Wednesday, May 6, 2015

High Water Floating

Recently, I was invited out to float the Fox River with Kurt from a Tight Loop magazine and Sean from Rushing Waters. I was pretty excited and nervous at the same time. I was excited, because, I have never fished from a drift boat before, and I was just thinking of all of the knowledge I could gain from these two experienced fly anglers. I was nervous, because, having never been in a drift boat before meant, I didn't know how to row a drift boat, and I was well aware of the new guy rule when it came to rowing. I should also mention, I was scared of everyone seeing my non-tight looped casting abilities.


The weather looked picture perfect, but man, was that wind howling! There were some storms that passed a few days prior to our float, so, the water levels were up about 2 feet, if I remember correctly. We were all in search of smallies, the occasional pike, and maybe even a surprise musky...but we weren't holding our breath.


With the high water there were quite a few flooded areas. This is where the carp were all feasting and soaking up the sun, and we even spotted a few pike in spawning mode. We switched our tactics and tried sight fishing for these golden behemoths, but were not able to find any takers.


The fishing was tough, and 1 smallie was boated all day by Kurt. He hooked up with it on a very nice cast underneath a bridge. The smallie was right where it should have been.

All in all it was a great time. There were a bunch of laughs, a few beers, ciders, and doughnuts. Another "THANK YOU" goes out to Kurt and Sean! Thank you, for not making me row on such a windy day, giving me the front of the boat, and teaching me proper drift boat etiquette on poach casting. Haha

I owe you guys big, next time!



12 comments:

  1. Awesome! I havent done the drift boat thing myself. Looks like blast though.

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    1. Those boats are awesome, and perfect for standing and fishing. They're great!

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  2. Replies
    1. and it was! I can't wait to get back out there!

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  3. I've only been in a drift boat once. Stepped out, slipped, got my foot caught under the boat, and fell into the water. That was in October, want to guess how cold the water was?

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    1. Hmmm...is this a trick question, Mark? Thought there was no water in California....I'm kidding :) I'd say it was around 50/60?

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  4. I've only floated on a raft, but I can only imagine how much fun it was. Totally different from wading. Don't get addicted.

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    1. Extremely different from wading, but a ton of fun! Oh, don't worry, Howard. I love wading. I'd sell my kayak to get new waders if it ever came to it. Nothing beats a walk in some water.

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  5. I have drifted a few times while I lived in Southeast Idaho. Never had to row though. My fishing partners were thankful! They teased me and told me my arms were too short, but, I knew what they meant.......................

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    1. Haha lucky us. We'll see if I get another invite this summer. I'm sure I could row, I'm crafty and figure stuff out fairly quick.

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  6. Sounds like a good time, brotha! I have yet to go down stream in a row boat either.

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