Capt. Zak Robinson
Orvis-Endorsed Fly-Fishing Guide in Portsmouth, NH
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Capt. Zak Robinson
Orvis-Endorsed Fly-Fishing Guide
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Learn MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Q. Do you provide safety gear?
A. Yes, the boat is outfitted to USCG standards and in accordance with local laws. Please inform Capt. Zak upon booking if anyone included in the trip is under the age of 12 or bring a comfortable PFD.
Q. What is the best time of year and time of day to catch my first Striper on a fly rod?
A. June 1st to July 15th is the most consistent time to find Stripers blitzing (feeding on the surface). When Stripers feed on top they are the most accessible to fly fishers and often take a fly readily. First light is often the best time of the day, first light can be as early as 4:30 AM.
Q. What is your sight fishing on the flats like and what time of year is best?
A. Sight fishing in New Hampshire is exciting and technical. Clear water and a mix of sand and mud bottom provide the opportunity to spot fish at a distance and get a cast off before they see the boat. This is the most challenging way to catch Stripers but also the most rewarding. An accurate cast with good distance is helpful when trying to convince smart fish to eat flies in shallow water. New Hampshire sight fishing is weather dependent. The flats begin to fill with stripers in early July, and the best time to target them is mid July to mid August.
Q. What is the preferred amount of time for a trip?
A. Four to six hours is a pleasant amount of time to spend on my 18 foot Action Craft. Four to eight hours is comfortable on the 25 foot Contender. Eight hours is great for anglers who want to cover a whole tide and fish several different ways (morning blitz, late morning casting sinking lines into the rocks, and mid-day sight fishing the flats).
Species You Fish for by Season
Summer: Stripers, Bluefish
Fall: Albies, Bonito, Stripers, Bluefish
What Should Customers Bring?
Hat
Sunglasses
Snacks
Sun Protection
Wind/rain shell
Warm layer (even in July and August*)
A comfortable PFD for anyone under the age of 12 (note this upon booking and one can be provided)
*Air temperatures can be 10 to 15 degrees cooler on the water
Sample of Typical Itinerary
A typical morning trip starts by meeting at first light on the dock followed by a short run (5 to 15 minutes) up or down river to look for fish feeding on the surface. A day can include casting to blitzing fish, blind casting along the rocks and beaches, sight fishing if weather permits, teasing up fish with a hookless plug, or running the coast in search of large schools of migratory fish.