There's something magical about spring on Cape Cod. While the air still carries winter's chill, life beneath the surface of the Cape's freshwater ponds is stirring. It's that special time of year when Massachusetts' stocking trucks make their rounds across the Cape, releasing rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, and even tiger trout into many of Cape Cod's glacial kettle ponds. And one pond in particular stands out among the rest - not just on Cape Cod, but across the entire state.
Sheep Pond: A Glacial Marvel
Sheep Pond in Brewster isn't just another body of water; it's a window into Cape Cod's ancient past. Carved by massive glaciers some 15,000 to 12,000 years ago during the last ice age, this kettle pond plunges to depths of over 50 feet. When you visit on a bright, sunny day, the contrast is striking - turquoise, sandy shallows along the edges that suddenly plummet into a deep, dark blue abyss, like a giant eye staring up from the landscape.
The pond's edges mirror its depths, with steep cliffs and vertical shorelines plunging straight down into the water. If you could somehow drain this natural wonder, the massive hole left behind would be a testament to the incredible forces that shaped Cape Cod's distinctive geography. Once part of the massive Laurentide Ice Sheet that covered much of North America, these kettle holes formed when enormous chunks of ice broke off, became buried in sediment, and eventually melted, leaving behind these characteristic deep depressions that filled with groundwater.
Paleogeographic map of North America during the last glacial maximum. Continental ice sheets advanced from the northern latitudes, and alpine glaciers formed in the mountains. During the maximum extent of the recent glaciation, about 15,000 to 12,000 years ago the ice sheet divided into two lobes that flowed around present-day Pipestone National Monument (green star), forming the Coteau des Prairies. The yellow lines denote the equator, 30°N, and 60°N latitude. Basemap is from "North American Key Time Slices" © 2013 Colorado Plateau Geosystems, Inc; used under license. Refer to http://deeptimemaps.com/ for additional information.
Artist's rendition of what life may have looked like at the edge of the Laurentide Ice Sheet some 15,000 to 12,000 years ago. Source unknown.
The Call of Spring Fishing
After battling a nasty bout of flu that knocked our entire family down (with special recognition to my wife Lauren who somehow kept everything together while caring for both a sick baby and a bedridden husband), I finally found a window in our family schedule to escape for a few hours of fishing. My destination? The legendary Sheep Pond.
As I pulled into the Fisherman's Landing parking lot around 4:30 PM, I was greeted by the sight of several anglers already trying their luck. Three spin fishermen were working a cove to the east, while a fly fisherman cast his line from the beach northwest of the boat ramp. The pristine launch area offers plenty of room for boats and trailers, though a strict horsepower limit is enforced - not a concern for my kayak with its "zero horsepower" motor.
What happened next filled me with both hope and a touch of concern. In the brief time it took me to rig up and launch my kayak, the fly fisherman landed three trout right from the beach. Meanwhile, the spin fishermen remained fishless. As a spin angler myself that day, this observation planted a small seed of doubt that would grow throughout my adventure...[click to continue reading...]
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Sheep Pond is great. I find it gets a fair amount of pressure near fishermans landing, so I often go in the backside – either walking down the trails, or driving back on the off road area. It’s a great spot to fish the other side of the pond. Usually get lucky in that area – fish often hanging closer to the bottom it seems… Anyways, I made it out for the first time since November since having to hang up my spurs after my last striper trips… It was April 6th, and I went to Crystal Lake in Orleans. Got a beautiful 3 to 4 lb largemouth on a ned rig, and then got 3 rainbow trout on a kastmaster. Lost a few also… But it was great to wet a line and feel that tug… Can’t wait for saltwater season to fire up… Hopefully some togging before the chase of the 7 stripes begins… Sorry about you all getting ill – its been making its way around this winter, many folks got it bad. Glad you’re on the mend!
Thanks Kyle for the comment and for sharing that advice. Much appreciated! I’m looking forward to seeing you this spring/summer!
Ryan, Sheep Pond is a family favorite. We call it “The Fountain of Youth. ” The pond gets deep fast from the shore and is always cool and refreshing after a day at the beach or just going for a swim. Sheep pond is also a favorite for distance swimmers because of its long shape. One day I overheard some of the regular swimmers talking. One said “I feel rejuvnated, almost younger, after I swim here!” The others agreed! So, we started calling Sheep Pond “The Fountain of Youth!” I have fished Sheep pond many times wading from shore and paddling my kayak. The pond is beautiful in the morning. The sun comes up right in front of you from Fishermans Landing. I havent caught trout there but I have caught 2 small mouth bass. Sheep Pond is a Brewster beauty!
I think the name should be changed to “Fountain of Youth”. Love it! Thank you for the comment Leslie.
A beautiful place for fishing! I have seen many fly fisherman catch off the beach in the early spring as well.
Looks like I may have to return with the fly rod!