Retractable outriggers make standing up and fly-fishing from a kayak a whole lot easier, without sacrificing speed.

Story & photos by Rickey Noel Mitchell

A design engineer by trade, David Cameron, the inventor of the Freedom Hawk, describes himself as an angler first, kayaker second and an engineer last.

When asked what inspiration brought about the Freedom Hawk, David’s answer was “After a while I got frustrated casting a fly-line from a regular kayak. As an engineer, I was able to do something about it. I set out to design a kayak with stability as well as performance”.

So from frustration, inspiration and a garage converted into a boat building shop, the Freedom Hawk kayak emerged. In 2006 the company introduced the Freedom 14, followed by the Freedom 12 in 2009.

Freedom 14
At 30 inches the Freedom 14 is a wide kayak with the exception it’s one of those wide kayaks that once you get it going at a good pace, it’s easy to keep that pace.

For all its weight it handles quite well on turns, a very necessary option for navigating around boulders in the middle of the San Joaquin River here in Central California or any river for that matter.

When I paddled the Hawk 14 out on to Humboldt Bay in Northern California, for the purpose of trying it out in the salt, it handled well in the waves.

The hardware on both the Hawks cleans up just fine after a day on the salt. The J-bolts that lock the outriggers in got a little red on them, which wiped off easy with a cloth saturated with WD 40 (a handy item that I carry in a freezer bag). The rest of the hardware cleaned up just fine with fresh water.

Freedom 12
I’ve been paddling a 12 for a few weeks now. I christened the 12 in one of my favorite spots on the planet, the California Delta. It was the beginning of striper season here in the Delta and I had another goal besides testing a kayak.

At 12 feet the 12 is a shorter ‘yak, as well as a wider one, by one inch. The 14 is keel-less while the 12 has over a foot of keel along with a higher and sharper bow, which definitely made a difference as I paddled out onto open water against the incoming tide. The 12 was already handling and tracking better than the 14.

I was about a mile or so out on the water when the winds and the real test I was hoping for came in the form of wakes and waves, from a foot to higher. I put my rod in its holder and headed for shore. Once again the 12 handled beautifully. I angled my ‘yak and let a wake broadside me, and all that happened was I rose and came down as each wave passed under me. I made it back to the launch after about a half-hour paddle cutting through waves and wind.

For handling, and I’m talking about a fly-fishing ‘yak when I say this, I give the 12 a score of 10 out of 10. The 14 gets an 8 out of 10.

Outriggers
There are several new items on the 12 beginning with Freedom Hawk’s patended in-line outrigger design.

It’s now available with a third in-line position, maximizing your performance in every situation, whether polling, motoring (Freedom Hawk actually has an electric motor mount set up for the back of the 12, paddling or standing.

The outriggers operate the same on either yak. There’s a lever on each side of the kayak that you pull forward to spread out the stabilizers. Then you grab the pull rope in front of you and stand.

Always pull both levers at the same time, particularly on the 12.

Perfect for poling
I’ve tried poling in a few different ‘yaks and the biggest problem I’ve encountered is a place to store my pole.

The Freedom Hawks have an integrated, snag-free push pole recess in the deck to store the pole till needed.

I could write a book on the value and benefits of poling, another time maybe. I’ll leave you with this thought instead. Poling up a river (with a bit of poling experience of course) is an excellent and safe way to explore a new river.

The first craft I ever poled was a handmade raft (many years ago), then a pirogue and eventually a canoe. Freedom Hawk kayaks, however, are the best poling crafts I’ve found.

Raising the bar
The unbelievable stability comes from the outriggers and a balance bar that comes with each kayak.

In the 14 the U-shaped stabilizing bar has to be taken out of the area molded just for it and installed in the holders on each side of the cockpit.

In the 12 the U-bar is installed and ready to go. You simply lift it up then attach another bar that is installed in the bow to the middle of the U-bar. I highly recommend you do this before you launch either ‘yak, not when you’re on the water. Also, make sure the outriggers are out before you stand!

So, not only does Freedom Hawk offer the newest of newbies the stability to stand and cast in a kayak, but to pole as well. I‘ve been teaching people how to fly-fish from a kayak in my articles and on the water for several years now. David Cameron has made my job, and fly-fishing from a kayak for the rest of the world, much easier.

SPECIFICATIONS

Freedom 14
Length (overall): 13’ 10” (422 cm)
Length (hull): 10’ 6” (230 cm)
Length (outriggers): 48” (122 cm)
Width: 30” (76 cm)
Weight (total): 79 lbs (38.5 kg)
Weight (without outriggers): 63 lbs (29.5 kg)
Max capacity: 400 lbs (181 kg)

Freedom 12
Length (overall): 12’ 3” (373 cm)
Length (hull): 9’ (274 cm)
Length (outriggers): 45” (114 cm)
Width: 31” 79 cm
Weight (total): 69 lbs (31.3 kg)
Weight (without outriggers): 49 lbs (22 kg)
Max capacity: 325 lbs (147.5 kg)

For more info: freedomhawkkayaks.com

Rickey Noel Mitchell (paddleandflies.com) is a fly-fishing guide, fly-fishing and fly-tying instructor, professional fly-tier, photographer and writer. He is the author of The Orvis Guide to Personal Fishing Craft and is a member of the pro staff for Freedom Hawk Kayaks.