One way to deal with the winter’s cold and bleakness is to look at pictures like the one on the cover of this month’s On The Water magazine. It is from the fifties and represents the source of the mystique surrounding surf fishing in Cape Cod (I’m not telling you what is is; you have to find it and look). Another way to deal with the winter’s lull in action is to plan trips, real or imagined, to some of the fabled places like Cape Cod’s outer beaches. To help you with this, On The Water magazine has published the booklet Fishing New England by Gene Bourque.

Its 113 pages deal with over 40 prime spots that are accessible and are found all around the coast of Cape Cod. For each location there is a picture, a map, directions and instructions on where to park and walk to fish the area. In addition, there is information on how to fish these spots and when. For the outer beaches there is even a list of phone numbers for information on permits and regulations.

This is a book not only for those who would like to fish the outer beaches with the legendary techniques normally associated with the Cape, but it also gives information on the back bay waters that are prime areas for fly rodders and light tackle enthusiasts. By the way, there is a lot of information on fishing the canal with all the access points given with directions.

If you want to dream and scheme at the same time, a copy of this book and 20 Years on the Cape by Frank Daignault would make interesting side-by-side reading. Fishing New England can be obtained by calling the magazine at 800-614-3000 or ordering on line at www.onthewater.com . The price is $14.95 and $2.50 for shipping which is less than the cost of a Big Don’s School Bus swimmer. So get the book then dream and scheme your winter away. – Jerry van de Sande