OBVIOUSLY WE’RE NOT OUT FISHING MUCH THESE DAYS AND WE’RE HOPING FOR RAIN AND A COOL-DOWN. A FEW “FISHABLE” AREAS ARE THE LEHIGH BELOW THE DAM, THE LOWER LACKAWAXEN, THE WEST BRANCH OF THE DELAWARE. THESE AREAS HAVE COOLER WATER TEMPERATURES DUE TO CONTROLLED WATER RELEASES.

WE STILL HAVE A FEW  ROSS LIMITED EDITION EVOLUTION LT RAINBOW TROUT REELS AVAILABLE. CALL A.A. OUTFITTERS TOLL FREE 800-443-8119 OR STOP IN THE SHOP, IN BLAKESLEE, PA.

Mike Romanowski helps out at the Shop because he loves it! Here’s a Guy who lives and breathes Fly Fishing. His dedication to Stanley Cooper Trout Unlimited, here in Northeast Pa. has made that Chapter successful for years. In my opinion, Mike is one of the best Fly Tyers in the Country. His ability to tie and teach and his knowledge of the history of fly tying certainly make him an expert.  He has taught hundreds of students how to tye flies. His knowledge of the Delaware River, where he fishes most often, is unsurpassed. Mike also fishes in Montana almost yearly.  Mike and his enthusiastic willingness to share his love of Fly Fishing and Fly Tying are a valuable asset to A.A. Outfitters.  

Mike Santulli is old school Fly Fishing personified. Our Shop’s Elder Statesman brings decades of knowledge, and experience  to A.A. Outfitters. Mike has ben fly fishing and tying flies forever. Mike has a great passion for Fly Fishing and Fly Tying. He loves the sport.  Mike fishes ALOT! He’s always willing and able to help anyone with a question or problem. Mike will drop anything and sit down with anyone at the fly tying bench to help. He can always help with questions about Trout fishing in Pennsylvania. His positive and inviting personality brings our Customers back.  

Rod Gable’s easy going, helpful personality and years of experience both fly fishing and fly tying are a big positive for us at A.A. Outfitters. Rod has years of experience fly fishing in Pennsylvania for Trout, Panfish and Bass. Rod has years of experience fishing for upstate New York’s Salmon and Steelhead. He’s fished in Pulaski, New York before most of us even started fly fishing. He’s our resident Pocono’s “local” so Rod is most familiar with local fishing and history.

Gene Ercolani is the owner of A.A. Outfitters for approximately 12 years and has been involved in the “business” of fly fishing for over 15 years. Gene has been fly fishing for Trout, Smallmouth and Panfish and fly tying since the 1970s in Pennsylvania. As the owner of A.A. Outfitters, he has the most experience with, and knowledge of, all of our products. Gene has flyfished in many states including Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and of course, Pennsylvania. He brings the saltwater fly fishing experience to the Shop having fished for (and caught) Bonefish,  Jacks, Snook, Permit, Blues, Stripers and Albies on a fly.  Gene has been fly fishing the Susquehanna River for Smallmouth Bass for many years and knows the Susquehanna in our area very well.

Gene Ercolani – Owner A.A. Outfitters, Blakeslee, Pa.  www.aaoutfitters.com        

Check flylines: Go over your lines to check for cracks or excessive wear. The average Fisherman will get 4 or 5 years out of a line, of course this depends on how much you fish, but how you care for and store your line is important. Never store your line in excessive cold or hot areas …. the trunk of your car is about the worst place. Avoid getting insect repellent on lines, which can destroy them. Clean lines often with soapy water (dish detergent which doesn’t leave a residue, is good). A line dressing can be applied to most lines, which may repel dirt and make lines more slick.  

Waders: Check waders for leaks. Repair if necessary. Often, Aquaseal works great on wader repairs. Be carefully to make sure you do not void warranties by doing “self repairs” on waders. Send waders back to Manufacturers for repairs, inspection or replacement NOW, instead of waiting until it’s too late. You can clean nawders and apply Revivex to breathable waders to add water repellency without losing breathability. Waders should be stored in moderate temperatures and hanging waders instead of folding/rolling them is a good idea. Turn waders inside out to allow air circulation which prevents mildew. Rinse-off inside of waders occasionally.

Check Rods: never store a rod in a tube when wet. The moisture will ruin wood reel seats and is not good for wraps, guides, etc. Check guides and be sure there’s no damage, check reel seat. Clean your rod! I’ve found that most never wipe off their rod and as they cast, people notice the line doesn’t “shoot” very well. Remember that your line rubs along the rod blank as it passed thru the guides and a dirty rod causes a lot of friction on the line, slowing it down. Give your rod a wipe down ocassionally and a wipe with armour all, son of a gun or furniture polish helps. Get rod repairs done NOW, before the season starts because many wait until Spring to send a rod in for repair, then suddenly Manufacturers are backed-up on repairs, adding another week or two to turn-around times.

Check Fly Boxes: Now’s the time to take inventory. A good supply of early season flies should be in your box for early season. Include beadhead nymphs like Prince, Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns and Hare’s Ears. A few streamers and wooly buggers are good. Little black stoneflies, blue quills, quill gordons, tan caddis, hendricksons, red quills are a good start for early season.

Leaders and tippet: Nylon leaders and tippet have a shelf life and are adversely affected by UV (sunlight), extreme heat and wear from use. Best if stored at moderate temperatures, in a dark place. Check leaders and tippet and replace after a few years. It sucks to lose a few nice fish, right off the bat because of old leader and tippet.

At A.A. Outfitters, we can help get you prepared for the 2010 season which is right arount the corner. Stop in the Shop in Blakeslee, Pa. or call 800-443-8119.

Gene Ercolani – Owner A.A. Outfitters Fly Shop 

Gene Ercolani – Owner A.A. Outfitters Fly Shop

BWO and Octber Caddis along with beadheads are producing in local streams.

Give us a call or stop in A.A. Outfitters, in Blakeslee, Pa. Phone 800-443-8119. Check out our online catalog at www.aaoutfitters.com with new updates featuring great new products for 2010, now arriving. New Sage Xi3, Vantage and 99 series rods.

Susquehanna River has been blown-out for the past two weeks because of rain.   We had a very good start to Smallmouth Fishing in the Susquehanna but the River got too high for wading and won’t seem to come down.

Call us at A.A. Outfitters for up-to-date information or for any fly fishing needs. Toll free 800-443-8119.

Flies for Summer include BWO in #20, Light Cahills in a #16 or #18, Midges, Caddis, Big Yellow Stoneflies and Terrestrials like Beetles.

Give us a call or stop in the Shop in Blakeslee. Call A.A. Outfitters at 800-443-8119 or Shop Online at www.aaoutfitters.com

GENE ERCOLANI – OWNER A.A. OUTFITTERS