04.12.16 Still cold and early out front

     I was hoping the wind went more W than SSW earlier then it was scheduled to. Caught it on the start of the incoming. Sexy looking water that will produce fish, just had to travel south to see it. It's really worth getting out there and scouting the new look Jersey Shore, not only a stormy winter, but all the man-made negative changes that continue to occur.
     The next phase of beach replenishment that will put the nail in Jetty Country is going to start soon. That destruction will go from Phillips Avenue in Deal north to Lake Takanassee in Long Branch. 3 million cubic yards of sand will be irresponsibly deposited along the 1.3 mile stretch of fabled waters. There goes more of the neighborhood.

04.11.16 Didn't have much hope but did have fun

     Less than perfect conditions for some early season stripers but it worth a shot. Started out front on the rocks at low tide with SSW winds at 20. Waters cold and I didn't see anything for life while out. It was good though because I was able to scout some spots without water around and getting my confidence and rock feet back early in the season is always good. Made a stop in the river but by the time I got there the tide was still on the ebb and too fast to fish with the fly rod.



     Took the drive in the back where the wind was less an issue and the water temps a more favorable 45 degrees. Walked the beach and a made a few dozen casts before heading west a little more. Found

                                 

some guys soaking clams without a tap before making my way out into the skinny water. Rode a sand bar way out looking for some bass that didn't get blown over to the New York side but didn't get a bite nor see anything when the sun peaked through and lit up the flats. I have to remember to load my other stripping basket that has no holes if I'm going to be fishing on the move.

     I didn't see any bait or birds working but did see two straggling gulls dive into the water at some point which I thought could be promising. I snagged a grass shrimp on a retrieve which I'm sure the bass that are around are eating when not on the bunker or herring that is reportedly around. We need a good warm spell like we had a few weeks back where the temps in the bay were up just about 50 degrees. 

04.08.16 This is a must get for all salty fly rodders.....

                                             

     Over the winter my friend Bob Popovic's and Jay Nichols released a great new book detailing how to tie some of the most effective patterns for salt water fly fishing. I was honored to be a part of this book submitting several photographs that are included inside. I would like to thank friends and clients that allowed me to photograph them on our trips and can be found throughout the book. They are Joe Phiefer, Andrew Hamilton, and Mike Kelly.
     Bob is not only a great fly tying innovator and fisherman, but also a great friend and a great man. For anyone that has met or spent time with Bob you know how willing he is to share any of his knowledge of the sport.

2011

04.07.16 Back from the abyss.....well back from a years off journey

Good bye Roseld.......

      So I decided that today would be my first trip out. Didn't care about the wind, weather or tide I was just going to give it a shot as it has been far too long since I had a fly rod in my hand and the taste of salt on my tongue.

                     

     After a tough 2014 year as a full time fly fishing guide I had to make some changes. I finally had realized that I was funding a hobby than a profitable business. I know that people don't guide to get rich, but for me, the fluctuations and variables that go with fish and cash flow were to unstable to stay all in. There are many out there that can do it full time, sadly with many mouths to feed, and more educations to fund, I had to make a move. I returned to nursing and took a job in a hospitals pediatric psychiatric crisis unit. It has been, well first a big change, and both emotionally and (steadily) financially rewarding. During this past year I returned to school and will graduate next month with my BSN and will start the Nurse Practitioner program at Monmouth University in the fall.

    So, I am back in. To those who looked forward and read the blog daily I am sorry that I had to go. I have seen over the past year when I did post I always would say "I'm back after a long break..." but then there would be a long break again. This time, I'm back in. I am taking reservations for walk and

                             

wade and boat trips along the Jersey Shore starting in May. Today I visited my boat and made sure all the commissioned work was in place for smooth sailings this spring. For those that have contacted me I look forward to getting out with you again, for those that want to fish give me a call.

     I have a made few changes that may be temporary. For 2016 I decided to not be involved in the Orvis Endorsed Guide Program. With all the expenses hitting me I couldn't afford the program, and I'm still paying off the 2015 monies due. Even though I am not participating I will always call myself an Orvis guy, and guide. Also, I did not renew my credentials for guiding on the Upper Delaware Rivers, but one day hope to return. I missed not fishing there last year, and I haven't been involved in the FUDR One Bug last year or this year which is April 29-May 2. It is great weekend and it's again a thing that I dearly miss.

Sad news from up there is the recent passing of Dr. Peter Bossum,
a great man that I had the pleasure of fishing with, who was dedicated to preserve and conserve the Catskill rivers with the FUDR.

   

                                      

     So this morning I started by breaking in a new pair of Orvis RiverGuard Silver Label waders that have been kept as a back up pair in the box for several years. I headed out from Red Bank and started in the Shrewsbury River and then went over to the ocean and worked my way down to Asbury. I finished up in the Raritan Bay on the flats, thinking the higher water temps and an outgoing tide might get me a bite, but it didn't. It was great to get out, sad to see all the changes, but they have created a new game out there as much scouting is now needed to locate structure and find where where fish will hold, if they do at all.

     There's really no spot burns any more along the beach, at least in the classic areas. I fished Roosevelt and, like everywhere else I stopped, was sickened by what I found. A metal bulkhead and rock wall was built on the south side of the pump house leading to Popular Brook. This falls right in line with the two houses who's property extends to the ocean. Surely this will accommodate lush green lawns and posted property, just like on the north side. This will prevent walking access from Roosevelt to Phillips, and, in my opinion, eventually close that beach to public access, making Phillips Avenue basically for access and parking for the beach club members.

     Here's just about as bad as I saw.....the view from Darlington looking to Roseld...... there's no groin anymore. I spent countless days and nights on those rocks. Below is a pick with anglers on Roseld when the fish were around. What a great place when you either had to fish north or south with the fly rod due to the wind.

     I gave 8th Avenue a shot just in case any bait was being flushed out of the flume. Sad to see what became of the north side with all the sand filled in.

     And for more happy viewing here's Marine......another storied place for the Jersey surf and flycasters....gone forever, because not only did they cover it, they notched it. Below is what it looked like when many would stop and scout during those early morning trips.

   

     With the wind going southeast the bay was a better shot, but hard on the backcast......

11.17.15 Fish were here yesterday and tomorrow and to the south and north......

     It was blowing out there this morning. NE 10-15 was more like 15-25. Didn't even make a cast....some fisherman. I did do the Sandy Hook to Allenhurst tour and only found a handfull of guys out, most soaking clams.
     There has been some great fishing up and down the Shore- you just have to be at the right place at the right time. This years peanut bunker run has been really good, hopefully this little blow won't shut it down. It's still a bunker fishery now but it is what it is.

11.10.15 Thought this morning would be better......

     Knew thing would be a littler snotty than yesterday but didn't think this much. Got down in the dark and was met with E winds to 20 at the top of the tide. Spent a few hours looking and making some casts and then driving up and down Ocean Ave. Hit the usual towns Bradley, Asbury, Long Branch before settling into Deal. Saw a guy get two back to back blues to 10 pounds in Long Branch. Not much for birds and couldn't see the bait in the big waves and white water.
     I decided to hit what was once one of my favorite places to fish. Phillips Ave was always a stop, to either scout, stop and talk to friends, or hit the pockets at the start or at the end of an outing. From the below view all looks normal, but behind me wooden ramps and heavy machinery littered the beach. I was fine as long as I looked out. I fished the north side pocket which now has a long outflow pipe paralleling the rocks. I didn't get a tap all morning and it wasn't easy getting the bigger fly to where I wanted it.
     I heard yesterday was real good with mostly big blues chasing peanut and adult bunker off and onto the beach. Also heard there were some bass mixed in. This morning looked great and I didn't want to leave but it was just time to go.



     I got a kick out of seeing the footings being prepared for the old fishing access at Roosevelt Ave. One might say that it's good, for me I am suspect. Recently Deal has tried to limit access to the beaches along town and seeing this makes me worry that they will say, "We have improved limited public access" and the DEP will go along with future plans to essentially shut access down.

11.07.15 Great day at Orvis 301 in IBSP.....put a beating on the fish!!!!!

     Last year we caught no fish during the Orvis 301 class at Island Beach State Park. With over twenty anglers with flies in the water we didn't get a tap, burt this year with half of the number of anglers we crushed em'.......the sun dials that is. There has been a bite in the area this past week and this mass (well what's left) of fish were continued to be pursued heavily by both boat and beach buggy angler. 

     We had anglers from the Orvis NYC, Marlton, Plymouth Meeting and Downington stores come out and put their 101 and 201 skills to the test in the surf. Most guys were trout guys, some new to the sport , some breaking out two handed rods for the first time. 

     I did some instruction for about an hour covering topics from gear to the fish to reading the beach. We fished until slack low before taking a break and taking some time to hear guys thoughts on fishing the surf and figuring out things the instructors needed to help with after the tide flip.

                          

     On the incoming tide most of the guys switched over to Clousers and the bite was on. Although some had landed a few sun dials before the break, we really got into them good on the start of the incoming. Although we didn't see any birds, bait. bass or blues- the flat ones added a bit of excitement and some tight lines up and down the beach. Have to thank Rob, Tom, and Andrew- the three store managers for helping coordinate and work with the students, and Cody and Ian for jumping in and helping out. Of course I have to thank my wife Theresa for her help before, during and after the day. 

Afterwards the instructors ended the day just like last year, having some good drink and food and some laughs over at Klees in Seaside. 

11.5.15 Another long break from the blog......

     Well even though I haven't been posting I have ben down to the water a lot and have fished since the last post. Not much of excuse other than life, well my new life, is getting in the way. I now know what its like to be a guide and a fisherman with a separate career outside of fishing. Luckily I am settling in to the nursing job at the hospital and school seems like the end is nearing.

     I have been up and down the northern shore, mostly from Sandy Hook to the Shark River Inlet. Now living in Red Bank the closer shot for me is Long Branch north. My home waters of Long Branch south, especially Deal and Asbury, has been decimated by beach replenishment. In my travels I continue to hear about "that Thursday" when the first push of fish came in and hit the beaches. There was no Blitz-O-Ween like last year, if fact it has been slow on the beaches while the boats have been doing well. The fish are starting to arrive but in my outings bait hasn't been around, other than days when big bunker is aplenty off shore. 

     Below are some pics of "new" fishy water that I found both pre and post blow that happened a few weeks back. Although I didn't catch it was nice feeling like I had a shot, kind of like before the Army Corp blew it up. 

     I did find one spot that had very sexy structure which produced great conditions. As good as it looks though, it is dangerous and I fear that adventurous anglers could get into a jam trying to fish on or over the sand bar. It usually happens later in the season when the sand eels came in. Please fish safely and not alone. 

     I did get a text from Bill Hoblitzel one of the better known Captains and fly fishers on the Jersey Shore who let me know that he is picking fish when he gets out. He fishes south of me, but can find fish wherever he goes. 

     I got to catch up with my dear friend Al. We sat along the boards in Allenhurst catching up on life and fishing, or lack thereof. I'm busier than before, and, well, Al's a touch older, approaching 91, so he doesn't get out like he used to. In a way, I guess, the destruction of his home waters may serve him well as the lack of good beaches, and of fish, have coincided with his ability to fish less.

     This morning I fished, well no spot burn, Long Branch. Out before first light a bit earlier due to putting the clocks back last week Beautiful morning and I popped my way up and down the beach without a bite. As the sun came up I looked from Monmouth Beach down to just about Deal and found one angler, no birds, and no sign of bait or bass. 

     This Saturday I'm participating in the Orvis 301 class at IBSP. We have about 25 anglers coming from NY, NJ and PA and it should be a nice day with good conditions and a slightly better bite down there than up here. Last year we had great time, lots of learning, lots of casting, but not a nibble with 20 plus lines in the water. That's why they call it fishing and not catching, I suppose. 

10.19.15 Late afternoon scout trip.......

     Beautiful day yesterday but the S wind didn't help the fishing. Lot's of bunker just off the beach but nothing on them. Walked a mile or so made some prospecting casts but no one was home. Lots of guys out fishing, well watching and waiting, and seeing that always keeps me around longer then I want to. But sight of the day was pulling in Sandy Hook and finding that they hadn't shut down the bathrooms yet. We need the wind to shift. smaller bait to move, and the next round of bass to roll in, but this time set up shop and stay for awhile.

10.18.15 I think winter blew in this morning......

     Couldn't believe temps were in the 30's this morning when I got out. Wind was stiff, air was brisk, and the wet fly line made my hands sting. Was greeted by bunker with some fish on them within range, for a surfcaster, for a few minutes before they moved south, then north, in front of us with eventually boats around, through, and in them.
     Couldn't stay long as I had to hit Stockton College with my son for his second open house. I liked it the first time I visited with my older son and daughter and think it would be a great college for Sean. One thing is for sure, Stockton knows how to hold an open house.....food and drink all day.

Hoping to get out a few times this week but work and finishing up this round of school classes might put a kink in it.......and pic trivia answer......that's Shell E. Caris from Shore Catch