Captain Morgan, Guilford area

1. Earlier in the week, pockets of rain brought water levels/flows up in several rivers causing banks to breach, especially when dams opened. Additionally, seasonal debris entered the main tidals after being flushed from exceptionally high water marks. However, trout fishing remained good in most waters as they were restocked in time for another good weekend of fishing.
2. Chattfield Hollow, Quonnipaug, and the Hammonasset/Salmon rivers all continue to produce chunky trout with hook-jaw breeders in the four- to six-pound range being caught. The West also has been good, although it flooded this week, too. Several local stocked lakes/ponds and streams from East Haven to Old Saybrook north to Middletown/Durham have also seen steady action with family-oriented trout parks being the best bet to take a kid fishing.
3. Pre-spawn largemouth/smallmouth bass, as well aggressive pickerel, have migrated into shallower water and along the weedlines. Soft plastics like a Case worm, shad, puppy, and grub or energetic swim/jerk bait are provoking strikes. Worked on a fast-action sensitive rod, like a St. Croix, either tied using a non-slip clip or incorporating a ball and chain rig when using soft plastics (tied directly with hard baits), hookups will increase.
4. Striped bass are in! Actually, they've been around the shoreline for a while since schoolies have spilled out into the rivers and gradually entered the Sound. Many coves and arterial tidal avenues are supporting these small feeding linesiders offering some great light gear fishing. Oftentimes the action is non-stop especially on the ebb. Look for the action only to get better!
5. As the saltwater scene heats up, there is plenty of freshwater action to keep everyone happy. So, for all things fishy, swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days located at 21 Boston Post Road in Madison. Until next time from your Connecticut shoreline's full-service fishing outfitter where we don't make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better...