I just returned from a week long vacation in the Portsmouth area and I figured that I would post a report for the North Shore and Seacoast fishermen out there.
I fished from shore in the Piscataqua last Tuesday night from 7 PM to 1 AM or so. There were lots of twinks around but I managed a decent 24" fish that jumped all over the place when hooked - much like a blue. These bigger fish were prowling the mussel beds on the outgoing. The fly of choice was some abortion of a night fly that I tied years ago. The fly consisted of long black hackles (they really move in the current) and a spun deer hair head made of trimmed black fur.
On Wednesday morning I kayaked out into the Atlantic and fished the rocks in Rye on the outgoing tide. After 3 hours of fishing and paddling all I had to show for my efforts was a single schoolie. It was a great morning and I learned some great spots for the Fall migration.
On Thursday night I kayaked out into the Piscataqua for the 1st time ever. The currents were plenty tame for me and I was in heaven fishing the rips. The gulls were diving on banana sized pollack - a very good sign. As the sun set I started picking up plenty of strong 23-26" schoolies that were a real challenge to land from the yak. At this very moment I fell in love with kayak fishing. No keepers for me but I did not care. It was a great night.
A morning sortie to the same rip only produced a single fish on the same tide - only in the AM. Good enough but not what I wanted. Fewer birds in the river this AM.
Later in the week an evening sortie to the same spot led to a fat skunking. Met up with a familiar boat (Pisces) and we were both wondering where the fish went.
This morning, I woke up and looked out the window of my in-laws' place. I could spy birds working feverishly over this same rip. Alas, the tide was out and I was landlocked. No launching for my kayak this AM.
All in all a decent week of fishing for me and very good therapy for the soul.
Fish on,
Mike
I fished from shore in the Piscataqua last Tuesday night from 7 PM to 1 AM or so. There were lots of twinks around but I managed a decent 24" fish that jumped all over the place when hooked - much like a blue. These bigger fish were prowling the mussel beds on the outgoing. The fly of choice was some abortion of a night fly that I tied years ago. The fly consisted of long black hackles (they really move in the current) and a spun deer hair head made of trimmed black fur.
On Wednesday morning I kayaked out into the Atlantic and fished the rocks in Rye on the outgoing tide. After 3 hours of fishing and paddling all I had to show for my efforts was a single schoolie. It was a great morning and I learned some great spots for the Fall migration.
On Thursday night I kayaked out into the Piscataqua for the 1st time ever. The currents were plenty tame for me and I was in heaven fishing the rips. The gulls were diving on banana sized pollack - a very good sign. As the sun set I started picking up plenty of strong 23-26" schoolies that were a real challenge to land from the yak. At this very moment I fell in love with kayak fishing. No keepers for me but I did not care. It was a great night.
A morning sortie to the same rip only produced a single fish on the same tide - only in the AM. Good enough but not what I wanted. Fewer birds in the river this AM.
Later in the week an evening sortie to the same spot led to a fat skunking. Met up with a familiar boat (Pisces) and we were both wondering where the fish went.
This morning, I woke up and looked out the window of my in-laws' place. I could spy birds working feverishly over this same rip. Alas, the tide was out and I was landlocked. No launching for my kayak this AM.
All in all a decent week of fishing for me and very good therapy for the soul.
Fish on,
Mike