Fall Striper Blitz

As a fishing guide there are so many questions asked. A favorite question is, “What’s the best time to fish for in Barnstable Harbor?”. One of the answers to that question is during the Fall Striper Blitz. “When is the Fall Striper Blitz?”

Now, is the answer! Or perhaps, yesterday…

Last week, while Hurricane Irma was busy decimating the USVI, Barnstable Harbor hosted some classic Fall Blitz striper fishing. After a season of changing flies for finicky fish, suddenly we were back to the tried and true standards of Olive & White Clousers and 9″ White Slug-gos. The birds were working and the fish were biting.

Today, Hurricane Jose brings rain and wind, fortunately so far, not too much of either. The Gravy, is safely on her trailer and tucked behind the garage. Although, she likely would have been just fine in her very protected slip at the marina, it makes for much better sleeping to have her on dry land for what (thus far) amounts to fall N’oreaster storm.

Hurricanes, Fires & Earthquakes

My heart hurts from the destruction of by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and now Maria. The images of the floods, battered & wrecked homes and piles of boats & debris on the shoreline are simply devastating. The forest fires of the west are reeking another type of havoc. And of course Mexico, with its second major earthquake in less than several weeks weighs heavily on me. As a New Englander, I am familiar with hurricane preparation and winter storm inconveniences. I have experienced a magnitude 6.7 earthquake firsthand (Northridge 1994). I have no firsthand experience of forest fires and hope to keep it that way.

Thank you to the meteorologists that keep us alert to the dangers of potential storms. Thank you to social media for helping to provide loved ones with information as to the well-being of their families. Thank you to any of you that have taken the time to read this blog. I know that a Fall Striper Blitz is part of the cure to our hurting hearts.

Capt’n Avery