As October comes to an end I realize I already had my final kayak fishing trip of the season. Although I’m sad to see it end, I’m glad my trip to Beaver Lake was it. Don’t get we wrong, I would have loved to get out a few more times, but the best way I could think of ending my kayak fishing season is with a trip with the Aquabatics Ambassador Kayak Fishing Team.
The Aquabatics Ambassadors Team has three kayak fishing ambassadors and when the season kicked off we had grand plans of getting together and hitting the water, but then Covid happened, and we never got the chance. So finally, at the end of the season, we all managed to get together on the same body of water for a little kayak fishing!
Beaver Lake is a very popular stocked trout and is managed as a trophy lake, meaning the trout are allowed to grow as large as possible. The lake is only open from April to November and the keep limit is 0. I enjoy fishing these types of lakes because hooking up on a large trout on light spinning and fly gear is a real thrill!
The surface was reading 12°C so the water temperatures were already cooling off. I could see active fish feeding just below the surface all over the lake and I tried fly after fly and I just wasn’t able to get a bite. Of course, the one fly I knew would likely work, the boatman, I decided to leave at home.
After burning up the first couple hours fly fishing I decided to change tactics. The one lure I’ve used consistently all year is a Rapala crankbait. It doesn’t seem to matter what the conditions are like, this lure will produce a trout or two.
Trout know that winter is well on its way and they are feeding heavily on whatever they can. As the water temperatures drop, trout are more comfortable coming up shallow and the aggressive ones can usually be seen chasing minnows along the shallow banks. This is one of the best times of year to fish from a kayak. Cruising along the banks and sight casting at likely ambush spots is a thrilling way to chase down some Tigers. Of course, casting to shore doesn’t come without some risk, sometimes the overhanging trees can test your aim.
But sometimes you get luck and the risk pays off!
Once we dialed in the bite, everyone was able to hook up on some trout. I’m really thankful were we able to get together as a team and enjoy the last of our open water season. It won’t be long until we’re walking on water.
