kayak fishing

Enjoying The Distance

May 15, 2020 by Leigh 2 Comments

While there have been very few things to celebrate these past few months, today was an exception. We broke from a string of days with your choice of cool temps and/or rain, and found 80-degrees on the thermometer, complete with sunshine and calm wind.

The state has been regularly stocking the streams with trout, and many anglers are hitting the water. Some obey social distancing guidelines, some don’t. Crowds on the water are not my thing during normal times. Much less during a pandemic.

Today I took the path less chosen. After work I quickly loaded the kayak and headed to the local bass pond. It turned out to be a good decision. In addition to little company, the fishing was good.

One of the things that I enjoy most about pond fishing is the simplicity. I used the same white balsa popper the entire time. Not losing a popper is an accomplishment on its own. The 6′ one-piece fiberglass rod that I built a few years ago proved itself again. Not exactly a travel rod, but it delivers the popper softly and has enough bend to bring a fish close to the kayak for release.

My first fish on the line was this bass. A good start to prepare for many more.

Next came a series of sunfish. While they are not known for fighting abilities, the larger ones are a lot of fun to play as they race under the kayak.

I’m always amazed at the colors and patterns on a pumpkinseed.

I finished on a high note with the personal best of the day – a bass that fought and jumped right until it was beside the kayak. It shot straight out of the water just as the sun was reaching the trees. It briefly reminded me of a tarpon.

I packed the car and looked back, realizing how lucky we are to have this pond close by. While it may seem that there aren’t many things to be thankful for, this will be one place that I visit to enjoy the distancing, and remember how wonderful a day on the water can be.

As I finish writing it has started pouring – again. The rain is beating on my canoe like a snare drum. It’s strangely comforting, reminding me of the outdoor adventures to come.

Hope you are making the best of social distancing and finding some time on the water for yourself.

Enjoy!

Something Different For Fall

October 3, 2019 by Leigh Leave a Comment

It seems like the Connecticut DEEP has stocked more trout in the Farmington River than the human population of some western states. The Housatonic smallmouth action has been nothing less than exceptional. So why am I sitting here in a kayak throwing poppers to hungry bream and rock bass? Simple. I wanted something different.

Instead of standing shoulder to shoulder with other anglers, driving an hour to get to good water, worrying about water temps or reading flow levels, I threw the kayak on the car and was floating within 15 minutes.

This end of the Housatonic is known more for pleasure boats and water skis, yet the inlet leading to the public launch is relatively quiet. Only an occasional boater, returning from a day on the water, asks me how I’m doing.

And I am doing great. Bream and rock bass are hitting the balsa poppers so hard that two of them were reduced to hook and rubber legs. The water is calm, relatively clear, and the takes are easy to spot. I paddle almost effortlessly into small coves, cast, and wait for strikes.

Just like upstream, where the trout are waiting, the fall scenery is part of the experience.

Regardless of where you are and what you’re fishing for, hope you can get out and enjoy some fall fishing.

Enjoy!

A Night for Bass

May 27, 2018 by Leigh Leave a Comment

Spring has taken its sweet time coming to the northeast. Between cold, rain and most recently tornadoes, there has been little time to fish.

After a full day of playing catch up on yard work and chores, I had roughly 2 hours to fish. Traveling to a decent trout stream would take about half of that window. Yet 10 minutes away is a relatively shallow pond loaded with hungry bass that see little pressure. Decision made.

And it was the right one. I quickly loaded the kayak on to the rack and within minutes was on the water. Only one other kayak angler in sight, and he was at the opposite side. Almost no wind, water like glass and the sun starting to set behind the trees. Perfect.

I pulled an unlikely candidate from the box – a nondescript white balsa popper. It wasn’t a high confidence fly. I’ve been far more successful here with streamers. I tied it on planning to switch it out shortly.

I was wrong. For the next two hours I consistently caught 1-2 lb. largemouth bass (and lost a few 3-4 lb. bass) on the same popper.

Slowly paddling 20 feet from the bank, I plucked bass from small coves 4-6 feet in width, often canopied by brush just one to two feet above the water. They ran, tugged, jumped and shook, ultimately posing for a quick photo or an equally fast release.

I used a sidearm cast – not my most graceful, but I have low expectations for popper presentations anyway.

By the end of the night I landed about a dozen, and a handful of panfish as well. Kudos to the white balsa popper.

I loaded the kayak and took one last look at the pond, happy to live in a country that allows this type of access for all Americans, and grateful to the men and women who served to keep it this way.

Have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Weekend!

Renewal

December 31, 2017 by Leigh 1 Comment

It’s 11 degrees outside as I write this last post of 2017. The pellet stove runs nonstop. Tippet wears a sweater and completes her outside breaks in record time. I’m usually covered in some combination of wool, down and fleece before I step outside. In short, winter is here.

The amount of daylight is much too brief, but I’m told we’re gaining a few minutes each day.

Many of the ponds and lakes are now home for ice fishing shacks or hockey rinks.

Small streams aren’t in much different shape. Large rivers are lined with ice shelves.

My canoe and kayaks sit snow-covered and idle, waiting for spring.

IG pics appear showing large pike and musky pulled from under the ice. I spend time restocking my fly box.

Occasionally I’ll get an unexpected surprise, like this documentary film on trout in Mexico, found on my friend Walt’s blog, Rivertop Rambles.

And on some days I hike along the frozen banks, remembering what was and looking forward to next season. After all, this is the time for nature to replenish resources and renew the beauty that awaits us in the spring. For most of us, it can’t come too soon.

Hope this past year was a great one. May 2018 bring you and your family the best. Enjoy!

Product Review: Redington Hydrogen Fly Rod

September 28, 2015 by Leigh 1 Comment

Had a chance to test out the new Redington Hydrogen fly rod. Although marketed as a trout rod, I used it in few different situations and it performed exceptionally.

Offered in sizes 2 wt to 6 wt, I chose a 9′ 6 wt because I wanted to see if the rod could handle smallmouth and trout. Both are found in local rivers this time of year, and you don’t always know what’s on the other end of the line. In addition to casting dries, I also wanted the option of nymphing and throwing small streamers.

One of the first things I noticed is how light the Hydrogen is compared to some of the other 6 wts I use. At only 2.7 ounces, I checked the label to make sure I received the right rod. But the light weight didn’t impair the performance. I gave it plenty of opportunities to handle larger fish. And while it bent over sharply a few times, I never lost confidence in its ability to perform.

My first stop with the Hydrogen was the Housatonic River, where I used it to catch smallies on streamers. It cast the size 8 Orange Blossom Special conehead smoothly, but I probably wouldn’t recommend going much heaver.

Soon after arriving, I had on the first smallmouth. The rod bent nicely, but never felt weak or uneven.

This guy was on the other end of the line. He definitely felt and looked like a football.

My next stop was a local farm pond for some kayak fishing. The Hydrogen had no problem with the foam poppers, and a 6 wt was the right choice for largemouth bass.

Later in the week I took it to the Farmington River, where I caught brown trout on nymphs and dries. I was especially impressed with the way it delicately delivered a size 24 BWO dry to a waiting brown.

My last trip with the Hydrogen was back to the Housatonic. I cast a size 16 peacock caddis during the evening hatch to hungry browns, mostly in the 14″ – 16″ range. A few were bigger, and again the rod had a chance to show it could handle large fish.

In all, I used the Hydrogen to catch smallmouth, panfish, largemouth and trout. I threw streamers, nymphs, poppers and dries. It handled every situation with no problems.

Here are a few other reviews on the Hydrogen to compare:

Hatch Magazine Review

Red’s Flyshop Video Review

The Venturing Angler Review

Overall, I would recommend the Hydrogen. Its light weight, strength and price (~$300) make it a great choice. While it is positioned as a trout rod, I found it quite capable while chasing other types of fish.

Note: I received a 6 wt Hydrogen to test, but no compensation for this review. The opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Enjoy!