The Fishing Club Journal - Issue #28
A reader-supported community and publication.
Welcome to Issue #28 of the Fishing Club Journal!
Happy summer to all our new and loyal readers. Thank you for your continued support, and we hope everyone is staying cool and safe. I’ve been enjoying everyone’s feedback and fishy photos as we settle into the summer months. This issue is dedicated to a personal favorite species — the Striped Bass.
We started Fishing Club with a simple mission: to inspire stewards of our fisheries so they thrive for future generations. My personal journey with striped bass fishing began as an eight-year-old kid on the early summer mornings of the 90s at Plum Island, MA, in New England. My grandfather would wake me up before sunrise to see what the morning would bring before breakfast. What I didn’t appreciate at the time was the success of major interstate conservation efforts, including a moratorium on striped bass by 15 states across the Atlantic coast of the United States. These states collaborated through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) to successfully conserve the fishery.
Fast forward to today, about 30 years later, and the striped bass fishery is in danger again due to low reproductive rates. Our goal with this issue is to celebrate the striped bass with a curated collection of creators, guides, anglers, and conservationists, while also raising awareness of the real issues we face today and what you can do to support.
I hope you enjoy it.
Cheers & stay fishy!
— Michael, Co-Founder
A Follow — Jenny Tates grew up surrounded by the love of fly fishing, thanks to her father, affectionately known as "The Skipper." After a career in public relations and a stint in her family's business, she realized her true passion lay in the art of fly fishing. Recently, Jenny and her family purchased a cozy 2-bedroom spot in Essex, MA, now known as Kippers Lodge. This charming hideaway, nestled amidst prime striper flats, is where Jenny shares her lifelong love for striped bass fishing with others. Jenny’s dedication to the sport is evident in every aspect of her life.
Give her a follow and check out this new lodge.
A Photo — Tom Curry is a man of many passions, spending his time on the North Shore of Massachusetts, where he enjoys fly fishing, lobstering, and photography, all while pursuing his passion for golf. His Instagram feed is a vibrant mix of these hobbies, capturing the essence of living in New England year-round. We’re thrilled to feature him.
Give him a follow.
A Video — Brad Leone, chef and outdoorsman, drove up to Portland, Maine to meet local legend Capt. Ben Whalley. Ben is an elite fly designer and fly fishing guide. He teaches Brad how to tie a proper fly and then how to catch a striped bass from a flats boat in the Gulf of Maine.
The video offers a fun explorations of a different way to catch these fish, and catching a fish on your own fly is a wonderful experience. I appreciate the time dedicated to thoughtful fish handling (9:12 min/sec) with help from Keep Fish Wet.
To learn more about the current state of striped bass fishery on the East Coast and how to get involved, check out the American Saltwater Guides Association.
Follow Brad, Ben, and Ian, the man behind the lens.
An Artist — I was first introduced to Joel Stoehr’s work when I saw the underpainting of his Breezy Point Jetty in NYC painting. It reminded me of the beaches I grew up on in New England. If you’ve ever been to the Northeast when there’s weather, Joel’s work will instantly transport you to those foggy, wet, and rugged mornings looking for fish. His ability to capture the essence of these landscapes with such authenticity is truly remarkable, evoking a sense of nostalgia and connection to the natural world.
Joel’s introduction to fly fishing began in 1986 when an L.L. Bean catalog sparked his interest, leading him to explore the pristine trout waters of the Catskill Mountains near his childhood home in Oneonta, New York. Today, as an accomplished artist and professor at Parsons School of Design, Stoehr's work vividly captures the dynamic interplay between urban life and the natural world, especially in the waters around New York City.
To read more about Joel, check out this recent article in On The Water Magazine and give him a follow.
A Conservationist — Meet Joe Gugino, Costa’s Conservation and Community Partnerships Manager. Joe's deep passion for fishing and conservation drives his work at Costa, where he leads collaborative efforts with organizations like Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, Captains for Clean Water, and American Saltwater Guides Association.
Hailing from the Northeast, Joe is also a passionate striped bass angler in his home waters of Boston Harbor. I love Joe’s ability to combine corporate marketing strategy with conservation and community. As a father, Joe is inspired to keep our fisheries thriving for future generations.
Give Joe a follow, and to learn more, listen to Joe on Wet Fly Swing: Costa Del Mar Conservation with Joe Gugino - Kick Plastic, Planet Purpose Solutions.
Get Involved — Catch and release fishing isn't perfect, but we can all make a difference. The team at Keep Fish Wet has shared some thoughtful best practices for handling striped bass. By adopting these simple steps, we can help ensure the future of our fishery and make a positive impact, one fish at a time. Check out the Stripers In Our Hands campaign here.
We also recommend following these two organizations to keep up to date on our fisheries:
The Saltwater Guides Association (ASGA), a coalition of professional fishing guides and recreational anglers dedicated to the conservation of marine fisheries. Their primary focus is on advocacy, education, and promoting sustainable fishing practices.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is an interstate compact formed to manage and conserve fishery resources along the Atlantic coast. Its members include the 15 Atlantic coast states, as well as federal and regional fisheries agencies.
A Guide — Not all striped bass are on the East Coast, however. When I moved to San Francisco in 2012, my grandfather repeatedly reminded me that I could catch them in the Bay and I didn’t believe him at first. He was right, there’s an entire fishery here where we can target striped bass on the oceanfront, like George Revel of Lost Coast Outfitters, or we can target them in and around the San Francisco Bay, like the boys on the OGB and Mike Idell in his iconic Boston Whaler. We can also target them up and down the Delta and year round in the river system in the Sacramento Valley, like Capt. Ben Thompson.
Born and raised in Northern California, Ben Thompson grew up fishing farm ponds with conventional tackle before diving headfirst into fly fishing as a teenager. Now a full-time fly fishing guide on the Lower Feather, Lower Sacramento, and Lower Yuba rivers, Ben combines his passion for fishing with a strong work ethic to tailor each trip to his clients' goals. He lives in Chico, CA, with his wife and sons, grateful to pursue his passion while supporting his family.
Give Ben a follow and if look him up if you’re looking for a guided experience in the Sacramento area.
A Read — The summer issue of the Anglers Journal just dropped, featuring the super talented James Manning (@theanglerslens) on the cover. Look for the issue on newsstands or visit AnglersJournal.com to subscribe.
A Drink — We try to incorporate reader feedback into SFC issues. Recently, some readers have requested us to find brands that are giving back. This week, we’d like to introduce Afuera Coffee.
Afuera Coffee was founded by Matt Igoe, whose love for the outdoors and passion for sustainability inspired him to create a coffee brand that embodies both. After relocating to El Salvador with his wife, Matt immersed himself in the local coffee culture and developed a product that supports farmers and protects the environment. Afuera Coffee sources beans from Certified Rainforest Alliance Farms and uses recyclable and compostable packaging. Dedicated to giving back, Afuera donates 5% of all sales to environmental organizations like Captains for Clean Water and 1% For the Planet. Whether you're an angler preparing for an early morning on the water or simply a coffee lover, Afuera Coffee offers a delicious and sustainable brew for everyone.
Matt is also offering all Fishing Club members 15% off their first order and an Afuera Sticker Pack (5-pack) when shopping on www.afueracoffee.com.
To unlock the offer, use promo code: Striper
Give them a follow.
A Recipe — Meet Marty Gallipeau, co- founder of Badfish, a brand dedicated to making exciting tackle and gear for the next generation of anglers and renegades. When he’s not slanging fishing gear, you’ll find Marty in the kitchen as chef and co-owner, alongside his wife Maddy, of Ghost on the Shore, an underground pop-up that hosts dinner parties. Their cuisine is a 10-course tasting menu focused on local, New England ingredients, like these Razor Clams.
I find razor clams exciting because they can be fairly elusive around these parts. They are primarily farmed during negative tides from a new or full moon, when the tide recedes far enough for clammers to reach the sandy flats they like to hang out on. So, whenever they pop up, I usually try to stock up. They also freeze exceptionally well and can actually become more tender from freezing, which makes it worth the trouble of cleaning a bunch of them. The razor shells also make a fun vessel for plating; once shucked, I give the shells a quick boil to clean and sanitize them, then stash them in a box for later. Razors are super versatile and can be sautéed, steamed, and even grilled, but my favorite lately has been a simple ceviche. There are a ton of directions and flavors you can play with, and I encourage you to do so. Here’s one I’ve been making to get you started.
— Marty (@halfmanhalfparty)
Check out the full recipe here:
A Fly — Northern California artist and angler, Ben Engle conceptualized the Looks Better Wet (LBW) fly, which is a modified version of Lefty Kreh’s well-known Lefty’s Deceiver. Engle incorporated an EP Foxy Brush head into the fly, creating a simple baitfish profile great for hunting striped bass in shallow water. This personal favorite pattern has successfully caught striped bass, jacks, and tarpon.
Give Ben a follow.
A Badfish — Born from a love of aquatic adventure and chasing hard-fighting fish, Badfish has been fostering a passionate community of anglers since 2012. Check out our latest gear, including the Striper Skull Tee, featuring an original skull design that pays homage to the mighty Striped Bass.
Check our their shop here and give Badfish a follow.
In 2021, Marty and the crew traveled out to Nantucket, MA. Check out this one for a dope, artistic look at striper fishing from both land and sea on the island.
That’s a wrap! Thank you for reading and we hope to see you on the next issue or on Instagram. If you don’t already, you can follow the Fishing Club Journal on Instagram and feel free to reach out with tips, feedback or just to say hello.
Let us know what you think of The Fishing Club Journal:
Our Mission
To inspire stewards of our fisheries so they thrive for future generations.
The Fishing Club Journal (FCJ) is our vehicle for advancing this mission. We’re a reader-supported publication curating stories that illuminate the passion, and positivity inherent in the world of fly fishing. To unlock full member benefits, consider becoming a paid member.
