Fishing Pressure

July 20, 2005 - I've heard it from a number of anglers this week… there just doesn't seem to be the cadre of anglers taking advantage of the world class fishing we have available at our back door. Even Ed Lincoln, of Rip Ryder Monomoy Island Ferry Service fame, commented that there has been a definite lack of fly anglers exploring both No. Monomoy Island and South Beach this season.

On one recent visit, another angler and myself had the entire westside of South Beach (an area of 3-4 square miles) all to ourselves, and this was on an absolutely magnificent Sunday that was accompanied by the perfect tidal situation. As we chatted we tried to rationalize that higher fuel prices, the stagnant regional economy or the burgeoning popularity of Maine as a vacation destination may have something to do with it. Whatever it is we're not complaining.

PICKY FISH?
Maybe the lack of fishing pressure has something to do with it. It could even be the fact that the southway (Chatham's access to the outer coast) has become tide sensitive causing boat traffic to be somewhat neutralized (keep in mind it's summer on the Cape so it's all relative). It's just that these summer fish don't seem to have the severe case of lockjaw they have displayed in past years. Not stating that fly selection and presentation still aren't critical to success mind you, it's just that our shallow water guests seem to be in a more cooperative mood this season leading to a better than average acceptance rate. Witness the fishing line that I personally experience this weekend past (session approx. 5 hours)… total casts made (40-50), hooked fish (12), landed fish (9).

Keep in mind that these are all sight caught fish dramatically enhancing the total experience.

HARDTALES
Hardtales should be in fishable numbers sometime within the next few weeks within Massachusetts boarders. We are only speculating this but several central Mass flyrodders that focus primarily on the Rhode Island and Connecticut have begun to raid our bins of bonito bunnies, bay anchovies, smaller Clousers and deceivers.

Seem the boys have been witnessing flurries of surface activity in conjunction with the arrival of juvenile menhaden usually signaling the beginning of the second season.

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB