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.