New York Fly

[Sammy]

So i'm moving to manhatten. Is anybody familiar with the fishing in upstate new york? I'm interested in knowing what rivers I should start researching. Also any tips on the best way to get to them would be helpful. I won't be taking my car out there :)

[Larry S]

Sammy,
Sending you a PM. Years ago, I read an article about a neat fly shop somewhere in New York City. Also
about folks catching stripers from shore in the east River. If you're into switch/spey rods, look at the "speypages"
site. Quite a few New Yawkers post there.
Best,
Larry S

[Charlie S]

Check your PMs.

[left field]

I moved from SF to NYC last year and spent the season fishing the Catskills.

Pick up this: Flyfisher's Guide to the Big Apple (http://www.amazon.com/Flyfishers-Guide-Big-Apple-Gilmore/dp/1932098836) and be prepared to do a lot of perfect dry fly fishing. The water is mostly slow moving and flat, and for the most part you're casting to rising fish. So perfect fly selection, perfect size and perfect drifts are called for. The area is highly pressured with fish have seen every presentation possible and are therefore wily SOBs. My first few attempts saw me standing hip deep with trout rising all around me and I couldn't attract a sunfish.

There are great rivers and there are famed rivers and there are thousands of miles of small stream brook trout water to explore. There is a lot of private water that is patrolled but enough public access water to keep you busy.

My personal favourite is the Neversink Gorge - a protected wilderness area approx 90 minutes from NYC. It's as close to a western river as you will find up here and filled with wild browns and brooks.

Famed rivers include the Beaverkill and the Willowemoc in Roscoe which is probably the heart of the fly fishing in the Catskills. My favourite fly shop there is Dette's where Mary Dette still ties. http://www.catskillmtn.org/guide-magazine/articles/2003-09-the-last-original-catskill-fly-tier.html

There are also the the big tailwaters: the West Branch and East Branch of the Delaware. These are rivers coming off NYC reservoirs and filled with large large brown trout. The WB is drift boat water and again dry fly fishing. The East Branch is tough as hell with 15' leaders the order of the day.

Ask away.

[El Rey]

A bit of a drive from NYC, but the Adirondacks have good fishing. The Au Sable below Lake Placid is famous and tough. There are smaller gentler streams nearby. Check out Fran Better's fly shop (if it's still there) in Wilmington, at the base of Whiteface Mt.

Closer to the City you might try Western Connecticut or Massachusetts. Nice gentle streams there.

The other big draw is Striper fishing in L.I. Sound.

There's a lot more, in addition to the above post about the Catskills. I've been gone from the East for 12 years, so I've forgotten a lot.

Hope this helps.

Harlan

[left field]

Fran Better's obit: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/sports/16betters.html?_r=0 Not sure if the shop is still open.

Another book to consider is The Land of Little Rivers (http://beaverkillpress.com/) a fairly large coffee table book that gives a great overview on the history and people of Catskill fly fishing.

As Harlan said, the Adirondacks are great, but 5-6 hours away from the city. Within 2-3 hours you're looking at Catskills, Farmington or Housatonic in CT, and a bunch of beautiful spring creeks in PA.

[Sammy]

thanks for the replies! very helpful

[jersey]

Sammy

do not overlook NJ fisheries... you will be pleasantly surprised!

[left field]

I was hesitant to mention NJ. There are a few decent fisheries but I think you're better served with NY or PA. Cheap gas though.