Cape Cod Striped BassMorning of July 5th, 7:10 AM. Falmouth Mass. The alarm goes off. 7:15, the call from guide: Roger Swiderski (AKA Jolly Roger.) Stumble into bathroom trying not to wake other occupants in hotel room. Directive from Roger to meet at coffee shop opposite hotel in 10 minutes. Dress. Kiss girlfriend. Out the door quietly. 7:35. Call Roger from Coffee Shop only to find he is sitting 3 tables behind me! Having found each other we leave immediately with hot coffee in hand. (Need that coffee!) 8:00. Arrive at Kingman Marina. Grab fly rods and fly box and board taxi to moored boat. 8:15. Out to first spot. Weather is foggy and threatening to rain. Spot first surface action. Cast to spot. Retrieve according to Roger’s specifications. First fish on. Striper short. My fish nearly gets eaten by a striper three times its size while only feet from the boat. Heart racing. “Oh yeah, this is the ocean we’re fishing in. Who knows how big the fish are here?” One more fish around 8:20. Another. We could fish here for a while but there’s a lot more to see. 8:45 move to next spot. Weather holding. Immediately spot pod of fish feeding on the surface. Heart rate increases. Roger expertly positions us, cuts the engine. First cast, fish on. “Oh yeah, it’s much easier to catch busting stripers than selective trout in skinny water. This is definitely NOT the Beaverkill.” Multiple hookups over next hour. Only one fish lost as it ran at me. (Probably the biggest fish of the day ). Trying out different weight rods and lines. Casting a 5 weight MUCH different than casting a 12 weight fly rod. Mostly use a 7 or 8 weight with sinking and intermediate fly lines. Arm aching today. Drift over same spot many times. Fish on every 5th cast. One keeper. Picture taken and released. Leave fish to find fish? Tough question… 10:15 – 12:00. Maybe 4 more spots. Tide at flood high then receding. No more surface action. A few more hits. No rain. End Result. About a dozen fish. Great relationship with guide. Much fun and laughs. Dreams of the one that got away. Beautiful scenery. Fishing addiction fed… for now.