Watermaster who fishing them?
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I have a Grizzly that I use a bunch. Really like it.
Kent Lufkin
Geezer
See my Kodiak for sale in the Classifieds.
I got one from a forum member and use it quite a bit. Definitely would recommend the fins if you’re doing stillwater. Really enjoy how easy it is to transport, like it a lot.
The find that come with the package or upgrades?
I don't know how many steelhead I have hooked standing in the middle of a Watermaster fishing a small pocket that 90% of the folks float by because the pocket is too small to justify pulling a boat to shore and getting out to make a half dozen casts.
Yeah there not the easiest boat to row into a headwind. Taking mine out tomorrow to a 47 surface acre local lake that holds largemouth, perch, cutts & a few browns. Should be fun, fly rod probably last on my list. Plastics, spinner baits and worm / bobber 1st up. Might drag a dark bugger on my 5 weight down deep on my kick back to the ramp
@Truth. Or fishing down a high bank that would be really tough to walk back up to your anchored boat. I have both Kodiak and Grizzly, right up there with my favorite boats.
I've been using mine on the Yakima for some half-day floats. You can walk it into places without a boat launch so have more flexibility what water you can hit. I'm still working on how best to fish the high-water banks at summer flows so let me know if you have any go-to methods... Seems like landing on the bank and fishing right at your feet and below you is kind of the best option.
That's one way, but can be tricky landing on some banks. Another way to do it is to plan long floats at summer flows and wear flippers in the boat. It helps to have some flippers that go over boots so you can take the flippers off and walk when you want. Use the flippers to hold yourself a short cast's length off the bank while you're floating and cast your dry/dropper to within about a foot of the bank (or less). It can be a little bit of a rodeo with a nice fish on, floating into the next riffle...
Using fins on a river is a bit sketchy. The idea of being able to adjust your casting angle relative to the bank is very appealing. But, you have to be very very very careful about snags that can pull you out of the boat.
I remember talking to a guide about that once, and he never let me finish my story, before he drilled the safety reasons NOT to wear fins while fishing moving water. He is swift water rescue trained, so,.... He's probably seen stuff.
I remember talking to a guide about that once, and he never let me finish my story, before he drilled the safety reasons NOT to wear fins while fishing moving water. He is swift water rescue trained, so,.... He's probably seen stuff.
I have had a Kodiak since 2011. I agree that a WM Kodiak seems to row slower than a pontoon; at least me vs. a friend years ago with his Scadden Cardiac Canyon pontoon for the looong last couple of frog water miles below the 97 bridge during a 6 mile float of the Williamson. Rich Stuber of BSI speaks to this in an April Vokey podcast introducing her to the WM rafts at 41:12 for a couple of minutes to 43:08. I am wondering if it has more to do with the fixed pinned oars?
I must admit on moving water I like how the sensible use of fins can allow me to use both hands to fish and slow the raft to give my fly just a little more time without drag in eddies and slower water off the faster current that I am floating in as mentioned in this very early WM promo from 4:22 to 8:58.
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I can't disagree. You have to be sensible about where and how you attempt it. I was thinking specifically about the the Yakima Lower Canyon in high summer flows. Having fins and oars if you need them puts you way ahead of most of the toobers you will encounter. Most of them manage to survive. Most of them. Proceed with caution and sense. Personally, I don't think setting the oars down to use fins and cast for stretches at a time is any riskier in terms of getting pulled out of the boat by snags than floating and using oars without fins, but that's just my opinion.
Phil Fravel
Steelhead
Perfect all purpose boat. Easy to row. I just recommend one to a guide buddy who had rotator cuff surgery and cant row anymore
I agree Matt. Higher flows are probably much safer than spring or fall. And I love fishing on the move. I did it once, fall flows, and in most stretches wasn’t an issue. But I did touch bottom. And saw a few snags that probably take would me out. Caught a dandy trout that way.
I fished this past spring in the lower canyon. A few spot I was able to prop myself on some rock piles and fish the boulder gardens.
Such a great time to wade the Yakima!
Tell him to take it easy, I definitely over did my 1st day back on the water, I'm 14 weeks out & 3+ hours on the water and alot of it rowing was killing my repaired left shoulder and aggravating my right which is next up.
My next outing I'm picking a nice small 5 acre lake over a 50 acre!