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First Annual Fly FlingPre-Fling ActivitiesA day I had been looking forward to had finally arrived. It was time for the "Fly Fling," and it was happening in my back yard. Jim DE had taken the reigns on organizing the whole spectacle, and had said that the fly fling was going to be what each individual made of it. I had two main goals: put faces to names from the SOL Flyfishing board, and get some tips on casting. BobACNJ and I had plans to meet at my place, and head out to the fling meeting place together. I gave him a call in the morning, and he said he had a passenger with him, Downbeach. They were going to stop in at Betty & Nick's for some last minute supplies, and meet me at my house. The fact that they were at exit 54 on the Parkway gave me enough time to go out to lunch with Ania, and load up my truck. |
After BobACNJ and Downbeach arrived we debated whether they would get a 3-day IBSP pass for his truck. Turns out, in the required equipment list, he was lacking a fire extinguisher. I didn't have an extra, so he opted to just pay the daily fee at the gate. Since the initial meeting place was on the bayside, not being able to drive the beach was no big deal. If we did move to the beach, I had plenty of room.
We got out to parking lot A-15 and found it empty except for a few cars. It was about a half hour after the "official" start of the fling. I parked in the lot, figuring the parking area down the kayak access trail would be packed. As we parked, Jim B pulled up. The four of us hiked back to the bay.
I was correct in my assumption, the parking area was pretty much full. A large number of "flingers" were standing around shooting the breeze, while another large group were out casting. Jim DE was playing "meet & greet", and inviting everyone to try his 16 foot, two handed rod. Downbeach took him up on the offer right away.
I donned my waders, grabbed my 8wt and waded out into the bay. I found a spot in the line where I wouldn't give someone a new fashionable piercing with my back cast. BobPop was down a few people in line, helping with some casts. When he got to me he says "OK, let's see what you've got." I have to admit, I was a little nervous. I know I shouldn't have been, but no one but my father and brother had ever seen me cast within the last two years.
It took one cast for the first of many useful tips. "Put your thumb on top of the rod." I felt the difference in my second cast. Within 20 minutes BobPop had added a few feet to my casts, but more importantly, gave me some insight on what was supposed to be happening, and made my casts feel much, much better.
After some more practice I went back on shore. After everyone on the water got help from BobPop, (and he did help out EVERYONE who wanted it), Bob did a small fly tying demonstration on Shell E. Caris' cooler. A question and answer session followed.
There are some people and companies charging good money for the information given out this afternoon, for free.
By now the sun was starting to set and I mention to BobACNJ that we should get to fishing again. A minute afterwards, Jim DE says the same thing to the whole group, and suggests we move to the inlet. We collectively decide how many people are going, and who is riding with whom. I take BobACNJ, Downbeach, and LTSpruce with me.
Transferring everyone's stuff over to my truck takes a few minutes, and we arrive at the inlet after everyone else. A bunch of people are fishing the bulkhead, so I suggest we try wading a little farther in the back. There is a sand bottom back there, and not only are bass, weaks and blues a possibility, but so are fluke.
LT Spruce and I make our way back to the old rock pile, and wade out. The "monkey snot" is in the water, but not as bad as it had been. It went from total hindrance to major annoyance. That stuff is tough to pick out of bucktail. I started off fishing a pink jiggy. No luck. I switched to a chartreuse jiggy wit the same results. A bucktail deceiver also had the same record.
I moved off the rock pile and in farther by BobACNJ and Downbeach. They were having the same luck. We all tried a few more flies until it got dark. We walked out with Backcast, who needed a ride back to his truck. LT Spruce, who had stuck it out on the rocks a little longer, got a blue and lost his fly to a second one. Backcast got a small bass.
Back by the truck BobPop comes by and says one word - "Klee's" - Backcast has a long ride home, but myself, BobACNJ, Lt Spruce, and Downbeach all head over there. It made an excellent nightcap and a perfect ending to a great day.
Thanks to everyone who attended, and especially to those who put in the extra effort to make sure all had a good time.
Until next week...
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