AND THE BEAT GOES ON

June 4, 2009 - If asked the direct question, "Where should I go this weekend?" my only retort could be "get your fanny into the Bay!" We visited the scene of the previous weeks success (just north of Brewster Flats proper) and experienced similar results. At times we were covering hundreds and hundreds of migrating striped bass with well intentioned cast and were constantly rewarded for the effort. Again most of the fish were in the mid-20's range with the occasional keeper in the mix. If you have the opportunity to engage this area during pre-dawn, I would strongly encourage you to do so. Groups of bass are carousing about, just sub-surface, making locating them an easy chore.

While at times I often feel that fly selection is the least important element in achieving success during the early season, the Brewster flats have taught me an important lesson. Our careful observations have yielded a distinct absence of forage. While this may only be a temporary phenomenon it does make fly selection somewhat of a dilemma. After experimenting with a number of more conventional, proven patterns, a very simple zonker-style fly remains the most effective…

Hook: TMC 811S #6
Wing: Olive, golden olive or golden brown zonker strip
Body: White X-cut rabbit strip palmered under wing
Assuming you are perched in 6-8' of water allow the fly to sink to the bottom. This should take only 15-30 seconds in conjunction with a 300-350 grain line. If, in the process, you disturb cruising fish (and it's hard not to, particularly do to their vast numbers) this will allow enough time for the group to reassemble and resume their normal activity. This fly is most effective when twitched or jerked from the sand, an execution that, in most cases, will draw immediate attention. Once you encourage a "follow" you may continue your retrieve in normal fashion or, allow the fly to drop for a split second, followed by an aggressive, almost teasing jerk of the fly line.

BFT's
While we have received no confirmed reports of fly caught BFT's I wouldn't be surprised to hear word of their presence within Cape Cod Bay within a week's time. Stay tuned.

NORTH SHORE
The Merrimack River has been on-again, off-again, but mostly off-again during the early portion of the season. This is much like the southern Cape was during early and middle May. Look for things to improve dramatically during the middle of the month.

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB