Hi Folks

I'm considering buying a kayak. Has anyone any experience of the feel free Nomad. It seems well priced, and gets good reviews.
Any comments welcome.

thanks

It depends a bit on what you're going to do with it. If you're planning on bass fishing, for instance, then you might want something a bit heftier - I have an OK Prowler Big Game, and I'm only a little (and ancient) bloke. I just want to have a good stable platform from which to cast, and am prepared for a bit of extra work with the paddle (I'm thinking along the lines of a motor, however). On the other hand, if you want to use it in calm, fresh water, it should do, though it wouldn't be my own choice. Whatever you think you've decided, find someone who's got one, and TRY IT OUT. Try sitting in it in a dealer's showroom - sure, you'll feel daft. but not half as daft as you'll feel if you buy a yak that is unsuitable for your purpose. Look at Anglers Afloat - if you've not already done so. Best of luck - yaks are a lot of fun, and get you to the fish you couldn't possible get at otherwise. P.S. Safety Gear!!!!

Which ever one you go for buy the base model and mod it yourself.

Buy a scupper pro, best value, hands down!!

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Harbour Lights Fly Fishers

I ended up getting the feel free nomad - well, my wife got it for me
I got my first session in chasing pike in a small lough - really loved it - most enjoyable blank ever!! Initially I thought it would be cramp on such a small yak, however i found it was big enough and stable enough for fly fishing.

All i need to work out is the best clothing for kayak session. I guess a dry suit is the ultimate, would waders and a "dry" top do the job?

Waders are not really a good idea, simply due to the difficulty when swimming in them - and I'm afraid it is highly likely you'll take to the water, on a personal level, sooner or later! Everything has pros and cons attached; I'd not be without my dry suit, but it cooks you on a hot summer day. For a less expensive kit in cooler weather, a couple of layers under a cag, with thermals under water-proof bottoms work well. Kayak boots or wading shoes are o.k. I mentioned before, have a good search through Anglers Afloat - you will find (a great many!) answers to your questions.

Anyfish - to get you going waders are fine. they are the same as bib and brace kayak trousers. In fact, I don't buy breathable waders anymore, because for what they are they are TWICE the price of breathable paddle pants, which I then use as waders. Turned things on their head. Use paddle pants (the Palm Sidewinders are what I use - had this pair 6 years now, breathable, bone dry and have a pee zip included and built stronger than Simms at £500 - for £200. best wading secret for anglers out there!)

If you intend to use your waders, you will wear them through in a very short space of time - on the backside, or go through the knees where they rub against whilst you are sat. If using "open" topped chesties, then just put a wading belt around them. Paddle pants are tighter fit than most waders, which limits the amount of water that gets in, it seeps in, rather than fills up. The paddle pants will brush off brambles too - something breathable waders won't do, they don't have the reinforcing the paddle pants have.

There are two sets of gear you really need. For summer a lightweight outfit (in really warm weather a rugger shirt and shorts and plenty of factor 50 - you will get burned to a crisp if you don't prepare against the sun.

Winter and spring. This is when the water is at its coldest and you really must not take short cuts at this time of year. A breathable drysuit seems expensive, but it will last 10 years if you look after it properly. The protection a drysuit offers is unmatched by anything else. Remember though, a drysuit offers NO INSULATION PROPERTIES WHATSOEVER, like breathable waders, you have to supply the warmth in the form of undergarments. Insulated base layers are good, for very cold weather a fleece romper suit is the norm. You need GOOD under layers too, because paddling makes you warm, and if the sweat is not wicked away efficiently you will then freeze when you stop and start fishing. It is worth paddling at a lesser rate in cold weather to prevent the warmth building up too much for this reason.

Before you even start to fish, have you learned how to rescue yourself yet? If you go in, do you know what to do - and have you practised it so you know you CAN do it for real. In an emergency situation (you in the drink IS an emergency situation) you will have a maximum of 3 attempts to get back on the kayak - every time you fail increases the chances the next attempt will fail. After 3 attempts you will have used so much energy and your morale will have dropped ensuring any further attempts also fail. Learn how to do it, do it right and do it first time, every time. The Loghs Agency are looking at setting up a scheme with kayak angling instructors. i am the first qualified Level 2 kayak angling coach n the country - but I am in Staffordshire and cover this side of the Irish Sea, so no use to you until i am over in the spring to Coleraine - just before Easter. If you want to come to the river there I will happily go through the mechanics of kayak fishing with you. I will soon have a coaching page on my website - Kayak UK - home of Kaskazi Kayaks in the UK have a look through the forum and the gallery.

Some fly fishing from the kayak pictures:

Kayak coaching - this was the first time on a kayak for this chap. He was standing up on it by the end of the day.


We sometimes include the local RNLI station to exercise with us.


Rescues in deep water with big waves.


You cannot underestimate the need to be proficient with the kayak in order to fish from it under full control. Big fish are no problem:

Thanks for all the advice folks.
I've a dry suit ordered, as it seems to be the ideal kit for this time of year. I've had a bit of basic instruction on kayaks in the past, but have only had to rescue myself in warmish water while wearing a wet suit. I'd imagine it would be trickier in a swell, in cold water, with loads of gear on while watching my fly rod disappearing into the depths....

pretty impressive images!

We have a saying.....LEASH IT, OR LOSE IT.

Your fly rod (nor anything else) will not disappear into the depths if you leash it when in transit.Once you are using it,there is little chance of losing it or going over. I would be wary of buying a wide kayak though. It just becomes hard work and restrictive. A narrow kayak IS NOT UNSTABLE.


About 12 miles out off Cornwall, fishing alongside a shark boat - we were sharking too!






Like riding a bicycle, it isn't difficult when you have learned the fundamental techniques.