The rips continue to fish well, especially for anglers fishing sinking lines with red/purple and orange squid patterns. The Rio OutBound Short has been a standout choice for these conditions, making quick work of heavy flies and strong currents while delivering the casts needed to cover productive water. Paired with the Sage R8 Power, anglers can effortlessly pick up sinking lines, punch casts into the wind, and turn over larger patterns with ease—an ideal setup for the demanding conditions we often find around the Vineyard rips. With water temperatures climbing from the high 50s into the low 60s, the flats should really begin to come alive over the next couple of weeks.
While bait remains somewhat sparse, our clients have been able to stick quality bass on gummy minnows, green crab patterns, and small Clouser Minnows. We're also starting to see more sand eels showing up—a welcome sign that should make for some excellent sight fishing as the season progresses.
One notable factor this week is the exceptionally clean water. With very little plankton in the system, long, light fluorocarbon leaders have become a necessity, particularly when targeting fish on the flats. The Rio Striped Bass Fluoroflex Leader has been our go-to for sight fishing, providing the stealth needed to fool wary fish while still offering enough strength to handle larger bass. Both Vineyard Sound and Nantucket Sound have been productive, rewarding anglers who put in the time and make good drifts with the right presentations.
As water temperatures continue to rise and bait becomes more abundant, conditions are shaping up for outstanding early summer fly fishing across the Island. Whether you're fishing the rips at first light or hunting cruising bass on the flats, the next few weeks should offer some of the best opportunities of the season.
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