A Return to the Bow River with Kayak Angler, Stephen Laurie

Our sponsored angler, Stephen Laurie getting out on the river after a long spring run off. 

Check out Stephen's gear sponsors:

Jackson Kayak

Kokatat Watersports Wear

Werner Paddles

New Kayaking Fishing Event in WA State

Word on the street...okay from Kayak Angler, Isaac Miller is that there is a new kayak fishing event in WA State on September 22, 2012 sponsored by the Northwest Kayak Anglers

Salmon SlayRide Derby
Kayak Fishing event
Greys Harbor, Westport, WA

 You can also follow Isaac and his kayak fishing adventures on his blog - Yak Fish or give him a listen on Kayak Fishing Radio which he co-hosts with Dennis Spike. 

 

 

Jackson Kayak 2013 Fishing Models with Isaac Miller

Welcome Guest Blogger, Jackson Kayak Fishing Angler, Isaac Miller!

Jackson Kayak exploded at Outdoor Retailer this year with a trailer full of never before seen kayaks. Then they brought out their tried-and-true top selling fishing kayaks with new features that are sure to please any kayak angler.

The Coosa will come with a number of inserts to put this RAM Revolution rod holder

If you already have a Jackson fishing kayak like a Cuda or a Coosa, you’ll wish you had some of the new features these kayaks, and the rest of the 2013 lineup, are featuring. Throughout the kayaks are small nut inserts. You might not notice them right away as they’ll be capped off with plastic screws to protect the threads from sand and other muck. Jackson Kayak paired up with RAM Mounts to install these inserts and all the fishing kayaks will come with at least one RAM Mount to install a rod holder where ever you desire. The Coosa, Cuda 12, SUPerFISHal and Kilroy will come with one RAM rod holder, while the Cuda 14 and Big Tuna will each come with a pair of RAM rod holders. Because Jackson is using RAM Mounts on the kayaks, you can also install any of the RAM accessories like GPS cradles, AquaBox waterproof boxes, and more.

GoPro Ready. You can remove the screw and place the GoPro where ever you want, or not at all, and open up another insert for a RAM Mount

The kayak fishing fleet, as well as other kayaks from Jackson, are all now GoPro ready. The same inserts can be used to install a GoPro HD camera, with a mount already included. The kayaks do not come with the camera though, so it will need to be purchased separately. If you don’t plan on using a GoPro, remove the mount and you will be able to install a RAM Mount in the same spot.

Saltwater fisherman love the Jackson Cuda 14. It’s long and fast, making it easier to get to the best fishing grounds in the least amount of time. A common complaint, however, has been the flush mount rod holders behind the seat. These flush mount rod holders have been a staple item since modern rotomolded kayaks have been used for fishing. Flush mount rod holders end up putting expensive saltwater reels right next to the water, where they’re subject to all the effects that nasty saltwater can deliver. Jackson was the first to listen to the cries of the saltwater angler and, for 2013, have dropped the flush mount rod holders in the Cuda 14.

The Cuda 14′s new RAM Tubes are going to be a hit with saltwater anglers. In the distance, the new shape of the rod top protector will help make paddle storage quick and effortless.

Instead, future Cuda 14 owners will be rejoicing the RAM Tube rod holders. Mounted on RAM ball mounts installed in the factory, the rocket launchers will raise the reels 14 more inches above the kayak, keeping things as dry as possible. The Cuda 12 and Coosa will retain the traditional flush mount rod holders. Those with a keen eye will also notice that the Rod Tip Protector at the bow of the Cuda has been slightly redesigned. The bungies will now better accept a paddle blade to park it when you need to focus on the fishing without losing track of the paddle.

The Coosa, already the most popular fishing kayak on the market, saw a few additional changes. While it shares the same GoPro and RAM Mount readiness as the rest of the fleet, the front hatch has been flipped around. In years prior, the front hatch also opened from the front of the kayak. This made things difficult when trying to open the hatch while you’re in the kayak. Now it’ll open from the seat area. The rod keepers on the front hatch are now also taller, so it’ll keep rods staged right where you want them, even in rough water.

The Jackson Cuda 12 was first shown off at ICAST last month, but people lined up to give it a paddle at Outdoor Retailer. The shorter version of the Cuda 14, the Cuda 12 offers all of the same features of the Cuda 14–multiple rod stagers, center storage hatch, Elite hi/lo seating, tackle stagers, and more. The most obvious changes came from the front and the rear where you’ll find a slightly smaller tank well area and a smaller front hatch. This kayak is perfect for those that were looking for the speed of the Cuda 14 but not so much river-running agility of the Coosa. The Cuda 12 is a small kayak that tracks straight and continues to make a great platform for standing up and sight fishing like all Jackson fishing kayaks.

The dashboard on the Kilroy features more tackle staging areas, RAM Mount, rod stagers, and a GoPro mount. Under the dash you can see the rod storage tubes on the left. There are three more such rod keepers on the right side of the kayak.

The Kilroy was built similarly to the Cuda 12. It features the same hull as the Cuda 12 and features the same stand-up stability but that’s where similarities end. This sit-in kayak was designed for fishing by Damon Bungard. The Kilroy features tackle box stagers, storage for up to six fishing rods, a removable mesh crate cover, fly line stripping deck, and a removable dashboard towards the bow. The dashboard features the same inserts for RAM mounts, GoPro ready, tackle storage areas and foam fly patch. If you like cast and blast fishing/hunting trips, this will probably be one of the top kayaks.

Featuring the same RAM mounting points and GoPro readiness, the SUPerFISHal is a stand-up paddleboard made for fishing.

Drew Gregory shows off the super-stable, yet very fishy SUPerFISHal. Even I was able to do the same thing and I had never been on a SUP before.

The SUPerFISHal seems to have all the stability in the world and one can instantly become comfortable walking around and fishing from this SUP. At the front and rear, the SUP has straps to secure your tackle and cooler, not flimsy bungies. These straps will make keep your gear more secure. The SUPerFISHal also comes with plenty of capacity to haul everything you’ll need for overnight trips down the river too.

It doesn’t matter how you like to fish, Jackson Kayak has something for everyone now. Kayak fishing is made easier with kayaks that are pretty much rigged and ready to fish before they even leave the factory.

Eastslope Kayak Fishing Classic RECAP by Stephen Laurie

The 2nd annual Eastslope Kayak Fishing Classic is now officially in the books. This year’s event was a great success seeing growth of more than double the number of registered participants from last year. The last minute change of location due to the oil spill on Gleniffer Lake just two weeks in advance of the tournament definitely posed some challenges but with the help of Alberta Parks an alternate location, Phyllis Lake, was found, approved and ultimately turned out to be a great spot for the tourney. The BBQ social prior to the Captains meeting on Friday proved to be one of the highlights of the weekend with plenty of attendees who enjoyed meeting each other and talking shop.

Captains Meeting

BBQ Social

Quite a few of the participants showed up as early as Thursday to pre fish and camp at the Lake making for great company and a nice extended weekend spent with Kayak Anglers from all over Alberta. The anglers hit the water at 6 am tournament day and were welcomed by almost nonstop rain but toughed it out which led to some pretty impressive overall numbers coming in at judging time. Quite a few of the participants limited out with all 25 fish caught including 5 White Sucker which in the end turned out to be the difference that separated the top 4 to 5 anglers from the pack.

On the water

The 2012 Eastlope Kayak Fishing Classic saw repeat winners with brothers Jay and Matt Maciejewsky, both in Jackson Coosa’s, again claiming 1st and 2nd place respectfully and saw them go home with some of the top prizes including A Kokatat T3 Super Angler Dry Suit, Werner Paddles and gear from Yak Attack and Settles Bridge Supply House. First time tournament participant Jim Kind’s third place finish showed that the hours he spent pre fishing were not wasted and earned him a top notch Fly Fishing outfit from Amundson, Exoficio, and Buff Headwear. 

Parking

With the generous donations from our sponsors all our participants were able to leave with top quality prizes and gear from some of the best companies in the kayak angling world. The most exciting moment of the awards ceremony was the highly anticipated draw for a Jackson Kayak Cuda ,a top of the line kayak fishing machine, kindly donated by Jackson Kayak one of our featured sponsors which was won by Wayne Westbury an avid pontoon fisherman who may now be a convert to the world of kayak fishing. With promises from participants to return and with the growing interest in kayak fishing next year’s event is sure to see increased growth and be bigger and better yet again. I’m already working on plans for next year and can’t wait to see both familiar and new faces . 

Wayne Westbury winner of the Jackson Kayak Cuda with event director, Stephen Laurie

A special thanks to all of our sponsors for their genorous contributions and helping to promote the growth of kayak fishing.  

Jackson Kayak, Kokatat, Werner, Settles Bridge Supply House, Undercurrents,Yak Attack, Kayak Angler Magazine, Jackfish Lures, The Fishing Butler, The Fish Grip, Exofficio, Buff Headwear, Pure Fishing, Amundson ,Cabela’s, Glenbow Flyfishing, The World Fishing Network, Kayalu, The Bow Habitat Station, Valhalla Pure Outfitters, Scotty, Tie Boss, Kayak Fishing Supplies, Campers Village and Greenfish. 

Jackson Kayak Coosa - Bow River Kayak Fishing

Great trip report by our sponsored Kayak Angler in Alberta, Stephen Laurie.

Check it out on his site the Fishnhound

Kayak Fishin' on the Bow River with Jackson Kayak Angler Stephen Laurie

Check out our Nikki Rekman Sales, Werner Paddles, Kokatat Watersports Wear and Jackson Kayak Angler, Stephen Laurie on the Bow River.

Stephen in collaboration with Undercurrents in Calgary will be offering Kayak Fishing Seminars this summer.

Check out the Undercurrents website for more details and don't forget to follow Stephen's blog.

Kayak Fishing Classes in Calgary

Are you interested in Kayak Fishing?

Living in the Calgary, AB area?

Jackson Kayak Angler, Stephen Laurie will be sharing his expertise in this introductory kayak fishing course at Undercurrents.

This introductory course will give both fisherman and paddlers alike the information required to safely and successfully fish from a kayak.  The course will cover topics such as kayak fishing safety, equipment requirements, kayak outfitting and kayak specific fishing techniques.  You will also receive general fishing knowledge in regards to tackle/gear selection,  fishing knots,  local strategies and tips required to get you started in the fast-growing world of kayak angling.

This is also a great opportunity to "try before you buy" and do some fishing from a Jackson Kayak Coosa Elite or the new, Cuda!

Cost:

$99

Dates:

    Thu June 7

    Thu July 12

    Thu Aug 16

    Thu Sept 20

Call now to reserve your spot at (403) 262-GEAR (4327)



Don't forget to check out Stephen's website Fishnhound Kayak Fishing