Welcome to Steve's Saltwater Flies
I have been an avid fisherman since I was a kid. I started out with my father taking me to local lakes and reservoirs to fish for trout. I have many great memories of springtime mornings waiting for my bobber to go under.
I was also introduced to saltwater at a young age. My father was always an avid surf fisherman and showed no hesitation in letting me tag along when I began to show interest. One specific day stands out in my memory and I believe is what made me an addict.
An early summer morning at Island Beach State Park brought a blitz of bluefish like many will never see. I was 8 years old and could barely reach the water with a cast from my surf rod. Luckily the bluefish were in so close that my father wouldn’t even let me put my toes in the water. I think I lost every lure he had in his plug bag that day to the toothy bluefish.
Now that I was a full blown fisherman, I decided to start fly fishing. My first experiences fly fishing were at local lakes fishing for bluegills. My father showed me how to cast and I would practice in the backyard. My parents got me a fly tying kit and after many attempts I gave up, but would come back to it later.
After a few years of freshwater fly fishing, my father and I got saltwater rods and reels. I began to tie flies again. The larger saltwater flies were easier and much less frustrating to tie. I still have some of my first creations and they do not look pretty, but back then I didn’t care.
For the first couple years of saltwater fly fishing, my first striper eluded me. One morning though, I finally hooked up to a 28 inch bass. The power of the fish amazed me. With the fly rod, the strength of the fish is not absorbed by the rod, it is transferred directly to your hand. In my opinion, this is what attracts a lot of people to fly fishing; it is definitely what attracts me.
Since then, I have been fly fishing and tying flies every chance I get. I am constantly trying to become a better fisherman and a better tier. Whether it is sight casting to tarpon, bonefish, and permit in the pristine waters of the Florida Keys, or trying to pull a striper out the pounding New Jersey surf, I love it all.
