Conn Post 5/6/05

• Anglers got spoiled two weeks ago with the nice weather. This week, we were given a reality check with sporadic rains and chilly temperatures. Thankfully, through the inconvenient climate, the state Department of Environmental Protection continued to stock trout into western Connecticut ponds and rivers.
• The locations stocked last week were: Mt. Tom Pond, the Black Rock Flood Control Impoundment, the Pomperaug River, Kettletown Brook, Lake Stibbs, Ball Pond, Mohawk Pond, Tyler Pond, West Side Pond, Highland Lake, Lead Mine Brook, East Twin Lake, Enders Pond, Christensen's Pond, both the east and west Branches of Salmon Brook, East Aspetuck River, Pond Brook, the lower Pootatuck River in Newtown, the lower Farmington River trout management area, the open section of the Farmington River between routes 4 and 177, Muddy River, Quinnipiac River, Picketts Pond in Derby's Osbornedale State Park, Far Mill River and Nells Rock Reservoir.
• Additionally, the DEP stocked its designated trout parks. These parks were established to give anglers a better trout fishing experience. Hatchery workers stock the parks every seven to 10 days to ensure they have plenty of catchable trout. These parks are great spots to bring novice anglers and children. The area trout parks stocked last week were Great Hollow Pond in Wolfe Park in Monroe, Southford Falls State Park Pond in Oxford, Black Rock State Park Pond in Watertown, and the Mill River within Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden. If you visit one of these parks, remember the daily creel limit is only two fish.
• While not stocked last week, anglers did report good trout luck in both Housatonic River trout management areas, Pequabuck River, Kent Falls Trout Park, Candlewood Lake, West Hill Pond, Squantz Pond, Colebrook Reservoir, the upper Naugatuck River and Hop Brook Flood Control Impoundment.
• The action on Long Island Sound is improving with each passing week. Striped bass are currently the mainstay of the marine fisheries. Perhaps the best chances of catching a striped bass come in the lower Housatonic River between its confluence with the Naugatuck River and the Stratford boat-launching ramp. Also, the West Haven sandbar, Bridgeport Harbor, Southport Harbor and Stamford Harbor are producing fish.
• Good news for striped bass anglers — the fish are not fussy. You can score with sandworms, small bunker chunks, soft plastic shads, Fin-S Fish, Sea-Match Herrings, Hot Lips Bucktail Jigs, Rat-L Traps and small white spinnerbaits. Jose Aviles of Bridgeport caught a 13.85-pound striped bass last week off Seaside Park. According to the Ted's Bait & Tackle report, he tricked the bass with a sandworm.
• Winter flounder fishing is extremely slow. You can squeeze out a few fish in Norwalk Harbor and the lower Housatonic River. Rob Litzie Jr. of Stratford located four flounder, including a nice 2.14-pounder, in the Housatonic River last week. If you plan to go flounder fishing, be prepared to chum heavy.
• Elsewhere on the Sound, blackfish season is now closed. Just before the season ended last weekend, Jim Zimmerman of Milford caught an 8.72-pound blackfish in New Haven Harbor on a Japanese crab. The fish was weighed at Stratford Bait & Tackle. Reports of weakfish trickled in last week. According to last year's field notes, weakfish should be available right now. Anglers targeting these fish this weekend will likely find them. — FRANK MCKANE JR.