2 FOR 3
May 13, 2003 - Well it
certainly was a successful season opener for Mark Kralian and myself in
terms of sheer numbers. Due to Mark's limited knowledge of Chatham's
wading prospects I decided to expose the young man to a few of my
preferred early season bailiwicks.
After an
early morning rise we explored the Stage Harbor environs and were
rewarded with 3-4 very admirable specimens the largest of which was
taped and released at 27". It was a hasty and welcomed breakfast
then off to Pleasant Bay inlet, a venue of many prior successes,
particularly during the spring of the year. Bright sun and cooler water
temperatures greeted our arrival and gave us an immediate sense that
conditions were not conducive to success. This was confirmed by our
futile attempts at covering some very inviting water, and after a brief
period, we regrouped and turned our attention to the mouth of Outermost
Harbor.
All of us,
at one time or another, have been witness to the boast "a fish on
every cast." For the remaining two hours of our abbreviated session
we experienced this very phenomenon. Not portly specimens mind you, but
scrappy linesiders intent on destroying any and all offerings. At one
point, and just to entertain myself, I lashed on a second fly and began
subduing the little fellas two at a time with regularity. The event
served to pacify our cravings and was just the medicine to dismiss the
long and relentless winter.
FISH ON
THE FLATS
We recently received an email from shuttle captain, Keith Lincoln, and
he is reporting that larger fish have migrated into the shallow water
areas of South Beach and Monomoy Island. We feel that some reliable
"sight fishing" can be expected by week's end. As of this
writing there have been no sightings of bluefish in the area but this
should only be temporary occurrence. May 15th (give or take a few days)
usually marks the arrival of "choppers" on the south side but
this could also be delayed due to the absence of seasonal weather
conditions.
TORTOLA
SUCCESS
If you ever get the opportunity to visit Tortola you'll want to contact
Worcester area resident, Jim Lucas. He posts this report of his recent
trip…
"…The
trip was awesome… we caught barracuda, small tarps and some other
stuff that I will have to look up… best tarp on the fly was 14 lbs.,
but I still cannot believe what a fish the tarpon is, even a small one…
I must have hooked 35-40 fish, landed 2 on the fly…"
"Saw
decent tarpon my first time out, at Josiah Bay... I was able to
snorkel within feet of the tarpon, and, allowing for underwater
magnification, I would say there were some 40 and 50 pound fish
there."
"I ran into a fly-fisher guy from New Zealand who invited me to
join him at the Beef Island flats for bonefish hunting...Erica and I
saw bones, but couldn't even get a follow... they were real
spooky..."
"The
smaller, manageable tarps were in Cane Garden Bay and Brewers Bay...
Our accommodations were gorgeous- for $1100 we had a villa above CGB
with 3/4 water views, tiled and stucco spacious digs, cable, phone,
a/c for 8 days..."
Good fishing
and safe wading,
JB
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