Tessein - Fly fishing Boston: a complete saltwater guide from Rhode Island to Maine

Y ou might be able to imagine what it took to research and record the information in this book. I like to think of it as good news and sort-of-bad news. The good part of the effort to produce this book was that I got to meet a lot of great people as I visited the different areas. Though I may have fished in an area, there is nothing like local, firsthand knowledge. Part of being a successful angler is getting to know the people who run the tackle shop in your fishing area. They are in business to help you with your fishing.

I cannot tell you how appreciative I am of the help, interest, and support given by the people I met while gathering information for this book. If there was any bad news about this effort, however, it was choosing which fishing locales to include in the book. I can honestly say that the wealth of information I received relative to the numerous good fishing spots for any given section covered in this book could comprise a book all by itself. Everywhere I went, people with local fishing knowledge gave me tips about a number of fishing spots. The difficulty was that each person would tell me I couldnt write this book without including his or her suggested fishing locations.

This made for difficult decisions on my part. As I stated earlier, I could have written a single book on just one state or major location. So for all those who helped with providing information, when you read this book and dont see a particular spot that you told me about, please forgive me. It was simply a question of space. This was one of the most difficult aspects of putting this book togetherwhat would or would not be included. My objective was to tell the reader of some well-known fishing destinations as well as others that may not have received much press.

I also owe thanks to some specific people who gave of their time and willingly offered advice. In particular, I wish to express my appreciation to Captains Jeffrey and Lynn Heyer of Cross Rip Outfitters, Nantucket, Massachusetts; Chris Grill of Kennebec Angler in Bath, Maine; Dana Eastman, The Tackle Shop in Portland, Maine; Jim Bernstein, Eldredge Bros. Fly Shop, Cape Neddick, Maine; Peter Jenkins of The Saltwater Edge, Newport, Rhode Island; Captain Doug Jowett, for his Spey rod information; Captain Tom Koerber of Roccus Charters for his flies and knowledge of Boston Harbor; Karen Hill, Sports Port, Hyannis, Massachusetts, for her generosity in lending equipment for photos; Eric Kulin, for the wonderful cover picture; Kent Jackson, for his advice and computer wizardry; and Captain Jim White of White Ghost Guide Service, Coventry, Rhode Island. Jims a friend whom I admire and whose fishing company I enjoy; I want to also thank him for the photographs he contributed to this book.

There is my special appreciation for Nick Curcione for his friendship, advice, and, in particular, willingness to share his knowledge of Spey rods. Nick, I want you to know the stripers are waiting, so come on up.

I want to offer a special thanks to Jack Gartside, a talented fly tier and author, who gave me a fishing lesson on a hot summers afternoon that I will long remember. Jack, you made me a believer and a member of that eclectic fan club of yours.

While I was writing this book, I learned of the passing of a very dear friend. Phil Genova, over the years, had been my long-distance fishing buddy. Though we didnt fish together that much, we sure spent a great deal of time on the phone discussing fishing, which was the next best thing. Some of Phils pictures appear in this book. He gave them to me a number of years ago when I was doing a magazine article on getting youngsters into fly fishing. That was his great passion. Phil, you will be greatly missed.

Additionally, my special thanks go to two very good friends who gave of their time and shared their saltwater fly-fishing expertise. Bob Mitchell, an outdoor writer, guide, and fly tier, has a contagious love of the outdoors. I am so grateful for his willingness to help with fishing information on the Massachusetts North Shore and New Hampshire coastline.

I first met Chip Bergeron in 1995 when I was paired with him to fish the Marthas Vineyard Rod & Gun Clubs one-night Fly Rod Striped Bass Catch & Release Tournament. His experience and understanding of fly fishing the waters of Marthas Vineyard are second to none. Every time I have fished with him Ive learned something new about the Vineyard and techniques for catching fish there. Thanks, Chip, for what you taught me, and the many enjoyable hours on Marthas Vineyard.

Finally, this book would never have been completed without the support and assistance of my wife, Paula. Since the very beginning of our marriage she has fished with me whenever time has permitted. She, as much as anyone, instilled the love of fishing in our son David. Before he ever attended school, he had spent many hours standing in front of his mother, helping her hold her surf rod as she fished. She has been, from the start, my cheerleader, adviser, and proofreader. But most of all, she is my best friend.

W hile I was growing up in New Jersey, my father often took me fishing and passed on to me his love of the sport. I loved the surf and beaches of my youth, but when I began to read about the striped bass of New England in the late 1950s, I knew I had to go there. In 1963 a job offer from Honeywell, located just outside Boston, gave me that chance. As soon as I moved there I began to fish the beaches of Cape Cod. It has been an ongoing love affair with New Englands saltwater fishing ever since.

When I arrived in Massachusetts, I was what was fondly known as a surf rat. I fished the surf with conventional and spinning gear, using plugs and metal to catch striped bass and bluefish. I became a member of the now defunct Intrepid Striper Club, a group of about 30 anglers, which gave me the unique opportunity to learn from some of the best saltwater anglers around. Besides getting a first-class education in fishing New England, I also formed some valued friendships. It was during this time that I bought a 14-foot aluminum boat with an 18-horsepower motor and joined some of the club members who launched their boats through the surf at the tip of Cape Cod. The striped bass fishing of the 1960s was legendary, and I am lucky to have experienced it.