Cape pond fishing in June?

[eshuang]

I'm planning a trip down to the Cape in mid-June. I suspect that at that time of year, most of the attention will shift to salt-water action. However, I'm wondering whether trout fishing in the Cape ponds will still be worthwhile. If so, what should the float tube fly fisherman prepare for? Advice on floating/sinking lines, effective patterns, and favorite local tackle shops would be much appreciated.

I'm also interested in warm water fly fishing, so thoughts where these species are also present would also be great.

Many thanks

[teflon_jones]

Where on the Cape are you staying/looking to fish?

[eshuang]

We're considering the Orleans/Brewster/Harwich/Chatham area.

[MKDeceiver]

Trout fishing in June is outstanding when the weather is bad...55 degrees and light rain, or overcast skies is what you want...The fish will be in the top of the water column.

If the weather is too warm and sunny, you have to go deep or fish early or late in the day....Also, you have to deal with swimmers at some ponds....

[Bob Parsons]

You have several ponds in Nickerson state campground which in short order would fill you need to hit trout and bass waters. I would suggest going to the Mass site Fish and game and look at the maps to get an idea of access, structure, and species.

[dudley]

My fishing partner and I have spent at least a week every June for the last 10+ years camped at Nickerson, sometimes right on one of the ponds.
We gave up bringing our fresh water stuff because it's too hard to tear our selves away from the salt.
We like to watch the risers while we have coffee, then it's off to the beach :rolleyes:

[eshuang]

Thanks, everyone for your very helpful comments and insights. We'll be leaving on the week of the 12th for the Cape.

Consensus seems to be that this time of year the trout are headed deeper and may only be taken at or near the surface in the early AM or at dusk. However, I've also read that some Cape ponds are excellent smallmouth fisheries in early summer.

Can anyone recommend ponds where one might find decent smallmouth fishing? We'll have float tubes and a variety of sinking lines with us.

Thanks!

[MKDeceiver]

I caught 6 on Saturday including a 2lb Smallie, the fish weren't on the bottom...

With the rain and cooler weather this weekend they will be cruising, at least the Rainbows will...

[Park1]

If conditions are right and the bugs cooperate you could be here during the "Hex" hatch in the evenings.

[eshuang]

My brother and I hit two ponds during our trip this past week, Sheep Pond and Little Cliff, using float tubes. Conditions were warm and sunny both days. At both ponds trout took flies in deep water using full sink lines. Smallmouth bass were taken the same way at Sheep, but in shallow water as well. Brown and olive wooly buggers worked well, except for the fact that the many yellow perch in these lakes liked them too. My brother caught several largemouth bass along the edge using silver jointed Rapalas at Little Cliff. The surprise came for me at Sheep, where a brown bullhead look a brown wooly bugger.

That was my first time fishing Cape Ponds, and it was a great experience. The water was unbelievably clear.

[striper man]

you could also try fishing at night.

[dudley]

If conditions are right and the bugs cooperate you could be here during the "Hex" hatch in the evenings.

We were camped at Nickerson last week
I've never seen mayfly so big :eek: