Fly Away, You Casters
A perfectly executed fly cast is a thing of beauty. It requires an athletic synchronization of hands, arms, and torso, which looks deceptively easy when performed by an expert such as Lefty Kreh. But give it a try and you’ll find that, as with any sport, it takes supreme skill and dedication to master. It’s no coincidence that Ted Williams, arguably baseball’s greatest hitter, was also a gifted fly caster.
Is it difficult to become a competent fly caster? Not really. But for spin or surf fisherman, success requires a completely different approach to casting.
A spinning or surf rod is designed to throw a weighted object, a lure. When the lure is thrown, the attached fishing line just goes along for the ride. A spin and surf fisherman’s mind-set is to cast the lure, not the line. In order to achieve a long cast, the fisherman loads the rod with energy by using the weight of the lure to bend it backward, and then whips it forward rapidly, throwing the lure forward like a catapult launching a boulder.
A fly rod, in contrast, is designed to cast a line rather than a lure. A short and rhythmic forward-and-back motion of the long and flexible-tipped rod throws the line fore and aft the fisherman until sufficient line velocity has been achieved and the fly line can be released toward its target with the fly in tow. What separates a novice fly caster from an expert is his or her ability to quickly generate line speed, which translates into greater distance and accuracy.
A novice fly caster typically attempts to muscle the fly rod, thinking the harder the cast the farther the line will travel. This usually results in the fly line getting wrapped around a neck or other body part. It’s usually a good idea for beginners to practice with hookless flies and to wear hats. But be forewarned, sooner or later every new fly fisherman gets hooked in the head or back. Aside from hurt pride, the injury is minor.
An expert fly caster understands that coordination and timing rather than brute strength are the keys to success. The ideal fly cast is graceful rather than explosive. The legendary fly caster Joan Wulff, now in her 90s, can probably still cast with the best due to her flawless technique.
Fly casting is just another tool in a fisherman’s arsenal. Nothing more, nothing less. Fly-fishing often is tagged as an elitist sport despite the fact that a nice rod and reel combination can be purchased for less than the cost of the fatheaded driver in every golfer’s bag. While there are purists who only carry a fly rod, many saltwater fly fishermen are willing to reach for a spinning rod or even a bait rod when fly-fishing is unproductive.
One doesn’t have to be a fly-casting expert to enjoy fly-fishing on the East End, particularly in the fall, when huge schools of bluefish and striped bass invade local waters. With fish bouncing off hulls and nearly grounding themselves on ocean beaches, a short 15-foot cast will do. However, if you aspire to have the skill to place a Lefty’s Deceiver fly six inches in front of a striped bass cruising the flats of Gardiner’s Bay from 60 feet away on a windy day, you better start practicing now.
The fluke season opened last week and local fishermen are having mixed success. T.J. at Gone Fishing Marina reports a slow start to the fluke season off Montauk due to poor conditions, including a painfully slow drift despite a full moon. T.J. and others couldn’t explain this unprecedented circumstance. Some party boats are catching limits on the south side of Montauk, but the fish are on the small side.
Ken Morse at Tight Lines Tackle in Sag Harbor reports fluke fishing around Shelter Island is difficult because of the large number of sea robins covering the bottom. However, Bob Johnson weighed in a hefty 12.8-pound Greenlawns fluke at Morse’s shop. Morse also reports a 40-pound striper was caught on a Super Strike Darter from the shore in Sag Harbor.
Harvey Bennett at the Tackle Shop in Amagansett reports a few 23-inch fluke have been taken at Napeague, a weakfish was landed at Lion’s Head in Springs, and a 40-pound striper was landed off of Cedar Point on a parachute jig trolled on wire line. Sebastian Gorgone at Mrs. Sam’s Bait and Tackle in East Hampton reports that anglers are standing shoulder to shoulder at Accabonac Harbor to take small bluefish that continue to hold there. He adds that porgy fishing remains very strong.
On the commercial side, Kelly Lester says that her poundtraps have been a little slow, but some weakfish appeared in the mix Monday morning. She’s now busy setting conch pots.
Mary Lee, East Hampton’s favorite 3,500-pound white shark, is now swimming off the coast of Maryland. No word when she will return to the East End.
Also, a reminder that vessels 65-feet or larger are required to travel at 10 knots or less in areas and seasons where endangered North Atlantic right whales may be present.
The SurfMaster Spring Shootout 2016 striped bass fishing tournament is under way and ends July 3. Information is at montauksurfmasters.com. Remember, you’ve got to be in it to win it.