Compleat Journal

The Compleat Guide to False Albacore Fly Fishing: Fall's Most Fantastic Fish

August 24, 2022 15 min read

For many fly anglers Fall means only one thing: False Albacore. With Striper numbers down and Bluefish tough on gear, False Albacore (or Albies as they commonly referred to) have become the marquee fly rod fish during the Fall run. Powerful, explosive, and finicky, these fish have everything you could want in a gamefish. Getting started Albie fishing can be challenging, as there is quite a learning curve. It takes time to figure out the rhythms and idiosyncrasies of these often perplexing fish. Below, we’ve compiled a few things that we’ve learned over the years, some general tips and guidance to get you going.

The Compleat Guide to Northeastern Fly Fishing Trout Tactics

April 01, 2022 25 min read

While fly fishing now encompasses almost every conceivable species of fish in both fresh and saltwater, the trout is still the marquee fish of the sport and the Northeastern US has played a significant role in keeping it there. This region, while perhaps not as “flashy” as New Zealand, Patagonia, or Russia, still has some superb trout fishing. If you know where and when to fish, and if you incorporate some technical proficiency, there are some surprisingly impressive fisheries right in your backyard. Of course, as with any trout fishery, the Northeast also has its own unique set of challenges. This Compleat Guide is a compilation of decades of collective experience fishing for trout in this region, and is designed to help make you a more successful trout angler on its waters.

Short Guides: Preparing for Spring Trout Fly Fishing

February 25, 2022 6 min read

For most of us fly anglers, Winter is a time of preparation. Sure, you may fish a few times when the weather is nice but for the most part, we tie flies, organize gear, and research fisheries previously unexplored. However, when Spring rolls around it is game time. The Spring season is arguably the best time all year to fish. These three short months will often account for the majority of the fish caught in a year so it really pays to make the most of them. Of course, there are a few different types of trout fisheries out there: stockie streams, wild trout streams, a mixture of both, tailwaters, small local streams, larger rivers, and so forth. However, for this article we will focus primarily on stockies. Why? Because for most fly anglers they offer a great way to dust off the cobwebs, get some fish under your belt, and still have some great fly fishing while waiting for some of the other wild trout streams to warm up. Sure the crowds can be tough at times, but there is nothing wrong with going out and bending a rod on some fat hatchery-raised fish. Below are some tips and tricks on how to best approach these fisheries to make you more successful on the water this spring.

The Compleat Guide to Fishing the Summer Doldrums

July 16, 2021 16 min read

Ah, who doesn’t love summer? Birds chirping, beaches open, barbecues, light beer, and flip flops. For humans, it’s great. But, I'll tell you who doesn’t like summer - fish. They have far fewer options to beat the heat, which leads to sluggish, indifferent behavior and that period of the year the most anglers know as the “The Summer Doldrums.” However, if you’re still yearning to do more than simply stand around the barbecue or hide in the air conditioning, we have a few suggestions. While many anglers simply stick to the same approach they did during the spring and early summer, making a few adjustments can really help you stay on the fish. Read our guide to beating the summer doldrums!

Video: Icelandic Atlantic Salmon, Holkna River

June 23, 2021 1 min read

A short video of our trip to the Holkna River in Iceland — a bucket list trip for me, for sure. The scenery? Stunning.

Bass Fishing Near Boston

June 16, 2021 1 min read

What did I grow up chasing? Largemouth bass, bluegill, and perch. And so it was great to get back out and chase them again with my friend Brendan the other day. We hopped into his new boat, packed a few 3 wt rods, and motored out into a pond near Boston.

Compleat Gear Review: The Hatch Iconic Fly Reel

June 11, 2021 8 min read

The all new 2021 Hatch Iconic has been one of the most anticipated reels in the past 10 years. Hatch is known for making some of the best reels on the market, reels that combine smooth drags, waterproof housings, and rugged construction in a package that has made them favorites of both freshwater and saltwater fly anglers alike. When word got out that the new Iconic was in the works, many of those same anglers were waiting with bated breath. And while it’s been a long time coming, the Iconic is finally here. This reel has not disappointed and it is safe to say this will be one of the top selling reels for the foreseeable future. This is our take on the new Iconic.

Father's Day Gift Guide

June 11, 2021 4 min read

What a year it’s been! With plenty of challenges on all fronts, odds are that Dad has earned a little time on the water this summer. And what better way to say “thank you” than setting him up with some new gear to make the most of it?

As a specialty fly shop, we have a ton of tackle coming in and out of our hands all year, and have a pretty good sense of what our customers are enjoying. With that in mind, we wanted to put together a short list of items that are sure to make Dad smile this Father’s day. Without further ado, here are a few of our favorite picks.

Video: Where I Wanna Be - Gaspé Atlantic Salmon Fly Fishing

June 07, 2021 0 min read

After a year of lockdown, and the first season I have missed in decades on the Gaspé, with the potential to miss another this year, this video captures how I feel: a strong desire to return to these rivers.

Deerfield River Trout Fishing

June 04, 2021 2 min read

Last weekend, my good friend Jonas and I headed to the Deerfield. It was cold, brutally cold. As I said to him, sometimes bad ideas make the best memories.

Beulah Trout Spey G2 Review

June 02, 2021 2 min read

What did you say? Trout, erm, Spey? You heard that right. Trout Spey. I reviewed the Beulah G2 rod and the concept driving it. Check it out!

The Compleat Guide To Spring Striper Fly Fishing

April 16, 2021 24 min read 5 Comments

There are few fisheries that draw a following like the Spring run of Striped Bass along the New England Coast. Fly anglers wait patiently all winter for what is often some of the best saltwater fly fishing all year. As veteran anglers know it is a rare moment when the fish are concentrated in a relatively small area, hungry from a long winter, and close enough that fly anglers can target them from shore. In fact, it’s quite common for anglers to come from all over to fish Long Island Sound’s Connecticut coast during the early season. It’s that good.

1 2 3 … 10 Next

Currency