Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk AL Fishing Talk Perspective...and lots of smallies!

I've heard it said that fly fishing from a kayak is the most relaxing way to get mad. I'm starting to believe there's some truth to that.

Being hours away from my beloved Redeye Bass and the miles of wet wading I love, I've been grateful for the opportunity to learn a new river and pursue a different bass species on the fly. But that new adventure—especially from a kayak—has come with a learning curve.

I'm far from new to kayak fishing, but I am having to relying on it more for the actual fishing rather than transport from spot to spot. There are some inherent issues with trying to cast a fly and manage a boat. Obviously there is the never ending possibilities of things for fly line to get snagged on or tangled into. If that's not enough, the backcast always seems to find the one tree behind you just before you drift into the perfect position you've been anticipating. Instead of making the cast, you're reaching back to untangle your fly from a branch. Depending on whether it's the first time...or the seventh...this may or may not result in a brief crash out in the middle of an otherwise peaceful river.

Then perspective returns.

The osprey circling overhead doesn't seem bothered. Neither does the bald eagle perched downstream. The deer you startled with all the splashing and muttering pauses to figure out what exactly is the problem. The great blue heron keeps stalking the shallows, and the belted kingfisher never misses a beat.

Maybe it's not that bad.

Unhook the fly. Take a breath. Make the next cast.

Because for every frustrating moment, there are dozens that remind me exactly why I'm out there: feisty smallmouth bass exploding on topwater poppers, the sound of current rushing over limestone ledges, the memory of big fish that came unbuttoned after only a few seconds—along with the knowledge of exactly where to find them next time. To top it all off, just beneath the surface exists one of the most diverse aquatic communities in the world, while above it, wildlife is never far away.

Those are the moments that stay with me. These moments may look easy, but I have floated a collective 200 miles of this river this spring and summer. Some sections I've floated 3-4 times, some sections only a couple of times. Regardless, the goal has been to try and learn the river, where the fish hold, and when they hold there.

When winter arrives and the rivers are only memories for a while, these are the scenes I'll replay in my mind as I count down the days until I can launch the kayak, tie on another fly, and do it all over again.

Nice bunch of fish!

Great stuff man. And Great Scenery!

X2... ...

Thanks for sharing.

Flowing water is a great thing.

Great catch and Awesome pics!

Yes, great stuff

Yup

Very nice!
I was just rereading the chapter in your book, on fishing Little River Canyon.
Gonna be camping at Desoto in October, hope to get on a few Redeye Bass.

Nice post and pics! This belongs on the General Forum. What river was that on?

Great read, amazing pictures, quality fish and some new brews to try! Th am you for posting

Great pics and stories! I've always been envious of those TN free flowing rivers. Alabama Power would have puts dams on every one of them if they were here.

This is in the upper Clinch watershed in East TN (my new home).

Water will likely be LOW depending on rain, but that concentrates the fish in the pools.

Great pics and some nice fish, Beautiful area

Probably 95% of my fly fishing is done from a kayak and you’re correct, you don’t realize how much crap there is for the line to hang up on.

Finally getting comfortable standing in my kayak made fly fishing a lot easier, in terms of being able to cast different directions, although line management is actually easier sitting down bc I can be intentional about stripping line off the side into the water…standing up it usually ends up at my feet, wrapped around foot rests or the seat. I may try a cheap stripping basket around my waist and see if it makes a difference because I much prefer standing to sitting when I’m fly fishing

BearBranch, fish up and down around Billy Fords river crossing! Fish the larger pools with small spinners, tiny crappie jigs or flys.

Lol, don't go over the falls at the next crossing.