THE NEW MONOMOY? July 17, 2008 - I include myself as one of the many anglers that pines for the salad days of sight fishing the South Beach and North Monomoy flats. Since South Beach geographically linked with South Monomoy a few years ago, fabricating a dynamic peninsula, the summer fishing has virtually been non-existent. With the exception of a few bluefish and an occasional hide-and-seek striper, angling has deteriorated dramatically and simply not worth the effort. As one door has closed, another unique fishery is in its infancy, this time in Pleasant Bay. Anglers that take pleasure in the primitive forms of fly-fishing, either by wade fishing or kayaking, should be aware of the developing sight fishing potential the "new" North Beach break is presenting. Fueled by an expanding fracture in the fragile dunes of Nauset, colder, fresher and certainly more fish friendly water is now being filtered into Pleasant Bay creating a viable summertime fishery. While the water that maintains a degree of integrity is not directly available to shore bound anglers, it is a yakers paradise. There are a number of public landings that will give these unique watercrafts access to the break, and the entire west side of Nauset Beach. Cotchpinicut Rd., Minister's Lane or Cow Yard Lane (also a great wading locale) in Chatham, are located approximately 1-mile from the new opening and offer many miles of backside beach to explore. In general this is shallow water with a diverse blend of shoals and sandbars that harbor both bluefish and striped bass throughout the torrid summer months. Beach your craft on one of the many bars that will expose during low tide (just west and south of Tern Island) and you are certain to have access to deeper channels often inhabited by cruising groups of both species. Anglers interested in the wading can gain access to the area by utilizing the Beachcomer Shuttle Service (http://www.sealwatch.com). The boats depart from the Chatham Fish Pier on Shore Road and is a bargain @ $15 per round trip. While the "drop off" points are a few miles from the new opening, it will give you access to cooler water and more importantly the surf of North Beach. Good fishing and safe
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