The fall run in Montauk is renowned among anglers worldwide. It’s often on bucket lists, with memories of a lifetime formed by those lucky enough to experience it. Acres of blitzing stripers, alongside false albacore, create chaotic scenes as they attack schools of bay anchovies. The adrenaline spikes before the first cast is even made.
Casting a line in these waters can lead to two distinct experiences. Many anglers have caught dozens of stripers and albies while using a light spinning setup, deploying Deadly Dicks and epoxy jigs in various colors and sizes. The thrill of a screaming drag and bent-over rod under the fall sky is hard to beat. However, fly fishers and guides navigating the same waters often argue that fly fishing offers an even more exhilarating experience.
John Abplanalp
“Draw on Past Experience”
John Abplanalp began his fly-fishing journey in the late 1960s, casting his first flies in freshwater streams and lakes on his family’s preserve, located 200 miles northwest of Montauk. This was vastly different from the offshore fishing he enjoyed in the Florida Keys. After chasing marlin and other pelagic species, John became captivated by the inshore flats of the Keys. Nearly 20 years later, while on a flight to Montauk, he spotted striped bass cruising the flats of Gardiner’s Bay, which transformed his fishing focus.
John, more of a pioneer than a guide, began stalking bass on the flats and experimenting with different flies to entice a bite. He noticed similarities between trout and striped bass, both being opportunistic feeders, and this led to using a variety of flies that could “match the hatch.” The crab fly, cast with floating line, proved particularly effective. To cover more water, John became one of the first anglers to pole a flats boat in Montauk’s shallow north side waters. Eventually, larger bass in less accessible areas pushed him to explore different fishing strategies.
In 1994, John acquired a skiff with a bow rail, which allowed him to target waters on the south side of Montauk’s lighthouse. This skiff came from Paul Dixon, and the two anglers quickly bonded over their passion for fly fishing. Together, they helped fuel the rise of saltwater fly fishing in Montauk.
Paul Dixon
“Practice”
Paul Dixon, considered one of the original Montauk fly-fishing guides, has been fishing these waters since the late 1980s. He brought techniques from the Florida Keys to Montauk, where both he and John Abplanalp fished the flats around Montauk, Orient Point, and Fisher’s Island. Although flats fishing is most productive in the spring, it remains possible in the fall. They found that the Clouser Minnow, mimicking shrimp or crab, was highly effective, especially during fall blitzes when smaller flies were needed to match the hatch of anchovies and spearing.
Paul’s preparation for a trip always includes a variety of line and fly options, as the conditions and bait patterns often dictate the strategy. While Montauk’s waters can become crowded with boats during a blitz, Paul prefers to find his own fish rather than follow the crowd. Montauk’s structure—boulder fields, peninsulas, and coves—makes it an angler’s paradise, offering shelter to stripers waiting to ambush prey. Paul’s skill at setting up long drifts has played a significant role in his success.
When guiding a novice, Paul emphasizes the importance of practice. He often compares fly fishing to preparing for a round of golf at Augusta—one must practice casting to be ready for the opportunity. Paul also highlights the importance of line management, a skill that takes time to master. Those who show up having practiced are more likely to succeed when presented with a chance to catch a fish in Montauk’s waters.
Tim O’Rourke
“Master the Mindset”
Captain Tim O’Rourke, like John Abplanalp, started fly fishing in freshwater, upstate near Syracuse. Over the years, he has mastered not only the technique of fly casting but also the waters around Montauk. However, Tim continues to learn, viewing fly fishing as a sport where there’s always room for improvement.
Tim often compares the stance and motion of a cast to a lacrosse player’s movement. He believes that taking a deep breath and clearing the mind is essential for beginners. Once in the right mindset, things fall into place, especially when guided by Tim’s calm and clear instructions. For beginners, he recommends a rod like the Sage Maverick, and his preferred line, Rio Stealth Flat Pro, offers helpful visual cues for casting distance.
Tim’s approach to fly fishing closely mirrors that of a surfcaster, focusing on water movement and structure. Armed with a variety of flies, most of which he ties himself, his go-to fly is the Clouser Minnow. For Tim, the Clouser is essential because of its versatility, often resulting in more catches than any other fly.
Craig Cantelmo
“Slow Down”
Craig Cantelmo, known for his role with Van Staal, is also a prominent fly angler and guide in Montauk. He emphasizes the importance of slowing down when casting and retrieving a fly. Speed, or the lack of it, is often the key to success, particularly when working blitzes.
Craig stresses the importance of starting a cast with the rod tip low and using the water haul technique, which helps activate the rod and provides instant feedback. He also advises that beginners focus on strip striking—a sharp tug of the line rather than raising the rod high immediately after a bite. Once this technique is mastered, the chances of landing a fish increase dramatically.
From the pioneers like John and Paul to current guides like Tim and Craig, Montauk’s fly fishing scene is rich with tradition, innovation, and skill. With the right practice, preparation, and guidance, anyone can experience the magic of fly fishing for stripers in Montauk.
Image/Source: OnTheWater
