Experience The Thrill of Fly Fishing in New York City's Central Park

Join on an adventure like no other: Catching Carp on the Fly in the Heart of the Concrete Jungle!

EXPLORE THE WILD SIDE OF NYC

Fly Fishing in the Heart of NYC

Brandon Dale, NYC Carp In The Park, is your go-to fly fishing guiding service (NYS Licensed Guide #9148) in the heart of New York City's Central Park. He will teach you everything you need to know to catch carp and other warm water fish species on the fly. Whether you are an experienced angler or a beginner, he guarantees a memorable and exciting experience in America's best Urban fishery.

Brandon Dale & Carp in the Park NYC

Brandon Dale, a Mississippi-born, Louisiana-native, and long-term New York City transplant, is an MD/PhD candidate at the Icahn School of Medicine. He's a passionate outdoor writer, fly fishing guide, and hunter, dedicated to environmental conservation and representation in the outdoors. As a board member of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA), New York City Trout Unlimited (NYC TU), and New York Hunters of Color ambassador (HOC), he advocates for protecting wild places and wildlife habitat, while bringing new folks into the angling and hunting community in New York.

As a fly fishing guide, Brandon shares his knowledge, fostering an appreciation for responsible fishing practices and a connection with the land. Carp In The Park NYC was born from his desire to increase access and visibility to challenging and rewarding fly fishing opportunities in the city. Over six years, he introduced numerous groups and individuals to fly fishing in Central Park, highlighting the importance of connecting with nature, even for New Yorkers. As a Black man in the fly fishing guiding industry, he aims to inspire underrepresented individuals to get outside, live your best feral life and chase your dreams, even if you're the only one from your community out there. The Outdoors Are For Everyone. 🤟🏾

"Re-wilding New Yorkers is a personal calling. It's something I love doing. To show people that anywhere, even here in the concrete jungle, you can live intentionally with nature is really powerful. Helping New Yorkers learn that they can find and engage with nature in an incredibly meaningful and fulfilling way is something that really pushed me to open Carp In The Park NYC. I also wanted to make fly fishing less pretentious , more fun and give the common carp species, one of my favorites, some love."

- Brandon Dale, Carp In The Park Owner & Guide

Origins

The good stuff

Our Services

At NYC Carp In The Park, we offer a range of services to meet your fly fishing needs. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a first-time fisherman, we have something for everyone. Our services include:

Guided Fly Fishing Trips (carp, panfish, bass)
Casting Instruction and Techniques
Saltwater / sight fishing trip preparation course
Local Knowledge and Insight to Key Fishing Spots
Safety and Conservation Ethics of Urban Fishing

Why Choose Carp In The Park NYC?

Extensive Carp Fly Fishing Experience: Brandon Dale, NYC's only dedicated carp fly fishing guide, possesses 10+ years of fly fishing expertise, with 6 years focusing on carp. His in-depth knowledge of carp behavior ensures rewarding NYC waterway fishing.

Diverse Fishing Expertise: Beyond carp, Brandon has fished cold, warm, and saltwater species from Maine to Louisiana and Alaska, offering versatile techniques for various scenarios.

Expert Instruction: Novices and seasoned anglers benefit from Brandon's patient and personalized approach, honing fly fishing skills for success with Carp in the Park NYC.

Strong Conservation Advocacy and Education: As a board member for NYC Trout Unlimited, NY Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and New York Hunters of Color, Brandon is dedicated to preserving fishing habitats, promoting fly fishing carp, and advocating for wilderness preservation.

Commitment to Making the Outdoors for Everyone: Brandon's passion for fishing and nature drives his mission to increase outdoor access and introduce others to New York City's wild places. Explore new fishing spots and avenues with his vast experience.

“I recently had the incredible opportunity to experience fly fishing in the heart of New York City's Central Park with (MD/PHD) Bradon Dale. Brandon made this urban angling adventure truly unforgettable. From the moment we met, his passion for fly fishing and the unique charm of fishing in the city was evident, and his expertise and enthusiasm elevated the entire experience. Brandon’s knowledge of Central Park and its hidden fishing gems was exceptional. Despite the bustling city surrounding us, he expertly navigated us to tranquil spots within the park where we could cast our lines and connect with nature. His understanding of the local fish species and their behavior was impressive, enabling us to target specific areas and catch catfish (!!) and carp in the middle of central park. What truly made this guide exceptional was his ability to make fly fishing in Central Park accessible and enjoyable. Whether you were a seasoned angler or a complete beginner, he catered to your needs and provided patient and personalized instruction. As a novice angler myself, I greatly appreciated his guidance and encouragement as he taught me the fundamental techniques of casting and presenting the fly. His ability to break down complex concepts into simple, easy-to-understand instructions made the learning process both enjoyable and rewarding. My fly fishing experience with Brandon in Central Park exceeded all expectations. His knowledge, patience, and passion for both the sport and the park itself were evident in every interaction. Whether you're a local angler looking for an urban fishing getaway or a visitor seeking a unique outdoor experience in the heart of New York City, I wholeheartedly recommend his services—it is good for your health. -Alex Karol, MD

“I was fortunate enough to meet up with Brandon on a recent trip to New York City. Brandon eagerly showed me around one of the most unlikely spots to fool fish on the fly, and I’m so glad he did. Fishing in Central Park was an unforgettable experience- I caught a few species of fish, including a beautiful pumpkinseed, which to this day is still one of the most beautiful fish I’ve caught! Brandon was super patient as he gave me pointers on casting to avoid bushes and pedestrians in some of the tighter spaces, which I especially appreciated since I am still a casting novice. Thanks Brandon, I look forward to fishing with you again soon!” -Derek Breaux

Reviews

"Brandon demonstrated exceptional patience and kindness while teaching a complete novice about fishing. Additionally, he was considerate and accommodating to me as a vegetarian, and created a welcoming and inclusive experience. Highly recommended for everyone, even vegetarians!" - Surbhi Madan

"I wholeheartedly endorse guiding with Brandon who not only taught me how to fight fish effectively but also provided me with invaluable skills to master carp fly fishing. Thanks to their expert guidance, I not only caught a remarkable catch but also had an absolute blast throughout the entire experience!" - Jerrel Catlett