Would these be any good for stillwater fly fishing for trout ? Ive got this mad idea in my head about getting one .

First, we have to clear up our terminology. There is no such animal as a "Canadian Canoe", because a canoe is a canoe is a canoe, no matter where it comes from or currently lives. A schooner is a schooner, a dory is a dory, and a canoe is a canoe. It's only the UK that cannot seem to figure out the difference between a canoe and a kayak.

I've fished a lot out of a canoe, it's really the craft of choice for much of the remote water up here. And know what? It sucks. Seriously, I hate it. I hated fishing out of a canoe so much that I spent a year and a half building a drift boat so I had something to fish out of besides a canoe on big, fast, shallow rivers. How's that for hating it with a passion?

There are two problems with fishing out of a canoe. One is that your always twisting sideways on those narrow seats. It's just awful, because unlike a boat, a canoe is narrow so you cannot turn sideways on the seat to face the gunwale.

The second issue is that there always needs to be one guy paddling when fishing so the canoe stays in position and aligned. Otherwise it spins, twists, or otherwise gets out of position at every gust of wind or change in current, so it's difficult to fish unless someone is keeping the canoe in position. What that means in practical terms is that it's freaking impossible to fish solo out of a canoe and with 2 guys, you only get 50% of the fishing you'd get if you were in a boat.

So IMO you should file this under "seems like it'd work, but it won't". Seriously, I'd say try one out several times before you commit to buying something. A canoe is only good for fishing when there are no other options, like small lakes where you have to carry in whatever watercraft you're going to use or chains of lakes where you have to portage between them.

Grouse

Amen to that Grouse! Add to that the fact that the bloody things are easy to tip over if you lean too far over the edge.

I was once witness to a perfect rollover when a guy (admittedly a large human being) leaned too far over to net a trout. The paddler in back was a lot smaller and the result was a slow motion rollover with rods, jackets, everything ending up at the bottom of a small but deep mountain lake.

If you're determined on this type of craft I'ld suggest trying out a kayak instead. The advantage being that a kayak can be handled by one person, is more stable and that a good size fish will take a kayak for a nantucket sleigh ride which will add to the thrill.

Take care

Terry

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Have a look at this thread http://www.flyforums.co.uk/boat-fish...s-fishing.html I think you will find it interesting

Mick

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Terry, did you have any of the Grumman Sportboats in Vermont back in the day?

Those things were the closest thing to a fishable canoe that I've ever been in. They have enough beam that you can actually fish comfortably, but you can still paddle them canoe style, row them, or put an outboard on because they have a square stern.

A buddy of mine has one, they've become highly sought-after by both anglers and duck hunters looking for something more stable than a canoe. Used ones are snapped up in seconds off of Craigslist and for $1000 or more, which is pretty funny considering the last or the original ones produced by Grumman cost about $700.

For small UK stillwaters I'd think they would be idea for personal use as they are light enough to haul on the roof rack of a small car.

Hi Grouse;

Been too many years for me to remember the brands but every canoe I ever sat in was a narrow, tippy thing so I doubt it. At the time I was in the habit of buying a cheap inflatable boat at Walmarts every year and using that as my hike in boat for small lakes and ponds. Only time it ever failed me was on a missed strike on a pike with a J11 rapala and I managed to hook the boat. I have never paddled so fast in my life!

Take care

Terry

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Or his desserts are small,
Who dares not put it to the touch,
To win or lose it all!"

Thanks guys think I will forget it .

The major issue with canadian type canoes is the number of hours it takes to work up a basic level of competence - this is doubly true on moving water.

Further reading

The New NovaCraft Rob Roy is an interesting option - with a double paddle a beginner on flat water would get by well enough - and the option to move the seat up, kneel, and use a single-ended blade is still there if you want to explore the option.

The plastic sit-on-top is a whole heap easier for the inexperienced paddler - and allows self rescue in situations where falling in is possible - an inverted open canadian is a serious challenge in open rough water.


P.S. - There's an off-shoot of Grumman still making the sportboats - I'll see if I can dig out a link.

There you go young Grouse Marathon Boat Group

If your planer is fettled there's always the Rob White design.

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The feedback I've heard on the reincarnated Sportboats, DS, is that they're a poor reincarnation of the original. The weight has ballooned due to the use of thicker aluminum, so they are less appealing for carry-in situations.

I personally don't want one, after all I've got my own drift boat so I'll leave canoes to the poor folk who have to use them. But anyone considering a canoe for fishing should check them out as I think they're a much better option for fishing.

Grouse

Sadly there is almost nowhere in the UK where a drift boat is the answer usually the fast water is far too boney - Though I have a notion that, in the right hands, a coracle might be a very effective river tool on some of the local waters.

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