BAR HOPPING August 31, 2007 - Let me preface this article by admitting that I am not among the hordes of anglers that have taken to kayaking. It's not that I don't recognize the advantages a kayak may have in accessing inshore shoals, bars and islands, quite the contrary. My brief and somewhat limited experience with these watercrafts (mostly in the Caribbean) left me with a confined and uncomfortable impression, certainly not conducive to pitching a 9-weight. With this in mind I do realize the reason they have achieved the popularity they have. In a nutshell, access. Springfield area resident and fly fishing zealot, Chip Gagnier recently visited the shop and a rather engaging conversation ensued concerning the success he was enjoying while canvassing the Brewster Flats area of Cape Cod Bay. I reacted to his comments with positive reinforcement and asked him if he had any experience fishing Pleasant Bay in Chatham. Since the early summer of 2006 I have grown enamored with the area and the potential it holds particularly for those that enjoy the flexibility of a watercraft. Low tides (2-hours each side of slack low) from Tern Island south to the Chatham Inlet will expose numerous sand bars offering anglers to explore deeper cuts, eddies and riffles that normally support hordes of baitfish, as well as their predators. The new "Nauset Break" situated just east of Allen point has permitted colder ocean water to flush the lower bay and keep water temperatures more moderate throughout the torrid summer months. Since excellent kayak access to Pleasant Bay is easily achieved via Cotchpinicut Rd, Cow Yard Lane, Minister's Lane, or Clafin Landing (all offering public parking) this is not an issue all requiring only a short walk to launch. Chip surprisingly took me up on my suggestion, as I would soon discover though our fortuitous meeting at 5AM one recent morning. Chip and his fishing companion eased their yaks into the calm waters of Pleasant Bay prior to sunrise with my encouragement and best wishes for a successful outing. I would learn the results of the duos expedition later that week as Chip returned to The Lower Forty for supplies and further counseling. It was certainly a day to remember, well worth their early morning rouse. The comrades were treated to some excellent action, with isolated sand bars often producing double-digit numbers for each angler. While the size of the striped bass were certainly not mammoth (in the 20-24" bracket) the quantity was outstanding. Good fishing and safe
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