When Rick Wilsterman and I left the harbor from Chatham, Massachusetts here on Cape Cod, it was obvious the birthday gods were with me.  The wind was howling and there no other boats out.  Yeah, our pursuit seemed crazy, but in the cut from bay to ocean, birds were diving and the false albacore were busting.

The albies were feeding so furiously, catching one seemed certain. But getting to them was a chore.  It looked like an easy drive but the wind was relentless and though Ricks boat is solid,  it seemed like we were getting blown around in circles.

As Rick maneuvered his boat the best he could, my casting flailed.  I can cast straight into a stiff wind but not only was the boat moving wildly, but so were the albies.  But on my second cast I managed to back cast right on a leaping albie.  One strip and I yelled, “Fish on!”

Rick told me later he thought I was joking.  False albacore, like all the tuna family, are finicky.  But I had one and this fish took off deep into my backing.  It was all I could do to balance myself in the boat as the battle took place.

The great thing about false albacore is that although the first run is furious, the next couple are less than half the first.  Then in fewer than five minutes you have your fish.  And let me tell you, if haven’t caught them yet, do so, they are one of the prettiest fish species out there.

The funny thing about this fish on the second cast is that it was our one and only for the day.  The fish continued to feed for an hour but we couldn’t get another to bite our fly.  At about 11 am they disappeared and we fought the wind and searched for more.  No luck.

It only takes one fish to make my day and I got him.  Even better that it came on my birthday.  Now its time for a big dinner with Rick and his wife along with a very chocolatey desert.  The wind forecast is for it to continue.  But so will we.  Rich and I have one more day together then I’m off to my clinics and speaking gigs.

Jeff Currier Global Fly Fishing