Fly Fish in Boston? You Bet!

Summer is my favorite season because I get to indulge my passion: fly fishing for striped bass. Though not many people realize it, Boston, the greater Boston area, and Cape Cod offer some of the best striped bass fly fishing in the world.

Unlike conventional fishing, fly fishing uses a specialized line to cast flies—artificial lures made from feathers, fur, hair, or synthetic materials designed to imitate natural fish food sources.

Fly anglers use a long, flexible rod to cast a line so it lands gently on the water, imitating the motion of insects or tiny fish. It takes years to become proficient at reading the water, casting the fly just right, and developing the technique for fighting and landing a fish.

Striped bass tend to live in brackish rivers and shallow water, relatively close to the shoreline. They’re highly aggressive, migratory predators that often feed in dramatic surface blitzes or subsurface. This means you can catch a large striped bass on a fly rod while fishing from shore. The adrenaline rush of landing a striped bass on a fly rod is addicting.

My Angling Journey

I started fly fishing during my undergraduate studies at Colby College in Maine— primarily for trout in freshwater rivers. I quickly became infatuated with the sport, waking up at 6 a.m. before class just to fish. My enthusiasm led me to found Colby’s first fly fishing club, which is still going strong today.

When I moved to Boston more than 10 years ago, I began saltwater fly fishing for striped bass and loved it. I’ve since been lucky to fly fish for various species across the U.S. and around the world, including the Florida Keys, Louisiana, Mexico, the Bahamas, and Belize. I’ve also participated in competitions, such as the Invitational Ladies Tarpon Tournament. However, fly fishing for striped bass in Massachusetts remains one of my favorite forms of the sport.

Fly Fishing in Boston

Many people are surprised to learn that there is excellent fly fishing here in Boston. I have had some phenomenal days fishing from the shore on Castle Island. If you have boat access, there are innumerable fishing spots on Boston Harbor, including near East Boston. In the harbor you will find other fish, such as bluefish, which are an absolute rush on a fly rod.

Outside of striped bass fishing, you can catch other bass and baitfish on the Charles River, especially as you follow it down towards Watertown. If you look for it, you may see fly anglers casting tight loops along the Esplanade in Beacon Hill and Back Bay. Lastly, Brookline has some excellent urban carp fishing.

For me, there is nothing quite like fishing on the ocean and fighting and landing striped bass. Pound for pound, they fight hard. Technically, you can keep fish that are between 28 and 31 inches in New England; however, I encourage anglers to practice catch and release so the fish can live a full life. It’s a more sustainable form of fishing. Also, watching the fish you land swim away is an ethereal experience.

Local Saltwater Fly Fishing

For those interested in local saltwater fly fishing, here are
some tips:

• Buy a license. Don’t forget to buy your Massachusetts fishing license. It’s very affordable for state residents. You can buy a season or day license on the Massachusetts government website.

• Don’t overspend on gear. Fly fishing requires a lot of gear, including waders, a fly rod, reel, line, and flies. You don’t need to break the bank for equipment! There are affordable setups for first-time anglers. Getting second-hand, consignment rods and reels is a great option as well. I recommend visiting Concord Outfitters in Concord or Bears Den Fly Fishing Co. in Taunton to help get you outfitted. While you can buy online, it’s always better to support local fly shops, and their personal expertise can guide you immensely. They may even share a few free fishing spots while you are there if you ask politely.

• Protect your eyes. One gear item I always recommend is a
good pair of polarized sunglasses with low-light lenses, such as copper lenses, to see through the water. Costa, Maui Jim, and Bajio are my preferred brands. Eye injuries while learning to fly fish can be devastating. As an eye surgeon in training, I can’t help but emphasize the importance of adequate eye protection.

• Check the wind and tides. Generally, it’s best to fish on a falling or rising tide. Wind can be a deal breaker for your first time fishing, so be sure to check before you head out. You have to think about the direction of the wind and which way you will be casting. Trying to cast directly into 20-mile-per-hour gusts while you are just learning can be very discouraging. It’s like learning to ski on a mogul run before you have mastered groomers.

• Learn some moves. A key component of successful striped bass fly fishing is mastering the double haul. There are some phenomenal online resources. Personally, I enjoy watching
videos by renowned angler Tom Rosenbauer.

• Release your fish. Please release any fish you catch. Be sure to review best practices for removing hooks and reviving fish. If you want a photo, wait to take the fish out of the water until your photographer is completely ready. When you lift the fish up, try to keep it just above the water so if it slips out of your hands, it will fall right back into the water (not onto a rock, for example). Using your thumb as a lip grip is particularly helpful for striped bass, resulting in the infamous striper thumb, the mark of a good day fishing. All this limits any damage or stress to the fish. When you release the fish to swim away, allow it to fully revive. Some telltale signs are upright fins and big kicks. Remember, the fish just ran a marathon fighting for its life while you were just having fun. Be sure to let it recover.

Why not give fly fishing a try this summer? It’s a marvelous hobby and an excuse to get outdoors!

SIDEBAR 

Community Fly-Fishing Resources

Here are a few resources if you’d like to get involved in fly fishing:

• Trout Unlimited, Greater Boston: A national organization with local chapters, committed to conservation. Offers resources and talks.

• South Shore Fly Casters: A local organization dedicated to helping people at all levels learn to fly fish. Hosts some wonderful events.

• On The Water Magazine: A great resource for striped bass fishing, featuring a migration map, daily updates, fishing trips, and insights into the hype for New England fishing.

• Guides: For saltwater fishing, try Joey Manansala of Woozy Fishing (New England), Elliot Jenkins of Greasy Beaks (North Shore), Eric Kulin (Hingham). For freshwater, Harrison Anglers (Western Mass) is highly regarded.

• Annual Schoolie Tournament: The world’s largest fly-fishing tournament is held on Cape Cod in May. It caters to anglers of all levels, so don’t be afraid to sign up.

• Fly Fishing Film Tour: The Somerville Theatre hosts an annual fly-fishing film event. It’s a chance to learn about the endless fly-fishing opportunities beyond New England.

• Kippers Lodge: A fellow female striped bass angler recently opened a fly-fishing lodge based on the North Shore (located in Essex) called Kippers Lodge. The lodge offers stunning ocean views.

• Best Book: The best advice I ever read in a fly-fishing book was, “There is no substitute for time on the water.” That said, books can help. For a time-honored classic, consider Lefty Kreh’s succinct “Fly Fishing in Salt Water,” an introduction to saltwater angling by one of the most famous anglers of all time.

• Fly Lords: Started by Northeast native Jared Zissu, Fly Lords is one of the best social media accounts dedicated to fly fishing (though there are many). It’s full of wonderful tips, videos, and inspiring content.

Photograph by Joey Manansala of Woozy Fishing

Beacon Hill resident Grace Baldwin is an avid recreational and competitive fly angler and has published articles in various fishing magazines. Grace completed a degree at Harvard Medical School and is currently training at Mass Eye and Ear, specializing in ophthalmic surgery. Follow her @gracie_baldwin.