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)