2009 Saltwater Rodeo Cape Cod

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gillbuster

2009 Saltwater Rodeo Cape Cod

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Posts: 1159

05/16/09 18:45:24

Outfitter

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What an outstanding day to be on the water at Cape Cod chasing Stripe Bass...salt water fly fishing with ten die hard fishing buddies from the Bass Pond....Today's scenery was glorious, weather was perfect, the friendship, story telling and laughter was second to none... We met new friends, and caught up with some old pals...Fishing wasn't as fast and furious as we would like to have had liked it... but we did work hard and caught stripers....I think we were a week or so early before theschools of stripers fully arrive...We caught about 10 or so hard fighting fish throughout the day and had a blast never the less...It was nice to wipe dust off the rod and doing some casting with a heavy rod... Several of the member broke their virginity to salt water by catching their first ever striper. B52, Trader, Fly Tackle, Floattube Mike, and Gillbuster first met up the morning and fished the Cotuit area... Tons of bait fish (Sandeels, Silversides?) were all around us and Alec landed 3 fish in first ten minutes...boy. we thought this was going to be record catching day...but the school moved off and Floattube Mike landed a nice fish latter that morning...

Blue -green waves, Distant call of foghorns, a slight fog on the horizon, Osprey flying overhead, Sea gulls flying in the breeze, crisp smell of salt water and the warm sun on your back....enjoying the solitude and beauty of fishing Cape Cod...days like this don't happen too often

Alec asking "I caught 3 , bam!, bam!, bam! and then where did they go"???

Armand and Dave setting up their salt water strategies...they tried many different flies & tried to tag team the fish into bitting ...but no luck... Finally

After a long fishless dry spell, Armand and Dave waded to the shore and on bended knee, prayed "Fish Gods,.... Show us the Love!...."
acutally they both were studying and were amazed at all the fiddler crabs? in the sand...there were thousands of them!!!

Armand's prayer was finally answered , not by catching a fish, but with catching a nifty salt water found prize.... a new salt water popper with the plastic wraps still on the hooks...

Alec taking a look at B52's new found saltwater lure...Holy Cow!!!

Mike finally broke the ice in the morning and was glad to have one hard fighting determined 16" striper under his belt...it gave his 8wt rod a good bend...

We had a blast laughing non the less...Armand and Dave amazed.... looking at all the bait fish

Dave took time to talk with one of the local shell fisherman and get information about the spring time clam harvest...(quohogs)... Cotuit is noted and has a nice bountiful shell fish resource...this is a time honored Cape Cod Traditon

We built up quite an appetite and headed off to to our afternoon spot and meet the rest of the Bass Pond fishing party at Burger King ... met up with Caddis and Tricos22 and had a nice meal and tons of light hearted stories and laughter ...

Getting ready for battle, Alec, Caddis and others discussing which flies to use and arming up with latest tackle... we had the whole Barnstable Harbor beach to ourselves during the incoming tide...strong SE wind to our backs... which made casting easy...surprizingly no bait fish was seen during the afternoon

Tyler (Trico22) fished hard looking for his first 2009 striper...

Mike found a school of stripers and landed 2 fish back to back as the tide came in... Chartruse was the color for him...He caught 4 hard fighting fish throughout the day

Armand was finally "Shown the Love" and landed a scrappie striper... he had several good hits also

All the hard work casting finally paid off

New members arrived later on because of traffic delays,, Chefcheez drove all the way from Worchester to catch his fish striper... still waitng to hook up ..

Another first time salt water fishereman and new member (Jon) from Central Mass. He caught a nice striper (first one ever) that gave him a good run for his money...bought new flies for the trip and they paid off... Green sandeel pattern was the ticket

Shakeyfly also caught his first striper; this was his first Bass Pond event...Jeff, Ryan, Jon, drove 4 hours to fish with us and they are hard core fishing machines... they were still fishing when we left at the end of high tide..Great to meet all of you and thanks for joining us...it was a pleasure to meet and fish with you

We will defintely be back to test our luck again... The Cape is such a special place and we are blessed to have the opprtunity to fish it... thanks to everone who attended; it was a great day of Sam Tisdale fellowship and enjoyment... Hope to see everyone at the June gathering and wet a line again...

Tightlines
Gillbuster

Last Edited By: gillbuster 05/19/09 16:11:08. Edited 6 times.

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Wee Hooker

#1

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Posts: 412

05/17/09 04:22:38

Guide

Nice write-up Jon, as mentioned in my voice mail. I had a last minute family ememrgency that kept me from comeing. Looks like a greeat area too! :-(

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trico22

#2

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Posts: 3

05/17/09 05:03:10

As the tide maxed out, Jon, Jeff and I were all able to hook up. Jeff caught a nice 22" striper that took him well into the backing and was a great fight to watch. Jon also had a nice fish that was quickly released at his feet. I was also able to get on the board for 2009 with a small but feisty striper. Jeff took some pics which will likely be posted here later. I am planning on heading back tonight for the PM high (double entendre intended!)

It was great to meet everyone! Looking forward to seeing you all again someday.

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JeffreyS

#3

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Posts: 3

05/17/09 08:03:11

Gillbuster, thank you for putting this together. Shakeyfly (Ryan), Jon (will be joining - no name yet but I think we decided beard would be part of his name) and JeffreyS decided to make the drive down. I started in Nashua Nh, drove to Rutland MA to meet up with Jon, drove to Worcester to meet up with Shakeyfly at The Lower Forty where I purchased a salt water fly line and a few other items and we started towards the cape (a little later than planned but prior to 11am). Then the traffic, the first traffic jam drove me bananas - literally. Ryan had an early morning planned the following day so he decided to take a seperate vehicle as I have a tendency to fish well beyond the hour that I planned. As I tried to get Ryan's attention from Jon's truck it was suggested (by Jon) that I could really get his attention by throwing a fairly brown looking banana at his vehicle, which I did and I can say it is a very effective method of gaining someone's attention. Unfortunately for Jon due to the traffic Ryan was able to get out of his vehicle pick up what was left of the banana from his hood and return the favor ("are we almost there yet").

Back to fishing, we arrive at the destination I think around 2:30, late but excited. This is my first trip ever fly fishing salt water, as well as Jon's and Ryan had fly fished salt water but never caught a striper before. We get geared up and head down to the water. After about an hour of fishing Jon catches his first ever Striper on the fly, followed up shortly but Ryan's first ever striper on the fly! Aaaaaahhhhhh, relief, the drive was worth it. As time continued to pass I am still fishless but content as the prior catches made the trip a success even from my perspective. The other members who attended started to call it a day having been fishing since approximately the same time I decided to drag myself out of bed. I decided it was time to switch it up, I moved around and most importantly selected "the Fly". Thanks to a prior fly swap (attended by several members here) I had in my possession exactly one Ray's Fly tied by Ryan. I decided to give this fly a try and that turned out to be the ticket to entry. I always think you have a chance as long as a hook is in the water but I had long conceded the fact that I probably wasn't catching anything on this trip. I loaded my rod up the best that I can (especially with the wind in my right ear) and casted out. The fly was in the water just long enough for one or two quick strips and I was on. Shortly after hooking up I notice that my fly line is running up the guides of my rod and backing is peeling off! I didn't get very far into my backing before I was able to start gaining back line but the fish put up a great fight, making short runs and taking line on several occasions. The hook was located conveniently in the corner of the mouth and after a few quick pics was released with a lot of energy and a quick sprint back into the harbor. SUCCESS!

To add to the day shortly after releasing that fish Tyler was able to get on board for 2009! Thanks again Shakey as this fish was also caught on the Ray's tied for the swap.

Some days fishing are defined by no fish, lots of a fish or in some cases one fish. I happen to think the days defined by one fish tend to be the most memorable. You remember everything about that one fish, the take, the fight and the release. This was one of those days, my first striper on the fly.

Pics to follow, forgot the camera in Jon's truck. Thanks again - I can't wait to get back out there.

Lessons from the trip:
1) Wait until the traffic starts moving to throw the banana (reduces the chance of the banana being thrown back).
2) Wind in your right ear (assuming you are a righty) is bad but it's kind of funny - You never know if you are going to get your first piercing. Seeing the fly come forward over your left shoulder is a unique experience the first few times.

Last Edited By: JeffreyS 05/17/09 08:56:46. Edited 1 time.

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gillbuster

2009 Saltwater Rodeo

#4

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Posts: 1159

05/17/09 11:24:46

Outfitter

Fantastic Trico22 & Jeff....
Way to go.... you guys are some great fishermen...never give up....I was noticing there were several local fishermen showing up as I was leaving with convential tackle...they may know some thing about he area...It is a belief that fishing 2 hours on either side of hide tide is the rule...I am sooo glad everyone was able to hook up (nice 22" striper that took him well into the backing and was a great fight) and nice write up by the both of you...I wish I was there to get some pictures...the versatility of fly fishing never cease to amaze me...salt water is so much fun when you hook into mean tempered striper. My next fish to target is bluefish...never caught one I am told they fight harder. This is a good area in the spring and fall and night, anyone wanting to try it out over the next couple of week send out an email and may get some itcompany...So happy to have everyone particpate and looking forward to doing it again...

Tightlines
Gillbuster

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gillbuster

2009 Saltwater Rodeo

#5

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Posts: 1159

05/17/09 11:31:50

Outfitter

Wee,
Yes I got your message...Hope all is well with the family... we did miss your presence... we could have used your old salty knowledge to outsmart some of those stripers... but we will do it again soon

Gillbuster

Last Edited By: gillbuster 05/17/09 19:04:44. Edited 1 time.

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floattubemike

#6

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Posts: 9

05/17/09 12:46:09

Sport

Thank you gillbuster for heading this trip, I had a great time and learned a couple of new places to fish !! It sure was fun feeling how hard those stripers pull again . Great to fish with all the fine folks from the Bass Pond.

Mike

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JeffSod

#7

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Posts: 705

05/17/09 16:27:27

Registered Member

Nice reports gentlemen. Sorry I couldn't have joined you all at Barnstable.

I was able to get out at sunset and hookup with a few very fiesty 8lb bluefish using a spinning rod that more than made up for it though! Had my daugther with me a limited amount of time so decided to forgo the fly rod. Fished a wooden pearl colored topwater 'spook' like lure and it was really fun watching the blues literally explode on the plug. I had at least a dozen missed strikes but thats just as much fun as catching em. The fish were puking up huge squid while I was unhooking them. Probably should have frozen some of it for bait for black sea bass come to think of it.

Jeff to be a saltwater fly fisherman you have to either learn to cast with your left hand (and right) or learn how to face the shoreline and make the release for your cast on your backcast. I chose the latter and use it all the time. You get some funny looks but you will get funnier looks with that hook pierced thru your cheek.

Last Edited By: JeffSod 05/17/09 16:31:47. Edited 1 time.

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gillbuster

2009 Saltwater Rodeo Cape Cod

#8

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Posts: 1159

05/18/09 01:27:28

Outfitter

Oh. By the way I caught my striper on Ryans' fly from the Salt water fly swap --- Ray's Fly, ....the striper crushed it

Last Edited By: gillbuster 05/18/09 17:28:58. Edited 2 times.

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Flytackle

#9

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Posts: 1809

05/18/09 02:55:41

Outfitter

Thanks for a great time gents - as always, it's the good company of the anglers that make the STS gatherings such fun - see you in June! Alec

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caddis4

#10

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Posts: 54

05/18/09 12:51:51

Gotta agree with JeffSod regarding windy flats. Seems 80% of my fishing in estuaries I'm casting towards shore and releasing on the backcast...hmmmm wonder if it's just the opposite on the West Coast or South of the Equator??

Anyhow, Saturday was great meeting old friends and new as well. Nice spot...well worth going back in a week or two - should be more activity by then.
I fished on top for a while with a chartreuse "slider" - got one hit (very exciting to see that "boil" at your offering) No hook up though. What's that saying? "It's more about being where the fish live". And I'll add, "who you're there with". Thanks guys. Enjoyed the day. Looking forward to our June gathering.
Lou

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Shakeyfly.clarksclassicfl...

#11

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Posts: 15

05/20/09 14:20:20

Sorry it has taken me so long to post. I can't get on this sight from work. Stupid YUKU....

IT WAS A FRIGGIN BLAST!! CAught my first striper on a Yellow and white clouser that I tied (it just seems that much better because of it)

Thanks a million for the invite Jon. It was a pleasure to meet all of you!! I met some of you in passing and others stopped by to talk. Armand, that point you got the surface hit on produced several strong hits for me.

It is ABSOLUTELY AWESOME to hear you guys say you caught your fish on a fly that I tied. While I can no way EVER take credit for the design on the fly (which is probably why it caught fish LOL) It's pretty cool to hear that my fly caught fish for a few of you.

Tight lines guys and hopefully we can all do it again soon!

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2009 Saltwater Rodeo Cape Cod

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