By Joni Quinn
If you have an interest in saltwater fly fishing or want to find out what it's all about, you can find a home among the members of the New England Saltwater Fly Rodders who meet monthly at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill.
The organization of enthusiastic anglers is dedicated to the advancement of saltwater fly fishing. It was founded in 1995 by Dave Beshara with approximately 30 members, most of whom are still active today. The club has an average of 120 active members, ranging in age from 20 to 70.
In fly fishing, anglers catch fish using lures that they create to resemble local insects, baitfish or other prey attractive to the species of fish they wish to catch. The lures, called flies, are extremely lightweight, and are created by tying together hair, fur, feathers and other materials, which can be natural or synthetic, in sizes, colors and patterns that resemble the type of bait they are trying to recreate.
Fly fishermen use long, flexible fishing rods and specific fly line that is heavy enough to carry the fly to the target fish. In other types of fishing, the bait is weighted. In fly fishing, the fishing line itself provides the weight.
Tim Caradonna of Haverhill said he joined the Rodders for the camaraderie the club offers.
"This is a place where I can go and learn and talk with people who share my passion," Caradonna said.
Rick Miller of Haverhill, who returned to the area last February from Florida, used to fish on Plum Island in Newburyport and enjoys seeing familiar faces at club meetings.
"Down in Florida there's water everywhere. Here, you really need to know where to go and that's an education you can get at the meetings," Miller said.
Larry Castagneto of Littleton, a board member and first acting president of the club, said it's a great place to learn about fly fishing and make new friends.
"People come from all over to learn where to fish, how to tie their own flies and really just talk among people who share a common interest. Guys will meet each other at a meeting and end up getting together to fish all over the area," Castagneto said.
Others attend to learn techniques and to find out what works for them and what doesn't, Castagneto said.
The club is to provide a noncompetitive environment in which members can share and learn from the collective knowledge of the group.
Regular monthly meets are on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at Northern Essex, from October through May. June through September, meetings are "on the water" and include outings on boats or shore-based trips, most of which are organized by members.
Through these programs, trips and meetings, club members gather information on techniques, equipment, fly fishing destinations, fly tying, safety and conservation.
One of the club's most popular meetings is the annual March meeting known as "Chart Night."
Local experts attend and bring nautical charts covering their areas of expertise. They take members' questions about specific topics, such as access, parking, techniques, seasonal patterns and hot flies.
"People have walked away from this meeting in particular with a new education of the areas around them. It is probably our most popular event," Castagneto said.
The club also hosts a number opportunities throughout the year when members get together to tie flies and share some of their favorite patterns and techniques. These are referred to as fly tying claves. One of the draws for fly fishermen is learning to tie their own flies. Instruction is provided for beginners to learn the basic techniques of fly tying, get advice on equipment and materials, and learn to tie a few basic patterns. All materials for beginners are provided by the club.
Essential ties for beginners
Saltwater
Young-of-the-Year Sand Eel
Epoxy Baitfish
Lefty's Deceiver
Fresh water
Black Marabou Leech
Grey Ghost
Zonker
Upcoming meetings
March 10 - Chart Night, fundraiser and silent auction
April 14 - Tactics for shallow-water stripers
May 12 - Strategies for Cape Ann stripers
June through September - "On the water" trips
Fly tying claves
Saturday, March 14, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Saturday, April 18, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Saturday, May 16, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m
