Fly-Fishing in New York City - DestinWorld Travel Article


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Becky Garrison describes some of the opportunities for fishing within the concrete confines of New York City - a less than likely candidate for such a tranquil sport, but available all the same. She also includes an extensive set of links and resources for the would be fisher in NYC...

Article and all pictures © Copyright Becky Garrison

FLY-FISHING IN NEW YORK CITY

By Becky Garrison
Photos 1, 2 and 3 by Capt. Brendan McCarthy.

Fly-fishing within the concrete confines of New York City's may seem strange at first. How can a city noted for its noise and excitement offer the tranquility required to cast a line in anticipation that a fish will rise and take the waiting fly? Fortunately for die-hard urban fly fishers, the Big Apple can provide a relaxing respite from urban stress by affording ample opportunities for fresh and saltwater fly-fishing.

The Hudson River, whose delta formed the island of Manhattan, is one of the primary spawning grounds for striped bass. Weather permitting, expect the spring run of stripers to begin in mid-April and continue throughout June. During this time, flyrodders have an excellent opportunity to land a bluefish or a weakfish as well. Check out the CCA-NY’s annual The Glenlivet CCA Manhattan Cup, an excellent opportunity to participate with twenty-five of New York City’s most prominent fishing guides competing for the largest striped bass, bluefish and weakfish among three categories (fly, artificial and bait).

Starting in late summer, the Bonita and false albacore move into the area. Favorite spots with urban saltwater flyfishers include the area around the Statue of Liberty, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Raritan Bay, the East River and Jamaica Bay. Periodically, Coast Guard issues boating regulations post-9-11 restricting boat traffic in areas around government owned property and other major landmarks. Check out the USCG web site for the latest updates.

One of the premier places on the East Coast for surfcasting is Gateway National Recreation Area located in Jamaica Bay, Staten Island and Sandy Hook, New Jersey. All of these areas offer excellent access to flats and jetties. Favorite fishing spots in the Jamaica Bay area include Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn; Canarsie Pier in Jamaica, Queens; and Breezy Point in Rockaway, New York. Other favorite places to cast one’s line in Brooklyn include Bayside (Pier 69), Coney Island, and Red Hook.

Fishing is permitted in select areas along the Hudson River including under the George Washington Bridge at W. 179th St., West 96th Street to West 79th Street, Pier 45 and Pier 25, as well as Wagner Park in Battery Park City. The Hudson River Park’s website features the latest news about the development of additional recreational shoreline fishing opportunities along the Lower Hudson River. Other New York City spots include the East River near Gracie Mansion; the lighthouse at the north end of Roosevelt Island; Little Neck Bay in Queens; Randall’s Island and Orchard Beach in the Bronx. Also, flyfishers can access a variety of Staten Island hot spots, including Fort Wadsworth, South Beach, Midland Beach, Great Kills Park & Beach, Wolf's Pond Park & Beach, Conference House Park and Alice Austen Park.

Most saltwater anglers choose a 9- or 10-weight rod with either a Lefty's Deceiver, Clouser Minnow or one of Capt. Dino Torino’s specialty saltwater flies. While many anglers practice catch and release, anyone, who wants to take a fish home should check with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection for the latest regulations. Also, one must be sure to inquire with the New York State Department of Health for any fish consumption advisories before eating their catch.

Starting in late spring and continuing until early fall, one can find freshwater enthusiasts casting in Central Park for bass, pickerel, carp, bluegills, perch and catfish. The Harlem Meer, which is located from E. 106th St. to E. 110th Street, is stocked with white bass. Bamboo poles are available for rental free of charge to the children when accompanied by an adult at the Dana Discovery Center located at W. 100th Street near Fifth Avenue. Another favorite hot spot is the Boathouse Lake on W. 72nd Street, where flyfishers can catch a bass along the wide range of shoreline structure. Even though some flyfishers try their luck in the 59th Street Pond, the crowds can make it difficult to find a secluded spot to fish. Edwin used a 5 or 6-weight rod for bluegills and small bass and a 7 or 8-weight rod to reel in the largest fish. While the bluegills enjoy poppers and brassies, the bass are partial to ants and freshwater Clouser Minnows. Strict catch-and-release rules are in effect for any fish caught in any New York City park. Fishing is not permitted from a rented rowboat or on the bridges. Also, one cannot fish in the Reservoir or in Turtle Pond.

In Brooklyn, check out Prospect Park for freshwater bass fishing. Other places where one can cast their line for warmwater fish include Van Cortland Lake and Crotona Lake in the Bronx, Oakland Lake, Baisley Park Pond, Kissena Lake, and Meadow and Willow Lakes in Queens and Clove Lake, Silver Lake and Wolf's Pond in Staten Island. Also, the New York City Chapter of Trout Unlimited has begun preliminary efforts to restore Alley Creek Lake in Queens. When completed, this will mark the first trout stream in New York City.

Fly fishing in new york city. A short train ride on Metro North takes flyfishers to the Croton Reservoir Watershed. This series of reservoirs and streams in Westchester and Putnam counties offers excellent trout fishing. While the fishing season applies to much of the watershed, the east branch of the Croton River is open year-round. Post 9-11, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection has issued new watershed permits, which are needed in order to fish any NYC reservoirs. Freshwater enthusiasts looking for nearby freshwater fly-fishing on Long Island can cast their lines in the Connetquot or Nissequogue Rivers. For a more detailed listing of New York City area freshwater fisheries, check out The Flyfisher’s Guide to New York (Wilderness Press, 2002).

Saltwater enthusiasts looking for a quick day trip out of the city can cast their lines for stripers in Sandy Hook, New Jersey. Even though many of Long Island’s private beaches are off-limits to non-residents, check out public Long Island fishing spots such as Caumsett State Park, Robert Moses State Park, Captree State Park, Heckscher State Park and Jones Beach for some prime shoreline saltwater fishing opportunities.

Generally speaking, the best times to fish the New York City area are from April to June and then from September to around Thanksgiving. However, die-hard saltwater anglers dot the Hudson River throughout most of the winter months.

NEW YORK CITY AREA FLY-FISHING RESOURCES

FLY/LIGHT TACKLE FISHING GUIDES

Capt. Ralph Burtis
Island Charters
516-887-2784
islandcharters@netscape.net
www.islandcharters.net
Jamaica Bay, NY Harbor and surrounding areas in spring and early summer - Montauk in early fall and NYC area in late fall

Capt. Peter Chan
Mostly Montauk
917-584-8325
captpeterchan@mostlymontauk.com
Jamaica Bay and Montauk

Capt. Frank Crescitelli and Capt. Dino Torino
Fin Chaser Charters
718-317-1481; Finfly@aol.com (Capt. Frank)
917-662-TUNA; fly4tuna@adelphia.net (Capt. Torino)
www.finchaser.com
Fishing charters including but not limited to Raritan Bay, Jamaica Bay, Lower New York Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean. Also, Capt. Torino guides in Montauk and Capt. Crescitelli guides in Long Beach Island, NJ.

Capt. Ken Courtlangus
516-932-0685
captkccharters@aol.com
www.reel-time.comguides/kccharters
Cold Spring Harbor, Oyster Bay, Long Islands East End

Capt. Dick Dennis
Backcast Charters
723-929-0967
Hed0075@comcast.net
Barnegat, Raritan Bay, New York Harbor

Capt. Tony DiLernia
Rocket Charters
212-529-6910
tony@rocketcharters.com
www.rocketcharters.com
New York Harbor

Capt. Paul Eidman
(732) 922-4077
Paulyfish@reeltherapy.com
www.reeltherapy.com
Fly/Light Tackle Fishing charters by Boat and Kayak
Raritan Bay, Jamaica Bay, Raritan River, Sandy Hook, Shrewsbury/Navesink Rivers, Lower New York Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean

Capt. Hobitzel
Outback Charters
732-780-8624
biloutback@aol.com
Raritan Bay, Sandy Hook, and New York Harbor

Captain Scott Holder
Dragonfly Charters
516-840-6522
Fire Island, Smithtown

Misako Ishimura
Casting Instructor
212-628-7818
misakoflyfish@hotmail.com

Capt. Barry Kanavy
516-785-7171
CaptainBarry@cs.com
www.naturalanglers.com
Long Island's South Shore

Capt. John "Spot" Killen
Briny Fly Charters
631-728-BASS (2277)
Cellular: 516-901-6652
brinyfly@att.net
South Shore of Long Island from Moriches to Montauk

Capt. Ken Kuhner
631-673-8937
www.coldspringfly.com
Long Island's North Shore and Eastern Long Island

Capt. Joe Mattioli
On The Bite Charters
718-967-9095
onthebite@worldnet.att.net
www.flyfishnyc.com
Fishing charters in Jamaica Bay, Raritan Bay, Lower New York Harbor and New Jersey waters

Capt. Brendan McCarthy
212-727-3166; 917-847-9576
mctrout@nyc.rr.com
www.mctrout.com
Jamaica Bay and Montauk

Capt. John McMurray
One More Cast Charters
718-791-2094
johnmcmurray@prodigy.net
www.urbanangler.com/pages/mcmurray.htm
Fishing charters in Jamaica Bay, Raritan Bay and Lower New York Harbor

Glen Mikkleson's Atlantic Flies (Shore Guide)
631-878-0883
Walk and wade guide service for the North and South shores of Long Island

Capt. Bob Robl
Fly-A-Salt Charters
631 243-4282
Rtrobl@cs.com
www.fly-a-salt.com
Smithtown, North Folk

Capt. Joseph Shastay, Jr.
201-451-1988; 201-725-6755 (cell)
New York Harbor, the East River and Western Long Island Sound

Shore Catch Guide Service (Captain Jim Freda, Captain Gene Quigley, and Shell E. Caris)
732-528-1861
Flyfishcharters@aol.com (Boat Charters)
jfreda@bytheshore.com (Beach trips)
www.shorecatch.com
Fishing Charters from Sandy Hook to Island Beach State Park, inshore and offshore

Edwin Valentin, c/o The Urban Angler
212-979-7600
Central Park

For a list of fly and light tackle guides throughout the tri-state area, log on to www.pflga.org

NEW YORK CITY FLY SHOPS AND SPORTING GOODS STORES

Capitol Fishing Tackle
218 West 23rd Street
New York, NY 10011
212-929-6132
Full range of fishing gear

Orvis
522 Fifth Avenue (Corner of 44th Street and Fifth Avenue)
New York, NY 10017
212-827-0698
www.orvis.com
Fly-fishing equipment, fly-fishing lessons from April to June, Orvis-endorsed guides and lodges nationwide

Paragon Sports
867 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
212-255-8036
Full range of fishing gear and fishing licenses

The Universal Angler
37 W. 43rd Street
New York, NY 10036
212-398-1932
www.uniangler.com
full service fly shop, fly-fishing and fly-tying courses, individualized casting instruction, international travel service (exclusive booking agent for the major Atlantic Salmon Rivers on the Kola Peninsula in Russia).

Urban Angler
206 5th Avenue (between 25-26th streets), 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10010
212-979-7600
www.urbanangler.com
customerservice@urbanangler.com
Fly-fishing equipment and gear, year-round lessons in casting, knot tying, and tying flies; weekly local fishing reports; local and international travel service

FLY-FISHING ORGANIZATIONS

Coastal Conservation Association
877-98-CCANY
www.ccany.org
New York State chapter of this national organization dedicated to the conservation and preservation of marine resources

Juliana's Anglers
FDR Station, P.O. Box 7220
New York, NY 10150
www.julianasanglers.com
Women's fly-fishing group offering meetings, educational opportunities (e.g., casting clinics), field trips

Theodore Gordon Flyfishers, Inc.
P.O. Box 2345
Grand Central Station
New York, NY 10163-2345
editor@tgf.org
www.tgf.org
Fly-fishing group offering local outings, talks on fly-fishing, Tuesday lunches at the Union League Club in New York City, Conservation activities, Trout in the Classroom, Project Access program.

New York City Trout Unlimited
Eric Newman
401 E. 81st St.
New York, NY 10028
president@nyctu.org
www.nyctu.org
New York City chapter, with more than 1,000 members, of the nation's leading coldwater conservation organization. Working to restore brook trout to Alley Creek in Queens and active in other conservation issues. Also holds Central Park casting clinic, fishing forum, fly tying event and two full-day trips to the Connetquot River.

The Salty Flyrodders of New York
345 East 57th St. 2C
New York, NY 10022
www.saltyflyrodders.org
Saltwater fly-fishing group offering trips to local beaches, meetings, casting clinics, annual flyfishers' conclave

GOVERNMENT RESOURCES

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Region 2 New York City
718-482-4922 (Information on fishing licenses, regulations and permits)
www.dec.state.ny.us/website/reg1/nycfish.pdf (Comprehensive guide to using mass transit to freshwater fish throughout the five boroughs of New York City)

New York City Department of Environmental Protection www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/dep/home.html www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/ruleregs/wsrecreation.html (Downloadable application and general information on obtaining a public access permit to fish NYC reservoirs and other designated areas.)

New York State Department of Health
1-800-458-1158 ex. 27815
Information on fish consumption advisories

Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation
of the State of New York
54 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, NY
www.rioc.com
212-832-4540

US Coast Guard - District 1
www.uscg.mil/d1/newengland
www.incidentnews.gov (View the latest Coast Guard regulations for boaters wishing to access New York Harbor)

NEW YORK CITY PARKS INFORMATION

Battery Park City Parks Conservancy
212-267-9700
info@BPCParks.org (Request a free program calendar)
Public fishing is available in Wagner Park, as well as fishing programs for all ages and school marine education school programs

Dana Discovery Center
Harlem Meer, 110th Street and Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
212-860-1370
Offers free bamboo fishing pole rentals to any child when accompanied by an adult. Call for details.

Gantry River State Park
49th and E. River, Long Island City
718-786-6385

Gateway National Recreation Area
718-318-4300
www.nps.gov/gate/index.htm
Permit information to access these areas in Jamaica Bay, Staten Island and Sandy Hook by car

Hudson River Park
Pier 45 at W. Houston St.
New York, NY 10014
917-661-8740
www.hudsonriverpark.org
info@hrpt.state.ny.us

New York City Parks and Recreation Department
1-800-201-PARK (within New York City only)
www.nyc.gov/html/dpr/
Detailed maps and information about New York City parks

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
METROPOLITAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY
Long Island Railroad 1-718-217-LIRR
Metro North 800-METRO-INFO
NYC Transit 1-718-330-1234
www.mta.nyc.ny.us/index.html

NY Waterways
www.nywaterway.com

SEASTREAK
www.seastreak.com

Staten Island Ferry Schedule
www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/dot/html/masstran/ferries/statfery.html

RECOMMENDED BOOKS
Newman, Eric. Flyfisher's Guide to New York, Belgrade, MT: Wilderness Press, 2002

Capossela, Jim. Good Fishing Close to New York City: A Guide to the Great Close-to-home Angling of the Metropolitan Region. Tarrytown, NY: Northeast Sportsmans Press, April 1989

Freda, Jim. Fishing the New Jersey Coast, Springfield, NJ: Burford Publications, 2001

Starke, Mike. Saltwater Fly Fishing, Springfield, NJ: Burford Publications, 2002

Streeter, Robert W. New York Fly Fishing Guide, Portland, OR: Frank Amato Publications, 2000

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Clearwater
www.clearwater.org
Web site features environmental updates relating to the cleanup of the Hudson River

The Fly Fishing Show
800-420-7582
www.flyfishingshow.com
annual show held in Somerset, NJ the fourth Sunday in January featuring classes, seminars, and over 250 exhibitors.

Long Island Department of Parks and Recreation
www.licvb.com/beaches_and_parks.cfm
Before setting out for a specific park, please call ahead to check on hours of operation, access and any permits needed to fish that particular area.

Noreast Saltwater
www.noreast.com
Comprehensive on-line saltwater fishing site, includes updates and weather conditions for New York Harbor

The Fishing Line
www.thefishingline.com
Log on for information about our decade long Television series, our two weekly Radio Shows, Long Island/NY Metro/Tri-State area Fishing Reports, our On-Line Magazine, the always expanding Event Calendar and other information of interest to the urban angler.

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