Bart Lombardo
Fly Fisher, Guide, Fly Tier
Bart Lombardo's love for fly fishing and fly tying spans almost five decades. His pursuit of trout and salmon takes him across the country, but his heart lies in the thrill of fly fishing for panfish, bass, and other warm-water species.
Bart enjoys teaching others about fly fishing and the art of fly tying. He is a fly fishing guide for South Branch Outiffers in Califon, NJ, and is on staff as a fly fishing and fly tying instructor for Orvis in Princeton, NJ. He regularly conducts fly-tying classes and presentations for fly fishing clubs and organizations like Trout Unlimited and participates in various fly-tying shows on the East Coast.
Listen to Bart Lombardo's Show...
Passionate About Panfish
Bart Lombardo, a professional guide in New Jersey, is passionate about panfish. Catch the excitement and join us to learn the best tactics to hook these lively fish. From selecting the right flies to mastering the presentation, Bart shares his top secrets from years of experience.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What sparked your passion for fly fishing, particularly for panfish?
- What species fall under the heading of panfish?
- How do seasonal changes affect panfish feeding habits and locations?
- What types of water bodies and structures do panfish prefer during different times of the year?
- How can anglers identify prime panfish habitats when exploring new waters?
- What is the optimal temperature when panfish "come alive" in the spring?
- What weight fly rod do you prefer when fishing for panfish?
- Which fly lines do you use floating, intermediate, or sinking??
- What is your go-to fly for panfish?
- Which do you prefer, lakes, ponds or rivers? Urban water or rural?
- How does your retrieval method change based on the panfish species you're targeting?
- How do your strategies change for spring, summer, and late-season in the fall?
- What should I do to increase my chances of catching large sunfish - 10 or more inches?
Due to the popularity of his website Panfish On The Fly and his interest in warm-water fly fishing, he has been a featured guest on several podcasts, including The Warm Water Fly Fishing Podcast, Tenkara USA's Tenkara Cast, Fish Untamed, The Wet Fly Swing, Working Class Fishing, Fly Fishing Journeys, In the Seam, and The Orvis Fly Fishing Podcast with Tom Rosenbauer.
Bart is a respected figure in the fly-tying industry, constantly pushing the boundaries of the craft. His innovative patterns for panfish, bass, and other warm-water species are a testament to his creativity. As a member of several pro-staffs, including Regal Vise, Semperfli, Solarez, Flymen Fly Fishing, and Ewing Hackle, he has earned recognition for his contributions.
Bart is also an outdoor writer whose work appears in print and online. He has had several articles published in Fly Fisherman Magazine and is currently writing a book titled Panfish On The Fly: The Definitive Guide To Fly Fishing For America's Favorite Fish, which will be released by Imbrifex Books in 2026.
He can be found on all social media platforms @PanfishOnTheFly, including a Facebook group with the same name with over 56,000 members. His website is www.panfishonthefly.com, and he can be contacted via email at info@panfishonthefly.com.