Chasing Stripers

The time had finally come to go chase stripers on the fly. I had been in Maine for 4 months and been thinking of these fish since I got here. I knew it was striper season but honestly had no idea how or where to catch them. The demands of summer semester kept me from the water but now, I was only two weeks into fall semester and had an open weekend.

For this trip, I was very fortunate to fish along someone who knew where and how to fish for stripers. It's a random story but, he is the father to Emma's best friend. When he rolled up Saturday afternoon to pick me up with two kayaks and enough rods and gear for 8 guys, I knew I was in good hands.

We arrived at the dock and were met with strong winds and whitecaps on the ocean. A local tour bus called the Downeast Duck rolled up as we were gearing up and we overheard random sounds of ducks quacking and tourists talking. The sounds made me laugh but just like that, the bus drove right out into the ocean. I honestly didn't think anything of it at first but after a second or two I turned to Hugh and said "that thing is a boat!?" He laughed and acknowledged that indeed it was.

After getting all of our gear ready the bus made its way back to the dock and casually drove by but not without the driver saying, "kayakers, be careful out there with the strong wind gusts." We took his words into consideration and proceeded to launch the kayaks.

The strategy Hugh planned was to attach our kayaks via rope as he pulled me along while each of us trolled with large white spinners lures to find where the stripers were. Once we found them we would throw flies and hope to catch one. Hugh's kayak was the ultimate fishing rig. It has a pedal drive system that enables him to be hands free and fish while cruising along the water. He has also mounted multiple rod holders allowing him to carry and troll with ease. Lets just say I was super jealous and hope to have my own someday.

As we made our way out into the bay ocean waves crashed into my kayak and splashed cool salty water onto my legs and face. I was glad I decided to put waders on as I quickly became soaked. We each tossed out our rigs and anxiously waited. The further we made it out into the bay the calmer the wind and waves were. This was a good thing because it was a little sketchy in rough water with an open style kayak.

Before I knew it, my rod was bent over and a fish was on the line. Man did it feel good to feel the tug again-it had been a long time. Quickly I was reminded of when I caught wipers back in Utah. These stripers fought the same way and caused that kink in the wrist that most trout never match.

First fish caught in Maine and in saltwater

Hugh was next on board and caught a feisty schoolie.

As we made our way further out and closer to Mackworth island the fishing really picked up. I landed two nice fish in a matter of five minutes.

As low tide began, we made our way over to a sand bar to try our luck with some topwater flies. There were a couple fisherman on a sandbar on the opposite side to us that weren't catching anything but we were hopeful. I grabbed Hugh's 9wt, rigged a big topwater bug and began slinging away. It was odd to be in the middle of the bay on a sandbar but it made for a great place to cast flies. At high and low tide the ocean really changes.

As I waded out into the soft mud, there were clams and muscles everywhere. Apparently stripers eat clams which seems impossible but Hugh assured me that they do.

We both threw flies for about an hour with no luck so we made our way to the island to meet the ladies for a beachside dinner. I enjoyed a Chipotle burrito that really hit the spot.

Soon, we were ready to head out again, but not in the kayaks. The strategy was to wade far out away from the island and hopefully reach the deep channel that runs through the bay where the stripers would be. Looking out into the ocean on the beach you'd never guess that the water at this particular spot was not very deep. As we waded out I found it much easier to walk over the plethora of empty clam, muscle, and oyster shells. They provided traction and helped me not sink in the mud.

As I waded out I turned around to look at the island and it appeared I was about a football field length away. I began tossing a clouser pattern that Mike had tied. I could not tell if I had reached the channel but, I was getting too anxious and had to start fishing. The water at this point was up to my lower torso, which made for difficult casting. Much to my surprise, as I began stripping in my second cast a striper nailed the fly and that familiar kink in the wrist caused me to smile. It was fun to fight the fish with me feet grounded this time and not in a kayak.

By the time I caught my third fish high tide was in full effect and it felt as though every second the water was rising. As water climbed up to our chests, we decided we better head back to the beach. I had a fish on and brought the fish all the way back to the island to show everyone.

One poke is all Emma wanted from the fish

The sunset that evening was one of the most beautiful I had ever seen. A fiery red engulfed the sky and illuminated the water below. It was the perfect ending to a great day.

Striper Session 2.0

With all the fun and success we had the week prior, Hugh and I decided we better get out again the next weekend before the stripers headed south for the season. The destination this go around was completely different. We would start on a river about two miles from the ocean and kayak down during low tide so the current would easily take us toward the ocean. 

Hugh picked me up at 5AM that Saturday. We needed to get out early as that is when stripers are most active. When we reached the boat dock it was still dark but as soon as we launched the kayaks a hint of sun appeared and lifted condensation from the water. It was a cool 45 degrees and I couldn't wait to get out on the water. 

We fished near the dam for a bit which warmed our bodies before heading down river. It was disappointing that we didn't catch anything near the dam because Hugh had heard that a local caught a 35 inch striper here last week. Regardless, we then made our way down river maneuvering our kayaks between parked boats and ones heading out for the striper bite. 

Soon, my rod was bent over with a nice striper. Man, this was too much fun. Though these fish were still "schoolie" category, they put up a great fight. As we made our way down river I landed a few more but the big boys still eluded us.

Touch of Fall

We made our way to a big opening in the river and noticed some topwater action going on. There were some stripers chasing baitfish so we hurried over as fast we could. By the time we arrived the fish had stopped but we both threw out our lines in hopes for a bite. Unfortunately they had seemed to move on. I was super bummed as I had really wanted to catch one on top water. Hopefully next time.

As we made our way closer to the ocean we discovered a spot that held big stripers. I could see the ocean in the distance and the beach that we were headed to. I was fishing near some boats when all of the sudden Hugh starts screaming, he had a fish on and I could tell it was big by his reaction. I hurried and reeled my line in and peddled over to his kayak and couldn't believe my eyes. 

Whole lotta striper

Hugh had landed his all time personal best, a solid 30 inch striper. He had beat his old record of 29" and was ecstatic. 

Needless to say, I was pumped he caught such a nice fish but, now I wanted one for myself! Well, ten minutes later, in roughly the same spot he had caught his. I landed my personal best striper, a 22".

It wasn't quite as big but, man was it a fun fight. These fish fight so hard and have so much strength it's incredible.

We then made our way to the beach and fished a while from the shore. We didn't have any luck here but it was still fun slinging flies as ocean waves crashed into my body and crabs scurried from underneath me.

With no more fish to hand, we made the trek back to the boat launch two miles away. We fished on the way back but the stripers were no where to be found. Though it was now high tide and the water helped carry us back, the trek back was still quite difficult. By the time we reached the dock I was pretty beat.

Because the fish Hugh caught was over 28", he kept it and filleted it on the dock. It was quite the spectacle watching Hugh work the knife on a big fish. The process is completely different than preparing small trout. The next evening he enjoyed the fruits of his labor and had fresh striper with his family that was prepared by a local seafood restaurant.

Until next time...