HERE TODAY

September 23, 2009 - Gone tomorrow. That seems to be the case with that incredible albacore blitz that took place in Buzzards Bay the previous few weeks. The fish seem to have moved along the south side of Cape Cod and have taken up residence (however short lived) anywhere from Mashpee to Yarmouth. Boat anglers are witnessing good pushes of fish near Waquoit, Cotuit and on to Hyannis Harbor. Most of the fish remain in the 6-8 lb. category with an occasional 9 or 10lber in the mix.

In many cases the fish have been holding within close proximity of the shoreline and feeding on minute bait. This can create some challenging conditions for hatch-matchers due to the selectivity the fish have been exercising. Size #4 bonito bunnies, mini candies and bonito magic's would be excellent choices to imitate the forage. It's not quite as technical as fishing the Swift River during August, but it's not that far removed.

Mark "the Krailinator" Kralian got into some fish along the Connecticut coastline and files this report… "The albie fishing was good in CT on Sunday. It was combat fishing with lots of boats but enough albies around for everyone to get some."

It's been a few weeks now that I haven't heard the words bonito or Spanish mackerel mentioned around the shop. While the albacore migration seems to have taken center stage, the lack of bonito and macks is certainly not a good sign.

With the month of October looming in the not to distant future, some more dependable fishing should be in the offing. We are beginning to receive some signs that Cape Cod Bay has begun to liven up a bit as anglers fishing out of both Barnstable Harbor and Sesuit Harbor are beginning to witness pushes of striped bass. These are not the mammoth schools so typical of the October migration, but they are providing some action nonetheless. Most of the fish being taken by flyrodders fall in the 22-28 inch slot and are targeting mature sand eels.

Wading anglers continue to struggle a bit with only the occasional striped bass for the effort.

NEW ENGLAND FLY TYERS
Mark Monday, November 9th on your calendars. That's the day New England Fly Tyers will be presenting an Evening with Dick Brown. The modest $10 admission includes Dick's one-hour power point presentation; dinner and a giveaway door prize of a copy of Brown's recently released book, Fly Fishing for Bonefish, as well as a box of the author's favorite flies. The event will be held at 8 Point Sportsman's Club, 147 Beamon St., Sterling, MA and is scheduled for 7-9PM.

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB