This trip gives our members a chance to fish some great bass water close to home on one of the prettiest rivers on Long Island. We will be fishing for a variety of freshwater species, including chain pickerel, crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. This river is a popular canoeing area and, by fishing during the midweek, we avoid the boat traffic and canoe "hatches". The best time to be on the water is sunrise, so we will be putting in at 6:00am. Those members who have their own vessels can put in at the DEC parking lot launch at the dam.
Take the L.I.E. east to exit 72. Take Route 25 east and then the first right after passing the Fisherman's Deli onto the road across from Snowflake Ice Cream stand. Those who need a boat may stop at the Fisherman's Deli where johnboats and canoes can be rented. The cost for boat rental for the day is $30.00 and you may possibly split the fee with another member. Please call me at (516) 997-6743 if you want to arrange to share a boat.
Most of your prime areas will be around lily pads and weed beds, so I advise using a heavier tippet like 1X. You may also use a length of 10lb test mono added to your leader which will help prevent having your fly bitten off by the resident pickerel. I have landed pickerel up to 21" from this river and they are well equipped with sharp teeth, so don't forget your forceps.
Rods from 5 to 8 weight will suffice, with the heavier stick being more capable of casting big bass bugs and surface poppers. As the sun rises and the temperature goes up later in the day, you should switch to streamers and nymphs. The pickerel seems to favor long style swimming patterns such as Marabou Leeches, Ghosts and Mickey Finns, and crappies will readily take white patterns. One of my favorite bluegill flies is an oversized Zug Bug, although these willing scrappers will take surface poppers and foam beetles all day long when cast under a shady bush.
Don't forget sunblock and a light colored cap! A full day of sitting in a canoe without protection can fry you. Bring plenty of water or beverages in a small cooler and you're all set to go. For those who want to join us for lunch, we will be having a picnic back at the D.E.C. parking area after the action slows down in the afternoon. Cost for the picnic will be $7.00 per person. For further information, call Lee Weil at (516) 997-6743.
Lee Weil