Beautiful Striper Evening

[Hegel]

I know that I'm not exactly in New Hampshire (I live on the North Shore of Long Island - in Stony Brook), but I just had to tell you guys that I had just about the best Striper evening of my life tonight.

The sun actually made it out here this afternoon - the first time in a about 5 days. This evening: 7:30 near dead low out-going tide. My favorite sand bar on West Meadow beach here in Stony Brook (It streches about 100 yards out into the Sound). Birds working. Second cast (2/0 green sparkling sand eel), hook up... 25"! 2 casts later, another hook up! 32"!!!!! Then, another fish, and another and....

Altogether a 9 Striper evening - sand eels in the water, fish everywhere. I have been dreaming about a night like tonight since last November...

I feel like I could die now and be perfectly happy...

This weekend - Spofford Lake, and The Pemigewasset (if it'll have me - I hope you all are safe and dry).

Thanks for reading & Tight Lines.

R.Eason

[HarryM]

Nice story there Hegel and thanks for sharing. You must have had a great time. I love hearing about other places and what you get into there.

My wife has a brother living on the NJ Shore and every summer we go down for a long weekend and I try to get in some fishing. Off the coast of Avon (near Asbury Park) the stipers run up Shark River Inlet and it's a great place to fish. Sometimes we take her brothers boat and with an on shore breeze will run off the coast about a mile or so and let the wind push us back to the beach. Using a intermediate sinking line with a fast sink tip, we will drift clousers or deceivers and we can really get into some fast and furious bluefish action.

One of my regular customers is part of a Connecticut fishing website www.ctfisherman.com . I'ts interesting to read about other places

[Hegel]

Thanks for the response Harry! I was using a 9wt intermediate line (no sink tip) on an 8wt rod, and I was in water 3 - 4 feet deep, casting into water that might have been as deep as 6 to 10 feet . Another important fact about last night contributing to the overall beauty of the night was the fact there was absolutely no wind, not even a slight breeze. Those are rare conditions down here where there is usually a stiff breeze. The calm atmosphere made casting a dream - like being in some perfect-your-cast-hyperbolic-chamber.

I am thinking about trying to go out again this evening. The tides won't be quite as perfect, and I don't think that I could recreate last night, but as the morning drags on, I'm getting more keyed-up.

Lots of work to do before tonight though.

I see that you're in Tilton. Have you heard anything about the Newfound? I hear that there were some evacuation plans put into effect for some residents in Bristol on or near the Newfound. I also hear that they're concerned about the damn on the river... It's amazing - Two weeks ago that river was lower than I had ever seen it. Today they're worried about it breaking the damn!

Thanks again,
r.eason

[SaltH2oFly]

Hegel....how far are you from Connetquot River State Park Preserve???? Have you ever fished there? I've wanted to fish that park for years!!

[Hegel]

SaltH2oFly,

I'm only about 25 minutes from the Park and the Connetquot. Here's the thing: I've been a saltwater fly-guy for 4 years, but freshwater fly-guy for only two. I have yet to make it to the park. To be honest, I've been a little intimidated! I hold a fishing license for New Hampshire and am up just about every other weekend, but I've never purchased one for New York. Also, the fact that you have to pay for each four hour stint on the Connetquot (and are confined to one local) has always turned me off. Reservations can be difficult to make. And I've heard from many other friends that the River is the stage for quite a bit of FlyFisherman Postering... (sort of the best-gear-and-the worst-attitude-type scence)

All this said, I know that the actual fishing (once you get down to it) is supposed to be incredible!

Thanks for the note. You know, your inquiry has sparked my interest in getting my act together, coughing up the dough, and making a reservation.

Robb

[SaltH2oFly]

Yea....all the other stuff aside which wouldn't surprise me...the fishing is supposed to be awesome and well worth it. I would be happy to pay especially since it's a very well managed resource. Definitely look into it, try it out etc. Then let me know how you liked it. I would love to come down and fish it in the early fall.

[HarryM]

I am thinking about trying to go out again this evening. The tides won't be quite as perfect, and I don't think that I could recreate last night

Well it should be fun trying...Good luck tonight !

I have no news on the Newfound, but I would expect that it is as bad as any of the other rivers in the area. I drove past the Pemi in Franklin, the Winni in Tilton and the Merrimack in Concord today and they were all as bad as I have ever seen them. I heard over 600 roads were damaged as a result of the flooding and many schools were closed today. The Lakes Region schools were all open, so I don't think we took it on the chin as bad as southern areas of the state.

Lakes are all high too. Went past Winni at the Meredith town docks yesterday and the water level was amost up to the docks. Winnisquam was just as bad. If it keep raining I'll have that lake front home I've always wanted without having to move !!!

[Hegel]

SaltH2oFly and Harry,

I just thought that I would let you guys know that I made it out again tonight into the Sound. I was right about the tides, an hour later and rougher water conditions changed the feel of the evening. There were also a few more guys around. There was even another fellow flyfisherman. Nonetheless, I managed to land 4 stripers - the largest coming in at 22''. It was a blast.

The most exciting bit of the evening, however, was the one that I didn't manage to get a grip on. I have heard that, often, there are some big cows mixed in with the schoolies. Tonight I had a hit and, thinking that it was going to be another small one, I attempted to put the brakes on and set the hook. Well, big mama got angry. By the time I thought to tighten down the drag a bit I was well into the backing. It's a little alarming to look down at the reel expecting to see trusty yellow fly line only to be surprised by white Dacron. Frightened that I would snap the leader, I decided not to go any tighter on the drag, opting to palm it a bit instead.

Unfortunately the hook set was no good. The fish just suddenly disappeared..... leaving me with a lot of reeling to do.

Harry, thanks for the info on the Newfound. I think that I am going to change my plans and stay in the Southwestern corner of the state this weekend. I've heard that Partridge Brook in Westmoreland looks good. Also, I'm going to make another run at the South Branch of the Asheulot.

Enjoy, and the tighlines.
Robb (AKA Hegel)