The striper action Tuesday afternoon at Block Island was fantastic. The best consistent fishing we have experienced in several years. There was nothing but 7-20 lbs linesiders running the rip for the whole tide. We left fish as the night fell. There were larger stripers in the mix provided some great tug-of-wars in the cross currents. Not a bluefish in sight. What a delight!
Conditions were near perfect for some great fishing. The tide level was at full crest when we arrived at the north end. An opposing east wind at five knots soon developed a nice chop. As the tide started to move the entire spit came to life. We were able to fly fish the first several hours with great success. Our drifts were perfect, slowly entering the rip zone. The boat kept its orientation each time making fly casting easier for all of us. We could make dozens of cast before moving up current again. Triple headers were the norm for the next few hours. Sinking lines were able to get our large profile flies down near 8- 10 feet of water depth. Fly selection was not an important factor. These stripers were active and biting, it didn’t matter what fly you throw at them.
The rip started to build much higher several hours later into a somewhat dangerous state. Some rollers were as high as six feet in height. What’s dangerous is the spacing of each set of waves as they hit the turbulence of the easterly current. This activity produces random waves of all heights from all directions. We needed someone at the helm watching/warning/orientating the craft at all times.
We soon switched to spinning gear. We could no longer pull these strong stripers out of the current with fly gear. We stayed outside the rip line for the most part. Surface plugs like needles and walk the dog plugs all worked fine. What a fantastic sight watching these large fish find our surface plugs. We would get dragged into the current each time fight these fish. That’s when it gets hairy. Extra high gunnels sure help in situations like this.
There is nothing like having an experience crew on board for peace of mind. Capt. Rene Letourneau from “On the Rocks” joins us together with my son Scott. Basically we were gatherings some Intel and having some personal fun. In my case it was like celebrating Father’s Day a little early.
Capt. Rene Letourneau holding one of many quality stripers caught on a fly.
Scott doesn’t get out much anymore. Maybe this will change after results like this.
Yours truly (Capt. Ray) posing before returning a striper to the brine.
