TRANSITION TIME July 2, 2004 - No longer can a wading angler be assured of almost guaranteed success while prospecting his favorite piece of shoreline. Fly rodders have been somewhat limited due too warming inshore water temps (70 degrees and higher in many localities), often making low light periods the target of opportunity. While the backside beaches have held up well, the Cape's south facing beaches have reverted to their summertime habit of producing mini's with the occasional bluefish in the mix. In spite of the fact that the flats area's in and around Monomoy Island remain cooler, fishing has been inconsistent, as fish have fallen into their routine of selectivity, often snubbing a perfectly delivered imitation. It's certainly not the case of fish being absent, it's the task of getting them to masticate. Boat anglers seeking cooler water directly offshore have been experiencing exceptional fishing for both species to be sure. Early morning hours (overcast, misty, foggy also works), just prior to sunup, can often find fly fisherman in the midst of busting battalions of linesiders in pursuit of the hordes of sand eels now taking up residence throughout much of Cape Cod's environment. Even though this surface activity often leads anglers to pursue their quarry with intermediate or floating lines, you will be far better served with a rod capable of delivering a grain line of modest proportion, as a substantial fragment of the school remains at depth. I have found that my 10-weight armed with a 400-450 grain line will often lead to more consistent action, and also enables me to achieve the lifting power necessary to derrick a portly specimen from the deep. Even while employing these rather crude tools one must allow ample time for the artificial to submerge before initiating the retrieve (often waiting a minute or more). This is not fastidious fly-fishing to be sure, but it does offer one the opportunity to hook and land a trophy on a fly, as stripers (along with the unsolicited dog fish) in the neighborhood of 35-42 inches are not uncommon. Congratulations are in order to Craig Masterman of nearby Paxton. Without mentioning any names (we could get in trouble) a certain south side surf beach has become his favorite bailiwick. While we didn't get all the details we do know that on a recent outing Craig was able to surf a 44" striper to his feet, beyond question a true fly rod trophy. Good fishing and safe
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