Our Philosophy:

We are exclusively a saltwater-flyfishing and light tackle outfit, and we take that designation seriously. We believe that  our particular approach to angling is not just about specific angling gear.  Instead, it encompasses an entire angling philosophy.  To us, light-tackle/flyfishing  means small boats, it means being stealthy and unobtrusive and, above all, it means having a conservation ethic. 

That philosophy sets us well apart from the other guide outfits in our area, who run gargantuan fuel-guzzling tricked-out go-fast center-consoles, sometimes trying to fish 4 anglers at a time.  We believe that such an approach is is not in keeping with the closer-to-nature essence of light-tackle angling or a saltwater flyfishing.  We don’t have a boat over 21’ in out fleet (Check out or boats).  For more insights on our philosophy, see McMurray’s Reel-Time column on what it means to truly be a “light-tackle” and “saltwater flyfisher.” (click here).

Where we fish:

Our light-tackle philosophy also governs where we fish.  Our specialty is the back-bay.  If the fish are there, which they are during most of the season, we work the marsh flats and copious holes that dot Jamaica Bay (click here to see McMurray’s SWS Jamaica Bay article).  Sure, chasing birds is fun, but it’s not as deeply rewarding as quietly fishing a back-bay flat.  See McMurray’s Reel-Time column on the subject: (click here).  We’re not adverse to chasing false albacore, skipjack, bluefin tuna when they are around, or casting to blitzing bass and bluefish, but we do it from small boats and we do it in a unobtrusive way that offends neither the fish nor other anglers. Still, we’re bay-rats at heart.  Want to go light?  Want to fish the quiet back bay instead of engaging in “combat fishing” in crowded areas and chasing birds with the rest of the fleet?  Come with us.    

Jamaica Bay Experts:

There are other guides who claim to fish Jamaica Bay and, sometimes, they do.  But we are the only true Jamaica Bay light-tackle guide service, that fishes the Bay thorough out the season.  Some go out to Eastern Long Island for most of the year.  We don’t.  Some make the 45-minute trip from Staten Island or New Jersey to occasionally fish Jamaica Bay.  Not us.  We are based in the back of the Bay.  If you want to fish with Jamaica Bay experts, fish with us.  We have over 30- combined-years of Jamaica Bay expertise.

Purists?:

Not in any sense of the word.  We enjoy live-lining Atlantic menhaden (bunker) for big striped bass and bluefish, and will take our customers live-lining if they wish.  See McMurray’s Reel-Time column on the subject (link).  But, we do it with light-tackle and we do it in a manner consistent with the light-tackle/conservation ethic.  Want to catch really big stripers on light gear?  Come with us. 

To book a trip click here: charters@nycflyfishing.com