Was down at Chatham light at 5:10am, drove into the parking area and then continued down the road towards Outermost Harbor and Ryp Ryder. Passed a couple of guys rigging up in pickup trucks on the road out to Ryp Ryder - should have stopped as it was probably Striblue. Waited around until 8am - surprised that the boats don't run earlier than 8am. Anyway went over to Outermost harbor and was on the first shuttle over to South Beach, actually sat next to Randy (on your right side). Got off at South beach and headed away from the crowds at the drop off point. I am not that familiar with the place, only fished there 2 other times. Got about 1/4 mile away and found a drop off. There were fish cruising in the dropoff right after the weeds - every now and then I would see the flash of a good size fish's side as it turned. Seeing fish helped out, as I was constantly doubting whether to stay or head off somewhere else. A group of about 6 bait guys showed up and set up directly on my right. I fished for a while and moved off futher south. No one was doing anything, but I could still see the occasional fish. The fish were not small either, all right around keeper size and larger. I had one fish swim up and startle as it got about a rod length away from my legs - it is a kick to see them swimming in the water.
Anyway I became discouraged and moved back up towards the drop off point. I moved in between two other anglers and began to cast. About 15 minutes later I snagged a 6-7" sand eel. I immediately changed flies to a superhair and flashabou sand eel imitation and 5 minutes later hooked into a nice fish that took me halfway into my backing. I got the fish back so I only had 1/2 of my flyline in before it took off again and brought me into the backing again. I eventually landed it and briefly measured it against my rod before releasing it. Nice 30.5" fish covered with sea lice.
About 15 minutes later I heard the guy from my left shout to his dad that he just saw a large fish swim past him. I cast directly out in from and began the retrieve. I don't know if it was the same fish but it took my fly and headed out for the deeper water. Once again I was into the backing and fighting a good fish. I could see this one as it tried to get away by thrashing on the surface. I kept backing into the shallow water and landed another 31" fish. This fish was also covered in sea lice. I briefly revived it and released it.
I continued to fish, but didn't catch anymore before I got abord the 2pm shuttle. I did see what I would estimate was a 36" striper cruise into the sandy shallows. There were small clouds of sand eels in the water and I saw more sand eels as the afternoon went on and the tide came in. Those deep sand eels would have been perfect in my opinion.
Went out yesterday morning and hit the east entrance of the canal, and then went out to South Cape Beach. Made the death march to the Waquoit jetties, which was a mistake. Nothing was going on, except for a bunch of bait guys that left a trail of trash in their wake. There were scratch cards, Heineken bottlecaps, trash bags, sandwhich wrappers and chip bags on the path. One of the guys at the beginning of the jetty took off his clothes and was doing his best 'Karate Kid' impression in the early morning sunlight. Nothing happening in the water, so I fished my way back. Did see a piping plover nest with a small hatchling, which was cool - forgot the camera though. Fished for about 6 hours - no luck.
Pete
