Jerry Gibbs, Editor of Outdoor Life wrote that Capt. Jeff is the primary catalyst in the recent excitement in saltwater flyfishing in these latitudes.
In 1987, Capt. Jeff opened the first flats boat dealership north of Florida. His pioneering use of these shallow water skiffs in the northeast opened up a fishery that had previously been ignored.
Capt. Jeff has been fishing the "Legendary Norwalk Islands" for the past 38 years and through his promotion of the sport of saltwater flyfishing, there are now over 500 Hewes, Maverick and Pathfinder skiffs fishing the northeast flats.
The Northeast Women's Saltwater Flyfishing Tournament and the Northeast Hewes/Maverick Owner's Tournament, both started by Capt. Jeff, were the first organized "release tournaments" in the northeast. Capt. Jeff was also the first guide in the northeast to be endorsed by the Orvis Company. He was recently recognized as a "master guide" by Tim Jones of Flyfishing in Saltwaters magazine.
Capt. Jeff has held a Master's License from the United States Coast Guard since 1978 and is a member of the U.S. Naval Institute. For over thrity years, he has advised public and government sectors on maritme issues. Capt. Jeff is also a certified FFF casting instructor and member of the I.G.F.A.
Northeast Saltwater Flyfishing has been specializing in saltwater fly fishing and light tackle spin fishing since 1968. Our charter operation is headed by master guide, Captain Jeff Northrop, who is nationally credited with introducing the northeast to flats style fishing and flats boats. Capt. Jeff hand-picks only the most knowledgeable and proven fish producing captains to complement his operation. Our sole purpose is to make you charter one of the high points in your season.
You will fish from the decks of brand new custom flats boats that are replaced annually. We provide the latest in equipment from Scott, Abel, Loomis, Tibor and Seamaster.
Starting in the early spring you can expect to stalk migrating bass in and around the mouths of the seven rivers that flow into the island chain. As warmer weather arrives, so do the schools of larger bass. These fish, after making their long run from the Hudson River, are looking to gorge on the abundant sand eel hatch that takes place in our shallow water sand flats.
When June arrives, the bass are joined by huge daisy-chaining bluefish. These are spawning females ranging between 15 and 20 pounds. They will aggressively take large deceivers, producing tarpon-like jumps and excitement!
In the fall, striped bass and bluefish along with bonito and false albacore feed non-stop in anticipation of their migration south. With wheeling birds above and pods of bait below, the stage is set for some of the most intense surface action available, something we call "the fall blitz."
My guides and I hope you will come and enjoy a day or more of fishing with us.
Sincerely, Captain Jeff Northrop, M.M.