LET'S ROCK

April 22, 2006 - I just couldn't wait to scribe this article after chatting with John Amiro of Brewster. On a whim, Amiro paid a visit to the upper reaches of the Bass River this past weekend and enjoyed his most memorable early season angling in recent memory. Unaccompanied by a fishing companion, and without another humanoid to impede his experience, John grappled with striper after striper, until, in his words "I got sick of it." To entertain his mind, but more out of curiosity, Amiro decided to calculate his take during the unusual event. His final tally of 81 fish landed was only surpassed by his comment "I could have stayed and continued to take fish at will."

This is certainly significant news for Massachusetts salters wanting to jump-start season. Normally we wouldn't expect to field reports this stellar until the end of the month or the initial stages of May.

EARLY SEASON HAUNTS
By the weekend we would expect to entertain similar reports from saltwater anglers prospecting other areas of Cape Cod. Real estate you may want to investigate includes…. Cross St. at Cotuit Highlands, Thatch Island at Popponesset Bay, South Cape Beach in New Seabury, West Dennis Beach in Dennis, West Bay Inlet in Wianno, Red River Beach in Harwich and the Stage Harbor Inlet and the Chatham Harbor area of Chatham. Believe me these are only a few of the more popular areas know to harbor the initial migrants of the year.

As you peruse the brief list you may be aware of a reoccurring theme. All estuaries, tidal flats and backside beaches mentioned are south facing, shallow water areas that tend to support extensive communities of bait, as well as more moderate water temperatures.

As we are well aware, the most crucial ingredient to early season success is water temperature. A few years ago the northeast experienced an abnormally cold winter that seemed to linger well beyond it's welcome. It wasn't util the second week of May that anglers began to experience the success that Amiro did.

THE FLIES
I am reluctant to state that fly selection is unimportant during the early season, but it is certainly less important than it will become as we progress through the season. Patterns to consider include… the tried and true Clouser Minnow (olive, chartreuse, white #1, #1/0), Cowan's Silverside #1, Dirigo Sand Eel #1, Gurglers #1/0 (a shop favorite), and of course Deceivers (chartreuse, white and grizzly #1 and #1/0).

We are now recommending a series of exceptionally tied and very durable patterns inspired by DNA fly tying materials. DNA Broadsides, Bon-Bon's and Squids are not only functional, but are destined to become staples in the year's to come.

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB