I feel like a broken record but one of my favorite parts about doing KFM is interviewing people in the sport and getting to know them better.  I first met Jeff when I started making inquiries about kayak fishing in Canada.  When I look at a map of Quebec those roads that head up near Hudson's Bay beckon, so I wanted to get more info about such things.  Jeff is one of the people who responded and we’ve communicated since.  He’s like me in that he’s a wanderer by nature.  Until I did the interview I didn’t know we each shared more things in common.  Both of us were float tube fisherman before discovering kayaks.  He’s got his own website www.TransientAngler.com and can be found on www.CanadianKayakAnglers.com He’s one of the interesting people pushing the sport and I look forward to wetting a line with him one day.

1) When did you start kayak fishing and why?

'Bout 2006. I was floating rivers with my float tube fishing for large Pacific salmon and I popped another one. I was searching on the internet for possible upgrades and came across Ocean Kayak Company. I had never really thought about kayaking as a means of catching fish until that point. Always had this idea that the kayak was for rolling in whitewater and long missions across vast oceans. Never thought of it as a tool for my passions. I bought 5 of them.  The thought of hooking into fish that were larger in weight then the boat was an idea that had me completely hooked.

2) What was your first kayak?

For the most part I paddled an Ocean Kayak T-15. Loved that boat on the water and for dealing with big swells.

3) When did you start guiding?  Did you do regular guiding before offering kayak fishing?

I started guiding in 1997 when I finished college for Fish and Wildlife. There wasn’t much money in working for the government and after 13 years of trying to make a living in guiding I’m realizing there is not much money in that either.  But fishing is a drug and guiding gets me to where I get a lot of my drug of choice. Recently I have been trying to offer guided trips from kayaks. Canada is an extremely slow growing area for kayak fishing and there aren’t many people willing to spend money on catered trips. Not sure why. Trophy fishing from kayaks is the best but people seem to be content here fishing for the small chance of a trophy in their backyard. “One day” is what I keep telling myself. Ha

4) You seem to have spent time fishing a myriad of diverse places.  Can you tell our readers about some of the more interesting ones?

Growing up I became obsessed with certain species of fish. One was the Northern Pike. I loved this fish and its willingness to hit baits with its ferocious freshwater behavior. So I found out where they grew the largest in the country and decided to move there.  I spent now 4 seasons fishing for them and now have about 365 days on that body of water guiding and hunting big pike. I spent time in the Queen Charlotte Islands fishing for bigger groundfish and Salmon. Amazing place! Also Nicaragua and Costa Rica fishing for Tarpon and Snook.  I figure by the time I am 70 and need help going to the washroom I will have done what I was put here to do and it will be time to feed myself to a pod of killer whales.

5) Are you a member of any company kayak teams?  If yes why that brand and if no what brand of kayaks and models do you use?

I am on the Kokatat team right now. No boat sponsors. No paddles. I am kinda trying to get away from the affiliation thing. With www.CanadianKayakAnglers.com there is obviously a need for sponsors to help out with events and things but personally I don’t really think it is too beneficial.

6) Tell us about your most memorable kayak fishing experience?

I have been lucky to fish with kayak anglers and some of my website forums members across our great country. Recently I was able to fish with a few hardcore guys in remote Northern Saskatchewan. Jim Sammons, Ken Whiting and Will Richardson. We had a blast fishing for pike on my favorite waters in Canada.  Its always special when you get to spend time with other kayak anglers on the water but when you get to do it on pristine ridiculously amazing trophy waters it make it that much better. Fishing with the guys in Sask was about the best time on the water I have had so far.

7) What’s next?  You mentioned kayak fishing the Amazon.

I’m really not sure. I am giving the east coast of Canada in Nova Scotia a good throw for a season to see how it measures up to the rest of the World. Striped Bass, Shark and some freshwater smallmouth. We are starting a tourney here in 2011 and I am going to do my best to bring people together out here a bit before my transient nature gets me out of here. I do plan to head south for a couple week adventure in the mid winter. Not solid on where yet. Amazon and the catfish are a trip that I have to do at some point. Maybe this winter.