CCA BANQUET A SUCCESS

May 22, 2002 - CCA Central-West Chapter president, Ted Purcell, is reporting that the 2nd annual banquet held recently at the Hogland-Pincus Center in Shrewsbury added $3500 to the coffers of the organization. He wishes to sincerely thank all the attendees for their generosity in making this year's event a rousing success.

In other CCA news, the Central-West Massachusetts Chapter will be hosting the Baystate Challenge Cup, a catch-and-release all-tackle saltwater tournament. This year's event will take place on September 14th and will be headquartered on Green Pond in Falmouth. We will publish more details on the entire schedule of festivities as they become available.

THE CAPE
When the weather has cooperated the fishing has been outstanding for both shore-bound and boat anglers alike. The recent blow and influx of cooler water has made for some erratic conditions. Once the atmosphere stabilizes a bit and we enter a more summer-like weather pattern we are quite confident that all hell will break loose once again.

Bluefish (8-12lb) have dominated the action along the south side for a week or two and have infiltrated areas as far away as Nauset. Bayside, we have also received one non-confirmed report of bluefish on Sunken Meadow in Eastham.

Has this ever happened to you? Paul DiLeo of Shrewsbury and Dave Pearson of Boylston were fly-fishing the Stage Harbor cut on consecutive days and surrendered stripers in the 20" category to cruising bluefish. Both these seasoned anglers had only torso-less heads to show for the experience. Through diligence, Pearson was finally able to corral one of the marauders from the school and it measured 34" from head to tail. Central Mass anglers Mike Peluso and CCA Chapter President, Ted Purcell recently returned from a guided trip into the upper reaches of Popponesset Bay and enjoyed premier angling for both stripers and bluefish in extremely skinny water.

THE FLATS
While sight fishing got off to a rousing start in the Monomoy area, recent weather conditions have also hampered the fishing here as well. Weather stability and proper tides are the key. With the full flower moon on May 26th, high tides in the area throughout the Memorial Day weekend will be in the 11AM-1PM vicinity. These tides, sun permitting, should offer wading anglers optimum visibility and plenty of water to prospect should this be your game. Due to lack of selectivity during the early season, fly selection will not be as critical as mid and late season and this should be your best opportunity to trigger an attack from a shallow water feeder. Also during the spring season it is very common to stumble upon schools of marauding bluefish on flats that are commonly occupied by striped bass. Bite guards, at times, may become the order of the day.

Good fishing and safe wading,

JB