Location: South County, Rhode Island
False albacore continues to be the best fishery in and around in Rhode Island waters right now. It’s been like that for the last three fall seasons to date. If it wasn’t for the hardtails, catching conditions would be slow this time of year. The fall migration of stripers and bluefish hasn’t materialized just yet. Striper hook-up continue to improve along the ocean fronts but most fish are on the smaller size, unless you find some mullet schools. Narragansett Bay has very few school bass even though there is an abundance of baitfish around. Don’t expect the bay to improve either, the migration stays along the ocean front.
Captain’s Log:
Wednesday’s trip was a roller coaster ride for Jon Romano and his fishing buddy Troy from Chicago, Illinois. These two frantic young steel head fishermen just love to fly fish. They convinced me earlier they had the skills so off we went. Surf and wind conditions were extremely difficult, but there was no other window of opportunity with a six o’clock flight later in the day. It was now or never, dame the torpedoes, full speed ahead or at least crawl thru the stuff to have some boat left to return to the ramp.
Troy and Jon got there first look at the widow makers off Bonnet Shores, six foot walls of water staring them squarely in the face. It was impossible to fish, never mind trying to fly cast, but the magnificents of nature’s hand paints a wonderful picture before our eyes. It’s breathtaking, awe inspiring the views along the ocean front but heed nature’s warnings. We returned to the upper reaches of Narragansett Bay for some protection but had to call the trip with increasing winds and white caps. These two respectful young adults will return again hopefully under better weather conditions to enjoy better fish conditions. Now I’ll have no excuse to fall back on if they don’t get tight. Sorry! no pictures.
Thursday’s trip had Joe Herbert aboard. What a difference twenty four hours can make. Water conditions were perfect with a high tide near launching time and a full six hours of outgoing tide. Wind was perfect at five knots just enough chop to break the surface tension. Surprising the water quality was good, no weed or dirt suspension considering the wave heights of yesterday.
The tunnie were in their usual haunts along the Watch Hill area in close and around the rips. There were plenty of sighting for everyone. Each boat seemed content without any one racing around. We landed a dozen albies from 7:00 am till noon, only changed locations twice. Nice pace between hook-ups, plenty of sighting to cast too all morning long. Joe was using a larger than normal fly for this time of year, one of his angel hair patterns tied a few inches long. Long cast, fast retrieves with a full sink line did the trick.
Joe had a great day of fishing, perfect day to be on the water, and topped off with a late day breakfast of eggs and ham steak to satisfy his stomach cravings. Thanks for the breakfast Joe.
The first of many hard tails for Joe Herbert
Joe’s Angel Hair Fly Pattern
