The Flying Kayak Open (FKO) is celebrating it’s third year in 2024. Due to forest fires near Davis Lake in July, the event has been moved to Mercer Lake, near Florence, OR on August 25. This lake features gorgeous scenery, wood laydowns, lots of vegetation, and big ol’ largemouth bass. We’ll be giving away gear from Yakima, and others. The FKO is a one-of-kind tournament that is fly fishing only. All anglers must fish from a kayak, canoe, or SUP.
This event follows OKBF Tour Event #4 on the nearby Lower Umpqua River on Saturday, August 24, 2024. You might want to fish that event as well, while you are in the area. Flies and fly rods are not required for the Lower Umpqua event, but they are allowed.
2024 Flying Kayak Open Payouts
| Anglers | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Purse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $55.52 | $55.52 | ||
| 2 | $111.04 | $111.04 | ||
| 3 | $166.56 | $166.56 | ||
| 4 | $222.08 | $222.08 | ||
| 5 | $277.60 | $277.60 | ||
| 6 | $249.84 | $83.28 | $333.12 | |
| 7 | $291.48 | $97.16 | $388.64 | |
| 8 | $333.12 | $111.04 | $444.16 | |
| 9 | $374.76 | $124.92 | $499.68 | |
| 10 | $416.40 | $138.80 | $555.20 | |
| 11 | $366.43 | $152.68 | $91.61 | $610.72 |
| 12 | $399.74 | $166.56 | $99.94 | $666.24 |
| 13 | $433.06 | $180.44 | $108.26 | $721.76 |
| 14 | $466.37 | $194.32 | $116.59 | $777.28 |
| 15 | $499.68 | $208.20 | $124.92 | $832.80 |
| 16 | $532.99 | $222.08 | $133.25 | $888.32 |
| 17 | $566.30 | $235.96 | $141.58 | $943.84 |
| 18 | $599.62 | $249.84 | $149.90 | $999.36 |
| 19 | $632.93 | $263.72 | $158.23 | $1,054.88 |
| 20 | $666.24 | $277.60 | $166.56 | $1,110.40 |
| 21 | $699.55 | $291.48 | $174.89 | $1,165.92 |
| 22 | $732.86 | $305.36 | $183.22 | $1,221.44 |
| 23 | $766.18 | $319.24 | $191.54 | $1,276.96 |
| 24 | $799.49 | $333.12 | $199.87 | $1,332.48 |
| 25 | $832.80 | $347.00 | $208.20 | $1,388.00 |
| 26 | $866.11 | $360.88 | $216.53 | $1,443.52 |
| 27 | $899.42 | $374.76 | $224.86 | $1,499.04 |
| 28 | $932.74 | $388.64 | $233.18 | $1,554.56 |
| 29 | $966.05 | $402.52 | $241.51 | $1,610.08 |
| 30 | $999.36 | $416.40 | $249.84 | $1,665.60 |
| Anglers | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Purse |
2024 Flying Kayak Open Fee Breakdown
| Description | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tournament Fee | $75.00 |
| Fees and Administration | $12.98 |
| TourneyX | $6.50 |
| Balance | $55.52 |
Tournament Schedule
Friday, August 23, 2024
4:00 PM – Prefishing Ends
11:59 PM – Registration Ends
Saturday, August 24, 2024
10:00 PM – Identifier Code Released
Sunday, August 25, 2024
6:00-6:15 AM – Physical Check-In: Mercer Lake Boat Ramp (parking area)
Anglers MUST check-in within this window. Failure to check-in on-time will result in disqualification. We recommend all anglers unload their gear before and during check-in. Kayaks and gear may be stored on the bank, or near the launch. Be sure to leave room for other people to use the ramp!
6:15 AM – Launch: Shotgun Start
6:32 AM – Sunrise
6:30 AM – Lines In
11:30 AM – Standings Offline
12:30:00 PM – Lines Out
1:00 PM – Off the Water
1:30 PM – Upload Deadline
2:00 PM – Weigh-In & Awards Ceremony: Miller Park
- Competitors must be present at weigh-in location by this time. Competitors who are not present by this time will be disqualified.
Tournament Details
- Cell Service on Water: Good
Cellular service may not be available on the water. It is the competitor’s responsibility to find service and upload their fish before the deadline. - Launch Type: Shotgun Start
- Prefishing Ends: 08/23/2024 4:00 PM
- Registration Ends: 08/23/2024 11:59 PM
- Identifier Code Released: 08/24/2024 10:00 PM
Physical Check-In and Launch Locations:
- Mercer Landing Boat Ramp
(Check-In will be in the parking area)
Mercer Lake Rd, Florence, OR 97439
https://maps.app.goo.gl/cBpTr4gry83YTzqL7 - No other launches are allowed.
Weigh-In Location:
- Miller Park
(15 minutes from the lake)
1651 18th St, Florence, OR 97439
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ieZDR43y3fe6QwSN6 - Attendance is MANDATORY for cash and gear prizes. If you need to leave early, contact the Tournament Director.
Special Rules
- 8 inch minimum length for each scoreable fish
- Fly fishing only! No other gear will be allowed. That means only fly rods and flies.
- Barbless hooks only! If your hooks have barbs, mash them down.
- No live bait, no gear lures, and no disposable soft plastics (plastisol). Flies only. If you have a question about a specific fly, contact the Tournament Director.
- Ketch bump boards are required. You can purchase one here on our website. Use coupon code davis for $10 off up until August 25. You can have the board shipped, or pick it up at the Captain’s Meeting on the morning of the event. We should have a couple extras to buy or borrow, first-come, first-served (no promises).
- KFNW identifier cards will be handed out at the Captain’s meeting, or you may print and use the KFNW Identifier card, or a KFNW Blue Fox Tin Tag. If you print your own, we recommend laminating it, using a TourneyTag sleeve, or a Ziploc bag to protect it. Attach it to your bump board with a rubber band or tether.
- No wade fishing. All fish must be caught, photographed, and released, while remaining inside the kayak.
- Electric motors are allowed, as long as they abide by KFNW rules.
- Standard rules can be found on our website: KFNW Rules Standard
Eligible Water Boundaries
- Main body of water.
- Connected rivers and creeks are in bounds when navigable from the main body of water.
- Disconnected sloughs and ponds are out-of-bounds.
- Portaging is not permitted.
- Only public waters are allowed
Safety Notes:
- An overhead 360° light is required in low light conditions. A high-visibility flag, vest-type PFD, and sound signaling device (whistle) are required on the water at all times. Failure to utilize any of this safety equipment may result in disqualification.
Tournament Director:
- Marvin Forte
- email: kfnw.marvin@gmail.com
- phone: 602-410-1002