In the last forum we started planning the annual Reel-Time Conclave.
This will be the fourth year we've put aside our computers and actually taken the time to meet each other face to face.
First year was 20 people at Nauset Inlet and we caught fish.
Second year was the Infamous Chatham Death March and we didn't catch fish. 20 people showed up.
Third year, last year, we had conclaves all the over the place from Maine to Rhode Island but no big baby.
This year we're going for the big baby.
The current plans are this:
September 19, Saturday at South Cape Beach in Mashpee. Reason for this date:
September has great weather.
By the 19th the worst of the tourist crush is over.
There are generally fish around.
There is the highest probability of multiple species: stripers, bluefish, bonito and albacore.
This is a state park/town beach with plenty of parking. There is a boat launch as you drive down to the beach, so those of you with yachts will have a place to put in.
South Cape gives us a lot of options.
1. It's a long beach so we can spread out.
2. Lots of varied structure. From the infamous Wacky Bay jetty to the west (1/2 mile hike, to the Stones of New Seabury and the inshore rip. Offshore, one mile, great rips at Succonesset and Hedge Fence. Inshore, Waquiot Bay is a wonderful backwater estuary.
3. It's close to services in Mashpee Center.
4. It isn't too hard to find if you're coming from off-Cape. (Directions and maps to follow)
Now, a couple things to discuss.
Do we want to get formal and conduct a catch and release tournament along the lines of the Martha's Vineyard C&R tournament in June? Pair natives with visitors, measure the fish, and award for the biggest and the most.
I'll host a luau at my place in Cotuit. Barbeque etc. Now we get into timing.
Do we meet early in the morning at the beach and fish, ferrying people out to the rips from those with boats, and break in the afternoon for a late lunch early dinner at my place, then return to the beach for a night of fishing?
Do we meet at my house in the afternoon, then fish?
Do we meet on the beach in the late afternoon on Saturday, fish through the night, and then meet on Sunday at my house for the luau?
I'm looking for RSVPs so I can order t-shirts, get an idea of who's bringing boats, etc.
This should be a great one, but be warned. The big tradition of Reel-Time Conclaves is that they must be held in gales and no one is supposed to catch fish.
David Churbuck