BAY STATE CHALLENGE

July 27, 2002 - The 2nd Annual CCA "Bay State Challenge" Catch and Release Tournament has been set for Saturday, September 14th. Tournament head quarters and accompanying clambake will take place at the Green Harbor Motel, 134 Acapesket Road, East Falmouth, Mass. The tournament fee is $20 for members or $45 for new members (includes 1 year membership to CCA). For more information contact Jim Blackwell at jimblackwell@attbi.com or 508-785-0354. The Central Mass Chapter is prepared to nobly defend their title, which was snared by vice president, Bob Thunberg with his 40+inch fly caught striper in last years event.

SHALLOW WATER
As I departed the South Beach shuttle and bid farewell to my wife (who is quite content unattended on the surfside), my customary anticipation was not it high gear. After all, it was July 21st, a time when the west side flats typically receive fewer interlopers due to exceedingly high water temperatures, lack of substantial forage and a healthy census of predators (seals). A less than conducive habitat. While other factors were in place, a gentle southerly breeze, the abundance of sunlight, and the consummate tide (10:30AM high), I would have been quite content with the possibility of a few fortuitous shots at a schoolie or two.

Sight fishing prior to 10AM during the pith of summer has not been particularly hospitable to me. The angle of the July sun makes it increasingly difficult to perceive movement at the required distance (90-110'). After a refreshing 40-minute trudge I lethargically slid into the kneecap deep water of a flat that I have grown intimate with over the course of the season. The pulling tide was accompanied by speckles of "mung" which would make retrieving flies for long distances virtually impossible. Any attempt at sight fishing seemed doomed. And there they were. Fish in the numbers reminiscent of the salad days of early June. With these demanding circumstance to overcome, I was content to reduce my working fly line to 40 feet or so, realizing that a longer attempt would ultimately seal my fate.

The initial hour brought 3 lovely specimens to my side. To say that I would have been quite satisfied with the proceedings to this point would be an understatement. As the tide ebbed and began to recede an additional 6 fish came to my offerings, all cleanly dismissed into their element. The entire session was highlighted by a lovely 32" single that initially balked, turned in rejection, then thrashed my diminutive pattern.

All in all not a bad way to spend a warm July afternoon.

Good fishing and safe wading,

JB