The Day, New London

Take two parts sunshine, add one part warming water, stir lightly and you have the makings of improved conditions since the big nor'easter of last week. More people are out and about, catching more fish.

1. Capt. Joey Devine didn't get a chance to head north for cod but instead took his small boat up the Niantic River off Camp Rell on Monday and Tuesday, limiting out on flounder on the first day and coming close on the second. Included in the catch were a few small bass, those and the flats caught on worms on the bottom. Joey said he knew he was going to have a good trip when the first drop of the first day produced a double-header flounder.
2. Joey also said small boaters are catching small bass on small plastic lures in the Millstone outflow and have seen a school of bunker in Niantic Bay in travels to and from the plant.
3. Capt. Al Anderson fished the Thames River on Tuesday in sunny but windy conditions. His party landed 72 stripers from 11 to 20 inches trolling small umbrella rigs or flies on lead core line. They started in Norwich Basin then moved down to Dow Chemical and Horton's Cove by the end of the ebb tide. On the flood tide, they moved back upriver, catching fish from Easter to Massapeag Points then finished the trip around the dike at Trading Cove to market 41.
4. Over the weekend, Al fished in his big boat on the northwest corner of Stellwagen Bank, landing 230 codfish and five haddock in two days. They kept their legal limits of the tasty cod and tagged and released the rest. All the fishing was with bait, anchored up, chumming with cracked clam shells.
5. People are starting to get out more now, said Don at King's Cove, catching striped bass in small boats along the Pawcatuck River and some flounder from time to time off Bluff Point. Shore anglers finally caught stripers at Cemetery Cove, that spot getting a very late start this year. Del Barber of Westerly got the first fish, a 26-incher on a popper on the Wednesday afternoon high tide.
6. Shaffer's Marina has opened back up for the year said Allen Fee who was working on redoing some of his docks. After work he tried for schoolies along the middle part of the Mystic River but has yet to get the first hit. He surmised their may be some bass available in the river but further up around the I-95 Bridge.
7. Striper fishing in the Thames is pretty steady right now said Capt. Jack Balint at the Fish Connection. People caught schoolies on worms at the mouth of Poquetanuck Cove and underneath Route 12. Up inside the cove they caught more small bass and also some keepers on cut bait and plugs. One fellow showed Jack what was left of a jointed plug after a presumably larger bass pulled the back end right off it and mangled the front set of treble hooks.
8. Jack also had reports of smaller keepers caught around Indian Leap Falls and the Greeneville Dam. Remember, you need a Connecticut freshwater fishing license to fish for stripers in those areas. In response to an e-mail from Jim Murphy, Jack said there were some white perch caught on Tuesday inside Poquetanuck Cove and seen in the water around Gales Ferry Marina.
9. Sandworms are the thing for small bass along the Thames River said the people at Bob's Rod & Tackle. You can also catch some flounders in the Niantic River and maybe some at Bluff Point. A few blackfish were caught along the lower part of the Thames but please keep in mind the season for them closes on Monday.
10. Stephanie Cramer is back, supplying her regular reports. She said this winter and spring they tagged lots of small bass in the Thames on charter trips with Capt. Al Anderson. On one of those days Al tagged and released his 45,000th fish, that one in Winthrop Cove. Steph's largest bass during those days was a fine 38-incher on her fly rod.
11. Richard at Hillyer's Tackle said the flounder fishing was fair to steady in the Niantic River with people taking advantage of the nice weather during the week plus catching something for dinner. That fishery and schoolies at the Millstone outflow are about the best bets just now.
12. Capt. Kyle Douton at J&B Tackle said some of the local kids in small boats had schoolies out of the Millstone outflow on small bucktails and plastic baits. Prior to last week's long storm, there were a couple blackfish caught up the Niantic River but they hadn't heard any more since the blow.
13. John Jenks sent me an e-mail asking about shad yet in the Connecticut River so I put that question to the people at River's End in Old Saybrook. The answer was no, but in their place are plenty of schoolie bass from the Baldwin Bridge down to the river mouth hitting small plastic lures and poppers. Most of the fish are undersized but every once in a while somebody gets a keeper up to about 30 inches. Flounder fishing around the Spindle looks like another bust; that in line with several years of very poor results. (Tim Coleman, The Day),

Captain Morgan, Guilford

• A long awaited spring-like day greeted anglers as they hit Connecticut waters for opening day. It was a crisp start to the morning with little or no wind, the type that adds a little frost to rod tips. Thoughts of the recent nor'easter were prominent with fast floodwaters etched in the minds of many. Decisions as to which waters to fish and how to prepare for them were made, creating many last minute adjustments.
• Some waters were slow to give up trout while others gave them up reluctantly as fish selectively fed on various baits, lures, and flies. As the sun rose higher warming the air, feeding became more aggressive. Trout caught were common in the 12- to 14-inch range and seemingly more responsive in waters stocked after the storm or in rivers and streams less affected by it. Lakes and ponds were choices of many anglers, figuring the fishing would be more productive especially since wind would not be a factor. Some were right, but others found a sluggish start as in the Salmon where mostly browns were caught along with limited rainbows and brookies.
• Trout parks, like Chatfield Hollow, had early action prior to fish stocking later that morning. Afterwards, fish became selective but soon, once dispersed with the assistance of fisherkids, they began binge feeding before backing off again. Trout limits were caught and as day one turned into day two, more smiles began to dot the banks. Similar results were experienced in trophy trout lakes like Quonnipaug where there were periods of brisk action—a far cry from last year's windy cold start.
• Certainly, this brilliant weekend brought out saltwater anglers as well. Winter flounder were caught, some blackbacks hitting the four-pound mark while schoolie bass were fished in the tidal rivers and all along the shoreline. With Long Island Sound settling down and temperatures rising, these unforgiving April waters began to settle down. Blackfish (tautog) fishing was spotty close to shore with some of the deeper spots being somewhat more productive. Look for water temps to break 43 degrees this week, turning them on again near the jetties.
• As the weather broke, both fresh and saltwater fishing heated up. So for all things fishy, swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days located at 21 Boston Post Road in Madison. Until%2

Westport Outfitters (Norwalk) Fishing Report

• Trout stocking continues this week throughout our area and the fishing should be great in the local rivers with plenty of water flowing.
• The Norwalk River has produced excellent action recently using spinners, nightcrawlers, streamer flies and nymphs. Our trusty Norwalk River Scout Jae had several browns and a hefty Brook Trout this past weekend on small spinners. The Saugatuck TMA holds many trout as well as the upper river above the reservoir. Fly fisherman will do well with many hatches of small mayflies showing, try fishing #16-20 emerger patterns in the water surface film. Smallmouth and Largemouth bass fishing continues to improve on Candlewood Lake and Lillinonah.
• schoolie stripers and the flounder just north of Calf Pasture Beach 1 hour after high tide. The flounder were caught on a standard flounder rig – three bead 2 hook (size 1/0) with a 1 oz weight on a three way swivel with worms (bottom with slight jig action). The stripers were also landed on flounder rigs - 1/0 hook attached to 6 ft of 25# flouro leader to a swivel with a sliding ½ ounce egg sinker. They also were bottom chumming with minced clams – slow release.
  
• We also scouted the areas near the Norwalk Islands and Long Island's North Shore yesterday and got into some fat schoolie bass and one keeper at 28 inches on the fly rods using olive/white clousers on a slow sinking intermediate in 5 feet of water. The water clarity has improved and the temps are at 53 degrees in most areas.
  
• The Housatonic River is finally clearing up and fishing has picked up once again. Try fishing the sanctuary in Milford and also Short Beach in Stratford. We have reports of many schoolie size bass being taken over the past 3 days using white clousers and soft plastics like 4" FinS and Storm Shad.
  
• Schools of bunker or popping up all around the area and the large migratory stripers aren't far behind as typically the Western Sound is seeing these big fish by the end of April. Fish near the schools of bunker for your best shot at a cow bass!
  

Fishing Line, Eastern CT

• Overview: Again, the weather up in East CT / RI was lousy this past week, so very little fishing has been done. With the warmer temps starting Friday, the fisherman are out in force this weekend. You can expect a much more robust fishing report next Saturday
• Old Saybrook - Connecticut River Area: Striped Bass- the rain over the last week will keep the Connecticut River looking a nice milk chocolate. In spite of all the brown, dirty and fast running water last week in the River it didn't stop the bass from hitting. Schoolies mostly in the 15 to 24 inch range have been in the lower River. By boat the Great Island area has been best, by foot the DEP Piers with worms has been the most consistent. The Causeway and some of the Old Lyme Beaches have had some schoolies.
• Flounder - No reports of catches have come in over the last week, although a few fellows tried, but no one came back with a positive word.
• Blackfish - Again we haven't heard much this week due to weather and the season ends here at the end of the month.
• Niantic Bay / Waterford / Thames River / Groton / Mystic: Striped Bass the Thames River is loaded with schoolies as far up as the Greenville Dam. Catches exceeding 70 fish are not uncommon, though most of them are school bass. Poquetanuck Cove, in particular, is loaded with school bass, with an occasional larger fish mixed in and guys are catching them from shore or in kayaks. He suggested that if you are looking for larger fish, go out either very early or very late in the day, or even at night, especially when the tide is high. Anglers using those tactics are picking up larger fish. Another area reporting good catches is near Buoy 27 using cut bait. There is a large school of bunker between the Niantic and Thames Rivers, which is rarely seen this early in the season, which portends good action to come.
• Flounder - the only reports of winter flounder action is in the Niantic River, but Bluff Point was washed out with the Noreaster.
• Flounder - winter flounder catches have been really picking up in the Niantic River over the last week. The best time to catch them is at the end of the flood tide (2-3 hours before high tide). Fellows who develop a good chum slick are doing the best. He does not expect to get reports of fluke until the middle of May, when the squid come into the Sound. Blackfish - still only a few blackfish being caught in the Blackpoint and Millstone areas. (Vince Hough, The Fishing Line)

On the Water

Best Bets for Connecticut and Rhode Island

The mouth of the Thames River may be a good place to try for school bass, or farther upriver at the Greenville Dam at night if you desire something with a bit more heft. For blackfish, the last hurrah is until late this weekend, so grab a bucket of crabs and give it a try, as the weather looks good. What better way to break in the boat you just splashed into the water? The Saugatuck and Norwalk rivers sound like good bets, and if the rumors continue to fly, they may not be very busy, either. In Rhode Island, it sounds like the mouth of the Narrow River is beginning to come alive, and the breachways and salt ponds ought to come into action with the improving temperatures. Inland Rhode Island will no doubt continue to see some great trout fishing, particularly with water levels receding in the rivers and streams.

1. Going inland and westward, Charlie at Colonial Sports in Bozrah reports that the trout fishing action is finally picking up to near-normal springtime levels. Water temperatures have crested into the low 50s, and the trout are finally willing to budge a bit to pick up a fly. The Salmon River is producing very well, and it appears that the river is being stocked on a weekly basis, which would account for the excellent fishing.
   
2. The Yantic River is also producing quite well, particularly along the stretch on Stockhouse Road. Trout Unlimited has not been able to do their spring live-stocking yet due to water levels, and so the state put many of the “excess” trout in the river at Stockhouse Road, which has excellent access. In the fly-only sections, successful anglers are going deep with a variety of early-season nymphs and streamers. As for the Shetucket River, that water body is still a raging torrent, and Charlie has had no reports of anyone fishing it since the big rain a week ago.
3. From The Fish Connection in Preston, Ren reported that the fishing is excellent all around the region, provided you stay away from the larger full and fast rivers, like the Shetucket. The Moosup River and the Little River are both fishing quite well, regardless of whether you are in the fly-only section (on the Moosup) or not. Nearly all the smaller stocked streams are quite fishable, and Ren said they’re producing well.
4. In the Thames River, the major mass of striped bass can be found down near the mouth. Catches exceeding 70 fish are not uncommon, though most of them are school bass. Poquetanuck Cove, in particular, is loaded with school bass, with an occasional larger fish mixed in. Stripers are also congregating in the area of the Greenville Dam, though mostly school bass are being caught. Ren suggested that if you are looking for larger fish, go out either very early or very late in the day, or even at night. Anglers using those tactics are picking up larger fish. There hasn’t been much winter flounder action reported in at the shop over the past week.
5. Some nice fish are being weighed in at Captain Morgan’s Bait & Tackle in Madison, with one of the bigger fish being a nearly 9¼-pound rainbow trout. This monster was taken on a smallish, swimmer-floater minnow-style lure, as were several “small” fish in the 4- to 5-pound category. Results from the weekend tournament were still being tabulated, according to Capt. Morgan, and he noted that many very nice fish came into the shop on opening day in Connecticut. The Hammonasset River and the West River are both fishing very well, as are most all the smaller rivers in the area. Blackfish season shuts down on April 30, but given the weather and the warming waters, Capt. Morgan expects that the season will close with a big bang for those anglers going out with a bucket of crabs. Winter flounder has been slow, but is beginning to pick up and should continue to improve.
6. Ponds and lakes are fishing well in the Stratford area, as are smaller streams and rivers, according to Chris at Stratford Bait & Tackle in Stratford. Several fish over the 4-pound mark have come out of a few of the local stocked ponds over the past few days. The Housatonic River is still running a bit high and off-color according to Chris, but the stripers are beginning to get active despite that. Smith Point has been producing some nice fish for patient and knowledgeable fishermen, and several at or over the 36-inch mark have come to anglers fishing there with bait under the cover of darkness. School bass are the mainstay for those who fish the area during daylight hours. Winter flounder are still doing well here and there, with no particular spot producing better than another, according to Chris.
7. At Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, Rick reported that anglers who know what they are doing are taking their limit of winter flounder pretty consistently on clams and sandworms. The key, according to Rick, is to set up a decent chum line to get the fish close. Norwalk Island has been very consistent, but is not the only place producing well. School bass are scattered around, and sandworms have produced the most consistent action. Calf Pasture Pier and Westport Harbor have been productive spots for school bass.
8. Inland, Rick reported that the Norwalk and Saugatuck rivers are fishing extremely well, with a 6-pound rainbow trout coming out of the Saugatuck and a 5-pound brown trout from the Norwalk. Angling pressure in both rivers has been light, as the word on the street has been that the water is too high due to recent rains. Given the trout taken from both rivers, I would say it was a crafty trout fisherman who started spreading that story.
9. Up near Lake Candlewood, James at Valley Angler in Danbury reported that the lake is fishing very well and producing a broad variety of fish, though the smallmouth bass are the main species being targeted at the moment. According to James, male smallmouths in particular are quite aggressive right now, and anglers using hair jigs fished slowly during daylight hours are seeing very good action. Yellow is the most productive color, probably because the water is still a bit off-color. Squantz Pond is producing quite a few trout, and is the angling destination of choice if you have kids in tow. Up to the north, James reports that the Farmington River is still running high.

CT DEP Weekly Fishing Report #1 4/27

• In general, anglers have been having good success fishing for trout in ponds and small-to-medium sized streams. Trout fishing has been spotty in larger lakes and very slow in larger streams and rivers. Fishing has been improving as river flows recede and lakes begin to clear and is expected to be good in most waters by the weekend.
  
• Recently stocked trout are expected to provide good to excellent fishing in all the Trout Parks and Salmon River (including TMA), Blackledge River, Mount Misery Brook, Myron Kinnie Brook, Pachaug River, Yantic River (including TMA), Bigelow Brook, Still River (Eastford.), Green Falls River, Shunock Brook, Hammonasset River (including TMA), Shetucket River, Susquetonscut Brook, Beaver Brook, Indiantown Brook, Hunts Brook, Roaring Brook (Stafford), Willimantic River, Farm River, Branford River, Scantic River, Jeremy River, Raymond Brook, Crystal Lake (Ellington), Broad Brook Mill Pond, Saw Mill Pond, Hewitt Fly Pond, Green Falls Reservoir, Paine Pond, Horse Pond and Black Pond (Woodstock).

• MARINE FISHING REPORT :The water temperature in Long Island Sound (LIS) is about 40.
  
• Striped bass fishing in the tidal rivers is good in the Thames River from Norwich Harbor down to the Montville Power Plant, Hamburg Cove in the Connecticut River, Housatonic River up to the Derby Dam, and Norwalk Harbor . Striped fishing in the lower Connecticut should improve as the high water conditions recede.
• Winter flounder fishing is hit or miss but the better places are Bluff Point State Park(Poquonock River ), Niantic River including the bay, Housatonic River , and Norwalk Harbor.
  

Norwich Bulletin

• Calico Bass: I was fishing for some bluegills and yellow perch for filleting material over the weekend and caught more calico bass than anything. With this increase in water temperature this early, spawning species appear to be on the move at the present time. Look for calico's (black crappie) in most of the larger lakes and ponds in this area, with Pachaug Pond, Pattagansett Lake, Hopeville Pond and Bog Meadows being prime spots to catch a mess of these fine eating panfish over the next couple of weeks.
• White perch: No specific word on white perch, but my guess is they are also beginning to run in places such as Hamburg Cove and Lieutenant River on the Connecticut River. The white perch population in the Thames River tends to turn on slightly later, usually during the last week in April and early May. Look for good white perch catches to take place in Poquetanuck Cove, Trading Cove and in the upper river from Norwich to Greenville Dam, within the next 10 days to two weeks, if not before.
• Striped bass: After the recent "mini ice age" ended, I began work on the annual case of "striper thumb." By Friday, it was well-developed. Largemouth and pan fishing over the weekend was a nice respite after two back-to-back moderately productive striper trips to the Thames. It was an opportunity to let the antibacterial ointment and bandages perform their magic on the poke holes, slashes and abrasions that come from handling more than a hundred of these spiny little fish. As predicted, the Thames River hit 50 degrees late Thursday and we landed about 86 stripers just before dark in the shallow, warmest waters we could find. Friday, I took a young Bulletin reader, Bobby Rycholvsky, and his dad, John, of Baltic down to the river. We caught another 75 fish, but worked harder than expected for this time of year.
• Schoolies are all over the place, from the lower river to Greenville Dam, with the easy fishing taking place in the shallows where temperatures are reaching the mid- to high-50s. River's End Tackle said the hot weather has the stripers revved up in Hamburg Cove and there were also a few fish being caught around the DEP Dock at the mouth of Lieutenant River in the lower Connecticut River.

Captain Morgan, Guilford

• A long awaited spring-like day greeted anglers as they hit Connecticut waters for opening day. It was a crisp start to the morning with little or no wind, the type that adds a little frost to rod tips. Thoughts of the recent nor'easter were prominent with fast floodwaters etched in the minds of many. Decisions as to which waters to fish and how to prepare for them were made, creating many last minute adjustments.
• Some waters were slow to give up trout while others gave them up reluctantly as fish selectively fed on various baits, lures, and flies. As the sun rose higher warming the air, feeding became more aggressive. Trout caught were common in the 12- to 14-inch range and seemingly more responsive in waters stocked after the storm or in rivers and streams less affected by it. Lakes and ponds were choices of many anglers, figuring the fishing would be more productive especially since wind would not be a factor. Some were right, but others found a sluggish start as in the Salmon where mostly browns were caught along with limited rainbows and brookies.
• Trout parks, like Chatfield Hollow, had early action prior to fish stocking later that morning. Afterwards, fish became selective but soon, once dispersed with the assistance of fisherkids, they began binge feeding before backing off again. Trout limits were caught and as day one turned into day two, more smiles began to dot the banks. Similar results were experienced in trophy trout lakes like Quonnipaug where there were periods of brisk action—a far cry from last year's windy cold start.
• Certainly, this brilliant weekend brought out saltwater anglers as well. Winter flounder were caught, some blackbacks hitting the four-pound mark while schoolie bass were fished in the tidal rivers and all along the shoreline. With Long Island Sound settling down and temperatures rising, these unforgiving April waters began to settle down.
  
• Blackfish (tautog) fishing was spotty close to shore with some of the deeper spots being somewhat more productive. Look for water temps to break 43 degrees this week, turning them on again near the jetties.

Rivers Ends - Old Saybrook

• STRIPED BASS- It seems that we started this report last week with a sour note on the rain, it looks like dejavu all over again. Last night and todays waterfall will keep the Connecticut River looking like a nice milk chocolate. In spite of all the brown, dirty and fast running water last week in the River it didn't stop the bass from hitting. Schoolies mostly in the 15 to 24 inch range have been in the lower River. By boat the Great Island area has been best, by foot the DEP Piers with worms has been the most consistent. The Causeway and some of the Old Lyme Beaches have had some schoolies.
• FLOUNDER- a few good reports came in from the Niantic River this week. We even heard of a limit catch in only one outing. Not much encouraging from other spots.
• BLACKFISH- Again we haven't heard much this week even with favorable weather. Its time, and the season end at the end of the month.

Connecticut Post Long Island Sound Report

Striped bass : Schoolie stripers at Milford Point in the Housatonic told me it was like fishing in coffee pot," The combination if the storm runoff and snow melt up north has indeed turned all the river and estuaries, especially the lower Housatonic, Connecticut and Mystic rivers, into mud baths. The one bright spot was Bridgeport Harbor, where schoolies were taken in significant numbers last week. Usually fishable areas of the Housatonic like Sullivan's Island in Shelton were rendered un-fishable by the murky water.

Flounder — Catches of winter flounder improved at inshore areas like St. Mary's in Black Rock and on the West side of Pennfield Reef off Fairfield. Orifice said that a few customers reported decent catches, but none hit the 10- fish limit. Gene Lowery took six flats off Norwalk. Norwalk Harbor was the bright spot in the flounder picture. Burt Chavez at Fisherman's World in that fine city said several anglers came into the store with their 10-fish limit using sand worms and chumming heavily with ground clams.

Blackfish — They are not hitting consistently yet although a few undersized black were taken in the Bridgeport area. (Charles Walsh, Connecticut Post)

Opening day reports

Hartford Courant: The secret was to fish slow and deep.

1. The Quinnipiac River: "Fishing there has been good. The Quinnipiac was stocked today with golden trout." said Vennie Mangiaracina at the Fishin Factory in Southington.
2. Mount Tom Pond: 5-pound brown trout caught by Joe Fabiano of Southington on a silver phoebe.
3. Salmon River in East Hampton: two 8-pounders

Greenwich Advocate reports on saltwater anglers:

1. Housatonic River Shelton: 30 striped bass, Finesse lures from a boat
2. Port Chester Harbor: 32" striped bass, green & white storm shad
3. Norwalk Harbor: 17 winter flounder, clam chum & sandworms for bait
4. Greenwich Harbor: 6 keeper winter flounders, clam chum & sandworms for bait

Stamford Advocate reports: An additional 400 broodstock Seeforellen strain brown trout ranging from 2 to 8 pounds were stocked into 12 lakes and ponds in early January. The broodstock were released into Beach Pond, Black Pond in Middlefield/Meriden, Crystal Lake, Mashapaug Lake, Quonnipaug Lake, Cedar Lake in Chester, West Hill Pond, Mount Tom Pond, Mohawk Pond, Stillwater Pond, West Side Pond and Tyler Lake.

Connecticut Post reports: when the water levels fall later this week, the DEP will resume trout stocking, giving anglers a second opening day. When that day comes, the target of many anglers will be rainbow trout, which were heavily stocked by the DEP this year. The best method for nailing one of these aggressive hitters is a meal worm or a Berkley Power Bait on a hook knotted to the end of very light line, six-pound test or less.

Several new areas have been stocked by the DEP this spring including Lake Wintergreen in Hamden, as well as a stretch of the Norwalk River downstream of the Merritt Parkway in Norwalk, along Riverside Avenue below Route 123. The Fivemile River was stocked in mid-March with 1,970 brook and brown trout (including 20 of the large broodstock trout).

The Day reports: Mohegan Park's Spaulding Pond in Norwich is one of three new areas designated as a trout park; the others include Day Pond in Colchester and Valley Falls Pond in Vernon. The state will stock the parks with trout weekly between opening day and Memorial Day.

Westport Outfitters (Norwalk) Fishing Report

• Despite the flooding over the weekend, rivers such as the Housatonic are finally beginning to subside. According to our trusty weathermen (& women) this weekend we could get the break we have been looking for. Temps in the low 60s and a more desirable long term forecast should begin to turn the tides. Water temps continue to rise with a reading of 46.9 degrees in the Western Sound this A.M. at 8:45, which consequently should get the bait moving and hopefully the fish will follow.
  
• As we mentioned last week, try and focus on those areas with a darker bottom that will heat up faster. Unfortunately, the salinity content has greatly decreased though to a mere 3.6 with all of this run off, which could attract fish to deeper waters for the time being. The clarity for the same reasons is horrendous. Because of this, a strong scented presentation may work best to trigger a strike. Perhaps some of the new Gulp sand eels or dousing your plastics with some of the Sea Bait products could get some these still lethargic fish active.
• If bait is your preference, we have received reports of bunker in the western sound albeit on the other side near Hempstead where traditionally they do arrive first. We did a reconnaissance mission last week in some of the local rivers and did spot some alewives, which will only help our cause.
• We had a report yesterday of a substantial amount of deceased trout in Norwalk Harbor, that could not fight the strong flows. Because the traditional haunts for trout will still be quite high, your time, if you do venture out, should be focused on those areas of your river of choice where the current slows and open up(i.e. Lees Pond, Lake Mohegan, Perry Pond etc.), where most of the trout no doubt finally were able to find some refuge from the strong currents earlier in the week. Lures of choice would be smaller spinners and blue foxes and if all else fails, some trout worms or night crawlers on the bottom. We have these worms here if you go this route as well as freshwater licenses.
• Lastly, if your angle is to just put fish in the boat; try dunking a sandworm off of Calf Pasture Beach for some flounder. Since we are on the cusp of "go time," be sure to have everything set up since our local fishery just may turn on early next week.

Westport Outfitters (Norwalk) Fishing Report

• The Saugatuck, Norwalk and Mianus rivers also produced some good catches but the fishing was a little tougher than usual with all the runoff from the Nor'easter. You will find fish in surprising spots which is great for those willing to hike into less fished areas. The Saugatuck River produced a nice limit of fish for Otto Elser with one of the trout being a very fat 19" broodstock brown trout.
  
• Candlewood Lake is producing some excellent smallmouth bass action and stocked trout are there for the taking as well.
  
• The Housatonic River will be running very high for quite a while so we recommend fishing the smaller streams, ponds and lakes until conditions improve on the larger rivers where we have spotted some decent hatches. Fly fisherman will do well using bead head Hare's Ear Nymphs, Zug Bugs, Muddlers, Wooly Buggers, and Black Ghosts.
  
• Spin fisherman will do well casting Vibrax Blue Fox Spinners and gold and silver Phoebe lures. Remember to keep your retrieve slow when the water is cold. If you prefer to fish bait you will have success with nightcrawlers, trout worms and shiners fished near the bottom.
• We scouted out the far western Sound as well as the Norwalk Islands this past week and found huge bunker schools in many areas of Long Island's north shore and one school near the mouth of Norwalk Harbor. This is great news as the large migratory bass are starting to move east and this concentration of bait should keep them in our area for an extended period. Schoolie size bass are very cooperative near the powerplants and starting to get active near other outflows in our area. This fishing will be much more consistent within a week or so as the water warms and bait fish head into the estuaries.
  
• The lower Housatonic River is typically red hot about this time but there is still a lot of debris washing down stream since the flooding of last week. The water is still very cloudy and will probably take another week to show significant improvement.
• Flounder fishing is hit or miss as usuall near the Norwalk Islands. Chumming heavily will increase your chances and most fisherman prefer clams or sandworms fished in shallower areas where the sun can heat the water more quickly. The areas just off shore from Calf Pasture Beach typically produce decent flounder catches as well as schoolie bass.

Captain Morgan's Bait & Tackle

• It's April but harsh March-like weather was evident as extra pairs of socks were needed to retain foot warmth, half-gloves to dress hands, and extra layers to insulate the body. Below-normal water temperatures due to wind/cold were in the mid-30s, far from the “high” of 43 degrees just a short time ago. Day by day, though, we are slowly gaining and sooner rather than later our scenery will change. Flora will burst in bloom and migrating fish will fill the Sound. But for now, we'll cast our lines at every available window of opportunity.
• For a while as breakwalls retained the sun's warmth adjacent water temperatures moderated and tautog turned on feeding on soft and small baits. The bite temporarily ended when the weather roughened, causing them to move back to deeper water.
• Winter flounder once in the coves were more protected, but the change in weather caused those flatties (including many fishermen) to lay low as well. The recent classic Nor'easter that caused the barometer to plummet and churned LIS into a murky cauldron slammed shut any opportunity for filling coolers with 'togs or “blackbacks.”
• River herring and other indigenous baitfish on their annual spring run nevertheless continue to forge northward in our fertile tidal rivers. Hampered by recent water surges and exceptional low/high tides, their journey goes undaunted.
• Striped bass have been actively feeding in those rivers, taking full advantage of that food as well as other estuarine wetland sealife washed from the protection of wetland grounds. Schoolie bass that have filtered into the Sound are also being caught along the shoreline on various live, fresh dead, frozen, and artificial baits.
• Trout season opens Saturday and the “open” sign will light at 3 a.m. So, for all things fishy, including bait, gear, rod/reel repair and licenses, swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days located at 21 Boston Post Road, Madison/Guilford line. Until next time from your Connecticut shoreline's full-service fishing outfitter where we don't make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better...

Where are the fish after the floods?

• Late-season storms could offer a boom -- far from the potential bust that had many anglers concerned. Heavy rains and flooding pushed some trout out of main river channels and into reservoirs, downstream ponds and small streams. That could have harmed the supply, especially if large numbers of confused trout were stranded where food was limited and they were vulnerable to birds or more aggressive fish.
• But when the rains stopped, the fish had a chance to settle into their new surroundings. That should make for good pickings in many non-traditional fishing spots, while trout in the main rivers will be easier to catch as the high waters recede in the next several days.
• Niantic River: Jack Balint of the Fish Connection in Norwich did some scouting Wednesday along the Yantic River, in order to know how to advise his customers regarding their choices of opening-day fishing holes. He said the Yantic River looked fishable in the areas he scouted upstream from the dams in Gilman. Earlier in the week, when the nor’easter was at its peak, the Yantic was a number of feet over its banks in the flats and farmers fields near Route 2. This river stabilizes quickly, and he believes it will be running high, but should be fishable by Saturday.

Rivers End - Old Saybrook

STRIPED BASS- With the rains and snow of the past week the Connecticut River will be flooding for about another week. This is generally an annual occurrence and not the end of the spring bass run. The reports of people fishing over the last week have been scant. There were some schoolies in the upper part of Hamburg Cove, that going to be one of the first parts of the River to clean up. To quote Yogi Berra, I hate to make predictions, especially about the future. I think that by mid-week they'll be fishable conditions and bass along Great Island and the mouth of the Lieutenant River. For the next few days there should be stripers taking worms at the DEP Piers. The bass in the Thames have been spreading out from Norwich Harbor and are starting to look for herring. It may pay to take a ride east and try the Pawcatuck River and the West Wall off Jerusalem RI.

FLOUNDER- Not a report has come in over the last week. A few fellows tried but no one came back with a positive word. There should be a few flats to be had at Niantic.

BLACKFISH- Again we haven't heard much this week due to weather. Its time, and the season end at the end of the month.

HOURS- We'll be open at 4am for opening day Saturday, April 21st. Hours next week will be Sunday:5am-4pm, Mon–Fri:6am-6pm, Sat:5am-5pm

On The Water Magazine

1. Over in the Thames River, things have slowed down to a near halt according to Ren at The Fish Connection in Preston. The river water is still very cold, but the fish have been moving around some despite that. The fishing was good up until Saturday, after which the storm put the river up high and discolored it, making it pretty much unfishable. The few hardy anglers who have braved the elements in search of stripers have not been very successful the past few days. Similarly, the rain has put most local rivers and streams up to the tops of their banks, if not over them. Waters are incredibly muddy as well. This does not bode well for opening day of trout season in Connecticut this coming Saturday. Ren described the flow in the Shetucket River as “raging” and figures it will not be fishable opening day, and he suggested anglers can hedge their bets by setting up on the ponds and lakes. If you decide you don’t want the crowds and opt for one of the rivers or streams, Ren suggest the use of spinning gear that will run deep.
2. Over in Milford, Capt. Morgan’s Bait & Tackle was open, but customers had to go around to the back door or canoe over to get into the front door. Capt. Morgan reported brutal conditions along the coast with the moon tides backed up by heavy winds, but the inside of the shop remained dry despite the nastiness. No one has been out into the salt since the storm blew in over the weekend according to Capt. Morgan, though anglers were doing well to winter flounder on Saturday. Given a few days to settle out and clear up once the wind stops, fishing should be expected to be pretty good, particularly if followed up with some sun and warmth.
   
3. For opening day, Capt. Morgan suggested that angers seek out the small-order rivers and streams and forgo the mainstem rivers such as the Connecticut, Farmington and Housatonic. The smaller rivers and streams ought to calm down quickly, and many of them ought to be fishable by the weekend, though the fish will be moved around considerably from where they were stocked. Good for the fish, bad for the fishermen. The ponds and lakes will likely be most productive, but given current conditions they will also be the busiest. Despite conditions, Memorial Trout Tournament at Capt. Morgan’s will take place.
4. On the western end of Long Island Sound, Chip at Stratford Bait & Tackle in Stratford reported that conditions were pretty miserable. He reported that during a morning check of conditions at the Housatonic River he saw a “nice new picnic table and several other large yard items” surging down the river. He followed that with, “Need I say more?” Chip did report that bunker, probably holdover fish, have been reported in Stratford Harbor, and a few anglers, prior to the storm, had been live-lining them for stripers, but with no luck. The water is still in the low 40s, keeping the bass pretty inactive. Chip suggested opening-day anglers seek out ponds and lakes rather than local rivers, which are running very high at the moment.

Best Bets for the Weekend

It sounds like this week might be a bit on the challenging side, though with the season just opened in Rhode Island and opening this Saturday in Connecticut, you can bet, given the rosy weather forecasts, that anglers will be out in both states in force. Ponds and lakes sound like the best bet regardless of the state you decide to fish in, though smaller rivers and streams that rebound quickly from major rainfall events should not be overlooked. Consider that the fish are bound to be spread out in the rivers and streams, so it may be a better strategy to explore widely rather than camp out in the spot where the stocking truck dumped the fish, which under normal circumstances is generally not a bad idea. In the salt, the western end of Long Island Sound has been productive for winter flounder, and if the waters subside and clear some, we expect they will produce again. My suggestion is, given the nasty spring we have been dealt so far, don’t delay, get out and fish even if the waters are still a bit high and off color. We have all been pinned down too long from cold, wind and rain (or snow). (Alan Desbonnet, On The Water)

New London Day

• DESPITE THURSDAY'S cold rain and sleet throughout our region, spring is slowly advancing, raising hopes for better weather. In the meantime, we'll plow through the chilly wind with what news is available for this, the first fishing column of a brand new season.
• Captain Al Anderson tried to work on his big boat but gave up after being pelted by wind and sleet at a Rhode Island boat yard. His last trip to the Thames was Tuesday, on a charter for Stephanie Cramer and Dennis Kelly. Fishing up in the Norwich Basin they landed 109 bass to about 22 inches, trolling mostly small umbrella rigs just down below the mix of fresh and saltwater.
• Capt. Don's in Charlestown noted there was absolutely nothing going on in either the pond or ocean front beaches. He heard about buckies showing up at Potter Hill dam, the only confirmed news of the week.
• Moving back to Connecticut, I called Bob's Rod and Tackle on a very quiet day, the only movement a hard rain coming down. Flounder fishing at Bluff Point has been so-so at best and there were the first few flats caught out of the Niantic River. Striper action in the upper Thames is good one day and poor the next couple trips. A couple anglers tried for blackfish but nobody to date has caught fish number one. Some of the saltwater crew will head to Rhode Island for the trout opener tomorrow, while others wait for the season to open in Connecticut on April 21.
• Jack at the Fish Connection made a comment or two about the dreary, cold weather saying it looks like we'll be hit with a northeaster on Sunday. Bluff Point offers the best bet for flounder with the Niantic River a poor second choice as of press time. Two weeks ago one of the kids that works in the store had a limit of flats at Bluff Point but nothing close to those numbers were reported since. Striper fishing in the upper Thames is a matter of mostly numbers not size right now. The first of the buckies are up around Brookside so we might see some bigger bass in a week or so.
• Richard over at Hillyers Tackle laughed when I asked him about any fishing news. Prior to Thursday's rain, a shore angler caught a couple keeper bass at Harkness while others had a few flounder from the Niantic River (emphasis on the word few). The water in the Niantic was a cool 42 degrees. That needs to come up some for better results.
• My good friend Sherwood Lincoln heard about tiny bass caught in Hamburg Cove by people in small boats either launched around the Baldwin Bridge or cartoppers put in right in the cove. He also said you can fish from shore there right by the Hamburg Cove Bridge, maybe arriving just at the start of the ebb tide for best chances.
• At River's End Tackle in Old Saybrook where Capt. Q told me the numbers of bass coming out of Hamburg Cove dropped off as this week wore on. On some afternoons as many as 30 small boats were working the fish over, maybe something to do with the drop in numbers.
• People further downriver at the DEP Dock caught a limited number of small bass with worms on the bottom. Those in the small boats in the cove were using small plastic baits or tiny bucktails. (by Tim Coleman The Day)

Norwich Bulletin

• The cold snap and high winds have slowed the bite and angler activity levels to a near standstill. Places like the Thames River, which had begun turning on before the big chill, has slowed way down. The fish are there, but not cooperative, because of the retrograde in water temperatures. For instance, a couple of weekends ago, Chapman Pond, a shallow bass lake in Rhode Island, was pushing 50 degrees. Tuesday afternoon, after a series of very cold nights, was 40 degrees and the fish had lock jaw. Despite the continued below-average day and nighttime temperatures, every day the sun shines on the water, it unloads its energy into the bottom of shallow lakes and coves, pushing temperatures up.
• Freshwater: Remember, places that are not stocked with trout are open to fishing. This time of year, the sun will help get fish moving, which means biting, later in the day. This is the time of year when the nighttime temperatures are freezing. Don't bother setting the alarm for dawn, it probably won't be worth it.
  
• Perhaps the best fishing option this weekend might be fishing for bass or panfish shallow (weedy in the summer) ponds with stumps and floating mats of organic matter. Places such as Chapman Pond, Pachaug Pond and Glasgo Pond have a better chance of producing a few bites than the deeper lakes in the area, which in all likelihood are closed because the deeper lakes tend to be "trout lakes."
• Saltwater: Winter flounder: Bluff Point and Niantic River continue to yield fish to those who work hard. There are enough flatfish around to target with expectations of catching some for supper.
• Striped bass: Any day now, the Thames River will turn on, but until water temperatures get into the low 50s, it will probably continue to be a day-to-day slow go of it. Three weeks ago, when temperatures had risen after a couple "warming rains," Eric Covino and company caught an astounding 1,614 schoolie bass (all less than 26 inches) from a spot in the Connecticut River over two days of fishing with three others in the boat each day. They fished from noon until dark both days, but this was a really high level of success. The following week, two of the crew caught 80 fish in the same spot and last Saturday two of them fished the Thames for a single striper.

Old Saybrook Fishing Report

STRIPED BASS- They're still in Hamburg Cove but its thinned out since last week. The Connecticut River is still flooding and the forecast for the next few days will have the River flooding for at least another week. This doesn't mean you can't catch bass, its just more difficult and hazardous. Hamburg Cove seems to clean up faster than the rest of the River so check that out. Another place bass seem to congregate in flooding conditions is off Griswold Point to the east of the mud line.

They've got some schoolies at the West Wall this week but the main push hasn't started yet. Worm dunkers have been getting schoolies at the DEP Piers and up by the East Haddam Boat Launch.

FLOUNDER- Well the first push of flats has fizzled, the next hope is as waters warm a bit in Niantic they'll be a few fish similar to last Spring.

SEMINARS
Saturday April 14th at 11am- Fluke Fishing with Bob Sampson. Its less than a month away the start of the season, get set with some proven techniques and locations.
Saturday April 28th- Saltwater Fly Fishing School with Lou Tabory- We have three openings left. This is a great day for the beginning and intermediate angler. Call us for details

Rivers End (Old Saybrook)

• STRIPED BASS- They're still in Hamburg Cove but its thinned out since last week. The Connecticut River is still flooding and the forecast for the next few days will have the River flooding for at least another week. This doesn't mean you can't catch bass, its just more difficult and hazardous. Hamburg Cove seems to clean up faster than the rest of the River so check that out. Another place bass seem to congregate in flooding conditions is off Griswold Point to the east of the mud line. They've got some schoolies at the West Wall this week but the main push hasn't started yet. Worm dunkers have been getting schoolies at the DEP Piers and up by the East Haddam Boat Launch.
• FLOUNDER- Well the first push of flats has fizzled, the next hope is as waters warm a bit in Niantic they'll be a few fish similar to last Spring.
• FLUKE FISHING SEMINAR: Saturday April 14th at 11am- Fluke Fishing with Bob Sampson. Its less than a month away the start of the season, get set with some proven techniques and locations.
• Saltwater Fly Fishing School with Lou Tabory- April 28th. We have three openings left. This is a great day for the beginning and intermediate angler. Call us for details. (Pat Abate, Rivers End Tackle, 440 Boston Post Rd, Old Saybrook, CT 860-388-2283).

Top Connecticut Striper Fishing

• Connecticut's rivers and saltwater beaches offer some of the best summertime striper fishing in the Northeast. July means hot fishing in Long Island Sound. And the favorite summertime quarry in the Sound is striped bass. The action peaks in June and continues well into July. If you are seeking a king-sized cow bass, you'll need to invest more time fishing at night. These large, lone feeders are primarily nocturnal and will fall for favorite foods like live eels and menhaden. But daylight fishing can produce good catches of school-sized bass. These fish are available in great numbers, and odds are that when you find one, you'll also find many of its schoolmates. According to local charter captains, now is a good time to get in on the schoolie bass bite.
• What's exciting about July stripers is that when you find them, you normally find them in numbers. You're not going to catch just one fish -- you're going to catch six or more, especially if they are breaking along a rip or over a reef." Many of Connecticut's linesiders are fish that spend the off-season in the deep channels of our major river systems and the Hudson River in New York. Once the water temperature reaches about 50 degrees (usually late April or early May), this multitude of fish migrates into Long Island Sound to spend the summer. During the same spring period, another body of fish migrates northward from Chesapeake Bay, rounds Montauk Point at the tip of Long Island and floods into Long Island Sound, where both populations merge and create outstanding late-spring and early-summer fishing.
  
• Action on July's schoolie bass can be good from almost any tidal location, including shore-fishing from estuaries, beaches and jetties, or by boat. Although these fish will bite throughout the day, your best bet is to fish early and late when the sun is low and beach and boat traffic is minimal. The Connecticut coast boasts numerous reefs and rips that hold bass throughout the season. For anglers without a boat, the Nutmeg State has several great shoreline access spots as well as many party boats and private charters to put you on the fish. Listed from east to west, here are some of the top bass hotspots in your area this month.
• BARTLETT REEF, WATERFORD: At the east end of the state, the highly productive Jordon Cove launch area is in Waterford."It's a great all-purpose spot," Capt. Merkt said, "because you can fish it from shore or boat. It's a hotspot from the rocks at first light for most species through the season, starting with the bass in the early summer and ending with false albacore and Spanish mackerel in the fall."
• When launching at Jordon Cove, Bartlett Reef is out of the bay and a short run to the southeast."If you have a small boat," Capt. Merkt said, "try the north end of the reef where there are assorted rockpiles. They produce excellent bass fishing at this time of year. My favorite time here is the outgoing tide. But be careful of the breaking rocks at low water. If you are new to the spot, you'll need a chart."
• There's also good fishing at the south end around the spindle. Another larger rip is located farther south of the spindle, but you'll need a seaworthy craft to fish there. The entire length of the mile-long rip is good fishing, and working birds will often pinpoint the fish for you," he noted.
• The Jordon Cove launch is at Pleasure Beach. To find it, travel Route 156 in Waterford to Route 213, south on Goshen Road and the launch is straight ahead. Be sure you check the forecast before launching here because a west or southwest wind of 15 knots or more makes trailering very difficult. An alternative is the state launch on the Niantic River in Waterford.
• NIANTIC RIVER AND BAY: Niantic is one of the most productive fishing regions on Long Island Sound. A good shore place to try for stripers is the mouth of the Niantic River, which separates the towns of Niantic and Waterford. "That's a great spot," Capt. Merkt said. "The big bass go running through there all summer."You can fish either the east or west bank to the south of Route 156 and the train bridge. Cast into the mouth of the river channel where it meets the bay. Early mornings and evenings are the best times here.
• Expect heavy boat traffic on weekends, especially during the day.To access the train bridge fishing area in Niantic, turn north 100 yards west of the Niantic River bridge on Route 156 and follow the signs for the Black Hawk party boat parking. Walk from the parking lot toward the train bridge, where you'll find a concrete walkway that passes beneath it and accesses the beach. Fish the corner of the beach where the river meets Niantic Bay. You can also fish your way down the beach along the north end of Niantic Bay.
• MILLSTONE NUCLEAR POWER PLANT: warmwater outflow holds schoolie bass, bluefish and false albacore throughout the summer. The discharge is a great spot to cast from a boat, as are the rocks surrounding this large peninsula, especially on the east side. Security is understandably tight around high-risk structures, such as nuclear power facilities, so be sensible when fishing and photographing near Millstone or any other nuclear power plant. Security is much stricter on the west or "inflow" side than on the east or "outflow" side of the facility. If you cross the west side's well-marked boundary line, you are asking for a serious run-in with facility guards. However, the east side's warmwater discharge area is more accessible and usually has good fishing.
  
• When casting around Millstone Point, follow all posted signs and guards' instructions carefully. And don't attempt to take photos of the plant: That's considered a violation of the Homeland Security Act and you're likely to be boarded and escorted to shore by the Coast Guard.
  
• THE RACE: one of the best striper hotspots on the East Coast. It's located eight miles southeast of Niantic Bay at the mouth of Long Island Sound. It is commonly accessed from the Jordon Cove or Niantic River launches in Waterford. Big stripers hold in The Race all summer, thanks to the schools of baitfish that congregate there. You'll also likely catch large numbers of hungry bluefish. This rugged stretch of water is not for the inexperienced boater or small craft operator. Expect choppy riptide conditions even on calm days, which become extremely rough when a stiff breeze opposes the current. Waters 250 feet deep rapidly shallow to 70 feet or less to create a massive rip line.
• The Race is one of the few spots on the Sound that's best left to the pros. Instead of venturing out yourself, you can hop on one of the many charter or party boats that fish here every day.
• HAMMONASSET BEACH, MADISON: At the midpoint of the state's coast, you'll find Hammonasset State Park in Madison a short distance from Interstate Route 95. This beautiful beach offers camping, a picnic area, nature trail and great shoreline striper fishing. It's an excellent place to bring the family for a few hours of fun while you fish.
• Try casting off Hammonasset Point, which is only a few minutes from the Meigs Point parking lot. Head toward the mouth of the Hammonasset River where it meets the Sound and look for a large bouldered area. This spot holds fish waiting for forage to be swept out of the river into open water. Be cautious of strong currents and slippery footing when wading this area.
• The most popular and productive fishing spot in the park is probably Meigs Point jetty, which is at the east end near a small boat launch. Come prepared with heavy line and extra sinkers or lures. Large rockpiles off the jetty attract and hold bass and bluefish, but it's also easy to lose some tackle in them. Expect strong east-west currents off the jetty when the tide is at peak flow. The action peaks in June and continues well into July. If you are seeking a king-sized cow bass, you'll need to invest more time fishing at night
• New Haven Harbor: triangular, four-mile-long bay, is the second largest commercial port in Connecticut. Three breakwaters mark the harbor's entrance, inside of which the waters are shallow except for a deep, well-marked channel running north through its midline to I-95.
• On New Haven Harbor's west side is the West Haven Sandbar, also called "Sandy Point." This is an excellent striper location for anglers without a boat. Bass are attracted to the area because of the confluence of the Quinnipiac, Mill and West rivers, which dump baitfish into the harbor just above the sandbar. New Haven Harbor is known for its schoolies and trophy stripers. The sandbar juts into mid-harbor from the West Haven beach, and the entire bar is above water at low tide. However, although you can walk almost one-half mile out, be prepared for the flood tide with a pair of chest waders for the return trip. Expect rough, roiled water and loose seaweed with an east wind, which blows across the harbor into your face. The best times to fish the bar are early morning and evening near a high tide with a west wind. The water is very shallow at low tide.
  
• To reach the West Haven Sandbar, take I-95 to Exit 43, head southeast on First Avenue (Route 122), which becomes Beach Street. Park in a special lot across from the restaurant. Signs mark the parking and access areas
• HOUSATONIC RIVER, STRATFORD: While known for its excellent trout fishing once it nears Long Island Sound, however, the Housatonic turns into a wide, swift tidal river. With its deep channels, rockpiles, sand flats and muddy marshland creeks, the Housatonic River is one of the top schoolie bass locations in western Connecticut. The most attractive location for both fly-casters and surfcasters is on the Stratford side of the river. Near the mouth you'll find Short Beach, which has excellent access and anglers can walk several hundred yards into the river. At low tide you'll need to be near the main channel for the best action; however, at high tide the fish will forage up to the shore.
  
• Parking near the beach can be a problem during summer weekends, but striper fishing is always best in the early mornings and evenings, when recreational beach-goers will be fewest. To find the beach and parking, take I-95 to Exit 32. Take Route 113 behind the Bridgeport Airport.
• MIDDLE GROUND: Off Stratford at the midpoint of Long Island Sound is a large reef called "Middle Ground," also locally known as "Stratford Shoal”. With its deep channels, rockpiles, sand flats and muddy marshland creeks, the Housatonic River is one of the top schoolie bass locations in western Connecticut. Middle Ground is widely regarded as the top all-around fishing spot in the western Sound, and it's one of the best places to find stripers and bluefish each summer. The shoal averages about 17 feet deep at low tide, surrounded by about 70 feet of water except on the north side, where you will cross waters that are 150 feet deep.
  
• Only anglers with larger (17 feet or longer) boats should venture here because the sea becomes rough when strong tides and winds converge. Three navigational buoys plus a foghorn and lighthouse mark Middle Ground.A launch is in Milford on the Housatonic River's east side. Take I-95 to Exit 34. Turn west on Route 1, and then go north on Naugatuck Avenue. The launch is on the left. Parking is available for 80 cars. A fee is collected on weekends and holidays. To get there, motor downriver to Stratford Point, and then head south across the Sound for five miles. This spot is clearly marked on local charts. Bluefish mix with stripers in most areas. (by Tom Migdalski.)

Norwich Bulletin Fishing Report

The cold snap and high winds have slowed the bite and angler activity levels to a near standstill. Places like the Thames River, which had begun turning on before the big chill, has slowed way down. The fish are there, but not cooperative, because of the retrograde in water temperatures. For instance, a couple of weekends ago, Chapman Pond, a shallow bass lake in Rhode Island, was pushing 50 degrees. Tuesday afternoon, after a series of very cold nights, was 40 degrees and the fish had lock jaw. Despite the continued below-average day and nighttime temperatures, every day the sun shines on the water, it unloads its energy into the bottom of shallow lakes and coves, pushing temperatures up.

Freshwater: Remember, places that are not stocked with trout are open to fishing. This time of year, the sun will help get fish moving, which means biting, later in the day. This is the time of year when the nighttime temperatures are freezing. Don't bother setting the alarm for dawn, it probably won't be worth it. Perhaps the best fishing option this weekend might be fishing for bass or panfish shallow (weedy in the summer) ponds with stumps and floating mats of organic matter. Places such as Chapman Pond, Pachaug Pond and Glasgo Pond have a better chance of producing a few bites than the deeper lakes in the area, which in all likelihood are closed because the deeper lakes tend to be "trout lakes."

Saltwater: Winter flounder: Bluff Point and Niantic River continue to yield fish to those who work hard. There are enough flatfish around to target with expectations of catching some for supper.

Striped bass: Any day now, the Thames River will turn on, but until water temperatures get into the low 50s, it will probably continue to be a day-to-day slow go of it. Three weeks ago, when temperatures had risen after a couple "warming rains," Eric Covino and company caught an astounding 1,614 schoolie bass (all less than 26 inches) from a spot in the Connecticut River over two days of fishing with three others in the boat each day. They fished from noon until dark both days, but this was a really high level of success. The following week, two of the crew caught 80 fish in the same spot and last Saturday two of them fished the Thames for a single striper.

On The Water Magazine

Best Bets for the Weekend: Sounds like the Mianus River might be worth a check given all the good reports coming from multiple shops in the region. Winter flounder seems to be a reasonable bet as well, either in the far western section of Long Island Sound or over in the Poquonock River (Groton) area. Of course, if you want to see some real action, head far to the east, cross the border, purchase a Rhode Island license and chase around a mess of nice trout on the opening day of the RI season this Saturday.

1. The question of the week is “can climate change cause a mini ice age?” The answer obviously is yes, or at least an incredibly protracted winter season as we are seeing this time around.
2. Capt. Thom Pelletier at Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle in North Kingstown reported a few anglers going out in search of largemouth bass, but the cold and the wind has kept all but the hardiest (or is that fool-hardiest?) off the water. Capt. Pelletier had no reports coming from saltwater areas and didn’t expect any through the weekend due to weather, and of course, Opening Day in Rhode Island this Saturday. Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle is stocked to the gills with bait and fishing licenses and will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, reopening at 3 a.m. Saturday and staying open until 6 p.m.
3. Wildwood Outfitters in Wakefield has reports of stripers being taken from the West Wall and the mouth of the Narrow River, as well as from deep inside a few of the south shore salt ponds. The action is very slow as the water temperature simply refuses to increase given consistently chilly temperatures and incessant winds. School bass are still active in upper Narragansett Bay, mainly in the Providence River area. Freshwater reports coming in to Wildwood Outfitters are slow, slow and more slow. Largemouth bass are being taken in Hundred Acre and a few other ponds, but the recent cold has driven water temperatures downwards, slowing fish activity.
4. Mike’s Bait & Tackle in Voluntown reported “No report” according to Archie. Nothing at all going on with the onset of the cold and the wind, except an occasional angler popping in for supplies for an upcoming opening day. Try back after opening day in Connecticut was Archie’s plea.
5. Charlie at Colonial Sports in Bozrah reported that the Yantic River has fish, but the water is still so chilled that the fish are not moving around much. Persistent anglers are picking up a few fish here and there on nymphs dredged right along the bottom, but the fish are tough to come by. The Salmon River, however, is doing a bit better. Charlie had good reports of pretty consistent action all along the river, with some nice fish in the 15- to 16-inch range being taken. Charlie thinks that the action is better because the Salmon has been stocked twice so far while the Yantic only once to date.
6. A bit south in the Thames River, stripers are getting active all along the length of the river from Norwich Harbor to the Montville Power Plant. Ren at The Fish Connection in Preston reported that catches of 40 to 50 stripers is not uncommon, and several of the fish in that number will be nicer fish in the 30-inch range. Ren also reported blueback herring in the river, though he has not heard any news of bigger stripers up near the Greenville Dam, at least not yet. Ren suggested giving the spot where Indiantown Brook empties into Poquetanuck Cove a try. The spot is often overlooked and can be very, very productive. Also in the salt, Ren reports anglers doing quite well to winter flounder with several anglers taking their limits, in the Poquonock River, mainly in the upriver areas.
7. On the eastern portion of Long Island Sound, the waters are still chilly – in the mid-30s to be exact – and the consistent winds have been keeping most would-be-angling boaters off the water. Capt. Morgan at Capt. Morgan’s Bait & Tackle in Madison reported that there are winter flounder in the region, but it has been too difficult to get out to them much of the past week. In the meantime, Trout Management Areas throughout the central Connecticut region are fishing well, with no one particular spot being best consistently. Capt. Morgan did mention the “Capt. Morgan’s Annual Codi/Bubba Memorial Trout Contest” that will take place again this opening day – prizes go for heaviest trout weighed in on Opening Day at the shop. All you need to do is register before 6:00 a.m. on Opening Day.
8. Chris at Statford Bait & Tackle in Stratford was singing the cold-weather blues as well, reporting that the cold wind is keeping anglers off the Sound for the most part, despite initially good catches of winter flounder in the area when the season opened. The Trout Management Areas are fishing well, but sporadically. Of the bunch of them in the area, the Mill River and Mianus River TMAs are the most consistent fish producers.
   In Danbury, John at Valley Angler was in tune as well, wailing away on a couple of “No Fishing Blues” riffs, lamenting over the lack of global warming in New England. While things have been quiet around the area, John did have two bright spots of light to report on – the Mianus River, which is fishing quite well on a consistent basis, and the Farmington River, which is experiencing some caddis and blue-wing olive hatches and offering up a bit of dry-fly action.
9. At Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, Rick actually had an uplifting report, noting that there have been good catches of winter flounder, with some even being taken from shore. Productive spots have been the East Channel in Norwalk Harbor, particularly while chumming on the incoming tide, and just southwest of Calf Pasture Pier. Anglers who know what they are doing are taking their limits of fish up to 16 inches or so.
10. Eric at Westport Outfitters in Norwalk also had some good reports, mainly from the Housatonic River, where he is getting verifiable reports of striped bass stacked up like cordwood in the river area from Sunnyside down to the mouth. Fish up to 29 inches are being taken, but Eric reports that it is a lot of effort to get the fish to take just about anything being offered. The water is cold, and the fish are not budging much to eat. According to Eric, if you can swim a lure or bait into their mouths, you will take some fish. The only other report is that the Mianus River is fishing pretty well. (Alan Desbonnet, On the Water)

Captain Morgan's Bait & Tackle

Inland/marine life is into its springtime mode despite our reaction to recent cold weather. Temperatures in the 30s have threatened flora, nevertheless, spring spawn runs have begun. There have been blooms of new moon seaworm hatches and runs of river herring not unnoticed by our winter seal population. Counts estimate that to be around 2,000. Pair harbor seals with herring, add other predators, and you've created a formula lowering numbers of our anadromous herring inhabitants. Something to consider.

Another prime herring feeder is striped bass. Linesiders are moving down main holdover tidal rivers, feeding en route. Several intermittent coves along the Connecticut River, stretches of the Thames, and warm water flows of the Housey are attracting itchy bass anglers. Small bass with the occasional aged adult are being hooked on worms, soft plastics like Case's sinking salty shad/minnow, and twitching/swimming artificials. Also, schoolie bass are down from the Q River and have fanned east/west creating action in the shallows, coves, and smaller tidal rivers. The season is upon us!

Shoreline catches of winter flounder have been about par, but enough for a meal or two. Winds kept smaller vessels at bay where most catches occurred anyway. West winds have challenged anchoring however setting up behind the protection of a rock formation or land point saved the day for many. Anglers on shore are finding mixed results—more favorable when fishing points adjacent to coves, tidal rivers, and channels.

Blackfish (tautog) have improved with sizes ranging from three to six pounds. As the month progresses, fishing for these bulldogs will gain in intensity until their temporary close on May 1. It will reopen again on June 15.

Since all publicly stocked Connecticut waters (except catch/release) are closed until opening day (April 21), attention turned to lakes/ponds for pre-spawn largemouths and pickerel.

Westport Outfitters (Norwalk) Fishing Report

• Okay, it’s really not the first time we have been fishing this year, but the numbers and consistency of the catches this past week are giving us enough hope that spring and the first migratory fish into LIS, just might show up sooner than later (after the impending nor’easter over the weekend of course).
• Some things to keep in mind…those areas where shallow water sits on a darker muddy bottom will obviously begin to warm up first, attracting bait and thus fish. What does this mean? April, May & June are by far the best months for the shore angler to land a big striper on a light tackle or the fly rod.
• Having said this, with the warm weather that extended well into December, there was still a tremendous amount of bait that was present in the area into these traditionally colder months. What does this mean? Lots of migratory fish just in essence said, “The heck with moving south, we will stay right here where the food is” (and you thought fish couldn’t speak). Although there are always fish that will stick around, the unseasonably mild temps no doubt held a much larger number over. The larger tributaries have been holding these fish all winter and now they are hungry…real hungry.
  
• We have fished the Housatonic as far north as the parkway bridge and as far south as Milford Point, by land and sea, over the past four weeks with much success.
  
• As many of you have heard, the dredging/dumping that was well underway at Caswell Cove was halted last week and forced to now be carried further out into the sound where it could do less damage to wintering fish in the river. A customer of the store had a lot to do with the courts moving towards a stoppage of this dumping in the Housatonic and took the time, resources and knowledge to present the facts and data to the powers that be. Kudos to “Jeff” for giving back, your efforts I am sure are appreciated by more fellow fisherman (& women) than you will ever know…and the fish thank you as well!
• The Housatonic would be the first stop in a day of fishing at this time of year. Focus on lures and flies that are predominantly white (color of the underside of most bait fish). Until things really heat up (no pun intended), you may need to be right on top of these fish to get them to eat. Casting from shore may make this difficult. Try to get a weighted sluggo or fins-s down on the bottom where these fish will be holding and slowly jig it to trigger the strike.
  
• If you are fortunate enough to have the boat in yet, our favorite fall tactic of using a jig or crippled hearing on a three way with a fly teaser should do the trick early now in Spring. Locate fish on the FF and drop one down on their nose reminiscent of fishing for large Tarpon in the pass at Boca Grande. Fly selection should be white/chartreuse deceivers, clousers, fished in a very similar pattern to the plastics; a sinking line may be the best ticket for your success. Our own captain Chris was out Wednesday with stripers up to 29 inches.
• More locally, as the temps increase, again focus on the fresh water outflows around the Mill Pond, Five Mile River, Saugatuck, Mill River and Sasco Creek where warmer water intersects with the sound. The WTMAs have also been fishing well. If nymphing is not your fancy, try some bright colored streamers such as a mickey finn, stripped slowly in the riffles.

Fly Fishing Reports

Housatonic River Outfitters Last Updated 4/6/07
UpCountry Sportfishing (Farmington River) Last Updated 4/6/07
Salty Flies (Long Island Sound) last updated 3/16/07
Housatonic Meadows Fly Fishng Last Updated 4/2/07
Classic and Custom Fly Shop (Farmington River)
Farmington River Hatches from Fly Fisherman Magazine

Norwich Bulletin

Trout: As temperatures warm, the option for sea-run brown trout fishing fades with the exception of the Greenville Dam and Uncas Leap on the Yantic River, which have both historically produced some very big sea run trout between the end of April and the middle of May. But they are very hard to come by. The best fishing option for this species, being that most of the state is closed to fishing during this period are Trout Management Areas (TMAs) listed in the 2007 Connecticut Anglers Guide.

Bass: Shallow, weedy ponds in the region have been producing largemouth bass for anglers who fish them for a couple of weeks now. Deeper, cooler places will not turn on until we have a few more hot, sunny April afternoons.

Yellow Perch: They are hitting well in the lakes and coves of the Connecticut River that harbor populations of this excellent eating species. A week ago, the perch were in my favorite spot, which means all the places to catch them should be turned on.

White Perch: They are slightly less tolerant to the cold and will begin moving into their spawning areas in the Thames and Connecticut Rivers over the next two to three weeks, with peak fishing taking place mid- to late-April.

Other Panfish: Sunfish, calico bass (black crappie) will turn on within a couple of weeks, depending on the water depths, which equates to temperatures in the lakes that they inhabit.

Winter flounder: Opening Day of the winter flounder season drew a fair number of anglers to the coast to try their luck. Bluff Point produced fish for anglers both from shore and the fleet of boats on opening day and since that time, according to the Fish Connection. No one was reporting any monster fish and few anglers caught their limit, but there were some fish being caught. There has not been much activity to report since last Sunday's season opener.

Striped Bass: The Thames is not red-hot, but has been producing a few fish for those who are after them. It will take a couple of warm days to turn the river on and that will be delayed by cold weather this week.

Rivers Ends - Old Saybrook

STRIPED BASS- They're still at Hamburg Cove with significantly lower numbers. It seems that every bass in the cove must have been hooked at least twice. We have been getting reports for two weeks now of schoolies being caught at the DEP Piers. This is an indication that stripers,
probably winter holdovers are in the main body of the Connecticut River. The Thames has had another good week centered around Norwich Harbor.

FLOUNDER- The season opener was a bust for most anglers. A few good catches were reported from Bluff Point last Sunday and it went downhill from there. Niantic also had just a few flats reported, hopefully it will pick up as the waters warm.

Captain Morgan

Trophy trout lakes went out roaring like a pride of lions. Anglers fished hard, many rewarded with fine catches as a result of efforts put forth by our DEP's inland marine fisheries staff. Along with hungry pickerel and largemouth bass looking for an early springtime meal, brown trout ranging from five to seven pounds bent rods, pressured drags, and tested nerves.

Both from shore and small vessels, these fish were coaxed into taking live bait and lures, periodically towing anglers like Jim Grabarek of Guilford around in his kayak. His 20-inch five-pound brown was caught in 30 feet on a shop shiner while Scott Newton of Madison hooked his girthy, 23-inch seven-pounder on a broken-back from shore. With the TTL's closed April 1 until opening day of trout season (Saturday, April 21), it was evident that an all-out effort was extended by many to out-smart one of these hungry thrillers.

By opening day, there will be about 400,000 trout stocked. Family-oriented trout parks will be stocked frequently while large fish generally will be released into the trophy trout lakes. From the 199 truckloads of hatchery trout, 101 lakes/ponds and 199 rivers/streams will receive fish.

A sunny but brisk morning welcomed anglers as winter flounder season opened on April 1 remaining so until May 30, while the fluke season runs from April 30 through Sept. 5. The shop had its hands full doling out bait/gear to anglers eagerly waiting to dunk those worms and chestertowns. Flatties were caught in harbors and coves from New Haven to the breakwalls of Connecticut River and beyond. Trying to fish ahead of the impending northeast front, anglers catching flounder also found schoolie stripers attracted to their bait. (Captain Morgan, Guilford Courier)

On The Water Magazine

Best Bets for Connecticut and Rhode Island: Sounds we will be riding the temperature seesaw once again over the next few days, bringing in a big chill sure to make the fish put on the brakes. Despite that, the march of Spring moves forward, and as herring move into the rivers, the striper fishing will bust wide open. Will it be Easter weekend? You’ve got to be out there to find out! Winter flounder in Norwalk Harbor sounds like a good possibility, though it may be pretty chilly going. Otherwise, it sounds like another weekend of fairly slow action overall. Get your gear ready and be prepared for opening day – next Saturday in Rhode Island, the one following in Connecticut.

1. Archie picked up the phone at Mike’s Bait & Tackle in Voluntown, reporting that it was cold and sleeting earlier on. Seems like winter just does not want to quit. Archie reported that a few anglers are out and about for largemouth bass, but the going is slow. A few saltwater aficionados with a bad case of flounder fever picked up some sandworms and tried in Stonington waters but without any luck. The most action is in the shop, filling spools full of monofilament, according to Archie.
2. Things have also cooled in the Thames River, the chill having slowed the progress of the stripers heading south to the mouth of the river. Ren at The Fish Connection in Preston reports that the stripers are about as far as the Gales Ferry region and slowly working their way south. No reports of herring in the river or at the dams just yet, but Ren expects that report to come in at any point now, and that will herald in a bunch of exciting striper fishing. The Trout Management Areas are producing fish, but anglers have to put in a lot of effort to get a couple of fish. They are not moving very far for their meals according to the reports Ren has had come in of late.
3. Capt. Morgan at Capt. Morgan’s Bait & Tackle in Madison has been quite busy, mainly getting folks geared up for the seasons that are open and those that are opening soon. It took three tries to get a moment where he could catch his breath to give up a fishing report, but it was worth it. Capt. Morgan reported that the Trophy Trout Lakes have been red hot for brown trout in the 5- to 9-pound category, which were tight into shore and chasing alewives around. The anglers who were fortunate enough to be on them had a blast, to say the least. Capt. Morgan expects things to cool just a bit with the cold front knocking on our door, but not for long. Out on Long Island Sound the water temperatures were into the low 40s earlier in the week, then slid back into the mid-30s on the cold weather that settled in. School bass have been reported out in various parts of the Sound, indicating that conditions are beginning to improve. Herring are showing up in many of the rivers, not in big numbers just yet, but arriving. Winter flounder fishing has been good, according to Capt. Morgan, with Bluff Point, Gilford and Madison harbors, and the Thimble Islands all producing some nice fish for those that ventured out.
4. Farther to the west, Chris at Stratford Bait & Tackle in Stratford reported that he has been taking some nice fish, trout in the 18- to 22-inch size, from the Farmington River over the past week. The water is bone-chilling cold, so dress accordingly. Chris reported that the fish are there, but it takes some effort to get a fly down deep and in front of their faces. Somehow a 22-inch trout seems worth the effort! Large nymphs, Wooly Buggers and an assortment of streamers have been producing, with no particular pattern better than another. Chris has heard reports of bunker in the warm water effluent of the power plant on the Housatonic, but has not heard of any corresponding catches of anything larger than average school-sized stripers. Chris has also heard reports that the upper Housatonic River Trout Management Areas are fishing pretty well, though the rain my nudge the water a bit higher for a day or so.
5. Candlewood Lake is closed to angling until Connecticut opening day on the third Saturday in April. John at Valley Angler in Danbury was lamenting another cold, dreary forecast and more rain to fill the local ponds and streams even more. John reports that many of the rivers and their receiving water ponds and lakes are high and a bit muddy, making the going tough for those who dare to venture out for trout or largemouth bass. Reports of bunker along the coast in the Bridgeport region have come in, scattered, but no reports of bigger stripers taken. Opening day in New York was good according to reports that John has received, and he hopes that is a harbinger of good tidings for Connecticut when the season opens up in a few weeks.
6. Fisherman’s World in Norwalk has been getting some good reports of winter flounder fishing, mainly right close by in Norwalk Harbor. According to Scott, several anglers have been taking nice fish, many of them keeper size, on sandworms by using clam chum to get the fish in the mood and bring them in closer. The strategy seems to be paying off in fresh flounder dinners for Dave Redford and his son Dave Jr.! The same anglers have been taking occasional school bass, mainly holdover fish coming out of the rivers. Scott also reported that the Trout Management Areas on the Westport and Saugatuck River are fishing okay, with the big news being that the Mianus River TMA has finally been stocked, just this past weekend.
7. Eric at Westport Outfitters in Norwalk had similar reports for the region, though he did note that the lower Housatonic River, in the Shelton area, is fairly muddy due to dredging going in Caswell Cove. You may have seen this in the news, as it is a big event for the moment. Of the Trout Management Areas, the Saugatuck seems the most consistent at the moment according to Eric, though the fish are mainly smaller trout. (Alan Desbonnet, On The Water).