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According to Ratty, there is nothing more fun than messing about in boats. Well, he was nearly right. Add a fly rod, some bass, and an early morning start and it achieves perfection. Good friend, local ghillie, and all-round piscine guru Nick Richards has decided to share the secret to bass on the fly (he caught more than 300 himself last year): the kayak. No, not an exotic fly of enormous proportions, a flatbottomed canoe. Nick’s fleet of ocean kayaks is stabilised for coastal waters and kitted out for fly fishing.
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Kayaks offer the opportunity to follow the fish, enabling Nick to show clients sporting fishing at unusual marks all within the Solent. For the familiars of my blog, you know I am always eager to a.) get someone else’s opinion of a new sport and b.) get one up on Jon. So roping him in as a lab rat was a no-brainer. We set off from Portsmouth seafront at 4am, and the gods were with me. Before we’d gone 500m, Jon was upside down and thoroughly wet. Neither Nick nor I can work out how he’s done it (but then that’s Jon, achieving the impossible) as we’ve tried and couldn’t, no matter how hard we laughed.
This fishing isn’t for beginners: casting with your ass at sea level takes a bit of getting used to. Try sitting on the floor and casting a decent line. Fortunately, sea bass aren’t as skittish as wild brownies. And proficiency at swimming just makes good health and safety sense, even with the life jacket Nick insists on. As for anything challenging, the rewards are great.
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The UK shore-caught record for sea bass stands at 19lbs 113/4 oz, achieved from Sandown Pier on the Isle of Wight. From a kayak, the fight might replicate a husky pulling a sleigh, but there is every chance of tackling a double figure fish. My favorite summer snack, mackerel are another common catch. If only they grew bigger, they’d be the king of the sport fish: pound for pound they put up a fantastic fight on the fly.
So if, having practiced your prone casting in the lounge, you fancy having an early morning or late evening go at the bass, drop me an email and I will put you in touch with Nick.
