Anything Goes with Jack Denny

Getting Started

I don’t know how the season has been going for most of you but the spring and early summer have been good to me. One of the best things I did this year was to get another fisherman hooked on saltwater fly fishing. It really wasn’t too hard to do; all I did was bring him along on a couple trips with some other Saltys and show him how a good a fly rod can be. Now you just don’t get someone interested in this sport and not help them out, especially if they are a friend. Picking out a rod and reel is very important and since Bill trusted my judgement, I was asked to pick out a good outfit and some accessories.

Me pick out an outfit? This could be the equivalent to an open checkbook or limitless credit card, "Nothing but the best for Bill." He is a fisherman through and through and deserves the best money could by, (his money, not Donald Trump’s money). If you are ever asked to do this for a friend or anyone please take into account the type of fly fisher he/she is and what they can afford. The St. Croix line of fly rods has a lot to offer and at a good price. They have good components and an excellent warranty. I know Betty Timmerman got one this year and several of my other friends have had good things to say about this rod, so I picked out a 10 weight. I am sure there are other fly rods out there that fit the bill but Ramsey’s Outdoor Store (a Patron Saint of the Salty Fly Rodders) carries a wide selection of rods and this one was just right. The reel should be machined and Tigoa has made a quality reel at an exceptional price so I added that to the list. The rest (backing and line) is pretty much standard but then there are the accessories.

This could be a "black hole" if not handled right. A fly book (box), leader, snips, neck light, a bag to hold everything, pliers and a few other odds and ends completed the ensemble. But Bill needed a hat, a fishing hat to be precis, but that is up to him (you all know the story of the pink hat). I started him with some casting lessons down at a local park plus he bought the book by Lefty. His casting is, well…rough. Now, we’ve all been there I’m sure but the only way to improve someone’s casting to take them fishing. Nothing improves a novice’s casting like seeing someone else catch fish they can’t reach! Cruel (?) yes, but this is tough love.

We hit the water and there were no surprises; no fish, a tough wind and a drill instructor for a casting coach. Bill’s next trip was aboard his brother in-law’s boat where the wind, tide and fish conspired to make his day a living nightmare. The brother in-law used bait and lures to catch some bluefish while Bill tried to figure things out (he never did). So it was time to take him out for some quality fishing, the beaches of Long Island. That’s right, the beaches on Long Island are a destination for many a fly rodder seeking great scenery, friendly people and world class fishing. Why ride 5 plus hours to the Cape when there is that kind of fishing right here close to home?

Bill was pumped as I told him we would fish from dusk to dawn, only thing is Bill never learned to cast in the dark! But I figured he would catch on since his casting had been improving down at the park. So off we went with high expectations and few tuna fish sandwiches. At the first stop Bill caught his first striper (remember yours??? I remember mine) a 14 incher that put up a good scrap against his new 10 weight in some fast moving water. We continued on to another spot that produced more fish and a few larger ones too. But it was at the end of the trip, around 3:30 am that Bill got the fever for good. Fishing with a red epoxy sandeel, Bill hooked what he thought was the bottom. But the bottom soon began to move off in another direction so Bill set the hook and found himself attached to a freight train headed out to sea. The fight was short but sweet, a big mistake was made that popped the leader and left Bill shaking. It took him 10 minutes to tie on another fly and get his composure back. His best fish of the night had not only broken his leader; it had broken his heart. But he kept on fishing and landed several fish over 24 inches.

The "voodoo" magic has now worked its spell over this poor man. Let’s face it, he is never going to be the same again. I know this to be true because it happened to me and I’m sure there are many Salty Fly Rodders that have had a similar experience. I would like to bring Bill to a meeting one evening and meet some people that suffer from the same affliction he does. Sort of "group therapy" from a group of fly fisher who know the only way to feel good is to go fishing!