Gary-
Yes, you can fish some of the flats on the northern Monomoy Island without a guide, but your chances of catching bigger and better fish are greatly improved by taking a guide trip. Having done both, I would recommend the later. There are a couple of problems with wading the flats for the first time without direction. You will find it difficult to see the cruising fish unless your eye is trained for it, secondly it can be dangerous. A couple of weeks ago, a wading fly fisherman died out on the flats when his waders filled up with water after a fall and drown.
If you decide to take a guide trip, I would suggest calling Kris Jop who fishes Monomoy all the time. You can get information about his rates and service via his web page connected to the Reel-Time homepage. If you run into any problems contacting him, give me a call. I went two weeks ago and had a great time.
If you really want to wade the flats, just be careful. Try and work your way down a stretch of the flat walking with the current. The fish will be facing and cruising into the current. Sand eels are the predominant bait so bring plenty of olive and white clousers and deceivers and perhaps a crab pattern or two. I would also suggest using a long leader with a 10lb-15lb flourocarbon tippet since the water is clear and the fish spooky.
You may want to check out the Monomoy map at http://www.capecodconnection.com/monomoy/monomap.jpg
It will give you an idea of the area.
Let me know how you do and good luck!
Keith Deinert
shore fly fishing guide
Newport, RI
kdeinert@edgenet.net
401-846-6854
