Goose Hummock Shop

Over at the Goose Hummock Shop the outer Cape ponds were opening back up and freshwater options were back in play, for now. The approaching cold snap is likely to spell the end of that, as local water temps are hovering just above freezing. Bass, yellow perch, stocked trout and pickerel are the usual targets and the action has been decent for all four. The shop is gearing up for a week at the New York Boat Show and most of the crew is headed there, with their big swim tank and tons of gear, if you’re in the area, stop by and say hello.

Over at the Goose Hummock Shop last week’s ice has deteriorated into an undulating sheet of bleck. A blanket of slushy ice floats on most local ponds rendering them unfishable for the time-being. Everyone is watching the forecast and hoping Mother Nature picks and trend and sticks with it! Most of the customers coming into the shop this week seem to be focused on fly materials, tying new patterns for the season ahead.

Over at the Goose Hummock Shop the shiners were selling themselves as safe ice has put a bounty on their heads. With soft edges and 2- to 4-inches of walkable ice in the middle, the first thing you want to tell anyone is to proceed with extreme caution, carrying a spud bar and ‘spudding your way out’ and keeping your spikes close at hand so you can pull yourself out in an emergency. So far, the local catch has been dominated by big pickerel, some nice largemouths and lots of perch.