Shu-Fly Relocates On Middletown Road

No one knows the Rockland County waters like Skip Storch. Heck, he knows them all from New York City down to Nanuet.

Intimately.

Storch owns Shu-Fly Tackle & Fly Shop, a fisherman’s altar in Nanuet, that just relocated to a new, bigger Middletown Road location across the street from their old location.

“We tripled our size,” said Storch, “to accommodate a growing business.”

But Storch is also an ESPN “ESPY Award” nominee for “Best Outdoor Athlete.” Nominated on his 50th birthday back in 2007 when he swam 85.5 around Manhattan Island. He holds four world records, and is a member of the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame.

But he is also a New York State Licensed Guide for fisherman, and that all starts at his shop in Nanuet.

“There are probably about 300 different locations in Rockland (County) to fish. Fish are in every inch of water. It’s all about access points.”

Storch, who has had stores in Orange County as well, states that Shu-Fly is “basically a guide for New York State. We offer a grass roots style of business. It’s not about products (although Shu-Fly does stock a bundle), it’s about personality and knowledge. We help educate and familiarize folks with the waters, techniques, knots, etc.”

Storch, who takes people out on fishing excursions and offers one-to-one's as well, fishes vicariously, and loves what he does. His shop also makes a lot of lures, flys, some fishing rods, and he smiles when he thinks about his customers’ success in the water.

“When something is caught, their excitement is our excitement.” Storch and crew, which includes store manager Artan Hasanaj, also refurbishes reels and equipment for kids. “We had,” recalled Storch, “one couple come in. They had 50 to 60 year old fishing stuff. We said we’d fix it up and give it to kids in Nyack and Spring Valley. We also get a few girls come in. One girl came in and we made her a Barbie rod.”

Shu-Fly is indeed the spot as well for all fishing supply needs, like bait and tackle. “You can come here and get supplies and travel anywhere in the world for any type of fish.”

Storch and crew are also very community oriented. “We make lots of people happy,” he says. “Just last night, we donated $500 worth of material to local cadets.” Also, it’s about the adults who now come to him who he helped as kids.

“The Spring Valley Fishing Club for youngsters has about 500 kids in it each year. Many have told me, 'You saved my life with fishing.' A lot of these kids are now adults, and they now bring their kids here.”

Shu-Fly Tackle & Fly Shop, 156 Main Street, 845-215-5470, www.shu-fly.com