Striped Bass: Marshes, Beaches, Ledges, Tidal Rivers & Flats

by | Salt Water

Striped Bass

The 2006 Striper fly fishing season in New England is off to a great start. As always, tons of fish. Actually two at a time, in many instances. But, better than that, the Striper Season always brings plenty of laughs. A recent fly fishing trip to Rhode Island produced plenty of fish and twice as many of laughs. A few good fish but mostly schoolies and we had to work hard to find them but when we did it was non stop action. Already this season, I have fly fished in the marshes, on the beaches, on the flats, in tidal rivers and in multiple New England states. That is one of the things I love most about fly fishing for Stripers. The challenges and adventures are in finding and catching them in all sorts of different environments. And, each environment typically involves a different set of techniques. Fly fishing on the flats is much different than fly fishing off the ledges or off the beach. And, fly fishing in the marshes and tidal rivers is another ball game. Of course, I missed the fabled worm hatch, because Keith and I decided to leave Rhode Island early. Mike and Frank, decided to stay and their decision paid off. Mike told me that it was unbelievable. All of a sudden the salt pond exploded with Striped Bass feeding on the cynder worms that were hatching from the sand. The worms emerge from the sand and surface to the top of the water. Thousands upon tens of thousands of these worms are squirming around on the surface making themselves easy prey for the fish. And, the Stripers go wild. They key in on the worms and feed on the surface, gorging themselves on these easy and tasty snacks. Mike and Frank fortunately had a few cynder worm fly patterns in their boxes, and the fish ate them up like candy. Another great thing that happens here in Maine is the spring run of Alewives. Baitfish run up the tidal rivers in huge masses. They are so thick that I can literally catch them with my hands (see video). Anyway, the Stripers love these tasty little critters too. And a good rule of thumb is, find the Alewives and you’re bound to find Stripers. Fly fishing for Stripers in the tidal rivers is a very cool experience. Many sections of these rivers are fast, Atlantic Salmon waters. Big Gorges and steep banks meet fast raging currents. I like to swing big Grocery flies and watch as the Stripers come from the bottom or from an undercut and attack my fly. The battle is of course magnified because the heavy current adds another dynamic to the fly fishing experience. So, as I write this, I am getting the urge to head out for a couple casts at the mouth of a tidal river down the road from my house. Actually, I got an hour or so before dinner. Plenty of time for a few casts.

9 Comments

  1. wrh on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    another excellent video!! It really is amazing the quality of the fishing in the North East, the stories on this site are a testiment to it.

  2. caddishead on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Love the tunes Jeremy! When you going to put out a cd for fliesandfins?

    Dude let me know when you hit RI IM an hour away!

  3. Linesidesonthefly on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    How did the flies I gave you work?

  4. greg on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    I haven’t been on for days and I was not disapointed!!, stripers, Rainbows and Brookies, plus video!. This site is for serious fly fishing nuts, no others need apply.

  5. waterwhippa on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Nice work guys. I could taste the salt on my lips! Looking forward to getting out on those flats again.

  6. AvidDavid on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    caddishead:

    I made my own cd from the “fly fishing tunes …. listen and download” button on the left of the home page. (It’s pretty easy to do. All you need is a cd drive that burns cds.)

    Now I can listen to Jeremy and Joey sing about Fat Nancy in my car! Also I can sing along about being a “Solitary Man” while I practice my “air” double haul in the “parking lot” on the Cross Bronx Expressway. As you might imagine, it tends to keep the other drivers a safe distance away from me!

    Dave

  7. joe-m on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Nice to see ya fishing in Maine ! Things here in fl have been windy I miss the flats of home! I will be back mid june so I hope we can hook w/ stripers or trout soon
    Joe-m

  8. caddishead on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    thats true… They’ve added a few.

  9. jeremy on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    GREAT! i look forward to fly fishing with you joe … been too long. there are some nice salmon and brookies and browns calling your name …. i was fishing “your stream” the other night and standing in your spot right across from the big rock … it wasn’t the same though … and it kinda felt like i was trespassing or something … that is your spot for sure and always reminds me of you …. give me a shout when you get back to maine.