My name is Donald Dehm and my channel is dedicated to helping others learn how to kayak using Sit on Top kayaks, fly fish, and fly fish from a Sit on Top kayak. This is a small one person business, “Floating Feathers Kayak Fly Fishing School”., you can learn more about what we do at www.kayakflyfishingschool.com
I am an avid kayak fly fisher, but not so avid in film making or producing, so please keep that in mind when viewing any of my videos. I have a relaxed and impromptu, unscripted way of doing videos. I do not edit much of anything, you will see me make mistakes, stumble with words, etc. I feel that it really shows that we all make mistakes when we speak, stumble on words on occasion, and that I am a real person, not an actor or professional RU-vid personality. I hope that you like my style.
Thank you for watching!
Learn more about what we do at Floating Feathers Kayak Fly Fishing School: bit.ly/FFKFFS
I learned on the cheapest combo kit I could find. I caught a hefty rainbow trout on an elk hair caddis, in a tiny pool maybe 7-8' wide and 4' deep. It was a classic dry fly inhalation, exciting and awesome, in clear water, so I saw it coming! By the next trip, I could tell what I did not like about it, and i was able to make an informed decision on a better rod an reel. I have caught hundreds, maybe thousands of fish with rod #2. Rod #1 got gifted to a friend, and he caught his first on a fly. He gave it to his step-son.... Rod #2 is an inexpensive, TFO pro something, something, 4wt, cheap line, etc. dont get hing up on gear, just go fishing! Cheap gear and 12 fishing trips is better than expensive gear and 4.
These are very light and small kayaks with a good thickness of resin, so they do not need a backing plate. Typically if a kayak is built well with good thickness of resin, I don't worry about a backing plate unless the kayak weighs above 90 - 100 lbs.
thank you for making this video. i've been wanting to get into fie tying and wanted to film my journey. i think im going to place my camera facing me instead of in front im clumsy. for the light i actluy have a desk lamp that will work. i'm really excited thank you.
As a long-term kayaker, I never thought I'd need to look at something like this. Until I managed to flip my kayak getting out at a cock! Decided to review the procedure and your video was spot on.
New to kayaking, what’s the purpose of the storage hatch, besides storage. Is it safe to open it when on the water to get stuff out. Is it safe to use the kayak while the hatch is open? Idk if you already have a vid on that, that you can leave a link to…? TIA!
The main purpose is simply storage, however it also allows access to the hull for installing hardware such as rudder lines, wiring for electronics, etc. You can access when on the water, but leaving it open when on the water is not recommended as it allows water to enter the hull and can be very difficult to get out when on the water as well as cause the kayak to "list" from side to side as the water moves around the hull.
Thank you. I use the zip tie to secure the anchor lines to the top of the anchor so that it can be deployed correctly and easily without the line interfering with any of the mechanics of the anchor itself. When the anchor is resting on the bottom, the rope attached by the zip tie ensures that the anchor sits upright aND can be dragged until it seats itself into the mud. The zip tied line then allows the anchor to be pulled back to the kayak in its demoed position if not snagged, or off snagged it allows the paddler to “snap” the zip tie and retrieve the anchor upside down.
Thanks! I just got a Crew, so similar hull shape, and was curious about best positioning of everything. I've never seen anybody put the twists at each end like you do. I may try that.
Thank you, I appreciate it. I have been running my anchor trolley lines like that long before any company made an anchor trolley. A tip I learned long ago from a friend who has been kayak fishing for about 10 years before I started.
I would think if you tied the line to the ziptie and allowed a minor amount of slack in the line between the top and bottom knots you could much more easily brake the ziptie if need be as at no point woukd you be pulling against the bottm knot only the top knot which would direct all your pulling force against the ziptie only At least that's the way I would rig it
It offers a small decrease of amount of force to break the zip tie, however, the slack in the line can snag around tree limbs and other things, and that is a safety concern. If that slacked lined gets entangled in a tree, it may become more tangled when you "pop" the zip tie or it may not, for me though, the small amount of decreased force needed really is too small amount to even notice.
The first way was correct, point leads, no burr after all sides done. Point behind leaves a burr, which can be very sharp but no durability. You can see this on a scope, burr deforms and is less sharp.
i purchased a sundolphin boss 12 ss and the scuppers come undrilled. should i drill them? and do i drilll all of the bottom ones with out enough plugs for them? is there ever a need to plug the bottom scupper holes?
No, do not drill the scuppers out. That is a thermoformed kayak and the scuppers should line up and already be open to the water under the hull. Please contact Sundolphin and notify them that your kayak does not have the scuppers as intended.
Hey Don. Watched this walkthrough about two years ago when I was trying to find the perfect yak to replace my OK prowler 13 and Malibu 2XL. Found it, The Crew! I agree with everything you’ve said about the Crew other than 2 minutes to convert from single to tandem. More like 10 seconds, if you don’t tether the seats in. I’ve been saltwater yak fishing for 20 years and if you’re looking for 2/1 design, this yak is perfect. Even if you’re looking for a big single yak to paddle, this yak is perfect. I made a few mods worth sharing. I felt the seats sat a little flat. Found myself sliding forward a little as I fished. Cut a 2” PVC pipe about 5” long and slotted it the same thickness and width as the seat leg. Slid one over each front leg of seat so now the back legs are in the normal recessed position and the front legs are very stable and rest flush with yak deck. This gives the seat about a 5 degree slant front to back. No more sliding and zero problems sitting or getting up. Purchased two Egg Sitter gel pads from Target. Secured each to bottom of seats with plastic cutting board ( spray painted black, cut to size, and slotted in order to run bottom seat straps through). So now each seat has gel seating with hard plastic backing under the seat. Works great, seat still folds upright or flat, at a glance can’t even tell there’s been a seat modification and my back side is very happy! I added the deck pads. Gotta do that. Lastly, I purchased a med to small size heavy duty canvas pouch from military clothing store ( I’m in the Army so that was pretty simple) that has vertical loops on one side and 1 zippered pocket. I attached that to the back of one seat and is perfect size for phone, food, keys etc. not water proof but a zip lock bag is. My Crew rides on top of my Xterra with no issues. I’m 55 and I’ll have this yak until I can no longer lift a paddle. Thanks for showing me this awesome kayak.
Steve, thanks for watching and the kind words, I truly appreciate it and you. I like you mods and the tilted seat can be a good thing for those of us with back and/hip issues as well. I hope you enjoy that Crew for another 20 years!!! Tight Lines and Safe Paddles!!
It is as stable as you need it to be, the hull is designed very well and does help with stability for sure. The speed is surprising, it is actually a pretty quick kayak especially if you have two experienced paddlers on board.
@@kayakflyfishingschool considering how wide it is, what surprises me are words like "quick" and "performance". Is it a faster kayak than the Tarpon 140?
@@matthewm7666 No it is not as quick as the Tarpon 140, but you are comparing two totally different designed boats. The Tarpon 140, is sleek, slender, skinny, and designed to move fast and quick, but the initial stability and secondary stability are far less than the design of the Crescent Crew. The Tarpon is designed for one person, it is 7 inches thinner in width, 11 pounds lighter, a foot longer, has 275 lbs. less capacity, the paddler sits down in the hull more than a raised seat of the Crescent, and the hull design is totally different.
You can slide the rings closer to you than the paddle blades, but honestly good paddling technique Durant change just because you are paddling into waves, so the ruins shouldn’t need to move. Basically you need to paddle with more effort, maybe a bit more torque power, but that doesn’t mean you need to put the blades in deeper so the rings should not need to be adjusted
You’re very welcome, thank you for watching. I wish you safe paddles in your new kayak! What brand and model are you getting, if you have decided of course?
@@Mr_Damion_Scott my biggest and first recommendation is to go to a store that allows you to try out the kayaks before you buy them. Many local smaller shops can accommodate either in store/on site, or by renting different kayaks. There are so many factors to take into consideration when choosing a kayak, and a lot of those deal with personal preference and feel and fit. Once you decide on a sit on top of a sit in kayak, then you can figure out length, weight, price, and other factors.
wow so sad and so much stuff ! i pray u feel better! i got a couple of ur hats and i wear them with pride i dont fly fish but i do kayak and love every min of it!
Thank you, I really appreciate the kind words and the wonderful support!!! Sometimes life allows us to enjoy things for a long time, other things for a short time, I always try to enjoy whatever life allows me as long as I can. Fly Tying and Kayaking are over for me, and while that is a bit saddening, I am also very happy that i I was able to enjoy it all for as long as I could.
@@kayakflyfishingschool i did get some of ur kayak stuff too and it is going to good use so thank you ! i took my first sand bar kayak camping trip last week and loved every min of it! the worst part was sleeping im getting older and my back dont like the ground lol so i took a hammock with frame the fame was good but the hammock needs an upgrade so second night i slept in my sisters tent, next time taking some kind of pad cus sleeping bag was not fluffy enough to cushion the lumpy sand.
@@danareed1656 I recall you getting some things. I am glad you got to get out on an overnight trip!! My back is much older than I am, so i I understand the sleeping requirements. You can look into an inflatable mattress with a battery pump, that may be better than a hammock and certainly better than the ground
@@amblo51 thank you so very much, i honestly and truly appreciate you and those kind words!! I miss the RU-vid channel too, believe me...almost as much as I miss kayaking.
The seat can be uncomfortable for some, but it took me a few trips to really figure out the strap tension of all the straps to make it comfortable for me. It is not as easy as adjusting one or two, there are 5 straps on the bottom and 5 on the back that can offer a range of adjustments that eventually one can find some higher level of comfort. A lot of people use a seat cushion to help make it softer, and I have tried a few, but for me, it raises my back to high and while my butt may be better my back is more uncomfortable. You may look at a product called Kayak Kushion, they have received high remarks from many in the Crescent Community. I have two and I use them during travel and when sitting on chairs, coolers, and other things.
What stand are you resting the kayak on? Is that stand safe for year round storage? I'm shopping around for stands for my crescent crew. Not sure what to get.
I am using the stand in this video, rated for 500 lbs memory serves. I would use two if storing for long term. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-jS_vYgkBoew.htmlsi=xhCksWvqmpgbE9mg
Very true!! Safer for sure, but parallel entry and exit isn’t always possible. I have been in places that have so much tree cover, rocks, steep cuts at back, out other environmental things that don’t allow the length of a kayak, so sometimes you have to nose it in and out.
I do not, and the manufacturer no longer sells them either, they don’t even make them at this current time. I was made aware of some crescent dealers who may have some, but I don’t even know if that is true or not. The manufacturer replaced the seat risers with the high frame seat and at this time, that’s the only option they offer.
@@windsup2day I use this brand, they make a really good cord and have over 500 colors to choose from. Paracord Planet 550 Nylon Paracord 7 Strand Type III Utility Cord - Largest Selection Available! a.co/d/4YUOmH1
I am not sure if the drop ring will fit the oar stop or not, as I am unfamiliar with the diameter or size of the oar stop, however, the drop ring is a bit flexible, rigid, but flexible, for that reason, I am not sure how well it will work as an oar stop.
@@kayakflyfishingschool i agree, Those drip ring looks too flexible to be used as oar stop. i'll get cheap paddles from local marketplace to take oar stop from it. Thanks for your reply!
well first of all you should have a few meters of chain - it weights the anchor keeping it facing the corrct way up -- the rope lifts the chain up and down and not the anchor - plus its a cheap thing max 20 dollars for the anchor 50 to 100 for good nylon/polyester rope and 20 for chain , and what you want is a float with a shackle on it - if your anchor gets stuck leave it till your more in a position to retreive it safely if you fall out of your small boat and cant get back into maybe you shouldnt be out there
I cross them so that when the weight of the anchor is pulling in the lines, the weight is on the top side of the pulley. This allows proper movement of the anchor as the pulleys are designed to work with weight supported from top side. If the anchor is hanging on the lower part of the pulleys, the line will not be in the tracks of the wheels of the pulley and therefore caused issues, such as difficult to move the anchor line, getting stuck, etc.
@@obxsurfandsoundfishing4085 it was, that was a mistake I made in the video, it was really hot that day. I eventually fixed it, but the GoPro didn’t capture it that well. I made that announcement at the start of the video. Sometimes equipment works well and sometimes it just makes things difficult…I usually do videos in one take, this one took about 5 due to heat failures of equipment and to be honest, me as well
@@kayakflyfishingschool no worries I studied it in last night. I was able to get everything hooked up perfectly. I can’t wait to try it out. Your videos are the only ones that cross the lines at the beginning at the stern in the bow. I’m looking forward to see how it works.
