NUMENON |
PONDERING CORE ESSENCE
NUMENON |
As my Maritime 1480 skiff, the amybaby22, moves to Maine for the height of the season (and perhaps longer), I wanted to take just a moment to reflect on my experiences in Barnstable, Massachusetts. Over the last couple of seasons, this might have become my favorite Bay State port. I didn't visit it much (four trips in two years; not nearly enough), but it treated me well each time. Given my lack of local experience, each trip presented new challenges and experiences. The port offers a variety of accessible habitats from estuarine to open water in Cape Cod Bay. I found my own way to fish each time. I know I've only scratched the local potential, but I've still encountered some fine fish! While I never scored a truly large striper during my limited time there, my average bass encountered was certainly fat, healthy and spunky; and probably pushing 24 inches. These fish are excellent targets on light tackle, and I caught them from the surface to 30 or more feet down. Plus, the clear water offered many additional sightings and close calls, and the port threw in several bonus bluefish of nice size, too. Perhaps because I tend to gravitate to Barnstable during a period of southerly wind, each day the skies were clear and the sun was bright. And yet, I still found feeding stripers! Because each trip here poses a new set of conditions (tide, season, water temperature, etc.), I've been open to exploring new waters and trying new techniques. On a given trip, bouncing epoxy jigs along bottom with current, ripping Ben Parker Magnum Flutter Spoons, trolling deep-diving sticks, chasing birds or simply covering water with poppers and flukes could be my answer. Of course, each of these pursuits has opportunity costs and so I've barely explored live-lining Macks, open-water trolling with big baits in deep water, sight-fishing the flats, or tube-and-worming along Sandy Neck. I know that any of these techniques could be my best answer on any given day, including my next trip. I was quick to realize (actualize?) the potential for Barnstable to offer a quality experience. I simply hit the nail on the head after my first visit: "... other than the rude boating, crowds at navigation pinch points and the rather dysfunctional ramp, this was a very high-quality experience." I've learned to manage the negatives mentioned above, leaving myself open to just the positives of this port. I am not quite sure when..., but I will be back! Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways
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Steve LachanceVia Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Michigan and now, back to New England! Archives
June 2024
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