Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition Issue 3801 Dec 22-Jan 4 | Page 7

FRESHWATER VOL.38 • ISS. 1 Dec 21, 2018 - Jan 4, 2019 7 Spotlight On Kayak Fishing... Sponsered by Kayak City in Citrus Heights, CA Kayak City.Com 916.565.1400 Kayaking During The Cold Chill Of Winter By Cal Kellogg I’m approaching the end of my first year as a kayak angler and I’ve got to confess that the sport has lived up to all my expectations and more. My Hobie Pro Angler 14 from Kayak City has proven to be a deadly fishing platform whether I’m trolling for trout or casting for bass. The fact is, I’ve had just as much success fishing out of my kayak as I’ve had in years past while fishing out of a powerboat. But right now, I’m confronting a situation that I knew was coming…The cold months! When you’re bank fishing or fishing out In this shot we get a good view of author Cal Kellogg’s orange NRS Chinook PFD. Notice that Lucy is also wearing of a big powerboat, cold weather can be a a PFD. PFD’s are must have gear any time you are on the water, but they are especially critical when you are factor, but not like fishing from a small craft during the cold water months. when you’re kayaking. When you launch and retrieve a I also wanted something with stocking feet as opposed to big clumsy kayak, you’ve got to make contact boots. After a lot of searching I stumbled on Frogg Togg Pilot II Guide with the water. Pants. They are basically waist high stocking foot waders that Furthermore, since you’re fishing come complete with a belt and zipper pockets. from a small craft, despite the fact The Frogg Toggs have solved all my problems. that modern fishing kayaks are I wear running tights and socks under- extremely stable and I’ve never neath and don the same clog shoes I even came close to falling in, wore during the summer for walking you’ve also got to assume you’re around the launch. Once I’m in the going to end up in the water kayak, the clogs come off and I during an emergency and you’ve spend the day peddling shoeless, got to plan accordingly. just like I did during warm As summer gave way to fall, I weather. started wearing warmer clothes, The rest of my cold gear is pretty but even when I visited Lake standard consisting of a high quality Almanor and Davis Lake in low bulk jacket, stocking caps and Having October when the air tempera- neoprene gloves with a couple fingers cold hands ture was in the 20’s early I still strategically cut out so I can tie knots is just as bad Frogg Togg stocking foot waist waders are as having cold went into the and manipulate my gear. a great option that keep you dry while not feet. Neoprene glove like these solve interfering with freedom of movement. water Overall the most important the problem of cold hands and numb barefoot piece of gear I wear is my NRS fingers. when Chinook Fishing PFD. launching my kayak. Once afloat and My Chinook is a type III offshore I dried my feet, put on heavy floatation device, that features a specially designed back socks and got busy fishing. that doesn’t ride up while kayaking. This makes it super That strategy doesn’t work now because comfortable, but it’s more than just a life jacket. the water temperatures have gotten a lot The Chinook features a bunch of pockets small and large colder and it doesn’t warm up later in the as well as various anchor points, making it a great way to morning like it did back in October. In organize and keep the gear I need close at hand. short I can’t wade into the water barefoot Whenever you are on the water you should be wearing a anymore. PFD the entire time and this is doubly true when fishing The obvious answer to my problem from small craft. Get a comfortable PFD like my NRS was a pair of waders, but I didn’t Chinook and wear it. It just might save your life! want chest waders. I didn’t want to get into a big hassle undressing my torso to pull down the waders the Here we see a close-up image of an NRS Chinook PFD. The vest features pockets big and large, multiple anchor points, a 318 times a morning I have to go to waist belt, sturdy zipper and more. Chinook PFDs come in a the bathroom…LOL. variety of colors. Author Cal Kellogg opted for an orange model for maximum visibility on the water. Photo courtesy of NRS FISHING.