JAIL BREAK

May 14, 2010 - Despite deteriorating fishing conditions due to consecutive weather fronts, fishing reports remained solid throughout the week. Dropping temperatures along with the severe wind gusts of this past weekend limited your opportunities and many anglers (me, included) wisely chose to record a DNF (did not fish). I awoke at a rather ambitious 3:30 am and retreated to our Chatham deck only to find air temperatures in the high 30’s with wind gusts approaching 30-40 mph. At that point common sense got the better of me and I dejectedly chose to retire to my warm bed.

Just prior to all the weather we were receiving stellar reports from fly anglers fishing various venues throughout Cape Cod and as far north as the Piscataqua River in New Hampshire, hence the articles title, “Jail Break”.

Tony Penny, of South Yarmouth, has been experiencing exceptional fishing along the east bar of Barnstable Harbor. Penny reports that not only has the quantity been consistent but the quality of the fish has been similarly surprising considering the time of year.

We have also been hearing rumblings that Brewster Flats has been supporting large schools of striped bass to 35-inches. While wading anglers have been in contact with fish in the low-to-mid 20’s, boat anglers have been treated to keeper size fish in deeper water. There has been an amalgamation of smaller sand eels present to occupy the interest of these migrating fish so we would recommend you keep your imitations small, particularly when prospecting shallower water. Sand eels #2 and #4, Rod Benders in olive and chartreuse #4, and smaller crab patterns were deadly during the late spring period the previous year.

CLAM WORMS HATCHING
That’s correct, clam worms! While it does seem a bit early to witness this right of spring, fly anglers from Rhode Island to Follins Pond on the Bass River are experiencing periodic hatches of clams worms. Typically, here in Massachusetts, we would expect to observe worms during evening hours of the full moon phase, or within a day or two each side. There is a myriad of simple patterns that are effective during this hatch. I can assure you from my many years of experience that when the hatch has reached its ultimate intensity striped bass will often display selectivity reminiscent of a brown trout sipping a size #24 blue winged olive.

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB