Boston
Metropolitan
Region

January 16th, 2004

They're Here

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A funny thing happened...the reliable reports as of Saturday and Sunday morning had no fish to be found. Then Sunday at noon time, as if someone somewhere flipped a switch, the reports started coming in of fish everywhere from Boston Harbor to Merrimack. One astute RT forum user pondered why it was that the fish appeared in the Merrimack and Salem before they turned up on the bay side of the Cape.

The majority of the stripers do not go through the canal in their march to the north. The fish that go through the canal, in my estimation are drawn there to feed on the herring and other abundant bait. The fish that are racing north tend to take a path along the outer beaches, which brings them past P-Town and then from there, it is a short jaunt to Salem and Boston. They then move back up into Cape Cod Bay...

It occurred to me this morning that it's been 6 (maybe seven) years that I've been writing these reports. Many of you may not know me, so I will offer this by way of introduction. I caught my first striper at World's End in 1965 (or so) and started SWFFing around here in the mid-seventies. In addition to writing this report, I am also Managing Editor and Webmaster for Reel-Time. I have written professionally for the Worcester Telegram and the Boulder County Business Journal. I am currently the Webmaster for Atex Media Command, who produces high quality software systems for newspapers and magazines. I also have two young daughters who are itching to learn to fish.

Over the winter, we have made some changes to Reel-Time. Obviously the site has a new look, and we're launching several new tools, including Picture Post and Pattern Post, which I will discuss next week. We have also started to offer affiliate merchandise from some to the top gear providers. If you want gear from Orvis, REI, Sportsman's Guide, Sierra Trading, Thompson Cigar, Overtons, then be sure to click on our links to them before you buy. We will make money and you will get great deals. After all, we aren't PBS, we don't run bake sales, charge for site access or beg for money at fundraisers. This is a professionally run, commercial website. So let's click those offers!

You can also buy some great RT hats, shirts, mugs, stickeres and other stuff here...

The sponsors...before we get into the reports I want to thank them for their continued, unswerving support. These guys really care about the fishery, and about the folks that fish. Do yourself a favor and book a trip with one of them today. You'll be glad you did.

On to the reports!

Don't forget to send me your own reports, and until next week...

Tight Lines!

Mark Cahill

Boston Harbor

They're here.  Check out Ray Avitable's photo in the intro, and RT Kayak Forum Moderator Sam "Baitboy" Riley's here.  If Sam's into them, you know they're thick...

But really, here's the report from Shaun Ruge:

Boston - The Eagle has landed...
I repeat ,..the Eagle has landed!! The haba has fish...I waded some favorate bars on the start of the incoming today, Sunday, about 2pm to 4pm. Saw some actrivity the other night and went back to check it out today. Caught and released 3 fish largest went about 25" smallest around 20". All three caught on the downside of a cobble bar in about 2 to 4 feet of water and covered with lice. Glad to see these were healthy fish, not skinny emaciated fish like usuall pre season. All on a 6 inch Chart over White Flatwing about mid water column...not that it makes a difference that shallow. The first fish hit at my feet on the surface as I was taking the fly out of the water... Despite the nasty wind, god that felt good, I know where I will be before work tomorrow.....

And of course success gets your interest going...

Molesting the Landed Eagle (habor report)
Ray, Sam, an I snuck out to the haba yesterday afternoon to see that the eagle had landed. Although eagles are an endangered species, Riley the vigilant photographer insisted on molesting it for a good picture. Mumbled something about his claim to fame, look at all the beautiful feathers, how many squid flies I could get out of that neck, somthing like that, I don't know, I was busy trying to catch fish. After an hour or so the annoyed eagle attacked Ray. In an effort to defend himself he broke his rod. Fortunately the result was the first fish, and a good one at that (pic below). A huge gas tanker came through and kicked up quite a wake. It hit the shallows, rose up, and we thought we almost lost Ray. However during the turbulence a few waves washed over Riley's stripping basket and low and behold....HE CAUGHT A FISH!! Sort of (pic below). All and all a decent outing with a respectable catches from the crew. Lets see, that was 4 hours, 2 people, guaranteed fish, so you both owe me about $200 each....please don't forget the gratuity!!
(PETA clause - no eagles were harmed in the making of this post, we kept bait boy away from the dead gull on the beach)
Ray let Sam hold his fish for those other two pics...

All kidding aside, Chart and yellow did the trick. I fished other colors pulling up nothing while Ray and Sam landed a few fish. I switched to a yellow deceiver and bang... first 5 hours of the Rising tide..

My condolences on the rod, Ray...

South Shore

Okay, no solid reports from the South Shore, although I did get two tantilizing photos from Todd Bernstien.  Email me reports. 

The truth of the matter right now is that you want to be fishing the rivers.  I expect that Powder Point and the North River are the two spots I'd be fishing if I were headed to the SS.  Maybe Tuesday...

North Shore

This came in from Leighton Honda...

The Merrimack River

This came in from Capt. Charles Crue of Channel Edge Charters: