Conn Post 5/5/06

1. Anglers started the week with a series of new saltwater fishing regulations. Fluke, whose season opened last weekend, have an increased size minimum of 18 inches. The daily creel limit remains fixed at six. This summer porgy hunters get a 30-day longer season, which runs June 1-Oct. 31. Black sea bass may now be caught all year.
2. No changes were made to the blackfish regulations. But that fact did not enter into the unselfish decision made by Harvey Thompson of Stratford last weekend. While fishing in a blackfish tournament, Thompson caught a 14.17-pound blackfish off the Housatonic River breakwater. The 67-year-old angler noticed that the big blackfish was a female laden with eggs. In the hopes that her eggs would help replenish the Long Island Sound blackfish population, Thompson released the fish.
3. Trout continue to draw anglers to area ponds and rivers, especially Black Rock State Park Pond, Weekeepeemee Brook, Nonnewaug River, Hop Brook, Little River, Fountain Lake, the Farmington River upstream of the Trout Management Area, Mt. Tom Pond, Pomperaug River, Ball Pond, Mohawk Pond, Tyler Pond, West Side Pond, Lead Mine Brook, Highland Lake, East Twin Lake, Enders Pond, Christensen's Pond, the East and West Branches of Salmon Brook, East Aspetuck River, Pootatuck River and Pond Brook. The state Department of Environmental Protection stocked the above waters last week.
4. Sometimes trout fishing can develop into strange adventures. Tuesday, Dale Robertson of Stratford created his own fishing lore on the Pomperaug River. While fishing the river, Robertson had to dive into the water to avoid getting slammed in the head by a low-flying goose. Cold and wet, Robertson drained out his waders and then continued casting a peach-colored Rooster Tail. His perseverance paid off with a 3.96-pound brown trout.
5. Several other noteworthy freshwater fish were caught during the week. Richard King of Fairfield caught a 5- pound brown trout in the Saugatuck River. Arthur Mims of Bridgeport reeled in a 3.70-pound smallmouth bass from the Saugatuck Reservoir. Both the above fish were caught on nightcrawlers and weighed at Ted's Bait & Tackle. Alan Sciuto Jr. of Fairfield also had good luck at the Saugatuck Reservoir, where he landed a 6.80-pound largemouth bass on a silver-colored No. 3 Blue Fox spinner. George Peterman of New Haven caught a 24-inch, 4.7-pound walleye on a Rapala Husky Jerk at Lake Saltonstall. The same lake gave Derek Halliwell of Madison three walleye — 22 inches, 23 inches, and 25 -inches — weighing between 3.5 and 5.7 pounds.
6. Winter flounder are surprising many anglers this year as good reports are coming from Norwalk, Stratford, Branford, Mystic and Stonington. Last week, Ray Signore and Tim Paradiso, both of Stratford, came in with limits of 10 flounder each. Their fish weighed between 1.91 and 2.08 pounds. Chris Fulton, owner of Stratford Bait & Tackle, said, "This was the biggest bucket of flounder I've seen in 10 years for two guys." Mike Otto of New Fairfield also stopped by the shop with a 2.86-pound winter flounder.
7. Wednesday, I saw several piles of trash around the shoreline of Long Meadow Pond. The trash obviously came from anglers as lure packages, bait containers and coils of used fishing line were very evident. Anglers need to pick up after themselves. Litter and disrespectful behavior toward private property often leads to closed fishing access. — FRANK MCKANE JR. ]