Guided Fly Fishing Trips
FLY FISHING TRIP (2 GUESTS MAX):
You will love spending a day fly fishing on New Jersey's top trout streams with LHGS Fly Fishing's elite fly expert, Matt Califano. You will wade through the pristine waters of northern NJ stalking the state's fantastic trout populations. Matt will instruct you on anything from basic casting fundamentals to advanced drift techniques and his ability to teach leads to great results for anglers of all skill levels. In addition, his hand-tied flies are second to none and each is created with incredible attention to detail. All of the patterns that you will use are have been tied based on a lifetime of experience on NJ trout streams. While some are classic patterns, the overwhelming majority are unique to Matt and have been masterminded and tweaked based on his experiences and what works best in different conditions.
What's Provided:
5 wt Temple Fork Outfitter (TFO) fly rods
We also specialize in "Euro Nymphing" and will provide top of the line rods for that when conditions dictate or for someone wanting to learn how to do it.
Hand-tied flies
All fishing tackle - tippet, leader, indicators, tippet rings, etc
Waders
Soft rubber landing to ensure a healthy release
Hemostats for quick and safe hook removal
What to Bring:
A water bottle is always recommended to stay hydrated
Snacks as needed
Hat
Polarized Sunglasses
WEAR DRAB/NATURAL OUTDOOR COLORED CLOTHING
Valid NJ fishing license is required for all anglers from age 16 – 69. Must have a Trout Stamp.
Meeting Location:
Various North Jersey Locations - Depending on Best Stream Conditions
Rates:
4 Hour Trip (with 1 angler) = $325
+2nd angler (2 total max) = $400
6 Hour Trip (with 1 angler) = $425
+2nd angler (2 total max) = $500
To learn more about Matt's background, read below & reach out directly to book a day on the water with him:
Matt grew up on Lake Tamarack in Sussex County NJ; the last of a generation that was given a pole and told to "just be home before dark." Some of his earliest (and best) memories involved a fishing rod and following in the boot prints of his grandpa and dad, fishing the Delaware, Paulinskill, Flat Brook and Wallkill Rivers. Back then, it was a more common occurrence for Matt to fall in the brook than to catch a fish, but happily that turned around in later years. As an adolescent, Matt was inspired to pick up a fly rod by a very powerful emotion: anger. For anyone who has ever been frustrated watching trout after trout rise to flies, while they ignore every lure in your box, it is a very memorable experience. When recounting his tale to his grandfather later, a smile crept across the old man's face and out of the garage came an old bamboo Cortland 2 weight. Several weeks of practice (and hooked hats) later, and Matt could flick fur & feathers. What started close to home became a passion that has taken him all over the world. Matt has been very fortunate to experience a flats slam in the Florida Keys, a backcountry slam in the Everglades, bull redfish in Homosassa and the Outer Banks, striped bass of the Hudson Bight, Coho salmon, trophy rainbow trout and dolly varden on the Kenai River in Alaska, yellowfin tuna, wahoo and mahi-mahi in the deep blue fathoms off Hawaii, sea-run brown trout of the Kennebec in Maine, wild rainbows and cutbows in the Gunnison River, wild browns in the headwaters of the Arkansas River in Colorado, monster rainbows of the San Juan River in New Mexico and even a few native, European browns in Ireland. Still to check off on the bucket list in the near future: Patagonia and New Zealand.
Closer to home, Matt still loves to fly fish the Flat Brook and Delaware Rivers. When the water temperature is below 68 degrees, you will find him nymphing with his own, hand tied flies in the morning and throwing dry-droppers in the afternoon and evening. When the water gets too warm to safely release trout, you will find him either on Delaware River tossing streamers or stonefly nymphs at the remarkable smallmouth bass population or helping throw a bright pink 1 weight with his 4-year-old daughter to catch dozens of panfish in their backyard.
Even more than catching fish, Matt loves to share his knowledge and passion with other anglers. He has taught people of all ages how to cast, rig, read water and tie flies over the years and he's just as happy teaching a novice angler as he is guiding an experienced one. Matt is the Chairman of the Lake Tamarack Fishing Committee which oversees an annual fishing contest for over 50 children within the association. Next year, it is his sincere hope that his daughter will catch more fish than build sandcastles. Feel free to check out his exploits on Instagram: @mrniceguide
To Book a Guided Fly Fishing Trip, Please Email: LHGSMatt@gmail.com
