What I like is that we all know that John is a bass king, but catching his 1st bass on a fly reminds us how we all felt when we caught our first fish. It brings out joy to all of us. He was genuinely excited and I too felt like I was there to share the moment. Thx John 👍
That sound in your voice when you caught the first fish was something I never heard from you. Brought back childhood memories. Cant wait to watch you evolve. Thanks for another great vid.
Right after you hook the fish, get the line back to the right hand in the same manner you were stripping. Most fish can be stripped in. Your right hand will actually be the drag - you'll be able to sense how much pressure to put. Of course if the fish runs, then put him on the reel. There are a lot of things that will come with time and make everything a whole lot easier - mainly ways to manage your line. It's just little hard getting comfortable with everything when you're starting out. Great video and even greater hearing your enthusiasm.
It's official you are the luckiest guy alive lol. I have fly fished my whole life and found stripers hard to target on the flie. And you get one on a 30 ' cast your first time out and in less than 20 minutes lol. Speaking from experience your probably better off going to a fly casting school early to learn the mechanics and not get bad habits. This made me double down on my decision to fillm more fly fishing this spring!
@@notsoeloquent your absolutely right! that fact is not lost to me. He is an incredible fisherman and does the best job applying careful thought in what he is doing. Fishing a pattern like he was with blitzing school's on smallish baits is the easiest time to catch bass on the fly. He even said at the bedding I don't have long for this bite to last
Tie Clousers in blue, green and white and strip them quick. You’ll find your luck will dramatically change overnight. I’ve caught blues, stripers, kingfish, black bass, “wipers,” and even sand shark on Clousers.
#1 rule. Fish where the fish are. He didn't hit a blitz by accident and he knew the fish were in close. Another video, same spot, they were 5 feet off shore.
What I really appreciate about this video is that you know full well that you made many mistakes and were filming yourself as a complete novice, and you were willing to share with us all. I respect that a lot, especially with the audience that you have. In a year or two when you are catching 40” bass on 8” hand tied streamers while pitching a laser double haul that rivals the best Caribbean fly anglers, we can all remember how you started this obsession 👍🏻
Oh and it is an obsession. I grew up fly fishing cape cod for stripers and blues. Then in my late teens I found out what heroin was. Had to give it up so I could buy more flies
@@notsoeloquent at the time, pills and heroin were my jam. Ive been 8yrs sober, with a medical maryjane card, but no drinking or anything else. And the last 6-7 years I've been obsessed with fishing. Always was, but I took a dark road for few years. I like fishing better. I was a functioning pill head, still grew my career, auto mechanic, raced quads,still social, paid bills, had girls. but I was killing myself quickly. There's no replacement for opiate confidence though. I'm not the most attractive guy but my god, I had some baddies in my youth.
There is nothing like the take of a fly caught fish. Part of what makes it great is, you're not only feeling the take from the rod, you're feeling the take through your stripping hand.
We arll started just like that John! First fish on a flyrod is like catching your first fish as a kid.. Fly fishing opens up a whole new world to fishing and to me it’s more satisfying than conventional
Loved this vid Skinner, as a fisherman and fly fisherman for over 40 years you nailed it as a beginner. A few pointers. As soon as your cast is out, control the line with your right pointer finger and always strip line this way. Now you can set the line just with just your right hand and have way more line control. You can also use your right finger as drag. Keep your rod tip down when stripping. Stripping basket will help as will a weight forward line. When conditions are right and especially when the feed is on micro bait, nothing can beat the fly presentation... assuming you have the right fly. So much fun when you're out catching your spinner buddies 10-1. That said, usually it's not the most productive approach. It's another tool in the tool box. I always have my fly rod rigged and ready for the right moments. You've opened up a can of worms, enjoy. Looking forward to more videos.
John welcome, I put down my surf rod at the start of this year and took up fly fishing and know I'm 100% into it. I even tye my own flies this year I've caught multiple bass the largest one we in the 30 " class. It frustrating and rewarding at the same time. What help me is youtube. I watch mad river outfitters channel they have a flycasting 101 type series that helped me. Good luck and don't give up.
Loved it! 2009 is when I started my 1st striper was 4" long ! ha ! I took a 2 day at the Orvis Saltwater Fly fishing school in Chatham Cape Cod. Well worth $$$ it as you will be hooked on it! I have 10 fly rods now.. The casting is addicting. Just remember the fish as in the water not the air !
I think the best part is hearing someone who has had the success you’ve had in fishing with all the amazing catches, and the excitement when you hooked that first bass on the fly!!Absolutely incredible. Thanks for sharing!
The head wind is unrolling your line on the back cast . This is helping you load the rod and remove the slack . In fly casting the backcast is equally important as the front cast
I've been flyfishing for one year now and it is very humbling. My first time out last December was crazy windy but managed to get a few shad. My first striper was a holdover back in April and then a few casts later I hooked my waders and sprung a leak. Memorable day. One thing that I've found crucial is having the rod tip low or even in the water as "strip setting" instead of lifting the rod tip (trout setting) to set the hook. Stripers have pretty hard mouths so you need quite a bit of force to get the hook to penetrate. A stripping basket is also so helpful.
Omg, could there be a "Fly Fishing the Beach" book in the future for John Skinner, that would be something. How neat is it to learn a whole new fishing technique. Love that first hit.....Walt
John, I've been watching you for years, and I gotta say... I love this video! I'm mainly a fly fisher for the last 14 yeats years, and you captured the giddiness of catching a fish on the fly PERFECTLY. You also captured some of the frustrations that make fly fishing an education in patience!!! Two things though... Stripping basket and Strip set. Two thing's you absolutely need and need to do when fishing from the beach. KEEP IT UP!!!
You did an incredible job!!! You're a quick study, and I love that you show it like it is. My favorite video to date!!! Btw, getting tangled up in your fly line just means you're a fly angler now. We all do it!!!
Great start John. I suggest keeping your rod tip down almost to surface level while retrieving. This will keep your fly down, your sensitivity to it maximized and keep you in best position to set the hook under tension.
Yea. it is all about trying to keep a straight line between you and the fly. Now when the fish are on inch and a half minnows you have away to get them to bite. Wait till you get an albbie on that pinky stick. I am suprised when I see you casting bucktails to breaking fish. Watching them hit has been my thing for a lot of years now.
This absolutely made my day. I’m a fly fisherman new to surfcasting and it’s awesome to see you’ve been bit by the bug the same way I have for surfcasting with plugs
I was waiting for you to fly fish in this lifetime to even touch one. With my favorite brand too. I did consider gifting one to a surf cast Mr.Poseidon from youtube but didn't go there. Thanks for being multidimensional Mr.John Skinner this world needed it.
I would have loved to witness this on the beach.. "That looks like Skinner but he has fly line tangled around his entire body." 😂 I needed this video today
This is awesome - painful to watch you cast after fly fishing for 50 years but we all started where you are now. This took me back those 50 years and I appreciate you sharing this with us.
Great video, good to see you gave the Fly Rod a shot. You might not remember this, you were the editor at Noreast magazine and you helped me place an article about “Flyfishing for Bluefish in Jamaica Bay.
Wow John it does my heart good to see you with a fly rod in your hand - your finally seeing why I fish stripers with a fly or a streamer - much more challenging to land - 34 inches is my best I believe, just a little under 15 pounds - took about 10 minutes for me to land it - I think I sent you the video - now you’re all set to come to Nova Scotia in 2023 and catch 100-200 a day on a steamer.
One thing I was told when I first tried was to let the fly float out behind you and then throw the rod forward. I was told to look behind when doing it when you are first learning to see the line and fly floating out there. After a while you get the timing and can actually feel it happen. That seemed to help me. Otherwise I was just whipping the fly back and forth and that led to very short casts and some times it snapped the fly off.
Props for trying it. It's the hardest way to catch a striper usually. Put the line under your index finger on your rod hand and use that to control the line tension. When you get a hit, strip the line in with a hard pull to get a set. Don't lift... you'll just pull the fly out. And stripping in your fly, our your rod tip down. This will keep the fly down and give you a better chance at a strip set.
Have to re comment. Stripping basket while in the surf(of any intensity). On a stream, or constant current, you can get away without it. Line coming back in with waves will tangle and knot. As others have said, cast and play from Right hand crimped line on handle. Can usually fight and strip back in. Reel is for the larger fish. Star drag on R reel. Fighting from the finger is a kick. Gloves, medical tape is the solution. Casting is the aquired skill over many repetitions. Wind is your enemy. Even with a WF line, some days are out. But, that's the fun! The take and the fight on a Fly Rod Is great. Very addictive and rightly so.
It took me.two.whole years to catch my first bass and John lands one his.first time out. You my friend are a natural. Learn about.the haul and the double haul. Also using water tention to load your rod for a back cast and in turn will earn you a quick and lengthy foward cast. I've learned alot watching Jerry of "fish your way" and Steve coltons "trout fishing for stripers" give them a look. Welcome to the challenging world of salt water fly fishing in long island :-)
My dad is an avid Fly fisherman. Currently he is down in North Carolina studying to be a fly fishing guide. I have always been into fishing my entire life and have acknowledged fly fishing as an art. But after seeing this I think I was just as excited as you were when you hooked your first bass on your fly rod. So much so that I think at this point now you’ve turned me onto fly fishing for sure. Keep up the wonderful videos I really enjoy watching them. My grandparents had a place in Sag harbor when they were alive and we would catch scores of bass, blues you name it. Originally from Brooklyn currently living upstate. All the best cheers. Dane 😊
Ha! I certainly don't expect to be inspiring anyone to flyfish at this point. It is very new and rather exciting for me at this point. A friend got me on a baseball field last week and showed me how to double-haul. I see the attraction.
Your best video in quite a while John! Welcome to the fly. Others have nailed it, fly basket, weight forward line, carry the line in the air, learn the double haul and strip set. Can’t wait for more fly stuff from you. Did someone say “Snook”?
I loved your child-like excitement! SW fly fishing is one of the greatest sports on the planet. Hope you continue with it. I'm sure somebody else has told you this by now but you need to set the hook with your stripping hand on the line, not the rod. Good luck!
John you reminded me of a kid on Christmas !!!!!! i was at my desk listening to the vid and reading Flounder Mastery course. You sounded so happy thank you for sharing this !
John-Now you need to try throwing the fly in an outflow. You can drift/swing the fly just like you do a bucktail. You know that feeling at the end of the swing when the bucktail starts to rise a bit and you know the precise moment your about to get slammed? Its the same with the fly....but even cooler.
Mad respect for posting a beginners fly experience! You did much better than my first few trips out for sure. Watch some videos on how to add a double haul to your cast....it will really add control and distance to your cast. Congrats and look forward to more fly videos.
Great job! It helps to keep the rod top lower (practically in the water) when you are stripping the fly in...this allows you to use a little more leverage on your hook set when a fish grabs the fly.
LOL funny John . Bring that 8wt to FL and throw those clousers - you ll have a blast. Next - you need to get a stripping basket a ten weight learn line management with your right hand line management with your left hand, the roll, the curve, the sidearm cast that allows you to cast into the wind, some really expensive bulky flies, sinking line intermediate line. And a bout a thousand more things. LOL. Love seeing the 8 year old come out.
so glad to see you had the 1st fly rod fish this is the my primary way of fishing 80% of the time got my 1st fly rod striper behind mount sinai harbor 10 years ago . congrats again I tie my own flies if you would like some I can send some over ..an advice I would give you is to get a stripping basket wold be great ...and second a shooting head line will improve your cast much better and a lot easier to cast .and Vinny is great guy fished with him once out in the north fork.
Thats awesome John ! I am like you when it comes to being leary of trying to flyfish. After watching your video, I might have to try it at least once in my lifetime.
Good for you pushing out of our comfort zone John. You sounded like a kid with that newbie enthusiasm. I usually come here for the tips, but today i stayed for the experience.
Fly casting is magical. Wait til you learn to double haul. One thing is you need to keep your rod tip low to the water and in line with the line. Strip with your left hand, hold the line with you right index finger and thumb and strip it through those fingers. When you see the tip of the fly line jerk forward or you feel tensin, strip hard with the left hand to set the hook.
Very cool you're trying fly fishing... you did well for a first try... the best advice I can give you about fly fishing is keep doing it... just like anything, the more you do it, the better you get at it
That was great John...and the Clouser minnow is a minnie bucktail jig...I think you might know something about those. A "Half n Half" is like a btj with pork rind (made of hackle feathers). You can make salt ff as simple/complicated as you want. I've figured out simple. Feel free to message for any "simple" tips (been doin' this since 1966)
Great Stuff Skinner! - It's good to show everyone that even a skilled fisherman like the legend John Skinner can always be learning new approaches and styles of fishing! You can too! Only Advice I would offer to you Skinner, would be to allow for a longer back cast. A common mistake new fly anglers commit is whipping the rod back forward before allowing the line to completely "straighten out" all the way behind you. Watching the line helps - and make sure to wear eye protection. -I think that you might have had an easier time on the windy day because the wind was pushing your line back faster behind you (on the back cast) - allowing you to get all your line out on the back cast completely before slinging it out in front of you again. Can you tell me was the wind blowing in your face? Long time subscriber, always fun to watch your videos! You truly are a legend in the north east, and I have learned so much from you.
Fly fishing saltwater is amazing and you have started down the rabbit hole...its' a lot of fun. Your 1st stripers in east LI were great, so plan to try the night dock fishing in Pine Island this winter and snook and trout will take on a new meaning. Make sure you get a dock light. For a fast fly primer, watch Lefty Kreh videos here on RUclips, he was a fantastic teacher of fly technique, esp. in the salt.
ha, i remember about two months ago if you ever fly fished before and you said you had just tried it for the first time. Congrats. Was fun seeing you catch your first striper!
Great video! No matter how long we fish, there's always something new to try. Stripers and albies on the fly are a blast, and despite the way it's often spoken about, just about anyone can pick up basic fly fishing and delve as far into it as they wish. (Shhhhh, you can even get into it on the cheap!)
Well done, John. As a non-fly fisherman who has dabbled at it, I can say that my first day at it was my best. You have the fish there though, so keep up the good work. Tough enough in the UK with a spinning reel, braid and expensive lures.
For years I fished with guys who exclusively fish the saltwater flies in the Inlets / surf. They would catch fish when others couldn't get a bite. Nice video seeing you taking the plunge into fly fishing!
One of your best videos! It was great to hear your excitement for catching a fish (even a small one ) and all the mistakes were hilarious! I know ALL of that would happen to me ! Thanx for sharing 😂
Fly rodding is my favorite way to fish stripers …. Got into freshwater first and then transitioned to saltwater 7-8 years ago and it was just a great way to catch bass and albies off both beach and boat .
W00hoo! Congrats, John! Love it! We catch stripers on the fly here in the Monterey Bay Surf as well. I would: 1. Buy a stripping basket 2. Learn to double haul 3. Keep the rod tip low or in the water.
You could stop your forward stroke sooner/higher and it will help. Also along those lines, aim for a spot 3 feet above the water can help. But you did well anyway, it takes some getting used to for sure!
Great job! That is a fun video. Casting with wind in your face likely helped the line straighten out behind you on the back cast. If no wind try a slight pause at the end of the back cast to let the line straighten out behind you. Maybe look over your shoulder when practicing to see how the line behaves during the back cast. Otherwise, I know you will get it all worked out... Good luck and I look forward to more videos.
As a man who has spent many hours cursing my lack of fly-casting talent, I have to say this video was awesome and I laughed out loud. Thanks for putting this up.
Impressive that even with a difficult technique as fly fishing, you managed to catch fish! I never done fly fishing but it seems to have the same requirements of timing and synchronisation of movement as with pendulum casting with a surf rod.
In fly fishing, “stripping line” means to pull the line through the guides toward the reel to make the fly -in this case you are using a “streamer” fly named a “Clouser Minnow”- behave like a baitfish. When you need to put more line out from the reel to cast, the term is “play out line.” As you get better you’ll learn to allow the fly and line to “load” the rod on the backcast before starting your forward cast. You’ll feel the rod load as the fly and line form a straight line behind you. This point is called “turning over the fly.” When you push on the forward cast all the energy in the rod and line will unload and when you stop your forward cast the line and fly will continue releasing that energy in the form of a cast. Fly fishing is absolutely addictive. You’re stalking and hunting fish naturally.
Ohhh, now this is Mildly entertaining, JS with a fly rod. Love it and now a NEW bucket list of fish on the FLY! I find it hard to believe this is the very 1st time on a fly rod as technical as you are! 🤷🏻♂️ I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Thanks Mr. Skinner!!
Like shooting fish in a barrel! Nice work! I started fly casting when I was young and mainly all stream/trout fishing. Planning on more time with the fly rod in the surf down NC. The casting will definitely get easier as your practice
After every cast, step 1 is put the line under the right hands pointer finger. Then strip line from there. Great video. Also, when you start your back cast make sure you have stripped all the slack out of your line and also have your rod low, if not with the tip touching the water. Also, it looks like you were laying the forward cast into the water then pulling it back out. Keep the line in the air until you want to make the final cast. Still, great video.
John, could you do a video on terminal tackle you use for your different setups and a few of your go to favorite knots that viewers can practice over the winter. Thank you in advance
Great video John!! I grew up on L.I. and fly fished for the first time in fresh water on the Nissequogue River in Smithtown when I was 15 about 53 years ago. You already have me beat on Stripers, I only caught one I and it came off at my feet at the mouth of that same river. I live in Idaho now and only fly fish fresh water fish here. Sometimes when I am in N.Y. I will catch a Fluke trip out of Captree or a Porgy trip out of Orient Point.
fly fishing is like the fine wine of fishing.
What I like is that we all know that John is a bass king, but catching his 1st bass on a fly reminds us how we all felt when we caught our first fish. It brings out joy to all of us. He was genuinely excited and I too felt like I was there to share the moment. Thx John 👍
That sound in your voice when you caught the first fish was something I never heard from you. Brought back childhood memories. Cant wait to watch you evolve. Thanks for another great vid.
Right after you hook the fish, get the line back to the right hand in the same manner you were stripping. Most fish can be stripped in. Your right hand will actually be the drag - you'll be able to sense how much pressure to put. Of course if the fish runs, then put him on the reel.
There are a lot of things that will come with time and make everything a whole lot easier - mainly ways to manage your line. It's just little hard getting comfortable with everything when you're starting out.
Great video and even greater hearing your enthusiasm.
It's official you are the luckiest guy alive lol. I have fly fished my whole life and found stripers hard to target on the flie. And you get one on a 30 ' cast your first time out and in less than 20 minutes lol. Speaking from experience your probably better off going to a fly casting school early to learn the mechanics and not get bad habits. This made me double down on my decision to fillm more fly fishing this spring!
You are forgetting the biggest part of fishing is knowing where the fish is. John will be the "luckiest" fly fisherman you've ever known.
@@notsoeloquent your absolutely right! that fact is not lost to me. He is an incredible fisherman and does the best job applying careful thought in what he is doing. Fishing a pattern like he was with blitzing school's on smallish baits is the easiest time to catch bass on the fly. He even said at the bedding I don't have long for this bite to last
Tie Clousers in blue, green and white and strip them quick. You’ll find your luck will dramatically change overnight. I’ve caught blues, stripers, kingfish, black bass, “wipers,” and even sand shark on Clousers.
#1 rule. Fish where the fish are. He didn't hit a blitz by accident and he knew the fish were in close. Another video, same spot, they were 5 feet off shore.
What I really appreciate about this video is that you know full well that you made many mistakes and were filming yourself as a complete novice, and you were willing to share with us all. I respect that a lot, especially with the audience that you have.
In a year or two when you are catching 40” bass on 8” hand tied streamers while pitching a laser double haul that rivals the best Caribbean fly anglers, we can all remember how you started this obsession 👍🏻
Oh and it is an obsession. I grew up fly fishing cape cod for stripers and blues. Then in my late teens I found out what heroin was. Had to give it up so I could buy more flies
@@sakfpv8444 YEP ! This is gona cost a lota Money - LOL
@@sakfpv8444 what did you like better?
@@notsoeloquent at the time, pills and heroin were my jam. Ive been 8yrs sober, with a medical maryjane card, but no drinking or anything else. And the last 6-7 years I've been obsessed with fishing. Always was, but I took a dark road for few years. I like fishing better. I was a functioning pill head, still grew my career, auto mechanic, raced quads,still social, paid bills, had girls. but I was killing myself quickly. There's no replacement for opiate confidence though. I'm not the most attractive guy but my god, I had some baddies in my youth.
@@JD-dm4lo absolutely, I got into heroin bc it was cheaper than pills. I'm about to do it again because it's cheaper...by far than fishing (jk)
There is nothing like the take of a fly caught fish. Part of what makes it great is, you're not only feeling the take from the rod, you're feeling the take through your stripping hand.
We arll started just like that John! First fish on a flyrod is like catching your first fish as a kid.. Fly fishing opens up a whole new world to fishing and to me it’s more satisfying than conventional
As Ken Abrams said, " Stripers aren't fish that can be fly fished for, they should be fly fished for."
Nice Video!
Great video John. Very funny . Your excitement when catching that first fish made the entire video. Reminds us why we love to fish.
Loved this vid Skinner, as a fisherman and fly fisherman for over 40 years you nailed it as a beginner. A few pointers. As soon as your cast is out, control the line with your right pointer finger and always strip line this way. Now you can set the line just with just your right hand and have way more line control. You can also use your right finger as drag. Keep your rod tip down when stripping. Stripping basket will help as will a weight forward line.
When conditions are right and especially when the feed is on micro bait, nothing can beat the fly presentation... assuming you have the right fly. So much fun when you're out catching your spinner buddies 10-1. That said, usually it's not the most productive approach. It's another tool in the tool box. I always have my fly rod rigged and ready for the right moments.
You've opened up a can of worms, enjoy. Looking forward to more videos.
We all start somewhere. This is a great video for beginners. Thanks John.
John welcome, I put down my surf rod at the start of this year and took up fly fishing and know I'm 100% into it. I even tye my own flies this year I've caught multiple bass the largest one we in the 30 " class. It frustrating and rewarding at the same time. What help me is youtube. I watch mad river outfitters channel they have a flycasting 101 type series that helped me. Good luck and don't give up.
Loved it! 2009 is when I started my 1st striper was 4" long ! ha ! I took a 2 day at the Orvis Saltwater Fly fishing school in Chatham Cape Cod. Well worth $$$ it as you will be hooked on it! I have 10 fly rods now.. The casting is addicting. Just remember the fish as in the water not the air !
I think the best part is hearing someone who has had the success you’ve had in fishing with all the amazing catches, and the excitement when you hooked that first bass on the fly!!Absolutely incredible. Thanks for sharing!
Your excitement when you hook the first fish out a smile on my face.
The head wind is unrolling your line on the back cast . This is helping you load the rod and remove the slack .
In fly casting the backcast is equally important as the front cast
I've been flyfishing for one year now and it is very humbling. My first time out last December was crazy windy but managed to get a few shad. My first striper was a holdover back in April and then a few casts later I hooked my waders and sprung a leak. Memorable day. One thing that I've found crucial is having the rod tip low or even in the water as "strip setting" instead of lifting the rod tip (trout setting) to set the hook. Stripers have pretty hard mouths so you need quite a bit of force to get the hook to penetrate. A stripping basket is also so helpful.
Omg, could there be a "Fly Fishing the Beach" book in the future for John Skinner, that would be something. How neat is it to learn a whole new fishing technique. Love that first hit.....Walt
John, I've been watching you for years, and I gotta say... I love this video! I'm mainly a fly fisher for the last 14 yeats years, and you captured the giddiness of catching a fish on the fly PERFECTLY. You also captured some of the frustrations that make fly fishing an education in patience!!! Two things though... Stripping basket and Strip set. Two thing's you absolutely need and need to do when fishing from the beach. KEEP IT UP!!!
Glad you mentioned strip set. I would add he needs to point the rod tip at the fly when stripping.
The “omg I have no idea what to do” when you hooked it had me dying 😂
Your first bass on a fly is like the first time you see your bobber go down as a kid .Awesome video
❤
awesome comparison! agree!
A way to present delicate baits.....and very fun Every fisherman should understand fly fishing, Welcome to the club John.
I smiled all through this video.
You did an incredible job!!! You're a quick study, and I love that you show it like it is. My favorite video to date!!! Btw, getting tangled up in your fly line just means you're a fly angler now. We all do it!!!
Great start John. I suggest keeping your rod tip down almost to surface level while retrieving. This will keep your fly down, your sensitivity to it maximized and keep you in best position to set the hook under tension.
Yea. it is all about trying to keep a straight line between you and the fly. Now when the fish are on inch and a half minnows you have away to get them to bite. Wait till you get an albbie on that pinky stick.
I am suprised when I see you casting bucktails to breaking fish. Watching them hit has been my thing for a lot of years now.
Yes and set the hook on the strip. It's like Crack.
This absolutely made my day. I’m a fly fisherman new to surfcasting and it’s awesome to see you’ve been bit by the bug the same way I have for surfcasting with plugs
I was waiting for you to fly fish in this lifetime to even touch one. With my favorite brand too. I did consider gifting one to a surf cast Mr.Poseidon from youtube but didn't go there. Thanks for being multidimensional Mr.John Skinner this world needed it.
I would have loved to witness this on the beach..
"That looks like Skinner but he has fly line tangled around his entire body."
😂 I needed this video today
This is awesome - painful to watch you cast after fly fishing for 50 years but we all started where you are now. This took me back those 50 years and I appreciate you sharing this with us.
Great video, good to see you gave the Fly Rod a shot. You might not remember this, you were the editor at Noreast magazine and you helped me place an article about “Flyfishing for Bluefish in Jamaica Bay.
This was a delight to see you “learn on the fly” and I hope you make more videos to document your fly fishing journey!
I loved the raw excitement of this video! Thank you for sharing the adventure!
Wow John it does my heart good to see you with a fly rod in your hand - your finally seeing why I fish stripers with a fly or a streamer - much more challenging to land - 34 inches is my best I believe, just a little under 15 pounds - took about 10 minutes for me to land it - I think I sent you the video - now you’re all set to come to Nova Scotia in 2023 and catch 100-200 a day on a steamer.
One thing I was told when I first tried was to let the fly float out behind you and then throw the rod forward. I was told to look behind when doing it when you are first learning to see the line and fly floating out there. After a while you get the timing and can actually feel it happen. That seemed to help me. Otherwise I was just whipping the fly back and forth and that led to very short casts and some times it snapped the fly off.
Props for trying it. It's the hardest way to catch a striper usually. Put the line under your index finger on your rod hand and use that to control the line tension. When you get a hit, strip the line in with a hard pull to get a set. Don't lift... you'll just pull the fly out. And stripping in your fly, our your rod tip down. This will keep the fly down and give you a better chance at a strip set.
Have to re comment. Stripping basket while in the surf(of any intensity). On a stream, or constant current, you can get away without it.
Line coming back in with waves will tangle and knot. As others have said, cast and play from Right hand crimped line on handle. Can usually fight and strip back in. Reel is for the larger fish. Star drag on R reel.
Fighting from the finger is a kick.
Gloves, medical tape is the solution.
Casting is the aquired skill over many repetitions. Wind is your enemy. Even with a WF line, some days are out. But, that's the fun!
The take and the fight on a Fly Rod
Is great. Very addictive and rightly so.
It took me.two.whole years to catch my first bass and John lands one his.first time out. You my friend are a natural. Learn about.the haul and the double haul. Also using water tention to load your rod for a back cast and in turn will earn you a quick and lengthy foward cast. I've learned alot watching Jerry of "fish your way" and Steve coltons "trout fishing for stripers" give them a look. Welcome to the challenging world of salt water fly fishing in long island :-)
LOL loved all the reactions. The Skinner god comes down just to see how us mortal men do it every day. Great vid!
Good job John. Most excitement I have heard in your voice in a while. Congrats old dog learning a new trick!
Great going. Looks like you created another monster.🎣
Here comes a new book lol
My dad is an avid Fly fisherman. Currently he is down in North Carolina studying to be a fly fishing guide. I have always been into fishing my entire life and have acknowledged fly fishing as an art. But after seeing this I think I was just as excited as you were when you hooked your first bass on your fly rod. So much so that I think at this point now you’ve turned me onto fly fishing for sure. Keep up the wonderful videos I really enjoy watching them. My grandparents had a place in Sag harbor when they were alive and we would catch scores of bass, blues you name it. Originally from Brooklyn currently living upstate. All the best cheers.
Dane 😊
Ha! I certainly don't expect to be inspiring anyone to flyfish at this point. It is very new and rather exciting for me at this point. A friend got me on a baseball field last week and showed me how to double-haul. I see the attraction.
I always loved saltwater fly fishing. it's good to see you try something new. What helps me cast farther and easier is doing the double haul cast.
Your best video in quite a while John! Welcome to the fly. Others have nailed it, fly basket, weight forward line, carry the line in the air, learn the double haul and strip set. Can’t wait for more fly stuff from you. Did someone say “Snook”?
I loved your child-like excitement! SW fly fishing is one of the greatest sports on the planet. Hope you continue with it.
I'm sure somebody else has told you this by now but you need to set the hook with your stripping hand on the line, not the rod. Good luck!
John you reminded me of a kid on Christmas !!!!!!
i was at my desk listening to the vid and reading Flounder Mastery course. You sounded so happy
thank you for sharing this !
Great work John. Cant wait till you get back down here to Florida and rip into a 30 lb. tarpon.
That was pretty cool John I hear the excitement in your voice.
John-Now you need to try throwing the fly in an outflow. You can drift/swing the fly just like you do a bucktail. You know that feeling at the end of the swing when the bucktail starts to rise a bit and you know the precise moment your about to get slammed? Its the same with the fly....but even cooler.
Mad respect for posting a beginners fly experience! You did much better than my first few trips out for sure. Watch some videos on how to add a double haul to your cast....it will really add control and distance to your cast. Congrats and look forward to more fly videos.
Great job! It helps to keep the rod top lower (practically in the water) when you are stripping the fly in...this allows you to use a little more leverage on your hook set when a fish grabs the fly.
rod tip*
You were like a little boy on Christmas morning with this video! And that is exactly why we fish, pure joy!
The excitement in your voice was so good to hear. LOL
That was awesome John!! Hearing you giddy was a treat.
Man, look at that water! That’s not the NY water I remember. Progress.
LOL funny John . Bring that 8wt to FL and throw those clousers - you ll have a blast. Next - you need to get a stripping basket a ten weight learn line management with your right hand line management with your left hand, the roll, the curve, the sidearm cast that allows you to cast into the wind, some really expensive bulky flies, sinking line intermediate line. And a bout a thousand more things. LOL. Love seeing the 8 year old come out.
Omg... THE funniest video I've ever seen you produce John. Congratulations!
I am very envious! Would love to try that myself soon. Thanks John
so glad to see you had the 1st fly rod fish this is the my primary way of fishing 80% of the time got my 1st fly rod striper behind mount sinai harbor 10 years ago . congrats again I tie my own flies if you would like some I can send some over ..an advice I would give you is to get a stripping basket wold be great ...and second a shooting head line will improve your cast much better and a lot easier to cast .and Vinny is great guy fished with him once out in the north fork.
Thats awesome John ! I am like you when it comes to being leary of trying to flyfish. After watching your video, I might have to try it at least once in my lifetime.
I loved your excitement about catching the first one.
Good for you pushing out of our comfort zone John. You sounded like a kid with that newbie enthusiasm. I usually come here for the tips, but today i stayed for the experience.
Fly casting is magical. Wait til you learn to double haul. One thing is you need to keep your rod tip low to the water and in line with the line. Strip with your left hand, hold the line with you right index finger and thumb and strip it through those fingers. When you see the tip of the fly line jerk forward or you feel tensin, strip hard with the left hand to set the hook.
Very cool you're trying fly fishing... you did well for a first try... the best advice I can give you about fly fishing is keep doing it... just like anything, the more you do it, the better you get at it
Great to see you having that much fun! Thoroughly enjoyable video, John.
Great video. You were like a kid a Christmas with your first fish. And now you have a whole new category of PBs.
That was great John...and the Clouser minnow is a minnie bucktail jig...I think you might know something about those. A "Half n Half" is like a btj with pork rind (made of hackle feathers). You can make salt ff as simple/complicated as you want. I've figured out simple. Feel free to message for any "simple" tips (been doin' this since 1966)
Great Stuff Skinner! - It's good to show everyone that even a skilled fisherman like the legend John Skinner can always be learning new approaches and styles of fishing! You can too!
Only Advice I would offer to you Skinner, would be to allow for a longer back cast. A common mistake new fly anglers commit is whipping the rod back forward before allowing the line to completely "straighten out" all the way behind you. Watching the line helps - and make sure to wear eye protection.
-I think that you might have had an easier time on the windy day because the wind was pushing your line back faster behind you (on the back cast) - allowing you to get all your line out on the back cast completely before slinging it out in front of you again. Can you tell me was the wind blowing in your face?
Long time subscriber, always fun to watch your videos! You truly are a legend in the north east, and I have learned so much from you.
Fly fishing saltwater is amazing and you have started down the rabbit hole...its' a lot of fun. Your 1st stripers in east LI were great, so plan to try the night dock fishing in Pine Island this winter and snook and trout will take on a new meaning. Make sure you get a dock light. For a fast fly primer, watch Lefty Kreh videos here on RUclips, he was a fantastic teacher of fly technique, esp. in the salt.
ha, i remember about two months ago if you ever fly fished before and you said you had just tried it for the first time. Congrats. Was fun seeing you catch your first striper!
Great video! No matter how long we fish, there's always something new to try. Stripers and albies on the fly are a blast, and despite the way it's often spoken about, just about anyone can pick up basic fly fishing and delve as far into it as they wish. (Shhhhh, you can even get into it on the cheap!)
Well done, John. As a non-fly fisherman who has dabbled at it, I can say that my first day at it was my best. You have the fish there though, so keep up the good work. Tough enough in the UK with a spinning reel, braid and expensive lures.
For years I fished with guys who exclusively fish the saltwater flies in the Inlets / surf. They would catch fish when others couldn't get a bite. Nice video seeing you taking the plunge into fly fishing!
One of your best videos! It was great to hear your excitement for catching a fish (even a small one ) and all the mistakes were hilarious! I know ALL of that would happen to me ! Thanx for sharing 😂
Fly rodding is my favorite way to fish stripers …. Got into freshwater first and then transitioned to saltwater 7-8 years ago and it was just a great way to catch bass and albies off both beach and boat .
John, You did Great.... You have to try it in Florida.... I love Fly Fishing and have lots of fun in Florida..... Take care.... Thank You
I wish I could like this video twice! You'll love that fly rod for the snook in Florida, and just wait until you hook an albie on that thing.
Congrats on catching your first fish/striper on the fly! It’s highly addictive. Would love to see more as you learn.
W00hoo! Congrats, John! Love it! We catch stripers on the fly here in the Monterey Bay Surf as well.
I would:
1. Buy a stripping basket
2. Learn to double haul
3. Keep the rod tip low or in the water.
You could stop your forward stroke sooner/higher and it will help. Also along those lines, aim for a spot 3 feet above the water can help. But you did well anyway, it takes some getting used to for sure!
Great job! That is a fun video. Casting with wind in your face likely helped the line straighten out behind you on the back cast. If no wind try a slight pause at the end of the back cast to let the line straighten out behind you. Maybe look over your shoulder when practicing to see how the line behaves during the back cast. Otherwise, I know you will get it all worked out... Good luck and I look forward to more videos.
As a man who has spent many hours cursing my lack of fly-casting talent, I have to say this video was awesome and I laughed out loud. Thanks for putting this up.
Impressive that even with a difficult technique as fly fishing, you managed to catch fish! I never done fly fishing but it seems to have the same requirements of timing and synchronisation of movement as with pendulum casting with a surf rod.
Love that you've tried fly fishing John. Once you start ... your're "hooked". It's very therapeutic !!
Perhaps my "new" favorite John Skinner video !!!!
In fly fishing, “stripping line” means to pull the line through the guides toward the reel to make the fly -in this case you are using a “streamer” fly named a “Clouser Minnow”- behave like a baitfish. When you need to put more line out from the reel to cast, the term is “play out line.” As you get better you’ll learn to allow the fly and line to “load” the rod on the backcast before starting your forward cast. You’ll feel the rod load as the fly and line form a straight line behind you. This point is called “turning over the fly.” When you push on the forward cast all the energy in the rod and line will unload and when you stop your forward cast the line and fly will continue releasing that energy in the form of a cast. Fly fishing is absolutely addictive. You’re stalking and hunting fish naturally.
Ohhh, now this is Mildly entertaining, JS with a fly rod. Love it and now a NEW bucket list of fish on the FLY! I find it hard to believe this is the very 1st time on a fly rod as technical as you are! 🤷🏻♂️ I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Thanks Mr. Skinner!!
Look at that water clarity !!!!
Awesome John can’t wait to see you try This down in Florida.
And that is how it starts…I started the same way. Little steps. It is addicting. Lots of luck.
Never too old to learn! My memory of Long Island in the mid-90s is that there is a fairly active saltwater fly fishing scene.
Wonderful video! Great job with the fly casting
Great to see you so excited like a kid! I enjoyed watching this. Sometimes the teacher becomes the student!
Like shooting fish in a barrel! Nice work! I started fly casting when I was young and mainly all stream/trout fishing. Planning on more time with the fly rod in the surf down NC. The casting will definitely get easier as your practice
After every cast, step 1 is put the line under the right hands pointer finger. Then strip line from there. Great video.
Also, when you start your back cast make sure you have stripped all the slack out of your line and also have your rod low, if not with the tip touching the water.
Also, it looks like you were laying the forward cast into the water then pulling it back out. Keep the line in the air until you want to make the final cast. Still, great video.
John, could you do a video on terminal tackle you use for your different setups and a few of your go to favorite knots that viewers can practice over the winter. Thank you in advance
That’s awesome! I love fly fishing eastern Long Island too! To me fly fishing feels like learning to love fishing all over again
Great video John!! I grew up on L.I. and fly fished for the first time in fresh water on the Nissequogue River in Smithtown when I was 15 about 53 years ago. You already have me beat on Stripers, I only caught one I and it came off at my feet at the mouth of that same river. I live in Idaho now and only fly fish fresh water fish here. Sometimes when I am in N.Y. I will catch a Fluke trip out of Captree or a Porgy trip out of Orient Point.
Joyous! Just wait to get a Jack on the fly in Florida. That's such fun!
Make sure the tip of your rod is in the water while you strip line in. And when the bass takes the fly you can strip set the hook.
my favorite place on the east coast....
Hey John, one big tip is you need to stop your forward cast a bit earlier. Feel as if you’re stopping It near your ear js a good tip.