If the water’s above waist deep or the bottom’s muddy, I stay in the boat. I’m still spry enough to climb back aboard my 16’ skiff when I’m finished wading, but for certain pals of mine who are overly stout, have bad backs or tire easily from wading, I carry a folding 6’ aluminum step ladder to make it easier for them to climb back aboard.
Even that was too much for the friend I was fishing with yesterday in Lake Kissimmee, so he elected to stay in the boat, ensconced in a comfortable folding chair, in reach of the cooler, while I waded ahead, pulling the boat behind me on a 20’ dock line, in earshot of his advice as to fly choices, casting technique, women, sports and politics. Just another day fishing.
No sweat, fishing along slowly, using a #8 cork popper to catch bluegills and the occasional bass. Everglades Kites-- Snail Kites--were feeding all around us. My pal in the boat was throwing a plastic worm from the stern seat. After a few minutes it became obvious we had a problem: the boat was swinging in the wind quartering behind me off my left shoulder-- perfect for fly casting--and it was now twenty feet down wind off my right shoulder, in the way of my casts, exposing my pal to the sound of a popper zinging by his ear. He had begun complaining. Now what?
An easy solution was at hand: I took my regular boat anchor off its six feet of chain, and tied the chain and ten feet of line to a stern lifting ring, and let the chain drag behind the boat in the grass and weeds. Now the boat didn’t drift downwind, but stayed behind me, out of the way of my casts. My pal in the boat simply watched for my casts so our lines didn’t cross.
If I had needed more weight I might have rigged my anchor so that it was fouled and would create more drag. Fishing from my kayak I carry a folding anchor, which works perfectly for a drag with its tines folded.
Dragging a weight from a small boat or kayak as you pull it behind you has many advantages. No need to carry drinks, fly boxes or a fanny pack. Also, if you reach a creek you’d like to cross, or find yourself sinking in mud, as frequently happens when I’m wading for bonefish in the Bahamas or Keys, you simply climb aboard and paddle across. See fish off in the distance, or a spot that looks like it might hold fish? Use the boat.
Sure, I could have poled the boat or rowed--my Towee skiff allows both options--but have you ever noticed that it's hard to row or pole and cast a fly rod at the same time? Easing along, I made as many casts as my friend.
We saw one Kissimmee alligator yesterday that looked to be 23 feet long from where I was wading. Generally, alligators don’t concern me...much, but that one reminded me that I had a sandwich in a cooler in the boat, so I waded over and climbed aboard. Big bull sharks on the flats and fast moving summer storms also make me feel like taking a boat ride.
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