour . By this time I was exhausted, we had fished from 5 AM to 7 PM and I had spent 6 hours in the seat of a Kayak , my backside could take no more so I elected to paddle to shore. As I attempted to stand up straight on the shore Simon hooked into the last fish of the day , after a short while the fish was landed and a cry of joy was heard. Simon had only managed to land a Guilt head bream!! The Gilthead bream has eluded me so far and should be regarded as the Holy grail of UK saltwater fly fishing for it good looks and legendary fighting abilities. I’am sure my time will come and hopefully my Gilthead will be larger than 4 ounces! Sorry Simon it was only a tiddler!
Gilthead Bream.What a pretty fish
Safety afloat
You need to spend a little time familiarizing yourself with the kayak and I would thoroughly recommend lessons from a qualified Kayak instructor this will arm you with the confidence to get out there. Also a kayaking buoyancy aid is an essential item to purchase. Be sure to try one on rather than buy online as you need a decent fit . I would also recommend that you start out in the company of other kayaker’s they will pass on tips hopefully keep you safe.
Also its advisable to stick to safe sheltered locations to start with rather than fighting big waves, strong currents and wind. Its all common sense really just think safety at all times. Last of all remember to take water with you. I am terrible when it comes to re hydrating at the best of times and paddling will dry you out.
Tackle considerations
Keep it all to a minimum and don’t take your best rod out. I would not recommend taking your most expensive new fly rod out on the kayak if you have a cheaper rod that you can use. The rods and reels will take a battering on the kayak and there’s always the danger of losing a rod overboard. Or damaging it while launching or landing in the surf. I leave the expensive C&F fly boxes at home and use a cheaper alternative. I keep spare tippet materials in my pocket and forceps around my neck on a lanyard. Any other items like a camera go into a dry bag in the hold of the kayak. If fishing estuary’s then trout gear from 6 - 8 # will be fine . I tend to fish a floating line and attach sinking Hi D poly leaders If I need to get the fly down , rather than carry spare spools . If fishing the estuary then consider using smaller flies. These seem to spook the fish less in that environment than the big fat deceivers and crease flies that I tend to use in the sea in rougher conditions.
Choice of Kayak
Ocean Kayak seem to have the market well covered in the UK and the combination of good design, durability and affordability have paid dividends and given the brand a loyal following. I have purchased a Ocean Kayak 15 foot Scupper Pro. This kayak will travel long distances with less fatigue than shorter yaks and the slightly lower seating position provides a nice stable low center of gravity. The choice of colour ranges from dull green to bright yellow. I chose the dull green for estuary fishing. Is that what they mean by going commando!! Possibly not.!
Conservation considerations
Before you fish in estuary’s from afloat be sure to check on the local bylaws . Many are classed as bass conservation areas and many do not allow bass fishing from afloat. In these places you are better off finding spots to fish from the shore, use the kayak to access the remote gems. Also remember to release every bass you catch in the Nursery areas.
Kayak Fly Fishing
Finding features
Take it slowly and read the water, look for sand bars that will cause tidal rips and fish the creases. Try fishing both up tide and down tide of the features . Keep your eyes open at the junction of smaller creeks and once again look for the areas with the maximum water flow. If it looks limp and lifeless then it probably is. Try to work these spots thoroughly as the predators may not actually be willing to stray far from their prime lies. In these situations the Bass may well stay put for a while and let the food come to them. It is also worth noting that many of these marks will fish better on the Ebbing tide. Especially at the mouths of creeks or bottlenecks of areas that dry out at low tide. The Bass will leave the creeks before the baitfish and then nail them when they are forced to leave. Keep an eye open for diving birds and fry shoals being harassed from below.
Casting and drifting
If you are casting from the yak then don’t worry to much about super human distance casting you can sneak up on the fish and get right on top of them. You can use an anchor although this is a little advanced for the first sessions and I find the process fiddly afloat . A drogue will slow down the drift . Simon uses a fly fishing drogue and it works really well. You can strip the fly line into the Yak easily so you wont need a stripping basket..
Playing fish
Playing fish can be entertaining. I’ve had fish circle the boat and even a small fish can pull the Kayak along so just imagine what its like playing a Tarpon on one of these vessels . Some people use a landing net although if you fish barbless then you can release fish in the water with ease. Flyfishing in the brine should be kept simple. Barbless hooks should always be used when afloat for safety reasons. If they come off then it saves you the hassle of unhooking them.
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Hand landing , saying Hello too and releasing a small Bass unharmed |
That’s all for now hopefully this will inspire a few of you to get a kayak. They cost less than an expensive fly rod and will bring a whole new dimension to Saltwater Fly Fishing.
Austen Goldsmith
October 2005
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