What do you choose when you have so many things you want to experience in Graham County but only so much time to do them? Think about combining several activities. One couple wanted to go camping on the Lake, somewhere away from a busy campground. They didn’t have a boat so their options were limited. Their solution was to rent kayaks that were large enough to carry their camping gear and supplies and they paddled to a remote location and had a delightful experience. Another visitor had her dog with her, and rented a paddleboard that allowed her companion to comfortably view the water as she explored the lake. If you just want to enjoy the cool lake while basking in the sun there are quiet, inflatable kayaks available to rent that are wide and extraordinarily comfortable for dozing and reading on the water.
My husband and I love to fish, birdwatch and kayak. We had heard that there were “fishing kayaks” available at one of the local guide services. We decided to see what was available and called to book some kayaks and a fishing guide and to see what else the company had to offer. We arrived at the launching spot just as the sky
was brightening. Our guide had the kayaks all set up and waiting for us. The fishing kayaks were a marvel. The beauty of the surroundings even more so.
There was the classic “smoke on the water” mist lying on the lake and the water was as clear as a mirror, reflecting the mountains. Jared Schuster, our guide for the day, gave us a brief explanation of how the kayaks are used and a safety explanation to ensure a good trip. He supplied comfortable life jackets and everything we needed. We were helped into the kayaks, which were powered by our legs, leaving our arms free to handle the fishing rods. The seats were extremely comfortable. Our guide, Jared Schuster, was a font of information and described the different kinds of fish that could be caught that day. We learned so much! A GPS locator is on each kayak that is very helpful. On it you can see the bait fish, usually schools of Shad, swirling in circles beneath the surface. The bigger predator fish such as Bass and Trout, feed off the smaller bait fish. We had a choice as to whether we wanted to fish with a spin caster or whether we wanted to troll at the deeper, cooler depths. The locator affixed to the side of the kayak supplied the depth, the water temperature and speed that you are going in your kayak. We even had a place to put our water containers, cameras and sunglasses safely.
We pushed off and glided easily out onto the lake as the sun rose and transformed the sky into a glorious mix of pinks, whites and blues. It was so quiet. We were shown how to look far across the surface of the lake to see where the fish, usually Bass, were rising to the surface and feeding. We headed out to “Chase the Bass. Each Kayak has a net just behind the seat. Our guide took us to a place where he knew fish could be found. That is the joy of having an experienced local guide. You don’t waste time if you are hoping to catch supper! He explained to us that he checks the temperature of the fish’s skin when you net one. If it is warm the fish has been swimming near the surface of the lake and if you release it, it will most likely be just fine. If the skin is very cold, then your fish has darted up from the depths to snag your bait and you should consider keeping and eating him because he will have a harder time recovering after release. Our guide not only cleaned our catch for us but showed us exactly
what he was doing and why.
I caught my first fish and it was a big white bass! There is something so thrilling about the feel of a fish pulling hard on the end of your line. Once the fish was in the kayak, I shrieked for my husband to come take a picture of it. The guide had a camera also, and we all quickly snapped pictures. We decided that the Bass would be our supper and it was slid onto a stringer and placed back in the water along the side of the Kayak. Our group fished happily for hours. We switched from surface fishing to trolling. My most exciting catch was made as we made our way back to the dock. I caught the most beautiful Brown Trout I had ever seen. It was 23 inches! I was thrilled. The skilled guide netted it up and into my kayak. We immediately agreed that this fish was too beautiful to keep and we snapped a picture and then gently unhooked and placed him back in the water. The guide cradled the fish in his hands and gently moved it back and forth so that water and oxygen would flow across its gills. He pointed out that the skin of the fish was warm and it would push off when it was ready. I happily watched the Monster Fish swim off to live another day. That evening, as my husband and I dined on fresh White Bass tacos, we were still talking about the day. It was priceless.
We discovered that you can customize your day based on weather, location, and activity. You can rent a tandem kayak that has a spot in the middle for your child or your pet. You can rent a paddle board that has a keel that runs from bow to stern on which you can do yoga. These paddle boards are 36” wide and extremely stable, so worries about balancing are needless. Night trips are also available for fishing, watching a sunset or a moonrise, and they even have colored lights that can be attached to the boats for a delightful celebration. There are several places in Graham County to rent Kayaks and Paddleboards. The guide we used was Jared Schuster and his company is Smoky Mountain Kayak Fishing. You can reach him at (828) 735-9793 and his website with details is www.smokymountainkayakfishing.com. If you only have a few days in
Graham County, think about combining several activities on the water and make memories for a lifetime.
Author: Kim Hainge
