There's something fishy about this web site
Welcome to my web site! On this site you'll find fly fishing stories and articles, original fly recipes, tying techniques, and a complete catalog of my:
- Books
- Fresh and salt water flies
- Tying materials
- Framed flies and prints
- Fly tying classes and fly fishing classes
- Group programs
Can't find something you want? Contact me. I may have it or be able to get it.


Newish Stuff
Note: Throughout this site, products,
course offerings, and articles added or
substantially modified in the past 60 days are marked ![]()
Fly Fishing Classes...
In spring though fall I offer on-the-water lessons in practical and successful striper fishing.
Most lessons are held in Boston Harbor, with other locations
north and south of Boston occasionally offered. Although classes are held on the shore and on the water,
these are NOT to be considered guided fishing outings, but rather instructional
sessions geared to help you become a regularly successful striper fisherman..
Some class dates for 2008 are already available. More to follow.
Flies...
New Fresh Water Flies
When you order a Gartside fly you get a Gartside fly. All of my flies are tied by me and use only top-grade materials that I choose myself. No "Nigerian sweatshop dries that sink on the first cast" flies here.
- Chartreuse Soft Hackle Nymph
New Salt Water Flies
Gartside salt water
flies are my original
patterns that have been
proven effective through
a lot of field use. All
flies are tied by me
and use only top-grade
materials that I choose
myself.
- Soft Hackle Flatwing Streamer, Large
- Flatwing Striper Gurgler, Large
- Floating Minnow, Multi-colored
Fly Selections...
New Fresh Water Fly Selections
Whether
you're after trout, bass,
salmon, pike or panfish,
I've assembled selections
of my original patterns
that will have you covered.
- Kidz
- Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass #1
View all fresh water selections
New Salt Water Fly Selections
My salt water
selections include
original patterns in
colors and sizes chosen
based on their effectiveness
for specific fish in
specific locales.
Tying Materials...
Hedron Lateral Scale is an exceptionally strong "corrugated" mylar that's ideal for adding flash to large streamers, as a "cinching" material for Gurgler shells, and for lifelike casings on shrimp bodies and flash thoraxes on nymphs.
This is the original soft and swimming Flashabou that makes a sparkling addition to any salt or freshwater fly.
This fine suede chenille is ideal for tying small sand eels, small cinder worms, San Juan worms, Baby Buggers, and many other effective flies.
Blood Marabou is thin-stemmed, long-fibered turkey marabou. These sometimes hard-to-find, high-quality feathers are used for tying hundreds of flies calling for very soft marabou.
Books...
Fly Patterns for the Adventurous Tyer (4th edition)
This book contains all of my best-known fresh water patterns. The Sparrow, Gartside Pheasant Hopper, Soft Hackle Streamer, CPF and Firefly mayflies and caddis, the Gurgler (with 20 variations!), and many more unusual and innovative designs to challenge the tyer and to entice the fish.
Original Salt Water Fly Patterns (4th edition)
Original and effective salt water fly patterns for striped bass, bluefish, bonefish, tarpon, permit, redfish, sea trout, snook, and other salt water species. Contains all of my best-known salt water patterns such as the Gartside Sand Eel, the Gurgler, the Floating Minnow, the BeastMaster, the FishHead, the BeastMaster General, and the Soft Hackle Streamer.
Secret Flies for Fresh and Salt Water reveals revolutionary and exquisitely simple fly tying techniques I've developed for use with Gartside's Secret Stuff. Gartside's Secret Stuff (GSS for short) is a unique tying material that lets you create unusual and beautiful flies that combine realism and action. Over 50 patterns and ideas and inspiration for hundreds more.
Flyfisherman's Guide to Boston Harbor
This guide covers the water, just about every inch of shoreline within Boston Harbor, including the islands. Contains almost two hundred pages of photos, charts, directions, pertinent tide and wind advice, and suggestions for flies and techniques.
"If there is a more comprehensive guide to fishing the shores of the Boston Harbor area, I'd like to see it! Jack Gartside has produced a book that should be under the front seat of the car of every fisherman who fishes the 50 square miles of the Harbor."
Gene Bourque, On the Water Water
Hire Jack to speak
at your group's next function
or meeting. He'll make it
an event to remember!!! Read
his list
of available programs and
classes.
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An Amazing African Adventure
Lions
and Tiger Fish! The African
wilderness! And you.
What a combination!
If you're interested in combining a walking safari in the heart of the African bush, tracking elephants and lions on foot (and shooting them with a camera), and stalking the unbelievably ferocious tiger fish on the Zambezi river with a fly rod, my cousin Dr. Henry Southworth, hosts a most unusual adventure opportunity in Zambia, which he describes as the "trip of a lifetime”.To find out more about this not-to-be-missed African adventure, visit his web site: www.africaaway.com.
You can find out more about fly-fishing in Zambia, and read his gripping Safari Diary, which is a day-by-day account of a two week trip to the beautiful and remote Zambian wilderness - it's almost like being there. Guaranteed to stir your blood. Lots of other useful information, too.
And by the way, if you'd like to hear a little about my own recent trip tigerfishing the Zambezi, read The Zambezi High-Tie.





















