Autumn Brook Angling offers a complete fly-fishing guide service throughout the state of New Jersey. Primary guide James Capes has over twenty years experience fly-fishing throughout New Jersey and beyond.

Our trout trips focus on three excellent streams:
The Raritan River’s South Branch
Pequest River
Big Flatbrook

Trips are taken all twelve months of the year, exposing anglers to the New Jersey’s highly underutilized winter trout fishery.


Trips are customized to meet the goals of each particular fisherman. Beginners and veteran anglers are sure to advance their fly-fishing knowledge throughout the course of a trip.

Beginners will learn about:
• Stream Access
• Safe wading techniques
• Equipment selection
• Leader Construction and Setup
• Fly Selection
• Basic Stream Entomology
• Reading Water
• Fly Presentation

Experienced Anglers can expand their knowledge of:
 • Off Season Tactics
• High Water Tactics
• Advanced Fly Selection and Design
• Advanced Pocket Water Presentations
One area of specialty is teaching beginners a sound approach to fishing the Ken Lockwood Gorge area of the Raritan Rivers’ South Branch. Considered by most as a true gem of New Jersey trout waters, beginners are often met with frustration when learning to fish this prime area. We GUARANTEE that we will help you “crack the code” to effectively fishing this outstanding stretch of water.

Current 2008 Rates

Full Day $200.00 (1-2 anglers)
 OR
Half Day $125.00 (1-2 anglers)

These rates include all flies and terminal tackle that you will need throughout the day. We also can supply complete rod and reel setups at no additional charge.

• All clients will also receive a sampler collection of our flies at the conclusion of the trip.

• A full lunch is provided for full day trips.



"What are people saying?"


"Thanks for a great day of fishing. I left the water with a lot more knowledge than when I had first entered it. I feel a lot more confident in my nymphing now and can't wait to get out again and practice what I learned. Thanks again for a great day and I look forward to doing it again."

~Anthony S.
Little Falls, NJ


"Thanks again for the informative and fun trip.  I really enjoyed myself."

~Tom P.
Andover, NJ


"I had an awesome time! I really enjoyed our time together and feel like I cut the learning curve down tremendously. I will definitely be back there sometime next week to find that first one again hopefully. Thanks for opening up a new fishing world for me....it's a whole lotta fun!"

~E. Herrman
Easton, PA


"Thanks so much for an excellent day. A lot of guides would not have shared all the knowledge that you shared with us. We will definitely be heading back to use the techniques you showed us. When should we book you for a trip in May? We definitely want to do it. Thanks again."

~Steve and Julianne
Jackson, NJ

UPDATE: As promised, Steve and Julianne were back again to much warmer waters at the end of May, 2007. Here's Steve with a nice rainbow from their 2nd trip.


"James has extensive knowledge of the KLG and its fish.  He is courteous, patient, and articulate.  I am a dedicated dry fly fisherman and James turned me onto pocket water nymphing, a completely different facet of the game and a tremendous asset now in my trout fishing arsenal.  I highly recommend James as a guide. The experience is first rate."
 
~Steve Caviasco
Ramsey, NJ


Last May(2006), I booked a morning trip with James Capes of Autumn Brook Angling. At that particular time he was quite busy, but fit me into his schedule for a half day.
 
I was interested in learning how to nymph and he assured me this was his specialty. "Hmm", I thought. After numerous outings with fishing and hunting guides, I thought to myself, "Yeah ,yeah, my specialty thing again", but said, "He sounds like he is serious, let me give him a try".
 
I met him promptly at 8 am that Saturday morning following a 2 day rain storm. The waters were high, fast, and muddy. I thought, "This will be a waste".
 

James asked me what I knew about nymphing and I told him, "I am a beginner at nymphing but have experience fishing". He started to show me the basics: reading the water, telling me where the fish would be, and why they would be there. He gave me his 3 wading tips for safety reasons. He taught me about entomology; specifically about nymphs, pupae and larvae. He taught me how to nymph with out using a strike detector which is awesome. After a few hours, I had caught at least 8 fish between 8 and 16 inches and I lost as many until I learned his technique. If it were not for his technique, I would not have caught or lost any. I had a great time and learned more then I would of imagined.

I highly recommend James for anyone who would like to learn how to catch fish using nymphing techniques. Best money ever spent. Thanks again, James!
 
~Scott Elliott
Cresskill, NJ

*Images posted are from Scott's 2nd trip to the KLG, November 14th, 2006. Scott Elliott can be found online at www.myhuntinggear.com .

"We had a great time yesterday. Thanks for the instruction and guidance. It paid off as I returned this morning and duplicated the success with 5 more rainbows."

~Dave
Chatham, NJ



"Thank you for an enjoyable and educational morning on the river. I learned a lot and that was my main objective. And of course, it was nice to catch some fish too. I would recommend James for anyone looking to improve their skills or interested in learning to fish the KLG more effectively."
~Tim
Califon, NJ

"Awesome day, thanks again."
~Scott
Creskill, NJ

"I had a phenomenal time. Your instruction was fantastic, very clear, informative and useful.  I also appreciated you answering my tremendous amount of questions  Finally, I really, really, appreciated you spending the time that you did...just to get one last fish. That really meant a lot. Thanks again for everything, it was a great day!"
~Kevin
Morganville, NJ