10.10.18 Today just didn't work out......at least for me

     I thought I had a good plan today. Forecast said the fog would burn away by 8 and it would be a nice day that got better with each hour. I was wet by 830 and knew my window would close about 115 since I was pulling school pick up duty this afternoon.

     First stop was the end of the Death March and it was just small bluefish on peanut bunker while I was there. The picture above is a good illustration of why boat guys are hated and wind up with Ava's thrown their way. I'm surprised I didn't hear choice words flying off the beach.

     Today I broke out my ne Orvis Recon 9ft 10 wt and after throwing it today I may have found my go-to rod. I have the Recon in 7'10" 10wt, but I found that rod is slower and a little more of a dry fly rod. I'm not judging it it was just my feelings after an outing or two with it. I will be using it more this fall.

     With things slow in the fog on this side of the pond I ventured in the eventual pea soup across to usual albie spots. I got turned around for a bit trying to focus on my GPS arrow and luckily found Romer Light. On the other side it was quiet, and visibility was even less than before. I found the bait just no fish up in the few hundred feet I could see around the boat.

     I ran into Ian and it was the first time I saw his new boat. It is nice, bigger, faster, twin screws, built for fish near and kinda far. After slicing through the fog and stopping for a "well what do you think" chat I left the boys and headed to the back. Once there I found birds up and fish crashing bait. It was bluebird skies and it was fun casting to the 20 inch bluefish. Ian gave me a heads-up by text 

stating, "We got albies". I was far, but wanted to get something good for todays efforts. It was 1240 and I knew I had to be at Red Bank Middle School at 245.......let me run.

     So I ran and just as I got a few miles from them I spotted a fog line that was moving its way up the coast and was closing in on them. I knew I just had to turn around and head it. The fog came and they said it shut things down or at least they couldn't see them anymore. They had already had their fun landing a bunch before the fog rolled in.

     Around 430 I gave him a shout and they were still out their and had found the little tunny again. No more fog, flat, fish up......well deserved for sticking through and putting in a long day.

Ian F. photo

                             

10.09.18 Perfect conditions just no one home.....

     After school drop-offs I had about an hour before clinical. I found great looking conditions with plenty of bait in both mullet and rainfish, problem is no one was home. There should have been something around.....the wait is killing a lot of the beach anglers that are waiting for that special morning.

     On a good note, the Simms waders passed the first day test, more than I can say for other waders I have had. It worked out good because the quick change from fishing to clinical clothes eliminated my usual need of towel drying both feet and my crotch before switching outfits.

10.08.18 Thats it.....not more leaks!!!!

       So after many years and many waders, mostly Orvis, I have made the choice and the investment to go with Simms. This week I busted out my new pair of G3 bootfoot with felt bottom waders. I had a container of Orvis Posi-Grip studs for felt bottom boots and after sizing them up, so they wouldn't dig in to much, I screwed six into each boot bottom.

 I did some looking back into my old Orvis orders and see that I purchased my latest Orvis Endura bootfoots on June 5, 2018 shortly before my Martha's Vineyard trip. And while on the island they soon started to leak. This week I will send them back and get whatever they will give me towards something else. I'm busting them out tomorrow so we'll see......

10.07.18 Have to protect yourself when throwing flies......

     The other day Capt Jim Levison posted this picture from a recent trip while guiding out on Montauk. This time of yer the albies are around and that means throwing tiny flies in a hurry usually in windy or, if in a boat, rocky conditions. 

     For the beach or boat guy wind can either hurt or help you. Wind coming from your dominant casting hand can either have the fly whipping into face on the backcast or eating dragged into your skull on the forward cast. Sometimes what happens is the line wraps around your head and then the fly eventually finds flesh, like in this guys eye lid. 

     After a successful trip to Southhampton Hospital the fly was removed without damage to the eye. While I try and be safe I tend only to were sun glasses when needed or cheaters when I'm tying a leader or fly. I have had these general safety glasses on my boat and after seeing these pictures I realize I should start protecting my eyes when on the boat or beach. 

10.05.18 Finally felt like fall on the beach......

    My client for todays boat trip decided to re-schedule after looking at the wind forecast. Not that it couldn't have been done, it just wasn't the way he wanted to spend the full day. That most likely, and not all that bad, means we will be targeting bass rather than albies when we go out.

     So I hit the beach early and found conditions to be very fall like and to my liking. An hour into the outgoing, NE winds 15-22, and strong waves with a tough sweep. I started in the dark and didn't have a touch until sun came up over an hour later. Found bass chasing bait up and down the trough mostly tucked in on the south sides of the rocks.

      This type of weather gets things moving and although it was comfortable out there a little chill in the air wouldn't hurt either. Once things shut down I ran up to Raritan Bay and just found pods of peanuts swimming untouched. It would be nice to have a blow for the next few days and then have wind go west for a bit.

     This weekends tides, especially tomorrow are looking good for anglers hitting the beach. Snake Flys for the mullet and epoxies for the rain bait should have you covered.

10.03.18 Albies up today.....

     Had a window for a scouting trip today and dragged Capt. Paul Eidman out to see how things were looking. Caught the incoming and it seemed to get busier as the flood tide crested. We found some birds and albies but it wasn't dodging the NW vs incoming tide that was the problem, it was the other boats. It's not how many boats are out on the water, its what they do when the see fish breaking or birds starting to pick. 

     Some guys like the run through or gun it straight to them....me, not so much. I like picking a seam or a line and drifting through, and then pulling out and doing it again. Boats criss-crossing through the rip doesn't do good for anyone, including the guys on the beach dying for a shot. 

     It was no surprise the albies were on rain bait and natural color imitations worked well. It always makes me laugh when fly anglers try and match the hatch tying 1/2" imitations and going down to 12 pound tippets only to see someone else using brain and catching one on six-inch pink rubber.

     Once away from the other boats we found eaters in the rips. Its really the best place to play. Washing machine wave action, ripping tide, and a strong fish not cooperating by coming in easily makes alibi fishing a hoot.

     Today seemed to be good for a short window, and maybe that window opened back up on the outgoing tide but we didn't stick around. The beach guys had early shots and connected as well. If you are interested in giving it a shot, realizing its hit or miss, that its not as consistent as Montauk, and are okay with the agony of defeat rather than the thrill of victory, then give me a call. Friday is open for the beach or boat.....732 261 7291.

10.01.18 Found a sweet rip to share....

     While down south the other day I found a fishy looking stretch that is worthy of sharing. Not the exact spot, but things to look for when fishing. Remember predators like striped bass and fluke are ambush. Finding good moving water like a rip is a great place for them to set up and wait for bait to get caught up in.

    If you start from beach scarp and out we can see a few things. Nice white water right at the edge where the beach scarp meets the beach side of the trough. Then you see how the water on the left and then the right are both moving toward the middle where the rip forms. Lastly, even though its low tide, waves still break on the outer bar, but there aren't any where the arrows point to. It's deeper there   so the waves aren't breaking due to the change in structure.

     Look for these things when you are out scouting on all tides and you will improve your fishing and catching when you go.

     Hearing the allies and bass are starting to show up. Hitting the boat tomorrow and Friday is open fo a full or half day. Two anglers for a full day $600 with lunch and non-alcoholic drinks included or $400 for the morning or afternoon. 732 261 7291 call or text

09.30.18 Beautiful but slow day jumping around....

     Had Matthew out for his first striper trip. We started before first light on the start of the incoming and worked hard where we found water but found no fish. We moved inside and worked a handful of spots but only found tiny blues chasing bait. Got word from a passing marine unit saying, "they're blowing up on peanuts" in another location we moved with that Intel. The journey wasn't easy, and although it didn't pay off, we were glad to be onto real fishy water. I wish we had a different tide, not 

as much boat traffic, and more moon then sunlight. He was eager to learn and said the day met all his needs even though we couldn't find the bass. A few of those spots haunt me and I just might have to make a night run soon.

09.29.18 Albies goin' good today....

......well not really. My first mate and I went down to look for a rod that I thought I had left there last week. As we left the marina we talked about how beautiful a day it was out on the water. After a call to a friend who said "Go" we did just that.

                         

     We had the top and the outgoing. We put some miles on the engine, the Hook, Breezy, Gravesend, Hoffman, north of the VZ, back to the Hook, Keansburg and then home. Saw about 40 birds and boats anchored up all looking for porgies. I made a few blind casts just to do it. Now, there may be fish around but we were looking for birds and heads, I know its early, but it was really nice out there. 

09.27.18 Gave the late shift a go.....

     Hit some spots in the back from 930 until 130 am. Started along the bay on the incoming and then stopped in spots working my way up the two rivers. Ended fishing the dock lights on the start of the outgoing. Peanuts spraying out of the water pretty consistently but I could get a bite on top or underneath. Threw this double barrel popper for a while (didn't have black) and then a purple and black Hollow Flye. I don't know what was on the bait but I stayed way longer then I should have but not getting a tap really frustrated me. I am due for some good fishing......

09.26.18 Tough morning in the salt....

    Had the pleasure of fishing with Gary this morning who gave his first shot in the salt along the Jersey Shore a try. He worked hard, for a long time, but we couldn't get a tug. South wind, big moon, end of the incoming and start of the outgoing. Had a flurry before the flip as birds were over bass over anchovies on the other side of the breakers. The life lasted about 30 minutes before the bright sun came out and it seemed to shut down in an instant.

     We talked a lot about bass, the Jersey beaches and fly fishing and I think he has a good foundation to start the sickness of chasing striped bass. He asked a few times about bluefish and I hoe to get him into the bay in the spring for the gator invasion. We'll give it another go in a few weeks as the run gets going stronger.

     Its mullet time and that means tying up my favorite fly, Lou Tabory's Snake Fly. Last night, late, I was at my Regal Vise cranking out a good assortment to offer. The key is good ostrich herl if you can find it. The best stuff comes hand picked from the fly fishing shows.

    After we parted, and being frustrated we didn't hook up, I spent an hour down on sweet looking water. I didn't find a fish but I did find lots of water.....in my waders. Sorry Orvis, this has to end. I bought these for this past June's Martha's Vineyard trip. They leaked on the second day. So, being

always frustrated with the wader situation I have ordered a pair of Simm's G3 boot foots with the felt soles. I can't wait to be dry again while fishing!

09.24.18 Nice 45 minute stop....

     Between school drop-offs and clinical start time I had a short window to hit the beach. ENE wind blowing 20-25 with sloppy water made me happy. This are my favorite conditions. The mullet and anchovies were getting tossed are in tight and the bass were on them. Landed three in 45 minutes and dropped a few more. Left them jumping and wish I could have stayed.

     Don't know what its going to be like the next few days. The forecasts might be okay but the steady east may have the water off color and full of debris.

09.23.18 Okay, here we go.....

     Hey whoever still comes and visits. I know my postings have been sporadic, and, well, that's just because that's the way it is. We're getting used to living "out west" and we absolutely love it. It means less opportunities on the beach but I am figuring out how to work it into my schedule. I have left Monmouth Medical to concentrate on my last year at Monmouth University. Balancing school and the clinical component is challenging.

Good news is I am guiding full time this fall, walk and wade or boat trips. If you are interested in getting out, for the first time or not, give me a call 732 261 7291 or email me at colin@theaverageangler.com

    Speaking of the boat. It's all ready to go. Had it out for a run the other day and will be back out this week looking for albies and bass. 

     With Florence here and gone and the Harvest Moon about to pass Monday night the mullet and other baits should be starting to move. I have been out a handful of times the past week or so and have done well each time, except once, where I had the mid-morning skunk. They are smaller fish, 18-26 inches mostly. I expect bigger fish to start moving in when they get a wiff of the bait. The rain bait is around and the albies love that, along with the spearing and tiny peanuts, so we will start targeting them in the boat. I have been making some stops at the inlet but usually only find blues ripping through bait on the moving tides. 

     On Friday I joined Leif and put in a full four hour session from 4am -8. I only landed two fish but it was fun none-the-less. There was mullet around just not those classic v-patterns as the bait swims in the upper 1/3 of the water column. That's when you see those bass swirls or tail slaps. 

Leif Petersen photo

     As you know Snake Fly's are one of my favorites to tie and fish. It's been a combo of black and blue and chartreuse that have been catching for me. I'll be at it this week and hope to find the bigger siblings of the fish that I have been finding.

09.05.18 Great cover this month in OTW

                 

     Just before I left for Ireland I got an email from the editor of On The Water magazine staying they would like to run my picture on the cover. It was a mad dash trying to find my external hard drives and locate the image but it all worked out just before the issue went to press.

     Special thanks to Andrew Hamilton for being a great stick and a handsome lad that made making this image so easy. That’s Montauk lighthouse in the back. Its albie time and it looks like they are staring to show earlier than usual. I’ll be back at it this fall so if you’d like to join me on the boat or beach give me a call or text 732 261 7291