Conn Post 5/26/06

1. Anglers got a big weather break this week. Except for some morning chills, the fishing climate was very comfortable. The fish were also keeping anglers happy. Those casters venturing outside caught good numbers of trout, striped bass and a host of other gamefish.
2. The state Department of Environmental Protection concluded its spring trout stocking this week. Trout were released into Wononscopomuc Lake, East Twin Lake, the Saugatuck Reservoir, Candlewood Lake, the Blackberry River, Squantz Pond and Highland Lake. Other locations still producing trout include the West Branch of the Farmington River, Mianus River, Pomperaug River, Salmon River, Hammonasset River, the Saugatuck River fly fishing area, the Farmington River Trout Management Area, Colebrook Reservoir, Lake Quonnipaug, West Hill Pond, Highland Lake, the Mill River in Hamden, Tyler Pond, Hop Brook Flood Control Impoundment, West Branch Reservoir and Black Pond.
3. Several anglers enjoyed the trout season last week. Seven-year-old Tristan Wilgan of Stratford caught his first trout on a fly rod. According to the Stratford Bait & Tackle report, the youngster landed a 15-inch brown trout in the Pequonnock River within Beardsley Park. He was casting a Blue Wing Olive fly. Wayne Lauro of Fairfield picked up a 4.35-pound brown trout from the Saugatuck Reservoir. Ted's Bait & Tackle verified the weight.
4. The Long Island Sound striped bass fishery has improved dramatically thanks to the better weather. These fish are biting very well on mackerel chunks, sandworms and whole squid. Some noteworthy striper spots are the outer perimeter of the Connecticut River mouth, Hammonasset Beach, Lighthouse Point, Sandy Point off West Haven, Bradley Rock, Pond Point, Gulf Beach, the lower Housatonic River between the
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6. Rt. 1 Bridge and old gun club site, Bridgeport Harbor, Fayerweather Island, inside Black Rock Harbor, Sunken Island, Southport Harbor, Compo Beach and the mouth of the Saugatuck River.
7. Most of the striped bass currently being caught are below the 28-inch size limit. The average fish is running about 20 to 24 inches in length. But Dave Redford, Jr. of Fairfield managed to catch a 44-inch striped bass, which weighed 27.15 pounds at Ted's Bait & Tackle. Juanita Spillane of Stratford reeled in a 20.28-pound striped bass off Bonds Dock. Redford caught his fish on a whole squid, while Spillane opted for a mackerel chunk.
8. Fluke fishing is still slow on the Connecticut side of the Sound. Anglers crossing over to New York at Horton Point, the Mattituck Inlet and Port Jefferson Harbor are catching fish. Last week, Carl Ferrarese of Stratford boated over to Mattituck and returned with a 5.60-pound fluke. He reportedly used a live freshwater minnow scented with a squid strip as bait.
9. Other marine news this week is that the State Boat Launch at Dock Road in Waterford is closed until further notice. Anglers are encouraged to pursue winter flounder over the holiday weekend as the season ends next week. Gene Lowery of Bridgeport picked up a chunky 2.30-pound winter flounder last week off Westport. Bluefish have been taken consistently in the Race, Plum Gut and off Millstone Point. [Connecticut Post by Frank McKane, Jr]