02.26.23 Quick run up to TightLines...

     I took the traffic free 80 minute ride north on Sunday to TightLines Fly Fishing in Parsippany. Andrew and Nancy Moy have packed their winter weekends with a mix of good presenters and fly tyers. Today was Jersey guide Zach Flake who plys his trade in the northern New Jersey rivers in the spring and fall and the Barnegat Bay in the summer. It was standing room only to hear about the early 

spring bass action in waters you're porobably not all that familair with. It's definitely a boat fishery and Zach can take you out fishing skinny, and not so skinny water, in his Florida flats skiff. He talked about 

some of the baits he encounters and one jumped out at me which was the mummichog, also known as the common killi. Last year, exactly a year ago and a day, I posted some weighted mummichog flies I had tied up, HERE. One fly he talked about was the Pole Dancer, see below. The Pole Dancer was designed by Capt. Charlie Bisharats. It's a fly that mimicks what the spin guys are throwing with their surface plugs. 

     It might one worth tying up, but you need, I think, some virgin foam that you can kind of Dremel out and shave down. While I was there I supported the local shop, as we all should do. I found some nice 

ostrich plume, some killer marabou, and some hooks Andrew recommended, along with some mono thread for tying. After Zach's talk he busted out the appointment book and filled in several days for the 

spring. You can find him at FlyWay Charters, HERE. If you need to break out of the Cabin Fever you've had and aren't ready to hit it on Wednesday then take a look at TightLines line-up for the rest of the spring. Taylor next week, then Nelson and Squimpish the week after. For the tyers you can sign up for a class and then after is a presentation, or you can just go for the presentation. Worth the ride for sure. 

Sorry for cutting you off Tim, and don't forget Tim Flagler on March 25th!