The Gartside Gurgler and a robust late fall fishery - a perfect season

Photo of Greenport, Suffolk County, New York, on 29 July 2018, Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). A commons image.

The fall season on Eastern Long Island, New York, can offer the most enjoyable fishing experience of the year

Captain Andrew Derr is one of the most prominent light tackle fishing guides in Eastern Long Island, New York, particularly in Greenport and Montauk. He is well-known for his contributions to environmental protection in the area. Since 2002, Andrew has also written extensively for this publication, serving as editor-in-chief for several years. During his guiding years in Key Largo, he co-authored the popular book “Fly Fishing the Florida Keys.” Andrew has traveled extensively, hosting fellow anglers on various trips, including one to Astove Island in Seychelles.

By Andrew Derr, Video by Tight Line Video

Jack Gartside’s Gurgler is an effective fly with great action. It pushes a small wake when stripped slowly or pops when stripped quickly. You can fish it many ways in freshwater or saltwater, cold water or warm water. It is versatile to the extreme. So many species fall for this fly.

Lately, I have been fishing it for blitzing bass during the Montauk Fall Run. It works, and it is so fun to watch fish fall for its action. Easy to tie and reasonably durable, no box should be without a few. Now, fishing from Greenport, Long Island, NewYork, this late fall remains “heavy” with baitfish and responding stripers, albies, and bluefish.

Baseball’s grand finale is also Eastern Long Island’s

Considered one of the most talented and innovative fly tyers of the modern era, Gartside was taught how to tie flies at the age of 10 by Ted Williams, the Boston Red Sox outfielder. Among his best-known original patterns are the Sparrow, the Soft Hackle Streamer, the Pheasant Hopper, the Gartside Leech, the FishHead, and the Gurgler.

Derr reports that late fall flats and near offshore are almost an unknown

This year is no different, with rich fall days of great light tackle angling from Orient Point to Gardiners Bay and south to Greenport and beyond. Capt Derr is the go-to for flats guiding in Eastern Long Island: