Feeding Frenzy | Cape Cod Fisheries and Baitfish | Secondary Foods | Sight Fishing

Secondary Foods

Crabs, small shrimp and swarming worms are also important baits. The Calico-Lady Crab, a small to midsize crab with a reddish-brown back, is a common, favorite food of stripers, and an imitation is worth fishing when baitfish are scarce. A good pattern is Del Brown's Permit Fly with a nickel- to quarter-size shell and weighted eyes to sink the fly. Swim the fly in the current or bump it along the bottom with a stop-and-go retrieve. On shallow flats, fishing a sinking crab with a floating line works well.

Common shore shrimp and sand shrimp inhabit the flats and shallows around Cape Cod. They live along the bottom, holding to the sides of seawalls or pilings in sheltered waters. In spring, look for the shrimp swept by the currents from small creeks (apparently they are spawning). For a floating imitation, I use a 1 1/2-inch-long spun deer-hair-body fly shaped like a shrimp and fish it along the surface with a dead-drift. For fishing the bottom, an underwing-bonefish-type pattern tied in tan or cream, one to two inches long, matches the small northern shrimp. Move the fly in short strips, with a hopping motion, letting it settle to the bottom at times.

The spawning of the Nereis worms occurs on new- and full-moon tides. The worms swarm on calm nights in June and July. Look for them at the mouths of creeks, along shorelines, and along sod banks out into open water.

During thick swarms, fish your fly below the worms; as with any thick concentrations of bait, your fly must stand out. During thin hatches, fish on or near the surface using a buoyant spun deer-hair-head fly in all black, red, orange, or red with a black head.

A fly that makes a wake can be deadly if gamefish are taking single worms. The Orange Blossom is a good subsurface fly for the hatch. Catching fish during a worm hatch can be difficult. It is both frustrating and fascinating to cast for an hour into a mass of feeding fish and never have a strike. It happens. Just expect it, and enjoy the times when fish take your fly.

When fish are feeding on top, leaving small subtle, surface rings, they are probably feeding on swarming, spawning, or hatching bait. Gamefish can feed slowly, sometimes taking several items at once, because the bait is less mobile, and generally close together.

These events occur only occasionally, so they should not be your main focus, but you should carry some small patterns to match them. When they do occur, they create memorable fishing.

On-Line Catalogs
A.A. Outfitters Full service, fully stocked flyshop located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Allen Brothers Quality Fishing Flies Quality is more than just a word. We use Daichii hooks and all our beadheads are tied with tungsten. Check out unique variations on a lot of the classics, plus our original patterns! Angler's Pro Shop The finest products the fly fishing industry has to offer. Bighorn Fly and Tackle Shop Montana's premium fly shops, lodging and guide service. We're dedicated to helping you experience the best Montana has to offer. Bob Henley's TIE-A-FLY 19 traditional patterns. TIE-A-FLY kits have all materials needed to tie them, instructions/illustrations, a pre-tied fly to use as a model. Gary LaFontaine's "The Book Mailer" Every angling book & media in print—10% off 3 or more. LaFontaine fly patterns & materials. FREE anti-catalog. Crystal Fly Shop Online Store Quality products at reasonable prices from Winston, Elkhorn, St. Croix, Galvan, Solitude, Idylwilde, Chota, etc. Many items 15-35% off. Custom Fly Rod Crafters Fly rod building components, tools & supplies. Dan Bailey's Online Fly Shop Outfitting fly fishermen since 1938. Equipment & information to make your next fly fishing trip be a memorable one.		Fly Fishing Flies & Gear Shop RiverBum.com for premium FLIES and GEAR from Simms, Sage, Fishpond & more ... Free Shipping on orders over $25! FlyShack.com High quality, hand-tied flies. Assortments from $.60/fly. Great selection and excellent service. Free Shipping. FlyShopCloseouts.com Now—new and expanded—with much more brand name fly fishing tackle and gear at huge savings. Save 30-50% on quality brands you will recognize in an instant. Galloup's Slide Inn Online Fly Shop Full online store offering cutting-edge flies, equipment, and the best streamer selection found anywhere in the U.S. Hills Discount Flies Fly shop quality flies at wholesale prices. Over 1,000 patterns. Check out bargains in "Hot Deals" section. Hooked On Flies 65¢-69¢ a fly. That's 3 flies for less than the retail price of one fly. 450+ Trout Fly Patterns! Madison River Fishing Co. Spring is coming! We have TONS of new gear this year. Cloudveil, Simms, Sage, Under Armour, Vosseler Reels and lots more. Click or call 800-227-7127 for catalog. **Reelflies** - Fly Fishing Flies Offering incredible prices on top-quality Trout Flies: $0.49 - $0.79. Our flies have great fly illustrations . . . what you see is what you get! www.ShopUltimateAngler.com Your steelhead and smallmouth specialists featuring Simms, Sage, Patagonia, Orvis, guide services, local fishing reports and more!