SALTWATER FLY FISHING CAPE COD'S MONOMOY
ISLAND - SOUTH BEACH, CHATHAM, MASSACHUSETTS |
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I think "God" was a fly fisher. And that's
why he created this Truly World Class Destination Fishery!
If ever there was an ideal fly fishing location - this
is the place.
Miles and miles of hard bottom Caribbean style flats,
light colored sand, crystal clear water all summer
long with a cold water influence directly off the Atlantic
ocean make this a paradise for some "hot" fly
rod action and summer fun. The only thing missing are
palm trees and girls in grass skirts!
The habitat is comprised of surf, sand flats, fast
water channels, bays, coves, rips and marsh. All easily
accessible and fished with a fly rod. There are no
roads, homes in this area, just lots of wildlife consisting
of coyotes, deer, fox, skunks, seals and lots of birds
from around the world.
This area has an incredible ecological system, which
is a nursery and habitat for micro - organisms that
the bait fish eat, which keep's them here all summer.
Conversely, if there is a lot of bait then Stripers
and Blues will be here too. 10 or so different types
of bait call this area home for the summer. At times
it's hard to take a step with out noticing one or another
type of bait hiding in the sand or floating by you
in the current. This is the bait you would want to
imitate with your flies.
Lots of bait is one of the reasons why Cape Cod continually
maintains the highest number of resident striped bass
through out the summer of any other area on the East
coast. Another reason is its cold water influence,
which continually cycles the warmer water out and replenishes
it with cool invigorating crystal clear water. This
twice a day cycle maintains a perfect temperature for
Striped Bass. |
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MONOMOY STRIPER
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Here on the Cape, with miles and miles of sand flats,
it makes sight casting to 5-25 pound stripers the order
of the day. This is probably the most exciting type of
fly-fishing you will ever do. They're cruising the flats
eating crabs, shrimp, silversides and sand lances, and
just waiting for your perfectly cast fly. Sometimes you
need to burn up the water with a fast retrieve and at
other times using a dead drift with the current is all
that is needed. All methods will require distance, speed
and accuracy in your casting skills. You have some of
the finest destination flats fishing in the world right
here on Cape Cod. Seeing 100s or more fish in a tide
is the norm. Test your skills and work your way along
the path to hooking up in paradise.
Flats- A large expanse of shallows, consisting of
mud, eelgrass or sand.
FLATS
101-Safety First While Wading
Stripers and blues come to this area in search of
food. As the sand flat becomes covered with water the
baitfish move up onto the flat through troughs, sluiceways
and channels to escape the predators. Approximately
2 hours before the high the predators come up onto
the flat following these same troughs (like roads)
in search of food. This would be a good place to stand
and sight cast to them. Sun and no wind make for optimal
sight fishing conditions as they cruise the flat. At
high tide many times you will find them in 6 inch's
of water tight to the shore, again, this is were there
next meal is hiding. So this would be an additional
area to prospect during that stage of the tide. As
the water starts to recede, the larger fish will leave
that area and depart off the flat using similar channels
and sluiceways that they came up on. This is another
prime spot to fish. Normally they will hold, waiting
in ambush in the deeper water for the baitfish to get
flushed off the flat. My next move would be to stand
close to the edge of the flat and cast my fly into
the creek that is flowing off the flat. I'd allow my
fly to swing and sink, imitating a baitfish being washed
off the flat. This is one of many basic feeding patterns
that never changes and consistently repeats itself,
tide after tide.
No matter what the tide you can always find a flat
to sight fish. There have numerous flats that fish
at their optimum at the high, mid or low. Whether it's
an incoming or dropping tide.
Sight fishing the surf or flats is always an option
on a sunny day. Over cast days allow you to blind cast
into the surf, fast water channels, eelgrass flats
and rips. The 2 most important and widely used fly
lines are a fast sinking line and a clear intermediate
line.
This area is accessible by using the Outermost Harbor
Marina public shuttle boat. The first boat out is at
8 AM. With 3 shuttle boats they run the rest of the
day whenever you are ready to go. Your pick-up time
is at your request; Last pick-up is at 4:30 PM. |
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Outermost Harbor Marina Adventures brings you seal watching
tours and public shuttle boats to South Beach and Monomoy
Island. Fish to your hearts content, take your spouse
on a long walk on a deserted beach or just kick back
and read a good book. It's an incredible beautiful, scenic
world on the outer Cape. It's only accessible by boat
and away from all the hustle of the main land. Kick-off
your shoes and take a walk on the wild side of the national
wildlife refuge beach's. On site parking and rest rooms.
Directions: Travel East on Cape Highway 6. Take Exit
11. Turn left onto Rt. 137 and follow all the way to
end where it intersects with Rt. 28. (Approx. 5 miles)
Take a left and stay on Rt. 28. (Approx. 5 miles) You
will come to the Chatham Rotary, continue straight
through rotary. You are now on Chatham Main St. Continue
straight through town until road ends. Take a right
and continue past Chatham Lighthouse. Immediately after
lighthouse bare to the left and follow signs to marina
and park in back, towards water.
Equipment: A 9-weight fast action (stiff) rod. Disk
drag reels with interchangeable spools. Spare spools
should have weight forward wonder floating line, clear
intermediate and 300 grain line. This prepares you
for all conditions. For May Through August, set yourself
up with a 9 foot tapered 15 lb. test leader.
Waders: May-June: A heavier Neoprene Bootfoot. During
July and August, switch to a Breathable Lightweight
Bootfoot. Waders need to fit comfortably, as sometimes
long walks are needed to reach the best flats. Even
though it's summer, many areas fished have a direct
influence from the Ocean. Layering with a thin pair
of breathable wader pants might be more comfortable.
Other Equipment: Polarized Sunglasses: Amber or yellow
is the preferred color lenses. Side shields are a necessity
when sight fishing. These are not only needed to sight
fish, but more importantly for your safety. Bring a
stripping basket, sunscreen, flashlight. Pack a lunch
and bring a couple of bottles of water with you. You
can easily walk miles so pack light and remember that
at times you will be surrounded with water with no
place to leave your stuff. |
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