BFT
BITE FIZZLES
October 2, 2002 - The blue fin tuna bite
throughout the previous week has been riddled with inconsistency. While
the fish are still occupying Cape Cod Bay, we have fielded far more
reports of failures than successes. This could be due, in part, to some
unmanageable water conditions at times. There remains a staggering
quantity of bait throughout much of the Cape and water temperatures have
remained somewhat temperate for the early autumn season. Barring any
unusual weather patterns we would anticipate angling to improve for this
species in short order. This being said, we do fear that fly fishing for
exotics in Massachusetts waters has peaked for 2002 and will continue to
wane as we approach late October. There are always exceptions for every
rule so don't stow the tuna gear just yet.
THE OCTOBER SURF
While the BFT guys are off canvassing blue water, surf zealots will
certainly substantiate the claim that you will have no finer opportunity
to capture a trophy while toiling in the surf than during the month of
October. Mini-blitzes to full scale, all out assaults are possible at
any moment, even during typically unproductive daylight hours. With an
extraordinary population of bluefish in the mix it should make for some
engaging autumn fly angling. During the previous four or five years my
focus has been diverted to other fly fishing disciplines and I have
often neglected to take advantage of the October surf. I have resolved
that this will not be the case for this season. Weekends will be
dedicated to the surfside beaches of Truro, Wellfleet, Eastham, with
special attention given to South Beach in Chatham. In previous years
I've enjoyed my best success with aggressive grain lines (325gr), short,
uncomplicated leaders (5-6') and highly perceptible flies. This is not
angling for brown trout during a size 22 Trico spinner fall so don't
make it any more complicated then it has to be.
BAYSIDE
Don't neglect the bay during the fall migration. While it has been a bit
sluggish to date (predicting events has been difficult this year), we
feel that the north side should begin to produce more reliable angling
as we proceed through the month. Both Sandwich Town Beach and Scornton
Creek in Sandwich should begin to "light up" particularly
during dropping tides under low light situations.
Good fishing and safe
wading,
JB
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