A NEW ARRIVAL

June 17, 2008 - Add blue fin tuna to the list of fly rod game fish anglers will be pursuing during the remainder of the month and on into summer. As was the case during the 2007 saltwater season, these impressive adversaries have arrived somewhat early and can generally be found anywhere from mid Cape Cod Bay to Provincetown. In our opinion this is absolutely the best time of year to target this species in Massachusetts waters. It’s not uncommon for schooling BFTs to scatter about throughout the duration of the summer requiring extensive prospecting to locate fish. Without question the next few weeks should provide the best opportunity for fly rodders.

Pods have been running anywhere from 40 to 100lbs. and can be detected anywhere from ½ to 3 miles from the northern coastline of Cape Cod Bay. Just a little heads up, these are not tarpon-rod-fish often requiring equipment in the 14-16-weight range to properly combat the legendary runs and brute strength of these animals. A few years ago we replaced a half dozen broken 12wt rods from customers engaging BFT’s. While Tibor reels are notorious for their performance on the water, witness this past weekend when Mark “Fishing Machine II” Kralian blew up a Gulfstream during a skirmish with a rather violent individual.

WELLFLEET
Spoke with light tackle guide Capt. Kevin Coakley of Weelfleet and he reports that his bailiwick has been somewhat unpredictable during the early season. While bluefish are occupying the sunken meadow flats and adjacent terrain, striped bass have been few and far between from Jeremy Point to the ugly house.  

BREWSTER
I personally canvassed Brewster Flats with Lenny “Fishing Machine I” Renauld of Sterling this past weekend. While encountering some pretty inclement weather we were able to locate numerous schools of striped bass under plunging terns. It was a day of quantity not quality as most fish fell into the 20-26” category.  

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB