Individual Water Craft
Often times at the mention of "fly fishing" people only get the image of standing in a river casting dry flies upstream. Luckily though, fly fishing has many facets and is adaptable to countless situations where fish exist. One of my favorite place to fish are lakes and the best way to do it is from a float tube or personal pontoon boat. Here are some tips for buying and fishing from personal watercraft.
Get the pontoon boat or float tube that works for you and what you do. A somewhat larger pontoon boat is necessary if you will be floating rivers and still works great on lakes. The oars are perfect for steering on moving water and get you places fast on lakes. The only drawbacks to pontoon boats are their weight.
A float tube, like the Outcast Fat Cat, however, can easily be moved by one person or even carried in a back pack for packing in to alpine lakes. It won't have oars though so kick power is all you have.
When fishing from a personal watercraft many people get the false notion that they should immediately use their tube or pontoon to get to the middle of the lake. Most of the feeding fish though are generally closer to shore. The best thing about these boats is that you can position yourself facing the shore and pull your flies from shallow to deep which is a very natural presentation. At times when fish are suspended in deep water by all means get out there and get them though. Carry several lines allowing you to cover several depths.
Lastly, be extra careful and safe in your personal watercraft. These aren't battleships and high wind and even medium waves can be very dangerous. Always wear a pfd and make sure to avoid rough water. Use your head and you'll be safe.
This is a relaxing and really effective way to fish. Find some water and give a tube or pontoon a try.