Westport Outfitters

• With the boat show in town last weekend, our charters were minimal to accommodate the reconfiguration of the docks here at Cove Marina, but we were still out and about on the water sticking some fish. As the water temps continue to drop slightly, the A.M. striper bite continues to improve as well from shore. South Pine Creek specifically has been fishing very well, as has Southport Beach too. There is no shortage of bait. Small silver side patterns for the fly guys including Eric Peterson’s gummy epoxies that he just delivered over the weekend as well as some smaller peanut bunker imitations will surely do the trick. We also have a huge batch of hand tied custom clousers that were field tested Sunday evening for bass up to 27 inches around Westport and the Saugatuck River basin, also spun up by Eric. For the spin enthusiast, stick to Rattle Traps, Stillwater Plugs, Yozuri Minnows and during no light or low light conditions, the NEW Storm Shads!
• Perhaps the highlight of the week was from an out of towner Donny Goulart who was in town for the Norwalk International Boat Show. Donny could not have been happier when after setting up his booth he walked into Westport Outfitters. Lucky for him, Norwalk Island guide extraordinaire, friend and fellow fish freak Matt Gifford happen to be in the store to give Donny the crash course on fishing Calf Pasture Beach. Although Matt and I varied on what the best location would be, Donny ventured out Wednesday night East of Shady Beach and had his fill of Stripers and Blues (Matt’s Location). After a few more decent catches from shore on top water Creek Chubs and some small plastics the fish gods blessed Donny with the ultimate shore catch Saturday night…FAT ALBERTS!! That’s right folks, two of them right from shore at dusk on Creek Chubs in less than 8 feet of water. Upon returning to the shop to speak of his travels, he was surrounded by nearly 100 years of combined fishing experience in our local waters, all who reiterated how truly awesome his catch was. Donny walked around the boat show for the rest of the weekend with a smile from ear to ear…Congrats Donny and keep in touch!!
• The kayak fishing is really starting to heat up as well. Bruce fished from his trusty tri-balance on Saturday A.M. armed with his fly rod and had the ultimate fall slam less one with blues and bass and several Bonita hook ups and one landed to the yak. Congrats Bruce! Speaking of kayak fishing, some straggler boat show attendees were treated (and some probably a bit scared) to a special catch when on Thursday night Matt Mumbach marched into the shop with about a 7 lb bone he had taken on his fly rod earlier that evening. Like anything with Matt there was story…a perfectly placed cast, a hook up, a blistering run and a rather large wind knot that took the two top sections of his fly rod for a Norwalk Islands Sleigh Ride with the fish still on. After hand over handing the fish in on his butt section, he retrieved his rod tips as well as a gorgeous fish. After selling his boat last year, Matt has been shore/kayak bound and has really put his time in, your diligence is truly paying off my friend!
• Our favorite kid fisher award this week goes out to young Jackson Morgan from Darien. Moving here from California in the spring, he and his father Dennis have been getting dialed into the local fishing scene. Over the weekend, young Jackson landed his first fish, a 21 inch 3.3 lb blue. (See new homepage photo). He will forever be hooked…Congrats!!
• At the time of this report, I received a phone call from shop customer and good friend Steve Elliot who had just come in from the water with yet another stellar report (9.26.07). Armed with his Quantum Cabo Reels, Steve landed two Albies over 8 lbs and two Bonita outside of the islands on Deadly Dicks. The excitement in Steve’s voice was indescribable. Steve, you are one of the hardest fish guys we have around here, constantly pursuing the lure of this great sport. Congrats on a great morning, you surely deserve it!!
• This is the time folks, the fishing is only going to get better from here on in, pending any big blow. We have not seen this type of fall action in many, many years, so make the time to get out there this weekend.
• MONTAUK REPORT
• From the decks of the Teaser in Montauk New York, Captain Dean reports that he fishing on the edge has been as good as it has ever been for me. Thursday overnight in the "brick rock," which is about 4 miles east of West Atlantis canyon, provided us with 16 yellowfin in the 75# to 90# class with one albacore and half a dozen mahi's. With Sundays weather forecast I'm sure we will be hitting that area again this week or early next week. There was also great reports on swordfish being taken in that same area.
• The Viking Fleet reported that the Striped Bass fishing has been RED HOT with the full moon!!! Fly fisherman have been seeing lots of Albies right off Montauk Point. Fly casters were having better luck with lines that don't sink too fast, or with really fast retrieves.
• FRESHWATER REPORT
• Finally the freshwater reports are starting to heat up again with a bit of rain over the past few weeks. Justin Solis has been diligently fishing the Housy as well as its tributaries and he claims it can’t get much better. He has been experiencing some prolific hatches all day long with Caddis in the A.M. and Iso's later in the day. Size 10-12 in the ISO pattern as well as BWOs size 22-28. Justin says it’s some of the best dry fly fishing he has seen in years. He and his trusty fish partner George Discala were up at the Housy over last weekend and landed 15 or so fish with the largest being a 20" Bow and a 19" Brown. The best part is, it’s only just the beginning! The next few weeks the water will cool even more and bring out even larger trout.
• As far as the tributaries and local streams... there are fish around, with some fairly large holdovers, you just need to know where they like to hide. Justin landed an 18" hold over brown on Sunday and several more in the 13-14" range on hares ear nymphs and BWO emergers. Throwing large streamers works well also since the brookies and browns are starting to snuggle up for the spawn, which is a time when they become very aggressive.