This month, we're excited to host our annual Fly Cast Shoot Out. This year we will also hold a separate special casting clinic for anyone who wants to learn, improve, or just give it a try! Whether you're competing or simply interested in learning how to cast, both events are designed to be relaxed, fun, and packed with helpful tips.
It's a great opportunity to sharpen your skills, meet fellow members, and enjoy an afternoon together. Don't miss this month's updates below and we hope to see you at the May meetup!
Location: Township of Ocean Senior Center
Date/Time: May 19th @ 7pm
Address: 615 W Park Ave, Oakhurst, 07755
Navigate: Google Maps Link
JSTU will host our March meetup at Twin Lights Brewing on March 18th at 7:00 pm in Tinton Falls. Please note that this month's meeting will take place on a Wednesday evening, as St. Patrick's Day is the day before. Pizza will be provided to all attendees.
This will also be the final opportunity to purchase additional raffle tickets for our Orvis rod raffles, and we'll have a few additional small raffles during the meetup.
This will also be the final opportunity to purchase additional raffle tickets for our Orvis rod raffles, and we'll have a few additional small raffles during the meetup.
Please read below for the latest chapter updates and ways to support Jersey Shore TU at our upcoming events.
We've got some exciting news! Our chapter has received $ 2,500 in funding from the NJ TU State Council to help us grow our membership and become even more active in the community.
We're excited about the opportunities this support creates - from hosting more events to getting more people involved in conversation and fishing. If you have ideas for activities, outreach, or ways we can use these funds to strengthen the chapter, we'd love to hear them.
We're looking forward to putting this funding to good use, growing our chapter, and having some fun along the way!
Upcoming Events:
April 18th @ 11 am - Toms River Cleanup at Riverwood Park
-We will be participating in the Barnegat Bay Blitz Cleanup alongside Toms River Clean Communities. Same deal as last spring - meet in the back of Riverwood Park on April 18th at 11:00 AM. Additional information is in the below link where you can sign up as well. Registration is recommended, but not required as it helps us get an idea of who is coming out.
-Bob Sodon sent a great link with all the information needed to attend the trip. There is a ton of public fishing access on the Farmington and solid options for food and lodging in the area. If you have any questions let us know. Hope to see you all there!
April 30th - Youth Fly Fishing Clinic & May 2nd - Youth Fishing Outing
-Looking for more volunteers for our Youth Fly Fishing Clinic and Fishing Outing. This is a wonderful opportunity to introduce young people to fly fishing. If you would like to volunteer please reach out to us!
Fly Rod Combo Raffles:
Last chance to grab your tickets for a chance to win an Orvis Clearwater Combo at our March meetup. Choose between a 9' 5-weight, 9' 9-weight, or both! All funds go to support the chapter and our future plans.
Fly Fisherman of the Year Contest 2026:
Remember to submit your New Jersey catches to our google form, tag us with pictures on your social media accounts, or submit them at the JSTU monthly meetups. Enter your fishy pictures to win a chance to represent JSTU at the New Jersey Fly Fisherman of the Year Contest at Shannon's private waters on the South Branch of the Raritan River.
To help us prepare for our upcoming youth fly fishing clinic with All Kids One Field, our February meetup will feature a special training session. This training will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to teach young anglers a variety of skills, including fly tying, casting, fish and macroinvertebrate identification, and more.
In an increasingly technology-driven world where many youth spend less time outdoors, this is a meaningful opportunity to make a lasting impact—introducing kids to fly fishing, fostering a connection to nature, and potentially changing a life along the way.
Fly tying will begin at 6:30 PM, with all materials provided. Instruction will be available for anyone new to fly tying or looking to sharpen their skills. We’ll also be raffling off a variety of items again.
Please read on below for additional updates and news from the chapter. We look forward to seeing everyone at the February meetup!
Location: Township of Ocean Senior Center
Date/Time: February 17th @ 7pm (Fly Tying @ 6:30pm)
Feb 17th @ 7pm - February Meetup Youth Fly Fishing Training Session
March 17th @ 7pm - March Meetup at MJ's Bar & Grille in Tinton Falls
April 11th @ 11 am - Toms River Cleanup at Riverwood Park
April 17-19th / 24-26th (Date TBD) - Farmington River Fishing Trip
Fly Rod Combo Raffles:
Only two months left to grab your tickets for a chance to win an Orvis Clearwater Combo—choose between a 9' 5-weight, 9' 9-weight, or both! Stop by any of our events to get your tickets and get in on the action!
Fishing:
Fly Fisherman of the Year Contest 2026
Update! The 2026 winner will also receive an Orvis Encounter Combo, with their choice of any length and weight outfit from Orvis.
Remember to submit your New Jersey catches to our google form, tag us with pictures on your social media accounts, or submit them at the JSTU monthly meetups. Enter your fishy pictures to win a chance to represent JSTU at the New Jersey Fly Fisherman of the Year Contest at Shannon's private waters on the South Branch of the Raritan River.
-A relevant article connected to our January presentation. It’s great to hear about native species once again reaching their historical range in New Jersey.
-Finished this book recently and all I can say is… wow. It keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. And when Tom Rosenbauer calls it the best fishing book he’s ever read, you know it’s something special.
We’re excited to kick off the new year with a presentation from Maddie Feaster, Upper Delaware River Watershed Project Manager for Trout Unlimited. Maddie will be sharing insights into her work on habitat restoration and enhancement projects across several of our New Jersey priority watersheds, including the Flat Brook, South Branch of the Raritan, and Lower Delaware tributaries.
We can’t wait to learn more about these important efforts and explore how our chapter can support this work—so come ready with questions!
In addition, our very own chapter member extraordinaire, Jeff Cole, will once again host a fly tying tutorial beginning at 6:30 PM. All materials will be provided, making this a great opportunity for tiers of all skill levels.
We’ll also be raffling off fishing gear, accessories, and books—prizes you won’t want to miss!
We hope to see you at our usual meeting location, and please read below for additional chapter news.
Location: Township of Ocean Senior Center
Date/Time: January 20th @ 7pm (Fly Tying @ 6:30pm)
We’ve reserved a table at the NJ Beach Buggy Association Fishing Flea Market this Saturday, January 10th, from 9 AM–2 PM at the Toms River Elks Lodge. Stop by to browse all the vendors, say hello, and grab your tickets for a chance to win our fly rod combos!
The Fly Fishing Show
The Fly Fishing Show is coming up on January 23rd, 24th, and 25th at the New Jersey Convention & Expo Center! If you’re interested in volunteering at the Trout Unlimited table, we’d love to hear from you. Volunteers will receive free admission to the show as a thank-you for helping out.
Fly Fisherman of the Year Contest 2026
Remember to submit your New Jersey catches to our google form, tag us with pictures on your social media accounts, or submit them at the JSTU monthly meetups. Enter your fishy pictures to win a chance to represent JSTU at the New Jersey Fly Fisherman of the Year Contest at Shannon's private waters on the South Branch of the Raritan River.
-I think this guy has the best brook trout/small tream focused channel on YouTube. This video lives rent free in my head. Skip to 11:18 to watch him catch a bruiser of a PA brookie. The underwater footage at 14:15 is super cool and gives great perspective on how large the fish really is.
-This article has a ton of great information to go try some fly fishing at Island Beach State Park. We are lucky to have IBSP and Sandy Hook in our backyard - excited to fish there more often in the future!
-This is a tremendous book for anyone interested in the history of stocking trout and man's impact on nature. Without giving too much away the first chapter is exhilarating the way the author describes it (which was very surprising to me).
Fly Rod Combo Raffles:
JSTU is having two separate drawings for an Orvis Clearwater 9 ft 5 wt and an Orvis Clearwater 9ft 9wt. This includes the fly rod, fly reel, and fly line! You do not want to miss the chance to win these rods as both have a retail value of over 429 dollars! We will be selling one ticket for 10 dollars each at our monthly meetups and events.
I spend more time watching YouTube videos and reading books/articles on fishing than I fish (which is a problem). Leaving some recommendations below that have really helped me become a better fisherman or day dream about fishing while I am working. Send us your favorites and we will include them on here!
-Super exciting video and shouldn't be free to watch on YouTube. The Seychelles are on anyone's bucket list and the eats/takes by the fish in the film are pretty wild.
-If you have any interest in fishing this is a must read. One of the best books I have ever read. Even if you do not like reading this is hard to put down.
Class: Tying Effective Pheasant Tails, Hare’s Ears & Everything in Between Join Tim Flagler as he teaches tying effective pheasant tails, hare’s ears & everything in between. Pheasant Tail and Hare’s Ear Nymphs have been "must-have flies" for better than a century. In this class, you’ll learn how to tie not only a standard Hare’s Ear and an American Pheasant Tail, but several variations between the two that incorporate elements of both. The class incorporates plenty of tips, tricks and techniques that can be used over a wide range of other patterns as well. Intermediate level.
