N.Carolina Albies

[seafoxent]

:confused: Went to Nc on 11/1/03 but no albies for our 3 days. Was there a problem, aberration or reason-did they arrive later or what? The locals said they wer in-was that a misstatement?

[Tom G.]

:confused: Went to Nc on 11/1/03 but no albies for our 3 days. Was there a problem, aberration or reason-did they arrive later or what? The locals said they wer in-was that a misstatement?


I didn't get down to North Carolina this year, but I did talk to a few guides and they felt it was an off year. I hope some other reel-timers will join this post with their experience in N.C. My understanding is that it did pick up later in the fall, but it was not a banner year. The fish they got were big. I love Harkers and everyting it offers, but I have found it to be either boon or bust depending on winds and weather.

Another trip you should try is Palm Beach/Jupiter Florida. It is a late spring into summer fishery. Plane fares and room rates are very low at that time of year and the fishing is unbelievable. From Boston, New York or Newark airport you can get down their in less than three hours. Check chapter 14 in my book or pick up the current copy of Saltwater Fly Fishing (Feb./Mar.) and read my article on the trophy Albies in South Florida.

Thanks, for the question.

Tom

[captgordon]

I live and guide in Beaufort and my experience the last few years is that the good fishing is later than most people come. Starting on the Sunday before Veterans Day we had good fishing every day you could get out until right before Thanksgiving. Only a couple weeks but...the fish were there every time you went out, with many people getting fish of over 20 pounds. A guy in our club got a 22 lber on Nov 18. If I were coming here from far away I would take that into consideration.



I hope some other reel-timers will join this post with their experience in N.C.
Tom

[Tuna]

Hi Gordo, good to see you still post here from time to time, haven't made it down there since brother Jim and I fished with you in 1999, but keep thinking of the waters down there - so beautiful (and, in 1999, with more albies than Montauk despite that being a bad season everywhere).

Thanks for keeping me on your newsletter distribution list for all these years.

Peter Rothwell

[captgordon]

Hi Gordo, good to see you still post here from time to time, haven't made it down there since brother Jim and I fished with you in 1999,
Peter Rothwell
Peter,
That was the trip that you and your brother each got about a dozen or so albies (including hooking up to one that almost spooled your brother) and the guy that was supposed to fish with me the next day said he had heard it was no good so he did not want to come...friend of yours too if I remember correctly. Glad to ehar you are doing okay. You should try to come down here in the summer sometime. Do something a little different...you know what I'm talking about...You've seen the photos! --127-3-

[Tuna]

Gordo:

I remember you talking about the "summer" opportuntity back then - I just skim your newsletter (not follow all links), so I haven't seen the pics but am glad to hear this idea panned out for you. I've never gotten any size for that species, and you are closer there than other places that offer, so, yea, I might be in touch for some summer hunts.

The albie fishing was better in NC in 1999 than at Montauk, but I suspect you are confusing our trip with another. Brother Jim and I could hardly cast the "must be 10 weight minimum" that the NC guides warn about (as we always go smaller up north), so we were a bit less successful than the opportunities that presented themselves.

But you sure did put us on the fish!