Doug B.
On May 21st I had the privilege of teaming up with Ryan Collins for the 6th annual Cheeky Schoolie Fly Fishing Tournament.
Anglers from all over the country attend this event on Cape Cod. It's even touted as the largest fly fishing tournament in the world!
My preparations started early that week with a run through of reels, rod, line, leader, tippet, flies, waders, and boots.
Making sure all my gear was in good working order was a critical step in readying myself for a striper-packed weekend.
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Gathering Intel
Ryan and I had chatted about recent reports, where the fish were being caught, and what was being used.
Considering we were fishing in a competition, Ryan and I quickly embraced the "go big or go home" mindset.
Ryan had acquired a bunch of beautiful, large herring patterns.
I sifted through my collection, and set aside a few of the larger options. In an effort to match the hatch, I attempted to tie a few flies with a larger profile.
My fly-tying skills are not exactly honed, but it was a fun way to pass the time until Ryan and I would be casting our flies at "monster" striped bass on the tidal flats of Cape Cod.
About the author
I wish I would’ve done the tournament. Sounds like an exciting event to be a part of! Any specific tips you’d have for tournaments of this nature? Ned, Dex and I will be in the MV Rod & Gun Club tournament this upcoming weekend.
Do it with us next year, Brian. We’re hoping to make an organized and fun MFCC thing of it next year if possible. I am certainly no seasoned tournament angler but i think there’s a lot to be said for pre-tournament prep and reconnaissance; testing locations if at all possible to see where the fish are and what they’re eating. That and time management. We really cut it too close on that front.
Brian do you also fly fish!?
It’d be great to get you involved in this tournament during 2018.
Count me in for 2018. I knocked the dust off my flyrod this season. About half of my fish so far have been on the fly. I haven’t fine-tuned my skills, but I can get the line in the water.
Great re-cap of the fly fishing Tournament!
It was a lot of fun, Tom.
You could have fished another 5 seconds. Enjoyed your report and hope your legs recover from the walk. Number 31 out of 320 is great.
Enjoyed the journey and it goes to show how fast the fishing can change, day to day. Well done guys!
five and a half seconds, Jake. Yes it was fun. Next year I’m going to start training so i can keep up with the Cape Cod Kenyan. … although don’t tell Ryan i said that, i don’t think he likes that nick name. 🙂 the motivating part is Ryan hooked the two fish that would have won the thing. Oh well, “Horse shoes and hand grenades”