Captain Bill “Grizzly” Smith

The Draggin’ Fly

Fishing in the Shadows of Boston

It’s No Secret…….Sometimes

Why Don’t More Anglers Know What I Know?

Fly fishing has taught me to be very observant.

Dawn PatrolAnd working the early morning shift provides me the solitude to approach

fish without the crowds.

The Boston Triangle

The History

Back in the 60’s, Boston Harbor was considered to be one of the East’s premier striper fisheries

and the Flounder Capital of the World.

Then pollution…sewerage and commercial dumping just about killed the Harbor.

Today

Boston Harbor fishing is no longer a memory…the future is bright!!

Unique Fishery

The Lure of the Harbor

Not Only Great Fishing…

But One Heck of a View!

Where-When-Why

The Harbor has the structure, the bait…the structure…the water temperature…and the structure to attract and hold big bass all season long!

You Name It…you’llfind plenty of fish holding structure

in and around Boston

rock piles, islands, flats, beachfronts, rivers, back water estuaries, and even reefs provide endless fishing opportunities.

Huge Bait Supply

By mid-May, huge schools of stripers move inshore to chase herring.

The Charles River, Neponset River, and the Back River have substantial returns of herring. Several of the other rivers also support herring runs.

By the end of May, mackerel adds to the mix and often lasts well into June. At times, like last year, the mackerel pushed right into the Inner Harbor and several bays.

The Summer

As June turns into July, many bass move off to the Outer Islands and live eels are a good source of protein.

Others work the shallows at low light.

This is were I spend much of my summer, stalking bass in skinny water.

Set A Coursefor Some of The Northeast’s Best

Striper Fishing

There Are Two Routes Out From the Launch.

Tonight we’ll fish our way out through West Gut and return through Hull Gut.

My disclaimer: As my clients will tell you I am rarely in a rush to get outside.

My bet!!

Small Boats

To fish the Boston Triangle you do not need a huge boat…

a boat 15 feet and larger with a good beam will allow you to explore the Harbor’s hot spots.

Take the Time to Learn

The Harbor encompasses hundreds of miles of navigable waters….

some not at as navigable!

Web State Park

Quick access to deep water of the Fore River and Hingham Bay.

Great structure…boulders and mussel beds.

The Back River has plenty of bait.

The Neck

Grape Island

Fish all sides of this island…

Slate Island

Just across from Grape Island, Slate Island provides some good shallow water fishing in the spring.

Fore River

This busy body of waters is one of my favorite haunts and produces throughout the season.

Princess Head

Raccoon Island

Spires Stand

Nut Islandat

West Gut

Tide Rip-Structure-Bait

Entering Quincy Bay

Home of Big BassSunken Ledge

Hangman’s Island

Wreck Rock

Rainsford Island

Quarantine Rocks

Hospital Shoals

The BridgeMoon Head

Fire House

The Channel

Long Island

Thompson’s IslandOutward Bound

Southside Cove

Western Way

Spectacle Island

Sculpin Ledge

Western WaySculpin Ledge

Park Headquarters

East Side

Dorchester Bay

Gas Tank

Backside of Marina Bay

U Mass

The Inner Triangle

The LedgesSugar Bowl at Pleasant Bay

The Castle

Governor’s Flats

Deer Island Flats

Tanks

The Flats

Long Porch

The North Channel

The Outer Islands Rocks, Rocks, and More Rocks

Pepper the Rocks and Explore The Structure

Little Brewster

Boston Light

The BrewstersMiddle Brewster

Get’em out quickly

Flying Place

Graves Light

The Inner Islands

Nix’s Mate

Hull Gut

Hull Bay

Bumpkin Island

Sunset Point

Fall is the Time

Back Home

Even Shore Bound Anglers Can Get Into the Action

Commuter boats…my enemy…your friend

Take A KidFishing

And Maybe an Old Gaffer

Ed Nowak

QuestionsE-mail me: dragginfl@aol.com

Visit my website: wwwfishboston.com