Surely Cabin Fever has set in for most us this winter. Unless you're a skier, ice fishermen, or mascohist, you're done with the cold and the snow. And for those on the East Coast this weekend there's some more of it coming. A "bomb cyclone" is forecasted to hit late Saturday nightwhich will bring inches to feet of snow. We've been lucky with mild winters as of late and this may be reminiscent of years where winters were winters, we're just not used to them. But as far as the health of waters this winter is good. good for the rivers, stream, and lakes, and good for the fish and fishing. All of that snow will melt, one day, and the aquifers will be full of fresh water. We've been drought-like here in New Jersey for months, and yes that can still occur when the air temps are in the twenties.
Cabin Fever is a ritual we go through each year. It starts with the last outings in December and lasts through the March 1st opener in New Jersey's back bays and rivers. The Fly Fishing Shows help us get through, as well as cleaning off those fly tying desks and restocking with flies for the upcoming year. It's just not all about TTFS as there are other shows as well. Surf Day at Brookdale, the New Jersey Saltwater Fishing Expo, and some other plug based shows along the Jersey Show that keep anglers alive like a blood transfusion before the fishing picks up again. If you missed Edison you
If you missed Edison you have another shot at TFFS when it comes back to Amish Country in Lancaster, Pa, the weekend of March 14 & 15th. It's a much smaller show than Edison and has a more intimate feeling, without a lot of the "filler" booths that most attendees walk past.
One show I've liked to attend the last few years had been the Fly Fishing Expo of Long Island. It's been a small local show but seemed to be growing in interest and size as of late, but
this year the show will to go on. Usually held in March the show has been cancelled for 2026.
The other option has been to check out presentations at local fly shops and fishing clubs. I've outlined guest speakers at Tightlines Fly Fishing in Parsippany in previous posts. For those not wanting to take the ride there's also virtual presentations you can log into and check out.
One such place to visit is the Masters Of the Fly. Over the years there have been quests from Jonny King, Jason Taylor, Bob Popovics, and Steve Farhar, some of my favorite guys, to name a few. This year they have another great line-up of guests and you can visit MOTF website to register, for free,
HERE.
Below is the line up for 2026,
David Nelson of Squimpish fame on February 11th
Dan Blanton from the West Coast on February 25th
Brad Buzzi, the bucktail master on March 18th
Nick Vlahos fly tier on March 25th
Nick Curcione angler and author on April 8th
It's also a good time to finalize any travel trips you may have on your bucket list, which can include those you can drive to. I can tell you things are ridiculously expensive these days in the terms of lodging, airfare if applicable, ferry rides, especially if you're bringing a vehicle, and even gas and tolls. Through in some guided trips and even a local trip can be costly. So it's time to drop down some deposits and make your reservations, or else it'll be another year without a fishing trip. It's also a good time to break out that piggy bank and start throwing some cash in it for spending money for things fishing related. There's nothing worse than being financially strained around the time a fishing trip hits, so chipping away at it beforehand will give you peace of mind, and keep your spouse off your back.
