Kayak University 2016 Recap

For several years I have had a vision that was formed after attending Ice Team University in Minnesota. Ice Team University is a weekend-long event for ice anglers. The attendees pay one price, and in return they get their meals, lodging, and the opportunity to fish with Ice Team pros from across the ice belt. Every year when I return home from Ice Team University I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to be part of such a cool event, but saddened by the fact that there is no such event in New England. The attendees of Ice Team University and the Ice Team pros arrive largely as strangers, and depart as friends. I observe relationships form, form many relationships myself, and old relationships strengthen. It's really cool to see. Everyone learns and takes something away from the event, including the pros.

Last year I decided to plan a similar event for kayak anglers in New England. I wanted an event that was for all skill levels, beginners and experienced. I also wanted an event that was not kayak manufacturer specific, because I wanted all kayak anglers to feel welcome without any competitive (although there was a fair amount of ribbing) nature. Through filming for Ice Team's Across the Ice Belt I formed a wonderful working relationship with Cottage Place on Squam Lake in Holderness, NH. I was barely finished telling Sue (the owner) what I was thinking before she began throwing in ideas of her own. It was clear at that moment that Kayak University would happen, and where.

I began reaching out for sponsorship and the response was amazing. The companies I am affiliated with were quick to ship items to be given to attendees. I also assembled an all-star cast of kayak fishing pros, and industry professionals. The line-up included Eric Harrison of Hobie pro staff, Wilderness Systems pro Mike Baker, Mark Beauchesne of Fish NH Guide Service, Daddy Mac Lures co-owner Dennis MacDonald, Nick Howard of Kittery Trading Post, Ryan Bibeau of On the Water Magazine, and my right hand man and close friend Chuck Fritz.


Kayak University 2016 was held on the weekend of June 3-5. It fell on New Hampshire's free fishing day, which was no accident. Special guests were invited to put on seminars, fish, and exchange knowledge with the participants, and each other. Off the water group activities were held in the Lodge, which is also where all of the special guests stayed.

Check-in began at 3pm on Friday. I arrived around noon to begin setting up and I was greeted by one of the attendees Larry W. To say that Larry was excited would be an understatement. The rest of the participants and guests arrived and we began with a welcome message from Cottage Place owner Sue Smith followed by dinner (venison american chop suey) and a great seminar by Mark Beauchesne about Squam Lake history, and information about the area we were to fish. Then we had another talk about basic kayak fishing safety by Mike Baker. Before the night was over we did numerous giveaways before a little social time and chat about the next day's fishing.

 Saturday began at 6am with a quick breakfast. We then departed as a group to a private location where we were fortunate to have been granted access to one of the most beautiful areas of Squam Lake by friend of Cottage Place Peter W. Words cannot describe how beautiful this lake is. On Friday evening I tried to explain it to the group, but their jaws still dropped when they approached the lake and saw the incredible scenery. After working as a group to get everyone unloaded and vehicles parked, we launched and eventually split up into two main groups, with a couple of people doing a little exploratory fishing within sight of the main groups. It didn't take long for everyone to begin finding fish, a lot of fish. Throughout the day the two groups mingled, met for lunch, and caught tons of smallmouth bass. As if the amazing fishing wasn't enough, the scenery on Squam Lake is absolutely breathtaking. The entire group met back at the launch site after a very long ten hour day of fishing that only felt like only five hours. Everyone was exhausted, but charged from such a fun day. Their was so much energy it felt like we were just starting out.

We made it back to Cottage Place where people showered, straightened out gear, and I got started on the fish fry. We were to have fresh-caught fried flounder and haddock with french fries. Mary (Cottage Place manager) and her husband Tony were invited for dinner and when they arrived they had quite the surprise with them, a casserole dish filled with fiddleheads for everyone to sample. We gorged on fish while some folks sat around the fire outside, and others relaxed inside. I cooked fish continuously for over an hour until it was all gone. Then were were treated to a seminar by Eric Harrison about his journey to becoming a kayak angler. It was a cool story that not only provided a ton of fishing information, but left everyone feeling like they knew Eric better as a person. As the evening progressed I sat observing our group of angler. This group of mostly strangers was interacting as if they had known each other for years. I couldn't have been happier.

On Sunday the plan was to have breakfast and then anyone who wanted to fish could launch across the street into Little Squam at their leisure. There was heavy rain in the forecast, but it was calm and cloudy to start. All except a couple of participants chose to fish. We launched one-by-one and in pairs, working together to make sure everyone was able to get their kayaks to the water, and proceeded to catch more fish. Our group caught smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, and lake trout. I invited Cottage Place manager Mary's husband Tony to fish with us since I had an extra kayak. He hadn't fished in a kayak before. Eventually the rain came, but not too heavy. Everyone caught fish and the entire group was off the water before noon. Upon my arrival back at the beach I met Tony who had return just before me. "That was the best day of fishing in my life," he said with a huge smile. That...is what Kayak University is all about.

View more photos from the 2016 event by clicking here.

Next year's Kayak University is scheduled for Jun 2-4, 2017. That Saturday is again free fishing day in New Hampshire. There is no fishing license required to fish that day. We already have a ton of interest. We have arranged with Cottage Place so that you can register and reserve your space, and not pay until after the first week in January 2017. Give them a call at 603-968-7116 or contact them through their website at www.CottagePlaceOnSquam.com.

For complete details about the event visit www.KayakUniversity.info.

Thank you to the special guests and participants, 

and to Sue and Mary at Cottage Place on Squam Lake.

A special thank you goes out to our sponsors who generously donated products that were given away to lucky participants.

Tim Moore Outdoors

Bigtooth Tackle Co.

Sonarphone

Daddy Mac Lures

Kittery Trading Post

Suds N' Soda Sports

Bass Pro Shops - Hooksett, NH

Today's Tackle

Kayak Fish New England

Filletmaker