Fly Fishing Instruction

Fundamentals of Fly-Fishing the Surf

Join Angelo Peluso for a unique fly-fishing class. Instruction will take place at selected beach locations where the fundamentals of fly-fishing will be taught in an informal and conversational setting. The basic program is geared for the new or intermediate fly angler with customized sessions available for more experienced anglers. With more than thirty-five years of fly-fishing experience under his wading belt, Angelo has accumulated a wealth of information to share with the students attending his classes.

Topics covered will include:

Casting
Retrieves
Line Selection
Leaders/Knots
Fly Selection
Essential Gear
Reading Water
Tactical Wading
Elements of Structure
Tactics for local game fish
Beach Safety
Individual and group sessions (up to four participants) are available, and can be structured to meet any specific needs or interests. The full program runs three hours. Specialized hourly classes can also be arranged to meet specific needs, interests or time constraints.

Classes are scheduled throughout the entire year. Some light beach walking required for the full program.

Contact: Apdotcominfo@aol.com for rates and scheduling

Patterns for Success - Part 2

Captain John Haag - Haag Hair and a Devil’s Sauce
The fly fishing community lost a remarkable fly tier and human being a couple of years ago with the passing of John Haag. But John has left his indelible mark on the sport of fly fishing and the art of fly tying, and greatly influenced the saltwater fly fishing scene on Long Island. I recently finished work on a fly-fishing related book project and had the opportunity to talk with some of the best fly tiers and fly fishermen up and down the entire length of the east coast. Many each either knew John personally or knew of his fly tying. Equally as impressive were the positive comments that all made regarding John’s contributions to the sport. His legacy is that of a man who willingly shared all that he knew about fishing to anyone who was interested. In my opinion, he was and still is the example of the consummate student of fly tying. He studied the work of classic tiers and embraced the innovations of his contemporaries. His own tying style was quite visionary and his use of modern materials resulted in very unique and effective patterns both for freshwater and salt. His “discovery” of a product that he called Haag Hair helped to create larger profile flies with minimal bulk. His use of this material and his own style of tying enabled him to create and entire series of Haag Hair Glimmer Fish, replicating just about every significant baitfish that swims in the waters of Long Island, bunker, mullet, spearing, anchovies, pinfish, mummichogs, sand eels and the list goes on. His patterns are versatile and easily adapted to most all fly fishing situations. John also developed an adhesive setting material called Devil Sauce that he used to give his flies body and form. This liquid material was typically applied to the layers of materials to add structure and durability to the fly.
Above all else, John’s flies caught fish, but he will best be remember for his eternal enthusiasm. I am sure he is still tying.

Patterns for Success -Part 1

Made on Long Island

Captain Joe Blados and The Crease Fly
As a native of Long Island, Joe Blados has had a life long love affair with salt water as a captain and prominent saltwater fly fishing guide out on the East End of the North Fork. Joe is also an accomplished fly tier whose style, technique and creativity are exemplified in the design of his world-famous Crease Fly, one of the most original flies ever created.

While all tiers strive to produce flies that are new and different, in reality, most typically craft designs that represent modifications or variations of existing and proven patterns. With the exception of the discovery and utilization of new materials and alternative tying techniques, most new flies introduced into the contemporary market are functional variations of already successful patterns.

That approach is the very foundation upon which the tying art is built. But every once in a long while we witness true innovation in the art of fly tying – a fly design or technique that is so unique it changes the way we fish and changes the sport. One such design and technique lead Joe Blados to the creation of the “Crease Fly”, a pattern intended to mimic the profile of the prolific bunker. While originally conceived for the inshore fishery of the North Fork of Long Island, this fly has an established track record and devotees wherever it is has been fished. It has become a staple in the fly box of anglers pursuing striped bass, bluefish, false albacore and bonito, and is in demand worldwide. I have witnessed the range of the Crease Fly’s effectiveness from silver salmon in Alaska to the surface-feeding game fish of the Yucatan Peninsula and all stops in between, both in saltwater and fresh. It is also a very effective offshore pattern for tuna and other large game fish. It is truly a remarkably designed fly, with a touch of an artist’s creativity. If you are interested in acquiring a Crease Fly Tying Kit, contact Joe at: jblados@optonline.net

Patterns for Success

Made on Long Island
Some of the best anglers on our planet call Long Island home. This has all to do with what we are and where we live…a diverse populace surrounded by water and blessed with some of the finest fishing on earth. It is only natural that we spend time on, near or in the water…and we are a people who fish. The island is also endowed with many individuals of creativity, innovation and artistic talents. That too tells a lot about what and who we are – a community influenced and inspired by our surroundings. Long Island’s heritage and history are inexorably linked to the water that encircles this unique landmass.

Within the realm of fly fishing, Long Island is also home to a number of remarkable fly tiers and fly fishermen whose skills and accomplishments have received national and in some instances international acclaim. Their contributions to the sport have in many ways guided the evolution of contemporary saltwater fly fishing. Over the next couple of week we will look into their world of flies. So come back and share in their stories.

Some areas of the Long Island Sound seem to be coming back to life with bass and blues in the final quarter of the season. For some it may seem like a “two-minute” drill since the key will be to capitalize quickly on the often-fleeting opportunities. There were also a few confirmed reports of sparse and fleeting pods of little tunny recently roaming western and central Sound areas. A friend got into some decent albie action during the week with fish that were mixed in and feeding with the big bluefish. He managed four fish during a couple of morning sessions. Not bad fishing considering the time of year. Hard tails also made a brief showing along a couple of the beaches out on the North Fork. Two current realities about these fish is that the few that are lefe are spread throughout the Sound, and when they give the angler a shot, it is often a brief one. Consider yourself very lucky if you find a few of these fish in the Sound right now that are willing to play. The milder weather and earlier SW winds may have contributed to some renewed actvity since albie fishing is a visual experience with more fish being spotted in calmer conditions. And it is a lot easier to get a fly or small lure to hard tails when the wind isn’t cranking at 30 mph out of the NE, not to mention negotiating the waves in a small boat! Those fish were not aroundat the end of the week when the weather kicked in.
Water temperatures and bait concentrations are still favorable for bass nd blues so I suspect we will see some continued action with them until they decide to move out altogether. During the 2003 season I caught pelagics on flies well into November so you just never know when you will bump into some. That year the bait stayed, the water temperatures were ideal and the fish hung around. If you’d like to try your hand at these late season fish, concentrate your late season efforts at locations where bait congregate and where current or tidal flows force bait out from inlets and harbors, or against rip-rap, jetties or other structure, or around contour breaks along beaches. And be prepared with small anchovy-style flies and some larger flies if bigger silversides patterns should large spearing show. Albies are not at all shy about eating larger flies and baits. Vary your retrieves and try both intermediate and high-density sinking lines. On the other side of the Island both Shinnecock and Moriches were a hot ticket earlier in the seasons but that bite is headed south.

The Inaugural Post

I am sitting here getting ready to watch the Jets, and then later on the Yanks hopefully clinch, and the Giants rebound from last week's defeat by the Saints. I am also thinking about how much more time I have left to fly fish this waning fall season here on Long Island. It's been a good season so far, despite too much work and being anchored to a desk and a PC. But there have been just enough fly fishing opportunities to keep life in balance. Hey, that's what it's all about. I'm figuring we just might have another month or so get some striped bass to eat flies. If the late run of herring materializes we can stretch the catching into December. That may be wishful thinking the way the run is shaping up but I am sure there will be some holdout bass trying to stretch things out as long as I hope to. The bluefish will be long gone, as will the albies and bonito. But the hardy, cold weather bass will linger. At least some of them will. Any fish that I can still catch in December in the northeast is a worthy opponent. And when they leave, well...it will be time to train my sights on some great Florida game fish! If you are reading this, thanks. I hope to see you back here often. Stay well and keep casting. AP