Fifty years of tying flies and tromping all over the salt and fresh water fishing world have given Joe Bruce a “pretty good understanding of fish and a better appreciation of their environment.” The Westminster, MD, resident says it wasn’t always that way though, especially given that his first experience with the fly rod was, in his words, “not a pretty sight. I bought a dozen flies from a department store for a dollar—you can imagine the quality—and went to a farm pond armed with my Dad’s hardware store outfit. I actually did catch some bluegill, though, and was hooked.”
Those early imprints eventually led him in 1989 to open the Fisherman’s Edge Fly Shop in Baltimore, which he ran for 15 years helping thousands of novice and advanced fly anglers get the most out of fly fishing. (I personally first ran into Joe in late 1990s on a Severn River creek in the dead of winter; we both were chasing chain pickerel.)
Joe’s experience operating his fly shop had the added benefit of expanding his passion for the sport. He is also the author of four books and numerous booklets on fly fishing and tying, most recently focusing on snakeheads. He continues “tinkering at the tying bench, trying to create that ‘silver bullet’ fly that will catch every fish, every time… I’m still looking.” Last month I caught up with Joe between trips to his favorite fishing grounds for a little Q&A with Maryland’s snakehead guru.
PropTalk C$: In recent years you’ve written a few how-to books on catching snakeheads and are recognized as somewhat of an expert. What makes them so interesting to you as a gamefish? DNR wants them gone—do you think snakeheads deserve the reputation as the invasion “Frankenfish?”
Joe Bruce: I like new things. After I caught my first snakehead, I was hooked. They are a powerful game fish and are all visible. What’s not to like?! And they are good to eat. They have been caught on hook-and-line for 12 years and have shown no harm to the fishery. As more studies have been done, there is very little truth to all the sensationalizing. They won’t eat your dog, cat, or baby; they don’t walk on land; they don’t spawn five times a year; and they are minnow eaters. The only thing (some) media have gotten right is they are great table fare.
These fish are a worthy opponent and are hard to catch. They live in areas that other fish don’t. I have caught them side-by-side with largemouth bass. They cohabitate without any problems. Snakeheads have no hard fins, so the fry can be eaten by any fish, even bluegill. This is the reason they lay so many eggs. Fishermen need to realize these fish will provide an additional fishery in some waters that haven’t supported fish well in the past. And another thing—fishermen don’t need a large watercraft to pursue them. This caters well to the fishermen with a limited budget; a canoe or kayak will get him/her to good snakehead waters.
If you were limited to just three flies for all the fish you chase, what would they be and why?
My Bullethead Darter would be my first. It is the best shallow water finesse fly I have ever tied or fished. Second would be the Clouser Minnow, and the third would be a popper; everyone loves a surface strike.
What’s your most memorable catch—fly or light tackle?
I have a few, caught two world record stripers in the same day and released them. One of the best fishing days I have ever had is the last time the cicadas were here, fishing Pretty Boy for carp on the fly. We caught so many carp I had Charlie horses in my arms.
These days you fish a lot from the kayak—when did you start and what do you like about it? What’s the challenge about fishing, especially fly fishing, from a kayak? Common mistakes anglers make?
My dad had a canoe when I was born, so I have been in small crafts all my life. My dad and I had every watercraft, but I can say, I have better fishing in the kayak. I ran a canoe and kayak shop for 15 years, white water paddled, and fish out of kayaks then. The kayak allows me to go where other watercrafts can’t, to unexplored water. It also allows me to fish parallel to shore which keeps my offering in the target zone the whole retrieve. They are a great fishing craft. I have a Native Watercraft, Ultimate 12. It is ideal for fly fishing because of the flat bottom in the middle. This would be hard in a pedal craft. Plus, where I fish in the grass, a pedal kayak isn’t going.
Do you have a favorite place to fish?
Nope, there isn’t a fish I don’t like. If it has a mouth and fins, I’m in! It depends on the seasons. Winter—Delaware for pickerel. Spring—ponds and lakes for bass and panfish. Summer—rivers and creeks for snakeheads and smallmouth bass. Fall—the Bay for stripers and the tribs for yellow perch and pickerel.
Do you have any favorite fishing superstitions?
Nope, just go when you can. There are only so many fishing days in my life, and I want to make the most of them.
by Captain Chris D. Dollar