COMM SEASON ENDS

August 26, 2010 - Not that it fosters any concern with regards to fly fishing anglers but the Massachusetts commercial season for striped bass has been terminated as of Monday, August 23rd. The 2010 quota that was originally set at 1,128,577 lbs. was realized on Sunday, August 22nd. As opposed to previous years, the general consensus among many commercials was that of total success.

BONITO ARRIVING
According to a number of reports bonito have arrived on Nantucket during the previous week. Not saying that they are available in fishable numbers, but some routine canvassing could produce a fish or two. Look for migrating schools to continue to filter in from the south with fresh pushes of bait. We have yet to receive confirmation of fish in the rips off South Monomoy in Chatham but that could only be a few days away.

DOGS
Dogfish have infiltrated the real estate adjacent to North and South Beaches in Chatham during the month of August providing a nuisance to fisherman of all persuasions. They have been known to take up residence over an extensive amount of terrain making avoiding them almost impossible. Generally considered bottom dwellers, dogs are susceptible to deeply fished flies, particularly during early morning hours and can literally ruin an otherwise successful outing.

THANK GOD IT'S ALMOST OVER
The month of August has not been kind to wading fly anglers for sure. The extreme heat, particularly evident around the immediate shoreline, has prompted striped bass to seek habitat more suited to their lifestyle. Barring any extreme weather event it will be a few weeks before we begin to experience evidence of a fall migration.

We will be enjoying a few days off August 26-29 to hopefully harass some bluefish with Capt. Kevin Coakley of Wellfleet.

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB