LIP GRIPPER [S K I L LS]
FERRY BOAT CAPTAIN “W
hy aren’t you getting sucked down- stream like me?” I hear those frus-
trated words again and again, from clients and fishing buddies alike when they try to cross a current to fish the other side. Tey are simply using an incorrect method
to move from eddy to eddy. Pointing the kay- ak directly at the destination across the river allows the current to slam broadside into the hull. Te kayak is pushed downstream, result- ing in an exhausting, wasteful effort to regain ground. Te goal is to cross the current with mini-
mal effort, or said differently, with as few pad- dle strokes as possible. Success comes down to controlling the angle of the kayak in relation to the current. Here’s how: Resting in an eddy, gently approach the
tongue of moving water. Angle the kayak up- stream and let the bow slip into the current with a little angle. As the current starts to pull the bow sideways, compensate with a forward
SKI LL S | R IGGING | G E A R | F O O D | T AC T I CS
With a silky sweep, Jeff Little eases into the current, nose pointed upstream.
The hard way—heading straight into the current. Don’t do it.
PHOTOS: JASON VENESKY
STEAL WHITEWATER’S BASIC TRICK TO CATCH MORE FISH BY JEFF LITTLE
sweep stroke on the downstream side to keep your nose mostly upstream. Te current will start to carry the kayak
laterally across toward the other side. Main- tain slow but steady progress, taking forward strokes as required. When crossing a lane of weaker current, you can allow your angle to open and the kayak to point more directly to- ward the destination. As the bow approaches the eddy line—the
meeting point between opposing lines of cur- rent—on the other side, crisply deliver a for- ward sweep stroke on the downstream side to tighten up your angle. Tat’s the last stroke. Glide easily into the eddy pointing upstream, not at all out of breath. Don’t be too aggres- sive—it’ll just spook the fish. Using the current and proper ferry angles
from eddy to eddy means less time fighting the river and more time fighting fish.
DIGITAL EXTRA: Click here to watch River Kayak Fishing Skills DVD trailer.
STEADY EDDY Eddies are pockets of calmer water next to areas with faster current. They are ideal places to park while fishing tailouts, chutes and structures such as bridge pil- ings and jetty tips. For example, to chuck bucktails at stripers gob- bling menhaden or probe eddies with smallmouth candy such as tube jigs. Understanding how to use eddies is one key to accurate boat positioning.
RIVER KAYAK FISHING SKILLS DVD
Jeff Little is devoted to the feisty river bass that swim in the rocky Rappahannock, Shenandoah and other eastern
streams ideally suited for kayak fishing. The accomplished and charismatic guide has put his hard-won knowledge into his first DVD, a comprehensive river runner’s how to catch ‘em lesson plan. Chock full of fishing action, it goes down easy. $20; www.
blueridgekayakfishing.com.
www.kayakanglermag.com… 25
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