Reporter with questions

Hi, all, my name's Andy Walgamott. I'm an editor/reporter with Washington Fishing & Hunting News magazine. I'm working on a story on kayak fishing in Washington with Allen (polepole). He invited me on to ask you some questions too.

I've been curious about kayak angling for awhile, and moreso after noticing there was an award for largest coho caught from a human-powered craft at the Everett Coho Derby. Allen contacted me through another board, pointing out that my initial coverage of the derby on our Web site didn't list the winner (my fault, I couldn't get anything more than Jesse's first name while scribbling down weights and names; added him on the second write through).

My plan is to run my article in our Oct. 25, 2007, issue but it may be pushed back to the Nov. 8, 2007, depending on space availibility. (In case you're unfamiliar with WA F&H, we come out twice a month, 24 times a year, generally run 56 to 64 pages, feature four maps, lots of fishing and hunting reports/forecasts. We've been publishing here since 1954, and also have editions in the Rockies, OR, CA, CO and NY-NJ-PA). I will also post the piece on our Web site, fhnews.com/washington/; I have more room there for fuller answers.

Basically what I'm hoping to learn and publish is who Washington kayak anglers are, how long you've been fishing off yer 'yaks, why, etc. So, if you're interested in helping me out on this article, I have some questions ...

First off, whidbeyfisher (and any others new to kayak angling), what made you decide to get into kayak angling? Do you fish other ways — boat, bank, etc. — and just want to try something new, or is this a different type of choice?

Allen pointed out that with "everything going 'green' these days" there might be more media attention on things like the human-powered division at the ECD. Did a low-carbon footprint factor into anyone's decision to get into kayaks?

The first time Allen says he saw a fellow kayak angler on the water in Washington was in spring 2005 — was anyone here out fishing from a kayak before then, and if so, when did you start? Anyone see kayak anglers even further back, say while you were fishing from a boat or shore?

Reading through some of the posts on this board (and paging through articles in other magz), it appears that some guys really pimp out their kayaks! Has anyone here gone way out with downriggers, fishfinders, etc., and how much did that cost?

Is there any kayak angling-specific lingo? I noticed the term "sleigh ride" in the Anchorage Daily News' account of Allen's salmon shark adventure — anything else along those lines?

What's the Holy Grail of Washington kayak fishing, the spot and/or species you dream of hitting, and why?

Looks like fishable kayaks are sold all over, but is there any place to rent one and try it out? (My wife suggested this question; I think she's thinking of getting me one for Christmas!)

If you wish, you can email me your answers at [email protected]

Thanks VERY much for your time, guys, I really appreciate.

Have a GREAT weekend.

AW
F&H

Some answers to some questions from somewhere else.

Allen pointed out that with "everything going 'green' these days" there might be more media attention on things like the human-powered division at the ECD. Did a low-carbon footprint factor into anyone's decision to get into kayaks?

Ahhhh, yeah! That’s the ticket, just what I intended to do. Yeah, low low carbon fiber,,, good for the digestion.
Actually, the initial attraction was economic. Why keep a $50k boat that spends most its time in the driveway and costs an easy $100 to get a half mile from shore after you launched at a  marina and ran 20 miles, when you could drive to the beach and paddle the ½ mile.
It's also very stealthy. Fish seem to pay little attention to an additional bit of floatsum vs. noisy power boats.
The other thing is it’s fun! (lotta folks seem to forget that that’s the point of fishing)

The first time Allen says he saw a fellow kayak angler on the water in Washington was in spring 2005 — was anyone here out fishing from a kayak before then, and if so, when did you start? Anyone see kayak anglers even further back, say while you were fishing from a boat or shore?

  I've been fishing from a yak almost exclusively since 95. I came up from that state just south of here 5 years ago (I live in Portland). Back then (2001) It was just taking off in Southern California. Now there are LOTS of kayak fishermen.
Very different story here though. Lots of kayakers, lots of fishermen, and almost no kayak fishermen. Until just lately. Its a very different fishery. I thought I was a manly man because I can launch (and land) in 6' breaking surf. Then I came up here and the Clack, Willamette, and Columbia handed me my lunch.   They all have this moving water thing (current) and its cold! You have to dress better to fish up here.

 People have been fishing from kayaks,,, well, since there were kayaks (That’s what they are made for!), but modern Sit-On-Top kayak fishing kinda blew up with the internet around 1995. Dennis Spike at kayakfishing.com had one of the first forums where a lot of people came to the same conclusion (“who needs a stinkpot?”)

Reading through some of the posts on this board (and paging through articles in other magz), it appears that some guys really pimp out their kayaks! Has anyone here gone way out with downriggers, fishfinders, etc., and how much did that cost?

Ahhhh, yes!
These are three of mine, and even though I hold the self-proclaimed title of the original kayak pimp, they are fairly typically rigged boats.

http://home.comcast.net/%7Ewaligomes/kayak/xlclean.jpg
https://home.comcast.net/~waligomes/xlrodhld.jpg
https://home.comcast.net/~waligomes/topandbottom.jpg

https://home.comcast.net/~waligomes/cockpit.jpg
https://home.comcast.net/~waligomes/downrod.jpg
https://home.comcast.net/~waligomes/downrigger.jpg
https://home.comcast.net/~waligomes/kayak/ff.jpg

https://home.comcast.net/~waligomes/newboat.jpg
https://home.comcast.net/~waligomes/pictures/05-07-06_1142.jpg
https://home.comcast.net/~waligomes/pictures/05-07-06_1143.jpg
https://home.comcast.net/~waligomes/pictures/seatrials/rig1.jpg
https://home.comcast.net/~waligomes/pictures/08-12-06_1343.jpg

Actually, I think I like the Boyd Coddington of Kayak Fishing better (just without the drama)

I pride myself on frugality and most accessories are from ebay for less the $100. Until very recently yakfishing was exclusively a DIYers sport. It still is for the most part, but manufacturers seem to have started to pay a lot more attention to the sport lately.

Is there any kayak angling-specific lingo? I noticed the term "sleigh ride" in the Anchorage Daily News' account of Allen's salmon shark adventure — anything else along those lines?

Stinkpot: A boat with a motor

SOT: Sit On Top kayak

What's the Holy Grail of Washington kayak fishing, the spot and/or species you dream of hitting, and why?

For me? Billfish in Acapulco and Blue fin in the Gulf of Mexico. I should notch one of those by February, but I guess those aren’t in Washington.

i sent you an email hope it helps

i sent you an email hope it helps

Care to post it here to?  I'd like to see your answer ...

-Allen

Thanks, guys, I appreciate your help!

Hi, glad to hear you wanted to get some input from me (whidbeyfisher). Well, I am only 14 but I have been salmon fishing off of Whidbey Island (hence the name) for quite a while. I have always dreamed of having a big old off shore boat but that has never come true. Then, one day while surfing the internet, I came across fishing kayaks. This would be perfect, I thought, a small boat at a fairly low cost that can slip through the water with ease, and no noise. So, with the help from the very friendly fellow fisherman I have narrowed my mind down to a couple of boats, and I hope to purchase one this month. I was suprised as you were that the ECD had a division for human powered boats and hope to take part in next year's derby. Just want to let you know that the guys on the north west forum are extremely helpful and know what works and what doesn't

here you go allen

Hey there Mr. Reporter I put an article on Washingtonlakes.com about 1.5 years ago with how I got into kayak fishing and why. feel free to read it and Quote anything you like.
Matt
It will be under tackle box tales

Glad to hear there's some interest and thanks to Pole² for getting the ball rolling!

I started about a year and a half ago and the "madness" hasn't let me go since. I first saw people in Hawaii fishing for reef sharks off yaks and thought it was cool but smaller fish seemed more along the lines of what I could do. I always liked fishing but the sit on your butt or wade in a river aspect of it was always really boring to me. When the yak was thrown into it all fishing just became so exciting. It's just so interactive w/ your environment and quiet. It's a great way to relax, get a workout, get a good meal, and get great excitement also when you hook up w/ a big fish.

My dream fish to catch from a yak is a Tarpon. They're so aerial and fast I think they'd give you a hell of a ride.

Hope this helps.
Z

Thanks, again, guys for the good info.

And for the tip, Floatin Cowboys.

My favorite identity has to be fishesfromtupperware.

AW
F&H

FHNews,

 Keep an eye on this site.
 Some pretty impressive things some of these guys do!

Part 1 will be in the 11/8 issue and part 2 is targeted at the 11/22 issue.  I've not seen the story so am anxious to see what goes to print.

-Allen

Part 1 will be in the 11/8 issue and part 2 is targeted at the 11/22 issue.  I've not seen the story so am anxious to see what goes to print.

-Allen

Do you know where we can pick these up locally?

Z

Zee ... go to the 7-Eleven on 185th on the other side of Aurora from you.  They carry them there.

-Allen