Saltwater Edge Fly Fishing Forum

A focused learning event with classroom time, hands-on rigging, and outdoor practice for dedicated saltwater fly anglers.

3/14/2026 at the Wyndham Newport Hotel, Middletown, RI

This full-day forum sharpens the saltwater fly fishing approach for striped bass, false albacore, and tautog. The program blends clear instruction with practical work on knots, leaders, casting, and fly choice. Anglers build skills around tides, structure, and local patterns while refining species-specific tactics that matter on the New England coast. New anglers gain a solid foundation, and experienced fishermen tighten up the small details that improve time on the water. The day also brings together a community of fly anglers who share ideas, compare rigging, and learn from one another.

Featuring:
Earl Evans, Rowan Lytle, Chris Kokorda, John Field, Capt. Ben Whalley, and Coby Goodrich

Key Features

• Full-day program running 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• Variety of teaching methods including classroom sessions, panels, demos, and hands-on workshops
• Focused saltwater fly tactics for striped bass, false albacore, tautog, and alternative species
• Blend of strategy, water reading, casting instruction, and practical rigging
• Opportunities for direct Q&A with experienced New England fly anglers
• Community-driven learning environment with sponsor support and raffle

Forum Schedule

• Opening Session – Welcome remarks, sponsor shoutouts, and panelist introductions (15 min)
• Strategy Before Tactics – Habits of successful saltwater fly anglers (15 min)
• Reading the Water – Hard and soft structure, tides, and moon phases (30 min)
• The Last 40 Feet: Presentation Is Everything – Understanding baitfish, critters, calories, fly design, and fishing the water column (30 min)
• Tackle and Tactics – Estuaries and inlets, with alternative species focus on weakfish (30 min)
• Lunch Break – Food trucks on site
• Saltwater Fly Casting Demo – Take-home exercises with John Field (45 min)
• Tackle and Tactics Continued – Boulder fields and points with tautog focus; flats with fluke focus
• Hardtails Session – Rigging, fly selection, and alternative species including bluefin
• Ask Me Anything Workshops – Knot mastery, leader construction and design, wind-resistant and delicate leader builds, setting the drag, sharpening hooks, and better fish photography (30 min)
• Protect What You Love – Conservation and ethics, proper fish handling and release techniques, ASGA update, and ASGA raffle (30 min)

Why We Like It

This forum brings New England saltwater fly fishing into clear focus with instruction that is practical and easy to apply. You get real time with rigs, knots, casting, and patterns along with thoughtful discussion from anglers who fish this coast hard. It is a strong way to build confidence, sharpen technique, and connect with a dedicated fly fishing community.