Question for Skinny Water/River/Small Lake Kayak Fly Fisher-people

Hi!

I'm brand spanking new to the forum, and to kayak angling. I'm hoping to start my venture off by asking those of you who live in the same area as me (North Sacramento/Roseville-Rocklin/Marysville-Yuba City) fish on skinny water, rivers and small lakes:

Kayak fly fishing - worth it?

It seems like, as far as local water sources go, that can support kayak fishing, we've got it made. We have the American, Sacramento, Feather, Yuba, as well as some lakes, the delta and it's sloughs, as well as coastal and alpine fisheries within reasonable driving distance.

What sort of "routine" kayak angling do you find yourselves doing, and where are you doing it at?

As far as kayak fly fishing goes, I have no idea which of those above bodies of water are conducive for fly fishing from a kayak. I fly fish the American river (a seasonal striped bass, shad, steelhead and salmon fishery) the most since it's so close. I usually fish in the sections that are higher up on the river than where the boat let-ins are. Where I fish, I really only ever see drift boats pass me by, which leads me to believe the only easily "kayak-able" stretches of water are lower down the river.

As far as kayaks themselves, what are the popular brands/models around here? Years ago I worked at Fish and Game and a guy was a pro-guide with Jackson, and he swore by the Cuda, but I feel like the technology has come so far since then. I've been eyeing Hobies (possibly the Outcast or the PA), but are they just way more than what our local fisheries really need? And with pedal-powered kayaks, do you find them to be too cumbersome to manage a fly line - specifically on our local fisheries?

And is there anything else I really should consider before looking more seriously into this hobby? I'd really like to have something to get me in the water so I can cover more territory, but is there something more practical than a kayak for my use-case?

9/13/2021 Edit - I've changed the thread title, and edited the post slightly to be more encompassing to the type of fishing that interests me with Kayak fly fishing. I hope that this encourages more people to provide insight, and lessons learned!

9/17/2021 Update - My shift has focused to more paddle kayaking at the suggestion of some of you, and thinking more critically on the issue. I've been pretty seriously looking at the Jackson Mayfly. The only issue is - no one has it stocked, locally, to demo! I might have to travel out of the area to look at one!

I’ve got nothing for you, other than: WTTM!!!

Yeah I don't know jack about flyfishing or the American, but did once take a 16' Hobie on the American for Eppie's race..was fun. Afterwards, I paddled up river towards the dam. It was quite enjoyable and a pleasure. This was done without the Hobie drive tho.

Welcome Fivefingers 

I don't fish those rivers and I don't know a damned thing about them but I fly-fish from a kayak and I know about that - and it's basically the same wherever you fish.

I had a Hobie and didn't like it for fly-fishing.  Although I never tangled the line in the flippers from outside the boat, stripped line was forever managing to drop through the opening for the Mirage drive and getting tangled up that way.

You could probably overcome that with something simple that would block the line form sliding into that opening.

It isn't hard to search this forum - and others - to find out what kayak(s) the cool kids are using.  Try it.  The problem is knowing whether those kayaks are a good fit for how and where you plan to fish.

There are some great fly-rod anglers on this forum, but not that many.  Read what they're saying in this forum topic because, one more time, what we do where we fish is directly applicable to where you plan to fish.  And consider asking the question differently, so folks who don't and may never fish the Northern Sacramento area can offer you some advice.

I have a Native Titan. I’m always dealing with fly line tangles around the various attachments and pedal drive.  When you add in tide and wind, it can be very frustrating. Most of the time when I’m casting, I’m standing. I don’t think I’d like to sit in kayak and cast, but advantage is keeping yourself in position via pedal drive.I think fly fishing from kayak with traditional paddle in current would be too much for me to handle. Personally, I would use the kayak to get from place to place on The river rather than to fly fish from.

A pram makes a way better platform for River fishing any style be it fly or other. It will be way easier to control than a kayak as well.

I have fly fished the rivers, lakes and ocean in several different kayaks including a hobie with the drive in.
If you know what you are doing you get used to it.
I taught my grandson how to tie his first fly this week. He tied 5 and caught fish with them all the same day.

My first kayak fishing experience was fly fishing on a lake in Texas.  I was seated the entire time and never had a problem (It was a paddle yak).  I would suggest trying it our on some of the smaller lakes and reservoirs in the area until you get comfortable before getting into moving water.   Never been in a pedal kayak but would imagine it would be a little easier but not necessary.  Good luck out there and enjoy the learning and the fishing.  Plus always have the essential saefty equipment with you and wear your life jacket at all times. 

I don't fish those rivers and I don't know a damned thing about them but I fly-fish from a kayak and I know about that - and it's basically the same wherever you fish.

I had a Hobie and didn't like it for fly-fishing.  Although I never tangled the line in the flippers from outside the boat, stripped line was forever managing to drop through the opening for the Mirage drive and getting tangled up that way.

You could probably overcome that with something simple that would block the line form sliding into that opening.

It isn't hard to search this forum - and others - to find out what kayak(s) the cool kids are using.  Try it.  The problem is knowing whether those kayaks are a good fit for how and where you plan to fish.

There are some great fly-rod anglers on this forum, but not that many.  Read what they're saying in this forum topic because, one more time, what we do where we fish is directly applicable to where you plan to fish.  And consider asking the question differently, so folks who don't and may never fish the Northern Sacramento area can offer you some advice.

Thanks for the reply! I made sure to browse through the fly fishing forum pretty extensively before I made my post, and I've certainly seen that people have floated areas I've mentioned. I might have been too hopeful to have a narrow audience find my thread and reply. I agree, I might want to consider what most people on the forum prefer, rather than what, regionally, people prefer to use.

I have a Native Titan. I’m always dealing with fly line tangles around the various attachments and pedal drive.  When you add in tide and wind, it can be very frustrating. Most of the time when I’m casting, I’m standing. I don’t think I’d like to sit in kayak and cast, but advantage is keeping yourself in position via pedal drive.I think fly fishing from kayak with traditional paddle in current would be too much for me to handle. Personally, I would use the kayak to get from place to place on The river rather than to fly fish from.

Thanks for responding! What's your local water you fish often? What do you do to try to prevent tangling? Would you go with a Native Titan again, or would you switch to a different fishing platform if you could?

A pram makes a way better platform for River fishing any style be it fly or other. It will be way easier to control than a kayak as well.

Like a drift boat or jon boat? I'd totally use a drift boat if I had a consistent fishing partner. I considered something like a power drifter with a jet motor but that's getting into some $$$.

I have fly fished the rivers, lakes and ocean in several different kayaks including a hobie with the drive in.
If you know what you are doing you get used to it.
This week I taught my grandson how to tie his first fly this week. He tied 5 and caught fish with them all the same day.

That's great! I've not even begun the adventure of tying my own flies - I'm envious of your grandson's skill that has already greatly surpassed mine! If you don't mind my asking - what is your local water you find yourself kayak fly fishing in the most, and/or which do you find the most enjoyable kayak fly fishing from?

My first kayak fishing experience was fly fishing on a lake in Texas.  I was seated the entire time and never had a problem (It was a paddle yak).  I would suggest trying it our on some of the smaller lakes and reservoirs in the area until you get comfortable before getting into moving water.   Never been in a pedal kayak but would imagine it would be a little easier but not necessary.  Good luck out there and enjoy the learning and the fishing.  Plus always have the essential saefty equipment with you and wear your life jacket at all times. 

I certainly am going to take baby steps before I try to do anything crazy. And I certainly am going to make sure I don't skimp on safety equipment. Believe me, if my wife lets me buy one, she's not going to let me actually use it unless I'm coming back in one piece. I'd love to fly fish, or just plain fish, in Texas. Namely on the coast. Redfish country!

I've never seen a reason to stand up in a kayak to fish.  We aren't fishing the gulf coast flats after all, and here, you can glide right up to the fish without spooking them.  It's always a hoot when I'm casting over that-a-way then look down and see the fish right below me.

I have no trouble casting while seated, although it took a bit of practice before it felt natural.  Sixty feet is no problem and I haven't yet needed to cast further than that.

I have no problems with currents and a paddle.  My experience in my Hobie was needing to keep one hand on the rudder lever to keep it facing where I wanted it - drifting or pedaling.  The advantage just wasn't there for me, but as always, everyone's mileage will vary.

what is your local water you find yourself kayak fly fishing in the most, and/or which do you find the most enjoyable kayak fly fishing from?

I fish the ocean more than anything even though I am in the Placerville area and Crystal Basin is pretty much in my backyard.
Sly Park for smallies is a great fly fish lake.
Arden Ponds is a good place to practice.
Fuller Lake off of I-80 used to be a great fly fish lake even though it has been years since I fished it.
Kelp for olives and blues and blacks on the fly never disappoints. White is the go-to color.
Be mindful of the wind as a hefty fwd cast with a gust of wind will smack you in the back of the head with the fly. Not fun when hucking a big weighted fly. BTDT

I use my Trident 13 on the American river, the delta and on the ocean.

Any still water I use my float tube.  I spend the majority of time in my float tube.  The only time I use my kayak on still water is when I am fishing one for the tournaments that won't let me use my float tube.

I fly fish 100% of the time and spend 98% of the time in my float tube.

What was the name of your Jackson-sponsored DFW colleague…Adam? Haha
I would suggest a paddle yak (at least to start…you can always upgrade yaks later after you get a better feel for the type of fishing you want to do…the used yak market is hot, so it would probably sell fast for the same price you paid). I say that based mainly on your plan to flyfish moving water. Pedal drives can be problematic in shallow rivers and it’s 1 more thing to tangle your running line on (even if your using a stripping basket).

I've never seen a reason to stand up in a kayak to fish.  We aren't fishing the gulf coast flats after all, and here, you can glide right up to the fish without spooking them.  It's always a hoot when I'm casting over that-a-way then look down and see the fish right below me.

I have no trouble casting while seated, although it took a bit of practice before it felt natural.  Sixty feet is no problem and I haven't yet needed to cast further than that.

I have no problems with currents and a paddle.  My experience in my Hobie was needing to keep one hand on the rudder lever to keep it facing where I wanted it - drifting or pedaling.  The advantage just wasn't there for me, but as always, everyone's mileage will vary.

I think that's my inexperience speaking - I haven't done kayak fishing, so the thought of driving a boat right up to a fish and not spooking them is just a bizarre concept for me. Wild! A 60 foot cast from a seated position is incredible, I might have to get a lawn chair and go to a park and see if it's really that easy.

what is your local water you find yourself kayak fly fishing in the most, and/or which do you find the most enjoyable kayak fly fishing from?

I fish the ocean more than anything even though I am in the Placerville area and Crystal Basin is pretty much in my backyard.
Sly Park for smallies is a great fly fish lake.
Arden Ponds is a good place to practice.
Fuller Lake off of I-80 used to be a great fly fish lake even though it has been years since I fished it.
Kelp for olives and blues and blacks on the fly never disappoints. White is the go-to color.
Be mindful of the wind as a hefty fwd cast with a gust of wind will smack you in the back of the head with the fly. Not fun when hucking a big weighted fly. BTDT

Yeah, I was thinking of using Arden Ponds or Lake Natomas as my practice grounds. The thought of ocean fishing is an alluring one, but I really want to test my mettle in some rough conditions on a lake, or the delta, or maybe even the bay, before I do anything open water. Baby steps!

I picked up a spey rod from a guy yesterday who just told me a story of a buddy of his breaking his boat's windshield with a 5/0 clouser in the delta during heavy winds. Yikes!

I use my Trident 13 on the American river, the delta and on the ocean.

Any still water I use my float tube.  I spend the majority of time in my float tube.  The only time I use my kayak on still water is when I am fishing one for the tournaments that won't let me use my float tube.

I fly fish 100% of the time and spend 98% of the time in my float tube.

That is awesome! Thank you for sharing that! How far up on the American have you gone? I'm not asking for your specific honey holes, I'm just curious if there are sections that are "off limits" because of it being too skinny, or for any other reason. Are you able to do everything - pitch streamers, indicator fish? And - wow! Sounds like the kayak gets a lot of dust if you're in a tube that often - any reason you don't like having the mobility of the kayak over the ease of the float tube? Is that a fair comparison?

What was the name of your Jackson-sponsored DFW colleague…Adam? Haha
I would suggest a paddle yak (at least to start…you can always upgrade yaks later after you get a better feel for the type of fishing you want to do…the used yak market is hot, so it would probably sell fast for the same price you paid). I say that based mainly on your plan to flyfish moving water. Pedal drives can be problematic in shallow rivers and it’s 1 more thing to tangle your running line on (even if your using a stripping basket).

It might have been! I actually just hit up my old supervisor at DFG to see if he could get me in contact with him, so I can book a day with him to give the whole experience a try.

And that has been a very real consideration for me, in picking a pedal drive kayak. It's that reason for which I am goingto demo both a pedal drive, and paddle kayak. Hopefully I can knock out a few birds with one stone, if I can book a guide service with a kayak guy.

I paddle all the way up to Hazel in my kayak then float back hitting different spots.  You can fish anything on the river, just depends on the water you are in.

As for the float tube, it is a lot more comfortable, and I don't need to go far to get fish, they are everywhere.  I carry 3 rods and a net on my float tube rack.  Plus my float tube weights a lot less and is a ton more portable.  Heck, I even won a kayak tournament in my float tube.