Bob Popovics is one of the industry’s most recognized celebrities. Well known as a consummate fly fisher, caster, tier, author, and videographer, Bob has been a driving impetus that has been shaping this sport for the last several decades. To most Bob is best known for innovative and creative fleyes, such as the surf candy, jiggy, ultra shrimp, banger, and shady lady as he is forever thinking up new designs that realistically emulate our baitfish.

But besides his fleyes many know Bob today as a videographer that has taken to the camera with a passion. His video productions have been captivating audiences at all the major shows as he brings you up close and personal with some never seen before footage of major blitzes, fish and bait behavior, and unusually occurring phenomena that are found here in the northeast.

Bob is a common site around the waters of Island Beach State Park and is easily recognizable by his blue 4 x 4 Quigley conversion van that he cruises the beach in. He is a charter member and founder of the Atlantic Saltwater Flyrodders, one of the largest saltwater fly fishing clubs in the state. He is also an inductee of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame in Hayward, Wisconsin where he is recognized as a legendary angler. Bob has been residing in Seaside Park with his lovely wife Alexis and his many feline friends for the past 31 years.

It is always a pleasure when I get a chance to talk to Bob because he is so willing to share his knowledge and expertise when it comes to any aspect of the sport. To culminate my three part series on saltwater fly fishing I thought it would make for some interesting reading to hear some of Bob’s thoughts on where the sport of saltwater fly fishing is headed. Here’s what we talked about.

Q) Where do you envision this sport is heading in the next ten years or so in terms of its growth and participation?

A) I see the participation in the sport going up and the prices coming down making the sport more available to many more people. With such a vast improvement in our communications that include the Internet, major saltwater fly fishing magazines, and videos the teaching aspect and knowledge base of the sport is much more accessible. This will in turn draw more people into the sport.
We also will see a generation of fly fishers that are the first generation of young boys and girls that either their mother or father will have shown them how to fly fish in saltwater. Most of the present fly fishers were probably taught by either a friend, their father’s friend, or learned it on their own. Their father or mother may have gotten them involved in fishing but didn’t teach them how to use a fly rod.
But now since many people that are getting into fly fishing are in their twenties or thirties and are having families, those kids are going to be taught how to fly fish by their fathers or mothers.
Some of the other changes that you will see are more women becoming visible in the sport along with a new trend to move to the offshore waters with the fly rod.

Q) You mentioned the Internet as a tool that will help to the advance the sport, can you elaborate on the impact that you think it will have.

A) The Internet is a universal means of instant communication that allows one to express them selves in a way that was never available to us during the infancy of this sport. Today I can communicate with anyone that is on line in a personal and informative way that can only serve to help and teach them about the sport. If I miss you at a show I can still respond to you and answer your questions in a real time manner.
The Internet is a tremendous teaching tool that can put invaluable information from the pros and authorities in the sport right at your fingertips. When it first came out one of the red flags was that now just about anyone could sound like an authority but you will see that these non-authorities will come out in the wash, especially in this sport.

Q) How about fly designs, what do you see here?

A) There will always be new designs. Creative fly tiers will still solve the problems that need to be solved. For instance, a new material may evolve. To this point synthetics have taken hold of the industry and have improved greatly from the time I started. Back then no one wanted to use crinkled nylon or fish hair because it did not work well.
But today there are a wide variety of synthetic materials that are good. These have made making bulky flies or translucent flies more of a practical reality. Synthetics will continue to take a strong hold with a connection to the traditional and past. Even hooks are now being designed with the fly tier in mind.
I do however have some concern that with so much innovation the integrity of the sport may be lost by some. In other words new methods such as trolling flies, certain fly design types, or no casting, all move away from the cast. In my mind, fly fishing is in the cast. The fly is the least challenging aspect. There is a difference between fly fishing and fishing with fly tackle. Don’t lose sight of this.

Q)What do you see in the way of gear and tackle in the near future?

A) I see lightness, strength, and versatility all being incorporated into designs. Everything will also become more and more specialized and fly fishers will have more choices. With reels I envision lighter materials, maybe even some kind of plastic. Large arbors are here to stay.
I also see more highly specialized kinds of lines giving us more choices for a specific application or to satisfy different angling needs. Right now we are in the midst of a renaissance so the future will bring a refinement of what is available now.

Q) Are there any new Pop Fleye designs that we can expect in the near future?

A) I don’t just create fleyes for the sake of creating, but rather my ideas for new fleyes come out of a need for something different to be done to solve a problem. In other words, once there is a need, then comes the idea. Never do I sit down at the vise and say how can I put something differently on the hook that has never been done before.

Q) Is marketing some of your amazing video that you have captured over the years something the angling public can look forward to?

A) To me right now they are what I consider home videos. I am in the process of formulating and combining my video with a professional outfit that can bring it to market. The time frame I am looking at is two to three years down the road. Currently available are my videos Pop Fleyes and Pop Fleyes, Creations and Innovations. I have also co-authored “Pop Fleyes” by Stackpole Books with Ed Jaworowski.

Q) What tips and insight can you give to someone who is just getting started in saltwater fly fishing?

A)
1) Ask a lot of questions and read a lot, utilize books, saltwater fly fishing magazines, and the Internet
2) Get friendly with a shop you trust
3) Establish a home base and find other people with a similar interest
4) Keep your costs down by looking for good quality used products
5) Join a fly fishing club in your area
6) Put the most money into your rod
7) Nothing beats hands on one-on-one experiences. Get out there and practice. Also enroll in a school or class.
8) And most importantly allow yourself time to enjoy what you are doing. Don’t expect things to happen to fast. Also remember it is never too late to start. The beginning times are some of the most fun and exciting that you will never forget.

Thanks, Bob. I think it is safe to say that every saltwater fly fisher today has been influenced by some of Bob’s personal wisdom at some time or another and has incorporated it into their own personal repertoire. It is this willingness on part of Bob to share his knowledge that is one of his greatest attributes. He is a very friendly and a down to earth type of guy. I like to think of him as a teacher and a friend. If you see him out on the beach stop and say hello. Good fishin!…Fly fishing that is.