4 HOURS AND 15 CASTS

August 31, 2004 - I had about a 1ish high tide to work with, which I would consider optimum for sight fishing the west side flats of South Beach in Chatham, this past Sunday. The haze and a SSW blow (15-20 mph) hampered the effort a bit making for some interesting challenges. While visibility was poor there were enough fish present to hold my focus during the 4-hour session. All-in-all I made approximately 15 casts with intent, which is modestly below average for this area, and was able to bring 5 stripers to hand, with an average length somewhere in the mid to low 20's. While not a momentous day by any means, the 33.3% success rate left me quite satisfied with my performance, but more importantly my patience. The new DNA sand eel pattern (size 4) I have been tweaking during my previous few outings has been responsible for every fish I have taken during the month of August. I shared this vast flat with only a solitary angler, Gary Aho, who was also enjoying success with a similar pattern using clouser-like barbells that induces a borrowing attitude to the fly.

The flats residents seem to be a bit more willing to accept flies over the past few weeks. Perhaps we are intruding on a period when their instinctual senses are dictating that the time is approaching to commence their journey southward, usually signaled by the dwindling daylight hours.

If you are interested in undertaking one of saltwater fly fishing's ultimate challenges, angling should remain pretty consistent on the flats for a least another 3-4 weeks.

On the recommendation of Rip Ryder shuttle captain, Keith Lincoln, I took a peak at the surf, where my wife was coincidentally enjoying a lovely day at the beach, and observed a number of boats drifting the surf line, well out of reach from even a conventional angler. These guys were routinely boating fish that I estimated to be in the 32-38" range in no more than 12-15 feet of water.

ANOTHER REPORT
Lower Forty customer and flats zealot, Ken McCray, recently enjoyed 3 days of laboring the same area and went 2 for 3. He reports that juvenile menhaden have now joined the menu fare and he quite frankly lost count of the number of stripers hooked and landed during his stay. While one day was virtually void of fish, the other two had the angler reaping the spoils of continuous hook-ups. Hope you enjoy the new Sage XP, Ken.

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB