We dig the new Accel Series for Sage. These Rods use Generation 5 technology reimagined with new tapers and design. The fit and finish on these mid priced premium rods is second to none. If you liked the XP or Z rods these deserve a look. Any of the Accel rods would make a fabulous gift.

Sage says,

One of the greatest benefits of always pushing the limits of rod technology is that it gives us vital insights to rod design using previous technologies. Case in point: our new medium-fast action ACCEL family of rods. Created using our responsive Generation 5 technology, our all-new ACCEL benefits from key insights garnered through the development of Konnetic Technology®. Light and ultra-responsive to throw tight wind-busting loops, it’s like going back in time to bet on your favorite sports team with the score in hand—you’ve got a winner and you know it.

What do you get a fly angler that has everything? The answer is cold weather gear. It has often been said, "that there is no such thing as bad weather only bad clothing" and we couldn't agree more. We fish year round and if your angler is not it might be because they do not have the right gear to stay warm, dry and mobile in the cold weather. Above we have featured several of our favorite cold weather items. Simms Extreme Hat and Fold Over Mitts were game changers for us. Nothing keeps your head or hands warm and dry like these awesome pieces from Simms can. We also like Simms Gore-Tex windstopper jackets. We have several different styles and colors in stock.  The Simms Fall Run jacket is the ultimate in insulation layer featuring PrimaLoft insulation. It is equally at home under a G4 Jacket or as an out later running into the coffee shop.

We love UV everything. We put it in our trout and steelhead patterns. We also add just a little to most of our salt patternes. Any fly tyer would love to add these great materials to their tying table.

A New pack makes a great gift for the fly fisher in your life. Pictured are bags from Simms, Fishpond, Umpqua, Clear Creek and Sage.

A Marblehead Flyfisher shop box makes a great gift. We stock these rugged and affordable boxes in several different sizes and configurations. Pictured above is the largest option which makes a great box for the boat of for those monster streamer patterns that always get mangled in smaller boxes.

Why not try some new hooks. The shop is packed with hooks from Tiemco and Mustad. We have picked out two of our favorite styles here.

The 8089 NPis a nickel played version of everyone's favorite bass hook. We've tied flies on this hook that have caught striper, largemouth, smallmouth, bluefish, musky, snook, redfish, lady fish, jack and mangrove snapper.

The 2499 SPBL is the toughest little hook on the market. We use it to tie all of our egg, sucker spawn, and worm patterns. We even use it for some terrestrial and serendipity style patterns. The hook is extra strong and extra sticky with its barbless super point.

The Lamson Speedster is a large arbor reel with style. We love the Art Deco lines and super fast pick up the large arbor design offers. Like all Lamson reels the conical drag is maintenance free and will stop a truck.

What fly tyer wouldn't like a new vise. If the angler in your home doesn't have a Renzetti or other premium vise they may be due for an upgrade. A nice vise will last a lifetime and provide hours of enjoyment while not on the water.

We love the Redington Butter Sticks. So much is made over distance and throwing right loops into the wind. While the majority if our fishing is in close where these shorter fiberglass sticks shine. Whether your chasing brookies in a small stream or slamming sunfish on the Brandywine you need to experience the fun these rods provide. If you do not have a short glass stick in your arsenal you are missing out. We keep pulling ours out of the quiver.

  All of these bags are on display in the shop now. Fishpond quality in a waterproof design, what more could you ask for? 

  We would like to invite you to our second annual Holiday Open House. Come join us Saturday December 15th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm for good food, great friends, and plenty of fly fishing talk for everyone. Be there as we unveil the new shop logo. We will have plenty of new shop hats and window stickers so  you can show your "Marblehead" pride.

  Come meet the president of Niethe Associates LLC, Andrew Niethe. Andrew will be helping us launch two new product lines:

  We will have the full line of Galvin reels on display for you to see. We will also have plenty of Clear Creek gear including the new Spite Hill lumbar pack. In conjunction with handling his product lines Andrew is a master tube fly designer and he will be demonstrating his skills at the bench.  

  Stop by to meet local artist Bart Gelesh. Here is an excerpt from Bart's website; 

My name is Bart Gelesh and I paint fish.   I’m an avid fisherman in both fresh and saltwater but my interest is not restricted to just game fish.  I’m also a huge fan of America’s lesser known natives and I keep several aquariums full of beautiful wild caught specimens I’ve collected with friends in my travels.

While I do paint some of the more popular species in the angling world, when possible I like to shine a light on some of our lesser known fishes.  Through my work I hope to create an awareness of the wonderful aquatic diversity that surrounds us and share my passion for life on, in, and around the water.

Feel free to please contact me at [email protected] with any questions, requests, or comments.



Bart Gelesh

Here is a sample of some of his work and it is absolutely beautiful! This may be a great way to "immortalize" your fish of a lifetime. 

Feel free to check out more of Bart's exceptional work at bartgelesh.com, or come out and meet in person on the 15th. 

That's correct, A Marblehead Flyfisher will be running float trips down the Brandywine river this spring, summer, and fall targeting the many species of fish in our local, blue ribbon river. Be one of the first to reserve your spot, we are sure they will fill up quickly.  

 plus all of the new gear from

  It seems like one of the most popular questions we get in the shop lately is to whether to go with a pack or a vest. Vests will always have their place in the fly fishing world. I have used a vest for most of my fly fishing career as I am sure many of you have done the same. Vests are great and there are several high quality models available from company's like Simms and Fishpond. We have several models for sale in the shop. We always say there are a million different ways to do this obsession we call fly fishing and we never say one way is better or worse than another. The important thing is that you find a system that works for you. For the sake of this post I would like to focus on "fishing" packs. We won't go into backpacks, dry bags, boat bags or wader totes. That is information for another post. Here we will talk about packs you wear while walk and wade fishing. 

  There are many different types of packs available for fishing. Today's models are manufactured to top notch quality standards. The features that are built into them let you know they are designed specifically for Fly fishing.  Everything from tippet pockets, ripple foam inserts, zinger and nipper holders, and external fly patches have been built into these high performance fishing tools.  They are roomy, light to carry and you can get PLENTY of gear in them. Several different styles are available and we will outline a few here.

  The first thing you want to think about is what type of pack do you want to carry. Chests packs are nice and they keep everything close at hand. Most of today's are "form fitting" and you don't get the bulk that you used to get in years past. Here is a new model from Umpqua. As you can see the people at Umpqua had one thing in mind when designing this chest pack. You can carry everything from fly boxes to flotant. There is even a D ring to carry your net. All of this is available to the fisher person within a 24" by 24" area located on the front of your chest. Truly a well thought out design.   

Beware, packs that ride high up on your chest can block your vision of what is down by your feet. Be careful not to trip on roots or rocks while walking. Also this might not be the best choice for certain body types or for women. Remember comfort is the key. 


  The second type of pack would be the shoulder or hip pack. Many of the models today have both a shoulder strap and a waist strap so they can be worn as a shoulder bag or a fanny pack. We fish out of this type of pack a lot and we recommend using both the shoulder and the waist strap. Doing it this way will distribute the weight more evenly. Because you are using both straps they don't need to be set as tight which will make it easier to move the pack around your body. 

Here are a couple of my personal shoulder bags. One is my "Trout" pack and the other is my "Smallmouth" pack. I also have a pack for Shad and one to use when I am fishing with my 2 handed rods. When leaving for an outing all I have to do is grab the correct bag and go. With the exception of maybe swapping a fly box or two everything I need is already packed and ready to go.

 "Marblehead tip...If you buy your fishing license online print out several copies. This way you can have a copy of each state's license in each pack you own. If you trout fish in the morning then shad fish in the afternoon you don't have to worry about switching your license from one pack to another". 


   Like the chest pack these shoulder bags are designed specifically for fly fishing and will hold everything you will need for an day on the water.  

  The third type of pack is the Sling Pack. These bags are kind of a hybrid between a backpack and a shoulder bag. Typically only having one strap they are meant to be worn on your back and out of the way while fishing. When you need it you can swivel the pack around to the front and get what you need then swivel it around to the back out of the way when you go back to fishing. Seen more frequently in the salt, sling pack manufactures have made a big push to the fresh water with a big emphasis placed on the Steelhead crowd. 

Here at A Marblehead Flyfisher we carry a full line of packs and bags from company's like Simms, Fishpond, Sage, and Clear Creek. Stop in and see what these new packs have to offer.  

                                                                                                                                  Tight Lines...Tim