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TRUE
OR FALSE?
Well actually it's false. . .False Albacore that is.
by Capt. Bill Hitchcock
http://www.sportfishing-report.com/albacore.html
In 1995 the then Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole said,
"I am against anything that starts with the word Illegal".
He was talking about illegal immigration.
I tend to be against anything that starts with the word
"false". By definition it means to be contrary to truth or
fact. And for those of us who have been around the fishing community
for any length of time know that "contrary to truth or
fact" can be somewhat of an occupational hazard!
But what I'm about to tell you isn't false, it's the truth. (Oh-oh!
Look out for any statement that starts off with "it's the
truth!") Well wait a minute, it's actually false. It's false
albacore. And their presence in October from Beaufort Inlet to
Barden's Inlet is so phenomenal, you would think what I am saying is
false.
But before I get started telling you the truth about false albacore,
I've got a confession to make. I have a difficult time
distinguishing between the various tunas such as albacore, false
albacore, skipjack, bonita and who knows what else. I sometimes
think that that is the power a professional fishermen has over me.
He doesn't know the difference either, he's just smart enough to use
one of the names in a very confident manner.
To solve the problem of being unable to correctly identify these
fish, I have created one name to use for all. When one is brought to
the boat, I proudly say, "Well look at there, it's a false-albe-bonita-tuny".
It's a new word that no one has heard before so you won't get any
arguments.
A characteristic of any tuna is that they travel in schools. False
albacore are no different. These schools, which can be quite large,
move in and around Beaufort Inlet and Barden's Inlet at Cape Lookout
to feed on bait fish such as glass minnows. When the two meet, a
feeding frenzy begins. The water literally boils with activity. This
area of feasting fish and turbulent waters can be 50-100 feet
across, with false albacore jumping everywhere.
Now you know why they are easy to find. They show you where they
are! (Don't you wish all fishing was this easy!) And, once you're in
them, you might truly be in them. As the bait fish moves, so do the
false albacore. It is not unusual to have your boat engulfed by this
frenzy, getting bumped by the passing fish. Couple this with the
fact that this activity happens in the inlets, so you don't have to
go very far to get to them.
This is also why fly fishing for false albacore has become so
popular. It is great for the experienced fly fisher because it is
probably the most concentrated session of fly fishing he's had all
year. It is also great for the beginner because the false albacore
are so easy to catch. This enables the new comer to the sport to
hone his or her skills while getting the experience of world class
fishing.
Speaking of world class, fly fishing for false albacore from
Beaufort Inlet to Cape Lookout has become so well known that
President Bush makes it an annual affair. Groups from as far away as
England make fly fishing for false albacore here a regular event.
I hope this true tale of false albacore gets you motivated to try
it. It's fun and easy and I promise you this. You will never forget
the experience!
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