Fly fishing for trout by kayak

Kayak fishing is the hottest thing in both the fishing and the kayak magazines these days. Now is your chance to learn how the stealth of a kayak can put you onto more fish in more remote locations. You will learn habitat, distinguishing characteristics and some fun ways to hunt for fish.

By basing ourselves out of a central camp in the Au Sable watershed we can have access to the legendary streamer waters of the Au Sable’s main, South and North Branches as well as the upper Manistee all within easy drive and shuttle distance.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Thursday evening arrival between 7-9 PM. Get acquainted and settled. Orientation for the rest of the weekend.

Day 2: Friday: equipment check out, shuttle to river and go for it. Dutch oven campfire meal in camp for dinner.

Day 3: Saturday: depending on weather, we'll head run one of the branches for fall Brown Trout.

Day 4: Sunday: after a hearty breakfast, we’ll do a shorter float and send you off for the drive home.

What to bring: Any fly rod and reel in the 4 to 6 weight range, a floating and a sink tip line, fingernail clippers on a string (for trimming line), waders if you have them, warm clothes (synthetic long johns), rain gear, a hat with a brim, polarized sunglasses and a fishing license, one liter water bottle, sunscreen and anything alcoholic you may want with evening meals. Don’t hesitate to contact seller if you have questions about any of it at all!

Included in price: Professional guide/instructor, camping fees, kayaking equipment (boat, paddle, PFD) and the best camp meals you’ve ever had. When joining us for a guided kayak tour, don't expect campfire nuked hot dogs and a foil pouch full of sawdust for dinner. We pride ourselves on producing original recipes from minimally processed quality ingredients. You can expect fresh seafood and pasta dishes, fine vegetarian dishes, fresh baked treats and hearty fare to fuel the body and spirit. Please let us know if you have special diet requirements.

Registration: A $150 deposit is required to hold your space. Reservation fees are refundable until 30 days before the trip. The balance is also due 30 days prior to departure. Space is limited to 4.

Please contact seller before booking to discuss fitness level and qualifications

Life is short. We want to help you make the most of it. We depend on the wild places of this planet for water, air, and a good dose of sanity. Positive wilderness experiences lead to a personal investment in their survival. Uncommon Adventures wants to help you realize your dreams while cultivating the preservation of that big, beautiful world out there. We arrange activities that are fun, self-propelled, and offer various degrees of physical challenge, from mild to wild. All experience levels are encouraged to join these trips — we enjoy sharing skills taught by the very best instructors available.

Uncommon Adventures specializes in kayak tours, certified kayak instruction, corporate retreats and backcountry fly fishing in fresh and saltwater environments. Since 1984, expert guides and professional workshop leaders have made Uncommon Adventures a good find for individuals, small groups and corporations.

We do not strive to be a large tour company offering "cookie cutter" experience to all corners of the world. Our focus is to offer excellence in a few very special locations that we know well, or we partner with local guides for the best local knowledge couple with our own high standards. Uncommon Adventures does not offer "seen that done that" kinds of experiences, but rather programs that are instructional in nature. You'll walk away with new skills, feeling more of an intimacy with the waterscapes traveled within.

"We live in a highly developed nation, with very specialized jobs, packed schedules and to-do lists that rival the roll in the bathroom. It is the beginning of the 21st century and we have never been more divorced from the planet that gives us life. I've developed these programs to address a screaming need for us all to get our hands dirty, our feet wet and breathe the musky aroma of earth back into our lungs. Put down that cell phone, go off-line, get out of the race...come outside and play."

• Michael Gray, Director