Northwoods Solitude

Here is a view of Michgan's Wakely Lake from the cockpit of the Freedom Hawk 14 Kayak. Wakely is one of the top warmwater lakes in Michagan with special catch and release regulations and a limited season. It is a short hike off Rt. 72 about 10 miles east of Grayling.

The leaning post and moveable stabilizing pontoons on the Freedom Hawk 14 make it a pleasure to fish waters like Wakely Lake.

Note the Great Divider keeping all the gear high and dry.

Flies On the Big River

Mark Southard of Forward Cast Fly Shop in Louisville, KY, enjoys an evening session on the Ohio River below Markland Dam. Common catches here include smallmouth bass, white bass, wipers, stripers, largemouth bass and sauger. This type of water is wide open top exploration by fly anglers and represents one of fly fishing's final frontiers. It is a perfect example of the "Dream Global, Fish Local" philosophy.

Freedom Hawk 14

Jerry Darkes and the Fishdog sneak out for a couple hours fishing in the ultimate warm water fish hunting machine! Finally, a fishing kayak that is stable enough you can actually stand up in and fish. Check out the lean bar and outrigger type stabilizer pontoons on the back. They are easily deployed with handles that can be activated from a sitting position. For more info on the Freedom Hawk 14 click here.

Also, notice in the photo a couple other key warm water fishing accessories. Scott Fly Rod's 8' warm water rods (6, 8, and 10wt) make manuevering a fish to the boat easier. And Patagonia's Sunshade Shirt, PFD vest and paddling pants make fishing from a kayak especially comfortable and safe.

Muchos Gracias to D'Arcy Egan, www.outdoorsohio.com, for the photo!

Warm Water Tube Flies? You Betcha

Maybe the next fly tying CRAZE? These river smallmouth hit tube fly patterns tied on Eumer Pro Fishing Accessories tube fly tubes and fly tying materials.

Made in Finland, Eumer products are the craze "across the pond". They have just recently become available in the U.S. and are currently represented by ACS in the Midwest.

This big smallie smashed a traditional Scandanavian tube fly pattern.

Another nice fish taken on a crayfish pattern tied on a Eumer Tube. (Thanks to Will Turek for the pic!)