It might have been on my fourth trip to the island duck blind when I said it out loud. “I think we need a bigger boat.” The small kayak worked great earlier in the season. Then, I wasn’t bundled up and I wasn’t carrying as much gear. I was also by myself. In December, ferrying two boys, decoys, and all of the other essentials from the road to our hunting spot ended up being quite a bit of uncomfortable paddling at 5:45 in the morning.
Waiting for birds, I repeated myself to my boys. “I think we need a bigger boat.”
All winter I contemplated what that bigger boat might be. Sure, I hunt ducks. I also fly fish. My family enjoys just being outdoors. New England, at least my part of New England, is incredibly swampy. Some of the wildest places are accessible only by boat. Hours were spent in pursuit of what exactly would fit the bill best. Kayak? Canoe? Something else?
Moreover, I know that I’m not the only person thinking these thoughts. There are a lot of options out there these days. Some of them are incredibly pricey. Others might not only be the wrong choice – they could potentially be unsafe. But a boat can open up a world of opportunities for the angler, the hunter, or the person who simply wants to be on the water. Making the right choice matters.
With spring fishing around the corner, I swallowed what little paddling pride I have. Through a mutual acquaintance, I arranged a call with a Ryan Lilly of Old Town Canoe. Lilly fishes and hunts, doing both alongside his family from small watercraft in New England. His perspective seemed like it would be appropriate. We talked about all kinds of boats. Lilly uses, enjoys, and recommends everything from tiny one-man kayaks up to boats with motor mounts. For my situation, one that demands versatility with options for a few extra people, we quickly honed in on canoes. Here is why:
Versatility
Canoe design really hasn’t changed. The reason why is because it is an incredibly versatile platform for all sorts of outdoor pursuits. The canoe has been a practical choice for professional and casual sportsmen for ages. One of the main reasons is that they are light and maneuverable. Still, average-sized models can still hold two or three adults. Of course, there is also room for the family dog, a cooler, and hundreds of pounds worth of gear. On the other hand, a canoe can be navigated by a single person carrying the bare minimum.
Fishing
A canoe can reach nearly any spot you’d want to fish. As long as you can paddle there, you can fish there. Or, it is simple to add a small motor and get there a little quicker. Obviously, casting matters while fishing. While fly fishing, having the ability to orient yourself toward your target and to rotate your body is essential for accuracy and distance. The openness of a canoe provides ample space for casting a conventional or fly rod. The stability of a canoe hull lets multiple people move around while casting or bending over to land and release fish.
Hunting
Choose a model with a dark exterior, add a little bit of concealment, and it can serve as a portable blind. Everything you need, from decoys to your dog, can be dry and right at hand. In lieu of standing in a foot of water, a dry boat bed is quite appealing. Especially north of the Mason-Dixon line, late season waterfowl hunting is going to mean chilly water temperatures. A canoe’s wide base is going to provide an extra level of stability and security while out on freezing creeks or ponds.
Quality
Apart from the peace of mind that your watercraft is seaworthy, you want something that is going to take a little bit of abuse. A canoe is going to get dragged across rocks while fishing shallows and pulled up onto uneven banks while hunting. Anglers and hunters will spend premium amounts on core gear, so it stands to reason that the vessel that gets you fishing or shooting should also be quality. For these reasons, the common refrain of “you can always find a used canoe cheap” might not always be the right approach. With a new boat, you know exactly what you’re getting.
My canoe is on order. I’ll be picking it up in early may. I anticipate a summer of fish, fall riverbank fires, and lots of ducks come winter.
Thanks to Ryan Lilly for taking the time to talk about his passion for chasing ducks and fish throughout Maine, as well as walking me through what he values in a small watercraft. He’s passionate about Old Town and what they’ve been doing for nearly 125 years. I encourage you to head over to their site to check out all of their canoe and kayak offerings, and then to head to a local dealer to see what might be a good fit for your time on the water.