DISCOURAGING SEASON

August 27, 2008 - These columns are usually peppered with generalities. While I do my best to offer precise and accurate information, I also must consider my sources when drawing conclusions.

Almost to the angler, I think it's accurate to conclude the 2008 saltwater season has been a dud. We have spoken with literally hundreds of saltwater fly-fishermen over the previous few months, and with few exceptions, their sentiments have echoed similar reactions. Even the commercial striped bass season has lacked its usual vigor as conventional anglers struggle to meet their quota of about a million pounds. In past years these quotas were achieved in periods as brief as only a few weeks.

As reported in earlier columns the northern New England inshore season has also been a flop. While boat anglers, at times, have fared very well; wading anglers are reporting meager results from the Massachusetts border throughout the central Maine coastline. Estuaries that have produced for generations have not held fish despite the colder water temperatures and abundance of forage prevalent in Maine during the torrid summer months.

There have been many theories being circulated for this poor performance. We all tend to draw conclusions on our own personal experiences, that minute, inconsequential slice of time, rather then look at the broad picture. At seasons end we will have another year to study what went wrong, or right, for that matter. At that time we will all draw our own conclusions.

BONITO
I've got a few friends that have been targeting bonito throughout Vineyard Sound and doing quite well, thank you. There has been no problem locating smaller pods of fish from Chilmark to Edgartown. They are also encountering bluefish in the mix so make sure tote along wire. They are angling specifically for bonito so they tend to sacrifice numerous flies during their fishing sessions. While weekdays have witnessed only token fishing pressure, look for some company on the weekends.

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB