Norwich Bulletin 6/17/06

Father's Day Hotspots to take the family:
1.Mohegan Park Pond, Judd Road, in Norwich.
2.Sawmill Pond, Iron Street (Route 214) in Ledyard.
3.Horse Pond, Route 85 in Salem.
4.Ruby Cohen's Woodlands, McDonald Road in Colchester.

• If you are not fortunate enough to gain access to a private pond, there are four local spots that are all loaded with sunfish, bass and other species that provide the right combination of access, comfort and catchable fish. They include Mohegan Park Pond in Norwich, Sawmill Pond in Ledyard, Horse Pond in Salem and Ruby Cohen's Woodlands in Colchester.
• Right here in Norwich, Mohegan Park Pond is a good spot that has a decent population of bluegills, stocked trout and a few bass to play with. But concentrate on the bluegills, with light tackle, small hooks and worms for the best odds of taking a fish. The park also has play areas and walking paths for the kids if they lose interest, and they may during early outings.
• Other nearby spots are Sawmill Pond, which holds some whopping largemouths and a good population of panfish as well. South of Norwich, in Salem is Horse Pond, right off Route 85. Horse Pond is stocked with trout. Unfortunately by Father's Day, trout fishing is generally shot for the year, so concentrate along the shoreline and weed cover for sunfish so the kids, not you will catch something.
• Ruby Cohen's Woodlands off McDonald Road in Colchester has two small ponds with good shoreline access, that is a great place to take the kids fishing. The lily pad-rimmed shoreline limits total access by this time of year. It too is full of sunfish for the little ones to enjoy and a bass or two in the pads to provide a potential surprise catch.
• Use long-shanked size 10 or 12 hooks and tiny pieces of worm, fished a foot or so under on a bobber. The long shank hooks provide a handle for easy hook removal. Set the hook at the first sign of a bite to minimize gut-hooked fish you may want to release.
• Bring a bucket, fill it with water and place the first fish or two in it for the little ones to play with. Older kids may be OK with simple catch and release. But to get a little one into the sport, let them enjoy their catch for a while, look at it, touch it and then choose to either release it or bring it home for supper.
• The idea is to get your little ones out fishing or to reconnect with the older kids on Father's Day. Don't force them to fish or it won't be a good experience. Let the little ones decide when to fish and when to throw rocks, hit the swings (at Mohegan Park) or go home and show the catch, or digital photos to mom. [Bob Sampson, Norwich Bulletin]