Guest Angler Q&A Series: Abbie Schuster
In this new monthly series, we sit down with guests from across to angling community to bring new perspectives and share a glimpse into different aspects of the sport, fisheries and watersheds, and culture. This month, we spoke with Abbie Schuster from Kismet Outfitters in Edgartown, MA on Martha’s Vineyard. Enjoy!
Tell us a bit about yourselves and how you each got started fly fishing.
Abbie: I grew up in CT and learned to fly fish from my father on Martha’s Vineyard at a very young age. I followed my passion out west and graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in environmental studies. While in college I also graduated from Guide School because I knew guiding was the career I wanted to pursue. I’ve guided in MT, AK, Washington state before moving back home to Martha’s Vineyard to start Kismet Outfitters. I started it in 2016 and opened our fly shop in 2020. Our season runs May - end of October and we host many international trips throughout the winter months. The shop is open year round.
Martha’s Vineyard is where you call. It’s a mecca for anglers - what makes the fishery so special?
Abbie: I truly believe Martha’s Vineyard is one of the world’s best fisheries. We have excellent flats fishing, especially May, June, Sept and October. We have an incredible squid migration that takes place in June and in the fall we have great false albacore and bonito fishing. Another special thing about our fishery is it is productive from both shore and boat.
Now, in addition to having a guide business, you also operate a fly shop on the island. Have you always wanted to be a small business owner and how do you juggle finding the time to do both?
Abbie: I am so passionate about what I do that I find balance between managing it all. It really never feels like work. It is exactly what I want to be doing! We had a great shop manager this past year that has helped a lot because I am on the water guiding everyday. Now if only I could find a full time and inexpensive nanny then I would be set!!
With Striped Bass being one of species that anglers commonly pursue in New England, conservation must be a topic that comes up regularly. What’s your advice on how we as anglers can become better stewards?
Abbie: Once you are out on the water fishing for striped bass, there is no way you will not want to protect them. We do not keep any striped bass at Kismet because they are much more valuable in the water than out. We only land our fish with Fishpond nets to eliminate handling time and keep them in the water as much as possible. We also also use proper equipment to ensure the fight is fair and land them in an appropriate amount of time.
When you manage to find time to get on the water yourself, do you have a favorite style of fishing (whether it’s throwing big streamers or euro-nymphing) and what are you chasing?
Abbie: Luckily, getting out on the water is very easy to do on an island. Any free moment I have, you will find me with my family fishing. Flats fishing for stripers and chasing those crazy false albacore are my favorite ways to spend my time.
Thanks Abbie for sitting down with us and sharing your story!
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Abbie Schuster
Location & Homewater: Edgartown, Massachusetts and Martha’s Vineyard
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Favorite Species: Stripers on the flats and false albacore
Favorite Fly Pattern: The Clouser because it works for EVERYTHING! Another favorite of mine is a fly my father ties. It is an excellent secret false albacore fly that we call “Rollie’s Reel Melter” The albies cannot turn it down. We carry them in our fly shop and can ship them out as well if you want to try them!
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Favorite Rod / Reel Set-up:
The Thomas & Thomas Sextant and Exocett SS 350 are my favorite rods. Those are the rods I keep on my boat for clients as well. I love the Sextant for the flats because it provides incredible accuracy that will not scare those spooky fish. I love the Exocett SS 350 because it can shoot line into the wind with little effort. Both of those rods are great with a Hatch 7 Plus. I like floating line for the flats and intermediate for everything else.
