CC IMPOUNDMENTS

June 24, 2005 - Cape Cod impoundment's offer sweet water fly-anglers some of the best year round trout action anywhere in southern New England.

A cadre of longrodders from Worcester County have been religiously lambasting Schoolhouse Pond, located just off Sam Ryder Rd. in Chatham with staggering results. Dave Armstrong of Hudson, Mike Peluso of Oakham and Bob Thunberg have all but ignored the lure of the striper and are virtually dedicating their angling efforts to the inhabitants of this Cape Cod kettle pond.

Keep in mind that due to inconceivably high water, which has all but eliminated any semblance of beachfront (making wading to productive drop-offs all but impossible), the trio has fared exceptionally well from the serenity of their U-boats. What makes their accomplishments unusual is the consistency the fishery has maintained throughout the spring season and on into early summer. Even during the usually unproductive midday periods, the rainbows, browns and tiger trout have willingly accommodated the anglers.

On average a 4 to 5 hour session has yielded anywhere from 20-30 to net per rod. "It's to easy" was the direct quote pitched on my direction as Armstrong fiddled with tackle upon his departure from the impoundment.

Granted it's not the moving water that is usually favored by many central Mass trout anglers, however it is a noteworthy alternative as we approach the steamy summer months that will without doubt take their toll on many New England watersheds.

The method most favored by the anglers when surface feeders cannot be located is to incorporate a (#8-#12) weighted leech, wooly bugger, zonker, or matuka style pattern (and they all have their favorites) in conjunction with an aggressive sink tip line. Past experience has educated the anglers as to the location of depressions, dropoffs and ledges, which they campaign with the guile, and cunning of the resident osprey.

The state has once again done an extraordinary job in replenishing the stocks of many of the Cape's popular cold water impoundments. With the weather issues and inconsistencies that usually plague central New England during the summer it should be your obligation to give one of the many kettle ponds a go, you won't be dissapointed.

FAREWELL JOE MICH
In the event you haven't heard, outdoorsman, scribe and friend, Joe Michniewicz recently passed away at his home in Paxton. Along with writing the popular book "The Best Trout Streams in Massachusetts" Joe was also the weekly outdoor columnist for the Worcester Telegram and Gazette. I had spoken to Joe on a matter regarding the Wachusett Reservoir drainage about a week prior to his passing and am deeply saddened. We wish to extend our deepest condolences to his family, as the entire fly-fishing community will sorely miss him.

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB