Mike Blue, a native of the White Mountains -- and a graduate of Blue Ridge High School -- just moved back here after 35 years and he is opening a kayak shop -- M&M Kayaks --that is like no other! He and his dad are avid fisherman and they prefer fishing from kayaks. After researching many kayak options, he has selected a kayak line that he says is one of the best available. He will carriy FeelFree Kayaks and they aren’t your ordinary fare when it comes to fishing boats. They’re kayaks that are equipped to take you into lakes or rivers that are hard to get to in an ordinary fishing boat. They have a pedal drive that allows you to pedal the boat around but there is also the option of inserting a motor and a rudder steering system with a remote control for speed. You can put your fishing rod in one of the flush, pre-drilled holders and just go.

FeelFree boats are heavy-duty kayaks that are a higher quality than those you might find in a box store. They are thicker and built to withstand just about anything. They initially come equipped with a storage box or sonar pod where you can store your fish finder and battery and then remove the whole thing and take it with you when head back to the cabin or campsite. There are adjustable, pre-installed foot braces and uni-track accessory rails, flush mounted rod holders and rod leashes and lots of storage options. There is a standing platform and a stand-up leash and the hull is designed to withstand waves and to provide much better stability. They come in different sizes and with a lot of different accessory options.

Mike is planning on renting recreational kayaks too. He will have 12 boats available (first com --first serve) and six of them will be licensed for the White Mountain Apache Reservation so renters won’t have to purchase their own license. They will deliver rental boats (not people) to Woodland Lake, Show Low Lake, Rainbow Lake and Scotts Reservoir but not to the Reservation or other lakes not listed. Renters who use other lakes will have to have the capability to deliver the boats themselves.

You can make your reservations online or in-house but Mike hopes everyone will come in and see all of the other kayaking goods he has available for the avid kayaker. There are gloves, solar clothing, hammocks and lifejackets (some lifejackets are designed without a back -- to fit around the back of the seat). Everything he carries is geared to fit in small places or to accommodate a kayaker. 

Eventually, they will offer fly-tying classes but, in the meantime, they have a great selection of fly-tying kits as well as fly-fishing rods and fly rod kits. They have a huge selection of lures and will have a good selection of camping food and snacks. Just about everything you will need for a great kayaking and/or fishing trip.

Need storage? If you buy a kayak from M&M Kayaks, they will provide free storage and for other kayak owners, there will be a nominal fee. So, if you are driving up from the Valley and you don’t want to haul a kayak, this will be a very convenient option. In fact, if you store your kayak year-round, all you have to do, when you want to go kayaking, is call them and they will have it ready to go at their loading station in the back of the store for pick up or ready for delivery to one of the local lakes.

M&M Kayaks will open on March 21st but won’t have kayak rentals until April 4th. Once they are open, their hours will be 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. every day. Come to their Grand Opening on April 4th -- check out all the goods; enjoy some barbecue and some great camaraderie with fellow kayakers.