CT DEP: 11/14/05 - Weekly Fishing Report

1. ATLANTIC SALMON: Broodstock Atlantic salmon fishing is red hot on both the Naugatuck River (many reports of hook-ups and many big fish are resulting) and the Shetucket River.
2. TROUT: LAKES & PONDS –Trout fishing continues to be variable, with reports from Crystal Lake (Ellington), Great Hollow lake (mixed reports), Saugatuck Reservoir (26” brown), Hogback Reservoir, Colebrook Reservoir (fair), West Hill Pond (fair), Squantz (good, many 17-20” trout) and Beach Pond (mixed reports).
3. RIVERS & STREAMS -Fall fishing can produce good results for those equipped for challenging weather conditions. Streamers and nymphing dominate the early morning,late afternoon, and mid-day under low-light conditions. Typical fall colors for streamers are white, yellow and brown. Patterns include White Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn, Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10). Typical Bottom bouncing nymphs include Tan and Winter Caddis pupa (#16-18), Serendipity (#14-16), Pheasant Tail (#12-20), Prince (#6-18) and Hare’s ear (#8-20).
4. Farmington River- West Branch water temperatures are in the upper 40’s °F. Flows are currently high (450 cfs from Hogback, and about 1,000 cfs below the Still River) due to Wednesday night’s rains, but should drop to more fishable levels by the weekend. BWO continue to be the dominant hatch, with Midges and Caddis mixed in. For best action try Blue Wing Olives (#16-20, late morning) and Winter Caddis (#16-18, early afternoon). Expect most of the action to be between 11:30 am and 3:00pm.
5. Housatonic River- Morning TMA water temperatures are in the upper 40’s °F. The river is still fishable although flows have again increased (about 2,300 cfs at Falls village and 3,400 at Gaylordsville as of Thursday morning). Flows are relatively clear, and should drop to more comfortable levels during the weekend. Current hatches include Blue Wing Olive (#18-22, early morning) and Winter Caddis (#16-20, early morning and late afternoon).
6. LARGEMOUTH BASS open-water fishing is winding down, with reports from Coventry Lake (a 7.1 lb bass by David Dodd), Crystal Lake in Ellington (a 5.5 lb by Tom Phelps, Vernon), Highland Lake (fair), Congamond Lakes (fair), Candlewood lake (fair), Lake Zoar (good), Lake Lillinonah (good), Dooley Pond (some action on cookie-cutters), Mudge (slow), Black Pond in Meriden (fair).
7. SMALLMOUTH BASS are reported at Highland (good), Gardner, Candlewood lake (mixed reports), Colebrook Reservoir (mixed, includes a 3.5 lb smallie) and Squantz Pond (good, catches in the 17-21” range)
8. Some NORTHERN PIKE catches reported from Bantam Lake and Winchester Lake.
9. Fall WALLEYE remains good for some anglers, with reports from Saugatuck Reservoir (4 fish up to 8.7 lbs for one experienced walleye angler) and Squantz Pond (7 fish up to 8.1 lbs).
10. YELLOW PERCH are being caught in good numbers. This favorite of ice fishermen is already teasing anglers with some really larger specimens. Reports include Candlewood Lake (including a 2 plus pound monster), Bantam Lake, Gardner Lake and West Side Pond.
11. Connecticut River – BLACK CRAPPIE are still putting on a good showing on jigs & shiners at White Oaks Cove and in the lower river. Mixed reports for NORTHERN PIKE. Pike have been caught from in Wethersfield Cove, the mouth of Chapman’s Pond and near Salmon River Cove.