Week of Sept. 27, 2026: Fly Competitions
September 27th: Army Versus Navy and The “One-Fly” Competition!
Hey hey, everyone! My apologies for the spotty reports. My home computer is FUBAR and my time is occupied with non-fishing related matters. Luckily, I am clawing my way out of a mountain of papers and will soon have some more time to devote to the report.
Further, trout fishing has been put-off by the low flows and a dearth of fish after the summer which saw water temperatures remain in the low 80s for days at a time. In my personal experience, heading out in late August and September in New Jersey is more about scouting, casting practice, and maybe getting lucky with a holdover or wild fish anyway.
Now that autumn temps have set in and the river cools we should see surviving fish begin to move out of thermal refuges and summer holes. Recent social media reports reveal there are, indeed, holdover trout remaining. One customer shared his beautiful brown caught with a fly tied by SBO’s signature tyer, Kayla, using gear he recently purchased from the store as well! It is because of this, a rare double-tag, we can confidently say a few fish survived! Also, we love when we are tagged in fish pics.
Not on social media? You may also send a picture to add to our Photo Gallery by email: info@sboutfitters.com.
Connor and I had a guided trip with a group recently and we only saw one fish. The fish rose for an indicator and then, a few times, for a stimulator before giving up. I think its mouth couldn’t fish the #12 and by the time I put on an #18 Adams, the opportunity was gone. Four anglers, Connor’s keen eyes, and an arsenal of flies didn’t raise anything else. The weather that day was glorious and the river appears to be in perfect shape, but until the stocking occurs in about two weeks, it is going to be tough out there. On the way back to the cars, after the trip, it occurred to us that we didn't even see any schools of suckers in the deeper pools…
Good news is on the horizon and the fall fishing season kicked off with some friendly competition this weekend!
First was the annual Army vs. Navy fishing competition followed by “NJ Fly Fisherman of the Year” competition on Sunday. Starting early on Saturday, Abraham and Lindsey, along with Bill Asdal from the Raritan Inn and Shannon’s Private Waters, hosted representatives from our Armed Forces to see who will take this year’s title. Donated flies have been collected and each contestant will have a fresh box of carefully crafted flies to entice the most bites from freshly-stocked trout that have had several days to acclimate throughout the club’s section of the river, portioned out into several “beats.” 
On Sunday, anglers selected from Trout Unlimited chapters, the NJ Fly Tyers Guild, and other organizations will step up and into the water with the “one-fly” each picked for the morning. They have just three flies of this one pattern to catch as many fish as possible in two rounds. If they lose them, they're done and can only hope the fish they’ve put on the board are enough to advance. After two morning rounds of fishing, the top anglers advance may choose a new pattern for the afternoon session. By the end of the day, the top angler takes the prize and all the bragging rights for the year.
The weather was interesting and the competition was fiercely friendly! The Nor’Easter had an effect and the fish seemed to have lock-jaw as a result. It was a rough year, but Ron M., from Project Healing Waters took the trophy in the third round! Thank you to Bill A. and Bart L., the judges, and everyone else who helped this year’s competition to be both fun and a success.
Looking forward, the rain and cool weather are going to give way to sunny skies and warmer temperatures. The October caddis are around and will increase in numbers. l snapped a picture of one on the shop door this weekend.
They join our Blue Wing Olive and the remaining Isonychia creating opportunity for some top-water takes. Small and not-so-small streamers are a good choice. The shop’s warm water fly selection, and streamers for all types of conditions, has really been amped up with AJ and Sam’s contributions. Kayla has been busy at the vice and her version of the Georgia Peach is in stock, while supplies last.
See you out there,
Roy B.