Father’s day gift guide: Gone fishing

So you made the trying-to-get-Father’s-Day-gift-ideas call, but all you could get out of dear old dad was that he “wishes he could spend more time with his kids.” Enterprising child that you are, you sign dad and yourself up for the Orvis fly fishing courses, offered at various locations in the metropolitan area.

Not only do the two of you get to learn (or hone) your skills at the sport — a relatively minimal-equipment hobby perfect for urbanites who are, after all, surrounded by water — the beginner’s class includes free membership in both Trout Unlimited and the Federation of Fly Fishing, as well as a $25 coupon off any purchase of $50 or more toward Orvis gear. Best of all, the classes are free.

Rob Ceccarini, Fishing Manager at the Orvis store in Manhattan, is an instructor whose students “have become loyal customers and friends.” He recently took graduates of last year’s classes on a fly fishing trip on the Delaware River, where fellow anglers included “a couple of old guys with their pipes and hats. I saw a lot of women on the water. And I saw kids. So you know, it’s for everyone,” he says. “Fly fishing is one of those sports that you can do from age 10 through the rest of your life,” he adds.

Sounds like dad could get exactly what he wanted this year.

Gear checklist

In addition to a fishing license ($5 for a day pass; $29 for a yearly license in New York), getting started requires little gear. “Less is more: rod, reel, line, gripper, pliers and a handful of flies, maybe a box to put them in.” says Ceccarini. “If you are doing freshwater fishing, that is really all you need. I always encourage people to start catching fish before they invest. Just keep it simple.”

Q&A with Rob Ceccarini, Fishing Manager at Orvis Manhattan location

There seems to be the assumption that fly fishing if for old retired rich guys.

You know, it’s funny. I see where they are coming from. I was in the rivers this weekend and I saw a couple of old guys with their pipes and hats. I saw a lot of women on the water. And I saw kids. So you know, it’s for everyone. It’s one of those sports that you can do from probably age 10 – maybe even younger – through the rest of your life. I have a customer from France that comes in twice a year. He is 89 or 90 years old and he has only one leg. And he goes to the Seychelles off of Africa and catches fish this big. And he is a tiny little guy. Amazing. You know, a lot of people would probably be like, “Yeah I only got one leg that I lost in a war or something.” But he is still going to fish.

Is fly fishing relatively easy to pick up?

You know, I have said to people, “Start just like you would start anything else that’s new.” If you are starting a new job and there’s a new computer system, you’ve got to use it to learn it. It might be difficult at first, but there’s nothing with a little practice and teaching that you won’t get.

When did you decide to start offering free fly fishing classes?

It started last summer. And it was really an organic thing. It was not really publicized and it didn’t get much press. We just did it at the store level. And it worked out incredibly well. It worked out great for me — I met a lot of great guys, a lot of great gals as well. They have been loyal customers and friends. It’s like an added bonus. I actually took a bunch of guys up to the Delaware this weekend. And they are all like customers/friends, so we go out and have a great time. It’s really cool.

How many people signed up?

Last year we probably did a 150. Customers came in on Thursday and we were like, “If you want to know how to use the cast and rig, come in on Sunday morning.” We kind of got known for having that ability. So it worked out great.

What were the skill levels of people coming in for the classes?

From absolutely not touching a fly rod, so from zero skill, to intermediate level. Some guys that come in have been doing fly fishing for years and years. But they had bad habits as they were never really taught. They were all self-taught. So everybody seems to be getting something out of it.

GIFT PICKS



Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer
$2
“You need a good assortment of flies because you need to match the hatch [the bugs in the river where you are fishing],” explains Ceccarini. “Something like this woolly bugger will probably last you a very long time.”


Orvis Fly Fishing App
$9.99 (includes a $10 Orvis coupon with purchase)
Ceccarini uses this app to check river conditions and fly selections, as well as watch casting and knot tying videos and listen to the Orvis podcast.



Orvis Lightweight Floating Fly Boxes
$12.95-$14.95
“If you’re fishing and you’ve got a floating box that pops away from you, you usually have somebody down the river and it’s like, ‘Hey! Heads up for that green box,’” says Ceccarini. “Most fly fishermen are cordial and will usually pick it up and get it back to you.”



Orvis Fly Fishing Guide-Revised Edition
$24.95
“This is kind of like the Bible to fly fishing,” says Ceccarini. “It has everything from putting your rod together, to identifying bugs, to casting.”

Streamline Freshwater Outfit – Rod/Reel/Line/Backing/Case
$198
“This is the beginner’s setup,” says Ceccarini. “It’s got everything that you need to begin fly fishing: a case, four-piece rod, reel that is already put in line, and it comes with a beginner’s guide to fly fishing, so you can get more tips on how to catch more fish.”



Orvis Fly Tying Kit
$179
“As you progress into fly-fishing, you may want to start to tie your own fly,” says Ceccarini. “That is something that I’m really into and it is really gratifying to tie your fly and catch a fish on it. You know, it’s something you made yourself.”