Guest Angler Q&A Series: Peter Douma
In this 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 Captain Peter Douma from Windward Outfitters based out of Montauk. Enjoy!
Tell us about yourself and how you got into fly fishing.
I've been fly fishing for as long as I can remember. I grew up in NJ and fished there a lot, but also had family in Montauk. That gave me a lot of opportunity to fish here. I got my captain's license in 2019, moved out here to the east end, and have been guiding ever since.
You operate a guide business out of Montauk called Windward Outfitters. I would imagine there are quite a few guides out that way. How competitive is it?
We have a few guides out here, but most of them are transient guides and we see them for a few weeks in the fall, which is our busiest season anyway. There is so much demand that time of year anyway, that we all have plenty of work. Among those of us that are here year round, I am one of the few who doesn't do the shallow water/sight fishing as I prefer to stay in the "big water" all the time. In addition, I offer night trips, so there's not a ton of competition in my styles of fishing. That said, I get along with all the other guides, so it never feels competitive. Even when it gets really crazy crowded - the ocean is a big place and I can usually get away.
With the variety of species you target in the waters around Montauk, are you able to do so with one set-up or do you have a few rods set-up for the day to address what you might see on the water?
I could probably do everything with a 10 wt. with a floating line (everything being bass, blues, albies). The biggest thing is lines though. I throw mostly sinking lines for bass and they range from slow sink (250s on an 8 wt. to fast super fast sink on a 12 wt. While I could use just one setup all year, I end up carrying a bunch to cover different scenarios and find I do a lot better.
What do you enjoy the most about the fishery in Montauk?
Montauk is just a special fishery. It's a giant fish funnel, and when it's good, there is nowhere quite like it. When it's not fishing well, I can be in Block Island, Rhode Island, Fisher's, or a whole bunch of other great inshore and offshore locations in no time at all.
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?
Nothing beats watching fish crush topwater flies, but I really like dredging massive flies. Figuring out line weight in regard to depth, drift speed, etc is a puzzle I really enjoy, and it works really well. Most of my 40+lb bass have come this way.
Thanks Peter for sitting down with us and sharing your story!
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Your Name: Peter Douma
Location & Home Water: Montauk, NY
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Favorite Species: Striped Bass
Favorite Fly Pattern: Abrames-style Flatwing
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Favorite Rod / Reel Set-up: R.L. Winston Air 2 Max 9' 10 wt. with a Seigler MF reel
