RIVERS EVAN HOWARD
Jackson Kayak pro Evan Howard has an impressive list of swiftwater tournament victories. He hosts the
Riverstalkers.com blog, YouTube channel and Facebook group and owns the blog
Junkfishing.com.
SKIP IT
Bass hug the banks to hide from predators, high water and direct sunlight. To deliver your lure deep into the trees or rocks, use the skip cast. With the same motion as skipping a stone, side cast the lure so it hops off the surface of the water and lands under the overhang. Don’t be afraid to land the lure on the bank—bass and other predators will feed within inches of the shore. Weightless and fixed- weight soft plastics and skirted jigs skip well and can be rigged snag-less.
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Current breaks or seams form where swift-moving water meets slower- moving water. Fish will hang out in the slower water waiting for a meal to pass in the current. To find the fish, make several casts through the seam, each from a different angle. Fish will hold tighter to the eddy line when the current is moving quickly.
KNOW THE FLOW
State and national agencies provide data for most rivers about current flow, water height and clarity. While the information is available through online resources, reading and understanding the data requires experience with the river during rising, falling, high and low water periods. A particular flow rate at high water may be safe, while the same speed at low water could be deadly. Always compare river gauge data with direct observation each time you visit the river. Also, speak with local guides and outfitters about fishable water
levels. To establish a baseline, check historical records for normal flows during specific times of year.
PICK A FIGHT
To get a bite from a cagey bass you have to piss it off. When the water is clear or the fish are on beds, a five- to six-inch swimbait or jerkbait, vibrating hardbait, big creature bait or topwater plug will tempt it to bite. Present the lure so it passes or pauses right in the fish’s face. This instigation is more than a self-respecting Bubba bass can stand. In clear water, be sure to stay out of sight. Stay low to the water, approach the bass from the side or behind and use a side arm cast.
DEADLY DOWNSIZING
Instead of taking your whole tackle box on the kayak, pack a day box that has specific lures for each trip customized for anticipated water clarity, temperature and local bait. I keep my main supply of lures in a large Plano 3700 series tackle box. The lures are organized by depth, speed, presentation and target bait. Cold water requires a slower presentation, so leave the reaction baits at home and focus more on jigs, soft plastics and jerkbaits. When the water is warm, pack reaction baits such as crankbaits, spinnerbaits and topwater plugs. Consider water clarity, too, and choose natural, subtle colors like green, pumpkinseed and brown for clear water and brighter, heavier and louder baits for off-colored water.
SHOOTER SAFETY
When shooting straight down a set of rapids, keep the bow of the kayak pointing downstream. As you approach a fast section of water, pull off the river upstream and scout rapids for the best line with the deepest, cleanest route. Turning into eddies going from fast- moving river flow to the slower eddy can throw the paddler off balance and flip the kayak. Learn to tilt your kayak into your turns. Be sure to secure and stow all loose items before attempting to run rapids. When in doubt, play it safe by portaging around the rough stuff.
DON’T GET CAUGHT
Logjams, deadfalls, strainers and rocks are deadly in swift current. Accidents happen when an angler takes his eye off the river to focus on fighting a fish, freeing a snagged lure or making a perfect cast. Identify these traps by
scouting rapids from upstream or from shore, and line yourself up to avoid them altogether. If your kayak gets caught against a rock, always lean towards the obstacle to allow the water to flow under your boat. Use your legs or paddle to push off the snarl. If you end up in the water headed towards a strainer and there's no way to get around it, swim aggressively downstream and try to launch yourself out of the water and over its branches. If you find yourself swimming in the main flow, float on your back facing downriver with your feet at the surface until you spot a calm eddy to swim to. To fish these obstacles, approach from downstream and always have an escape route to paddle away if the current is too swift. Be sure to stow rods and gear that might get tangled in low hanging limbs.
www.kayakanglermag.com…59
PHOTO: CHRIS FUNK
PHOTO: CHRIS FUNK
PHOTO: CHRIS FUNK
PHOTO: CHRIS FUNK
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