Just took delivery of a new Wilderness Systems Ride - so anxious to rig it up and get on the water I can barely stand it. Been fly fishing/tying for sime time but the yak is new to me. Any rigging, paddling or Plano/Dallas area destination tips would sure be appreciated. So far, I have the rudder, high backed seat and paddle. I live just off the tollway, just south of Legacy.

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Will
Gig 'Em Ags '79 '81

a few places come to mind;

there is a put-in on the Trinity River just east of Denton, a greenbelt access point on the river between Ray Roberts and Lewisville.

Then there is Ray Bob itself. I have a kayaking buddy who fishes the flats on Ray Bob quite a bit, says its great. Lavon probably has a lot of good area but I know next to nothing about it even though it is the closest lake to me physically. (I'm in McKinney)

The Brazos has always been reported as good but don't know how it is with the Golden Algae kills.

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RRhyne56, Flyfishing Warden
rrhyne56@attbi.com
Robins Custom Flies and Leaders

Check out the Texas Kayak Fisherman web page, the freshwater chat room. They also have pictures and writings on rigging.

RRhyne56 - Thanks for the info - thinking of trying the Trinity river spot tomorrow early am to about noon. Maybe the sandies are running up there. Can you give me a little more help on directions? Looking at my map, I will be heading west on 380 and then.....north on 377 to 428, then west on 428??? After that I am lost and need a better map.

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Will
Gig 'Em Ags '79 '81

if you want to go to the Greenbelt launch I was talking about you would need to stay on 380. Stay the course until you are almost in Denton. You will cross the lake, go down a long bit of hill, it will be on your right with the usual brown TPWD sign. Good luck and keep us posted!

Here is the map
Greenbelt Map

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RRhyne56, Flyfishing Warden
rrhyne56@attbi.com
Robins Custom Flies and Leaders

[This message has been edited by rrhyne56 (edited 04-02-2003).]

RRhyne56 - Thanks - map and info are a big help. I'll post results assuming I can keep my big butt in that yak long enough to get some fly fishing in. First trip - we'll see!

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Will
Gig 'Em Ags '79 '81

one more little thing, don't plan on getting out anywhere along the way. I may have missed it when I canoed that stretch but there were very few if any places where one could just hop out on the bank. Not impossible of course, just not convenient.

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RRhyne56, Flyfishing Warden
rrhyne56@attbi.com
Robins Custom Flies and Leaders

Went to the Trinity @ 380 yesterday AM. No current - the wind was blowing me UPstream - and no fish - at least not on my clousers. But - gained some valuable experience in the Kayak, paddling, where I want my fish finder, fly rod holder, etc. While I was at it, checked out the other two put ins up-river. Very steep hauls. Not impossible, but since I was by myself, and I don't yet have a dolly for my yak, decided to take them on another day. Thanks for the helpful info. Would have wasted a lot if gas and energy without it.

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Will
Gig 'Em Ags '79 '81

glad it was a good shakedown cruise. I have never been extremely successful the few times that I have fished that area. I imagine that it will demand a lot more time on the water to learn where all the fish are. For one thing there are gar in there in great quantities, some big enough to give one pause.

Hope you continue to enjoy the river and I'm looking forward to some where-the-fish-are tips.

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RRhyne56, Flyfishing Warden
rrhyne56@attbi.com
Robins Custom Flies and Leaders

[This message has been edited by rrhyne56 (edited 04-06-2003).]

Hey West, how did you like your yak. I've been thinking about getting one, but the choices are confusing. How did you go about deciding on that model.

My first requirement was stability. I am an non-graceful 230 lb. and did not want to have to worry about swimming when I was trying to fish. Did a lot of research and found that the Ride was one of the most stable yaks out there. Next, I wanted a sit on top - seemed easier to fish from and get in and out of. I also wanted one I could configure myself so I did not get the Angler model. It was set up for the bait and hardware guys and I needed a fly fishing set up. Finally, I talked to the gang at the Orvis store in Dallas (where I spend way too much time and $) - the fly fishing manager and assistant manager had chosen Rides - that told me a lot. So far I am all smiles - have added fly rod holders, fish finder, and ice chest/tackle box. As soon as it warms up a little, I'm heading out. Oh yeah - length - some of the yaks out there are l o n g. According to the experts, the longer yaks track better in a straight line but are a little less manuverable. As they go, the ride is about medium length, and with the optional rudder tracks great. Also, I can carry it in the back of my truck. Hope this is helpful. If you want, shoot me an email and I'll send a couple of pics of my set up so far.

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Will
Gig 'Em Ags '79 '81