Fishing from a kayak just got a whole lot easier!

Old Town KayakLinda and I purchased a couple of Old Town’s loon kayaks many years ago, and liked them so much we purchased a third one two years later so our kids could join us on the water. Almost immediately, I started fishing from the kayak, particularly on the Kennebec River between Waterville and Sidney, a section of the river where boating is nearly impossible due to shallow water, lots of rocks, and a series of rapids.

I would fish about half way to Sidney, to a series of rapids, and then paddle back to Waterville. I could return to the launch site in about an hour of paddling. I did try fly fishing for the smallmouth bass there, but found that to be difficult from the kayak, so I mostly stuck to my lightweight spinning road. The kayak is very maneuverable and I could even get into a few side waters in it. And yes, I caught tons of fish.

Although there is a lot of water for kayaking around our Mount Vernon home, eventually we started taking the kayaks up to our north woods camp for the summer. Our camp is on Sourdnahunk Lake, full of native brook trout, my favorite fish in the world. Fishing on the lake is limited to fly fishing, so once again, I tried to do that in the kayak. And gradually, I got better at it, primarily by using shorter casts. And now I really enjoy it.

But there’s always been another problem that makes fishing from the kayak difficult –no room for fishing tackle. It’s even tough to put down the paddle and pick up the rod, or vice versa. Which is why I was so excited to learn that Old Town has created a new kayak just for anglers.

New Old Town Kayak

The press release I received recently reported that the new Loon Angler kayak “has an innovative removable workdeck that’s positioned at arm’s reach in front of the paddler. In addition to tackle trays and bottle holder it has a built-in storage compartment with a latched lid to keep gear secure and organized. The incorporated Slide Track mount makes it easy to quickly attach accessories.  The workdeck also includes a USB port to keep phones, action cameras, hand-held GPS units and other electronics fully charged.”

Well, I won’t need that, because I refuse to take my phone fishing!

Old Town says that, “The Loon Angler is a sit-inside kayak for anglers who want the comfort and shelter from the elements that an enclosed design provides. Both the 10’6” and 12’6” models are engineered with extra width and volume in the 3-layer hull for optimum stability, roominess and comfort.

“Adding to that comfort is the kayak’s Active Comfort System 2.0 (ACS2) seat that combines aesthetics, ergonomic comfort and performance. ACS2 features easy and intuitive adjustments, under-leg support, premium padding and flow-through ventilation, making it the most advanced kayak seating system on the market.”

This feature will be particularly appreciated by old guys like me!

“For convenience and fishing efficiency,” continued the press release, “the Loon Angler has two integrated, flush-mount rod holders located just behind the cockpit. They’re perfectly positioned for trolling applications or to quickly grab a rod and cast. For storage of tackle and other gear, the kayak features bow and stern deck bungees and a rear click seal hatch with bulkhead.”

That feature is something I am really going to enjoy and appreciate.

According to Old Town’s Marketing Communications Manager Luke LaBree, “The Loon Angler is easily the most comfortable sit-inside fishing kayak on the market. It’s easy to paddle, designed for performance and has all the fishing features our customers have asked for.”

Now all I have to do is convince my wife Linda that I need another kayak!

George’s Outdoor News blog was recognized in 2014 by the Maine Press Association as the best sports blog in the state. The MPA noted that the news blog, “Goes beyond the obvious in coverage of outdoor sports and related issues.” And called it, “Well-written, opinionated, and on point.” The blog is posted on Smith’s website, www.georgesmithmaine.com, and the website of the Bangor Daily News. The blog covers hunting, fishing, birding, and other outdoor activities, as well as conservation and environmental issues. It is sponsored by most of Maine’s major environmental organizations.

George Smith

About George Smith

George stepped down at the end of 2010 after 18 years as the executive director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine to write full time. He writes a weekly editorial page column in the Kennebec Journal and Waterville Morning Sentinel, a weekly travel column in those same newspapers (with his wife Linda), monthly columns in The Maine Sportsman magazine, two outdoor news blogs (one on his website, georgesmithmaine.com, and one on the website of the Bangor Daily News), and special columns for many publications and newsletters. Islandport Press published a book of George's favorite columns, "A Life Lived Outdoors" in 2014. In 2014, George also won a Maine Press Association award for writing the state's bet sports blog. In 2016, Down East Books published George's book, Maine Sporting Camps, and Islandport Press published George and his wife Linda's travel book, Take It From ME, about their favorite Maine inns and restaurants.