Greetings from Capt. Dave & BAYMEN! It is almost April and there is a LOT happening as the season starts to come alive!

First up, the Pussy Willows are out in the swamps and around the ponds. When I was young, I used to pick some for my mother for a table centerpiece. My father also picked them for his mother when he was a young boy. I hope this tradition still continues in some of your families.

Second, The Herring Are Arriving in the runs! I have received several first hand reports of the “scouts” showing in the runs this week. That is just plain exciting. Let me know if you are seeing them yet in any of the runs you check on…

Third, Egrets arrived this past Tuesday. Right on time. Watch for these beautiful white plumed birds along the waters edge searching for minnows.

Fourth, the first Osprey have arrived one our bay, back from their long journey from South America! Bird migrations have always fascinated me since I was a very young boy. I come from a long family line of birds watchers. In college, I was the Assistant to the Professor of Ornithology. What a great experience that was.

Fifth, daffodils are already starting to pop up and I even saw shades of yellow flowers getting ready to bloom along the Blue Fish River! They tend to show and hold for quite a while, and then when everything is just right, they explode into colors all over town. Some day, I am going to plant a couple thousand bulbs. (You plant them in the fall to come up the following spring). If you are driving around town, watch for the blooms along the DYC Golf Course on Harrison street – one of the finest displays in town.

Sixth, Spring Crocus flowers are up. A few people enjoy these very early spring flowers around town. Keep an eye out for them. You can’t miss them.

Seventh, SPRING TROUT is in full swing! The ponds and rivers are or have been stocked with rainbows, tigers, brookies, and browns. Now is the time to start trout fishing. Check the MASS website for trout stocking dates of where and when. There is a lot of great trout fishing on the South Shore and the Cape. And for those of you that are partial to Large Mouth Bass, the dinner bell is ringing!!! LM LOVE trout stocking season… ;o) 

Striped Bass! One friend texted me that he already wet a line to scratch the itch. No hits, but expect the first striped bass to be landed in our local waters about April 15th. In my younger days, I would pound the bay in search of the first fish and many years I took a humble pride in being the first angler of the season to catch and release a striped bass in our local waters. I have turned that honor over to others and I always look forward to hearing who gets bragging rights for the season! Best of luck if you are heading out. April 15th was always the magic date…

Well, just a short pre-season BAYMEN Report. I am fired up like all of you. Boat prep is underway. The engines fired up nicely after the long, cold winter. I have sorted the gear, tackle and flies for the season, and as soon as we get some warm days, I will be found scrapping, sanding, and painting the BAYMEN skiff for another year on the bay! I always shoot for a pre-season shake down cruise on (your guessed it) April 15th!

Tight Lines and Stay Posted:

Sincerely,

Capt. Dave, BAYMEN, baymenlife.com 33 Years Guiding The Bay. Still In Love.

Soli Deo Gloria!