posted by Capt Ken on Mar 13

a.k.a. bunker heaven

Jamaica Bay Flats (a.k.a bunker heaven)

A pre-season scouting session inside the remote areas of Jamaica Bay revealed a very nice set of lengthy flats directly adjacent to a back bay main channel and will soon prove to be very productive habitat for actively feeding striped bass on a reliable basis.

Fly Fishing techniques that we used was a fast sinking intermediate (approx 6 ips) so that we could crawl the edges of the depths with large flies in search of a very hungry and huge bass. From shore though the best type of fly line appropriate for this area when wading is an intermediate line with a sink rate of only about 2 ips (inches per second). Common bass fishing lures are poppers but fly fishing flies are the real notches in the belt!

When fishing from shore use the slower intermediate lines because reachable depths within the average casting range are anywhere from 1-6 feet deep. During a very low tide and in some select troughs along the edges of this flat there are some nice holes where a faster sinking line would also produce well when following these few bass fishing tips.

If wade fishing this area, it is highly recommended that an angler arrive at this area planning to arrive at the bottom of low tide and a bluebird day. This would give the angler the time necessary to learn where these holes and steep troughs exist along the length of the flat and help prevent a misstep which could be disastrous.

From a boat, this area should fish very well as you will have a higher platform from which to spot fish feeding along the edges.  The bunker is also expected to move into this area soon, which will provide some excellent topwater action because there are numerous points of ambush for giant stripers!

Another facet of this area is that it has also been known to have an excellent crab hatch lasting only a week or two and I can assure you that I will be watching this isolated location very closely so we don’t miss this opportunity!

With Sweet Pea getting splashed early May, all sorts of preparations are in order and work begins feverishly to get everything prepared.

There are still some prime dates available so call Captain Ken directly or shoot him an email for availability and to book your next saltwater fly fishing vacation bass fishing in Jamaica Bay New York!

posted by Capt Ken on Feb 10

The mantis shimp. For a long time this amazing creature was simply considered as food, but as nature proves right before our eyes, these shrimp are fierce, voracious, and very hungry predators! p.s. the thumbnail image at the start of this video is just food for the mantis not seen here…

posted by Capt Ken on Jan 28

Fly Fishing Show in Somerset NJ was spectacular!!! 

I dont know how many miles I logged while running from booth to booth to booth! Some of the best fly tying materials available were there, but you had to get yours on Friday if you wanted the pick of the litter! It was also such a great honor to hobknob with some of the most respected people in the industry today such as Trout Hunter, Hatch Outdoors, the ever so popular Turneffe Flats Lodge, the up and coming Rise Fishing, as well as the great author and journalist, Phil Shook! The Salty Fly Rodders of New York were also present, and so good to see some of the guys that I have fished with locally.

Now, as I continue to prepare things for the Spring 2011 launch…

…a ton of research has been put in regarding which dates in April, May and June will be PRIME!

I have put together a list of these dates, based on tides, moon phases and past experience…

Contact me directly to check availability of these prime dates, and book your trip before March 31st with a deposit and receive for free the 6 hand-tied Kenjo Flies shown below!!!

DO NOT HESITATE!!!

These dates are filling fast!!!

posted by Capt Ken on Jan 20

Free Fly Giveaway:

If you happen to notice some weird guy with a Southern accent (me) standing out in the snow casting an intermediate line with a few buddies, feel free to come over and mention this article to receive a free hand-tied fly!!!

If you just cant take the boredom of sitting within the interrior of four walls anymore, come on down to the Fly Fishing Show in Somerset NJ to see the greatest fly fishing tradeshow on the east coast!

There will be more industry leading names than can be listed here! There will be seminar after seminar and the Federation of Fly Fishers will also be holding casting courses!

So! Come on out and shake a hand or two with some of the best fly fisherman and tiers in the world! I hope to see you there and make sure to bring a big backpack to take home tons of goodies!

posted by Capt Ken on Jan 9

An eclipse of the soul…

Soul Eclipse

Hard-core fisherman know that winter, and its down-time, often have a mirage effect and in an effort to bring it into focus, we set out into the snow encased forest to observe old man winter in his natural forum.

Donning multiple layers of high-tech synthetic clothing, along with our breathable membranes (a.k.a waders), Dave and I braved the elements in an attempt to keep in tune with mother nature.

Embracing the liberties that were at hand, we hiked in knee deep snow through the woods down to the river where we set forth, flying our fuzzy hooks into the frigid yet smooth flowing waters on the East Branch of the Croton River.

The surface action was intense for us, mostly due to being a winterized and fish deprived angler. With high hopes of trout rising on an icy day as such, it all came into perspective as we observed clumps of snow, falling into the river from the overhanging tree branches above.

At one moment around high noon, there became evidence that a couple of these disturbances on the river’s surface were in fact, not created by the falling snow, but by a trout, bringing much to our satisfaction for a fun day of efforts.

Back home, in review and comparison of the images we captured in both our minds and as media, the one aspect that seems to stand out above the rest is the fact that “you just had to be there” in order to get the true experience.

Reflection of experiences such as these, and of those gained from spending countless hours on the water in solitude, can occasionally bring depth to the perception of ourselves, as men, as anglers but most importantly as humans.

In pursuit of an experience many crave, how is it that we endure numerous challenges to achieve the thrill of catching a fish, only to kill this living creature which we admire so much?

For there are many challenges and obstacles we must endure just to catch a fish… Maybe this is what causes most people to take their fish home with them. For me, I must admit that by killing a fish, we are simply missing out on an even greater reward because in effect, we are arresting the only freedom and liberty that a fish ever gets… the ability and grace to “swim away”.

posted by Capt Ken on Jan 1

Happy New Years!

Captain Ken would like to wish you a bountiful 2011 full of sharp hooks, tight lines, and action-packed fishing!

On the first day of this year, and being in dire need to walk on true terra firma,  since concrete and asphalt do not count… a little afternoon road trip out to Jamaica Bay was in order to see what off-road scenarios were possible around the Rockaways.

Happy New Years to All from Jamaica Bay NY!

As expected, the access road to Breezy Point was blocked by a size-able snow drift at the entrance just off the pavement, but not to be deterred, there were quite a few other places to check!

With a little bit of scouting we came across a good location to park and toss a fly line. This time of year there is nothing like throwing Rio’s 26ft density compensated sinking line from the shore.

After several stagnant weeks behind closed doors, it felt very good to stretch the line and play in the snow! This of course was merely an exercise to keep the dexterity flowing through the fly rod!

Check back soon as a new special offer will be announced for those who book for the spring 2011 saltwater fly fishing season in advance!

Contact Captain Ken directly anytime to get the scoop!

posted by Capt Ken on Dec 29

Armed with a super sweet Winston and Nautilus fly-fishing combo, Captain Ken takes the bow for once and goes to town fly fishing in saltwater while striped bass and bluefish feed voraciously on these tiny peanut bunker! Other anglers on board threw conventional tackle and also did very well hauling in the fish!