This is your captain SPeaking
My name is Neal Hafner, and I am thrilled at the opportunity to introduce you to my favorite fish: the striped bass. While a lifelong fisherman and east coast native, I discovered my love for guiding on the rivers of Wyoming. It was there that I honed my craft, learning to coach new and seasoned anglers alike through casting and presentation. After returning to my home state, that focus shifted from trout sipping dry flies to striped bass inhaling baitfish.
My first passion is fly fishing - there is nothing like feeling the strike from an over-slot striper on a big bunker fly. My off season is spent at the vice stocking boxes to ensure the flies we are using are a high quality and perform as expected.
My second passion is teaching - it is what inspired me to become a high school teacher, and to pursue guiding. Whether it’s your first day chasing stripers or you’re a seasoned angler, there is always something to learn on the water, and I’m here to help you learn it!
The Boat
Kipper’s Recourse is an Eastern Boatworks 20’ center console. This hull design is inspired by the DownEast lobster boats, with some modifications to make it a fishing machine. A wide-open bow deck allows for a stable casting platform when chasing a blitz, and the ample room off the stern provides space for a second caster when we set up on a drift.
We are currently docked in Perth Amboy - if you are travelling by public transit, let me know! I can provide a shuttle to the marina from the PATH as well as other local NJ transit stations.