Just outside the charming town of Jim Thorpe, Pocono Fly Fishing offers a refreshing opportunity to unplug and enjoy the outdoors. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a curious beginner, the team at Pocono Fly Fishing is ready to guide you through a unique and immersive experience. Deanna Fontanez and the PTN team visited the shop and spent some time on the water to see what makes this destination so special.

She spoke with Ryan Kegerise, owner of Pocono Fly Fishing, about his lifelong connection to the sport. “I’ve been fishing with my grandfather and my dad since I was a kid,” Ryan shared. “I just grew up fishing so it’s a fond memory of mine. As I grew up and I decided to try fly fishing, I caught my first fish on a fly rod and ever since then it was like game over. This is where I need to fish.” His enthusiasm has shaped the business into not just a fishing outfitter, but a welcoming place for people to learn and connect with nature.

Ryan explained that Pocono Fly Fishing offers both casting lessons and fly-tying classes, making the sport approachable for newcomers. During Deanna’s visit, she took part in a fly-tying class taught by Tom Lienhard, a lifelong local and experienced angler who has become an integral part of the shop. Tom reminisced about his own beginnings, saying, “We all started out fishing worms and eggs and, you know, when we were kids, minnows. So, fly tying—we’re just mimicking all the nymphs that are in the water, the bugs.” He added, “My dad, he hunted and fished, and so over the winter we would tie flies and I just, after a while, I’d go, ‘Wow, this is pretty cool,’ especially when you catch a fish on a fly that you tie. That’s the best part about the whole thing.”

Beyond the technique and tradition, fly fishing in the Poconos offers a deeper sense of connection to the natural world. Deanna had the chance to go down to the Lehigh River with Tom to try it out. “Just being on the water, casting, like right now we’re standing here, and the wind is kind of blowing— that’s just a great experience,” Tom reflected. “There’s a lot of people that don’t have this. They’re stuck in an office somewhere in the city and you can come out into the Poconos, and you got this right here.” For Tom, the highlight of guiding is introducing others to the beauty of the sport. “The best part is taking a new person out fly fishing like we’re doing today and watching them hopefully catch a fish, taking them to beautiful places like what we see right here today, and most of all just letting them have a great time on the water.”

For Deanna, it wasn’t just about learning the ropes—it was also about making a memory. She even managed to catch a fish, adding a special touch to the day. “Out here it’s not always about catching the biggest fish or catching any at all,” she said. “Fortunately for me though, I got to catch one today which made my experience extra special.” With a warm and knowledgeable team, scenic surroundings, and a deep-rooted appreciation for the art of fly fishing, Pocono Fly Fishing delivers more than just a lesson—it offers a chance to reconnect with nature and unwind. As Deanna concluded, “Come check it out for yourself. You may not want to leave.”