Westport Outfitters, Week of 4/25/09

Eric Johnson reports several factors that show the fishing season progressing right on time: increasing water temps (finally breaking 50 degrees), bunker in Norwalks' Cove Marina and schoolie stripers being caught. This past weekend a report from Little Neck Bay that a keeper striper was caught and bunker in big schools just not sticking too tight, which would indicate no big threats yet.

The mouth of the Housantonic saw several anglers catching stripers using a bucktail and a very slow retrieve. Keep in mind, even though the bass are starting to leave the Housatonic River, they are still a bit lethargic and a slow retrieve on either flies or swim baits fished down deep where the tide is the weakest.

Near the mouth of the Saugatauk River & island small schools of bunker were seen and a striper was caught.

As for flounder & blackfish: local party boat captains that I know and they have confirmed a pretty decent season thus far. The first keeper flounder was caught off of Calf Pasture Beach with a fresh Westport Outfitter sandworm. Sand eels were also seen swimming about.

In all these fishing reports this is the first time I've read of schoolie stripers caught with a GULP sandworm on an offset hook in Fairfield which shows it catches more than just anglers.

FRESHWATER
Westport Outfitters reports good fishing in the Housatonic & Farmington River and recommends using a tandem rig. The Hendrickson hatch is going on and BWOs as well as green bead head caddis larvae are working.

Westport Outfitters have weekly seminars and various fly fishing classes going on. They can be found at 609 Riverside Ave, Westport.

Captain Morgan, Madison 4/29/09

Captain Morgan reports that early spring is the time to get out on the Sound to cast or drift for the first stripers of the year. "More to the point, it’s time to cast or drift for the seson’s first fresh striped bass. From now on, each tide will bring more fish into the Sound and as the month of May digs in, more echoes will light up the fish-finder, and more blips will appear on the radar screen. Below the waterline is where the action is. One would be amazed at the season’s influx of “fish on fish” activity that is transforming the Sound into a habitat for fish and a playground for anglers".

Even though we had some warm weather this past week it hasn't been warm enough for the fish to turn on yet and with "water temperatures fluctuating and hovering below 50 degrees, that bite stalled once again".

Some Blackfish were to be found in New Haven walls but were adjacent northern areas. The best baits "were ... soft baits and crabs during mid-day tides".

As for Stripers: "All tidal rivers holding year-round linesiders are seeing exceptional movement. Larger fish are moving both up and down river, while schoolie-size-plus bass are streaming into the Sound and all along the shoreline. There is considerable bait entering the rivers as well as moon tide hatches of worms and other forms of sea life.

A few winter flounder can also be picked up around the eelgrass and sandy bottoms of adjacent coves and channels.

Stripers are feeding on eels, worms, soft plastics, and river herring imitations. Schools of small bass are hungry and have been feeding all along tidal wetland structure especially where rivers/creeks merge. Many have filtered into the Sound where anglers were able to experience a spring run of these feisty fighters. Stripping a clouser or half/half along the flats have also produced fish just before sunrise".

Note: Having a hard time finding or obtaining a sportsman license? Captain Morgan’s has “all” 2009 fishing, hunting, trapping licenses/permits (rifle, shotgun, archery, muzzle loader, HIP, CT duck stamps, etc.) available including shellfish licenses for Guilford and Madison. Captain Morgan is located at 21 Boston Post Rd, Madison 203-245-8665

DEP Weeking Fishing Report #2 4/23/09

INLAND REPORT: Anglers enjoyed good Opening Day weather and good fishing in many areas last Saturday. Eight of the Trout Parks were also stocked on Opening Day and the many kids present enjoyed helping us stock. DEP’s in-season stocking is underway with nearly 300,000 additional trout scheduled to be stocked between Opening Day and the end of May.

Anglers can expect good fishing at Black Pond (Woodstock), Branford Supply Pond, , Horse Pond, Lake Saltonstall, Mansfield Training Ponds, Norwich Pond, Paine Pond, Rogers Lake, and Saw Mill Pond. Trout Parks should all fish well. Black Rock Pond, Chatfield Hollow State Park, Southford Falls State Park, Stratton Brook State Park, Wharton Brook State Park, Mohegan Park Pond, Valley Falls Park Pond and Great Hollow Pond/Wolfe Park were all stocked on Opening Day and the Day Pond, Chatfield Hollow, Kent Falls, and Natchaug River Trout Parks were all stocked this week.

TROUT
Rivers & streams - Flows are quite fishable in most areas throughout the state, and there are plenty of trout to be caught. Good reports from the West Branch Farmington & Farmington Rivers (including a 28” Seeforellen brown trout), Salmon River, Natchaug River (9 lb brown among the many catches), Mill River (Easton/Fairfield), Scantic River, Mianus River, Saugatuck River (24” brown), Salmon River, Mill River (Hamden; very good), Housatonic River, Wepawaug River, Naugatuck River TMA, Norwalk River, Blackberry River, Yantic River, Shetucket River, Skunkamaug River, Fivemile River, Hammonasset River, Eightmile River (Haddam/Lyme), Hockanum River, Moosup River, Willimantic River TMA, Furnace Brook, Latimer Brook, Bigelow Brook, Leadmine Brook and the Trout Parks at Kent Falls State Park, Stratton Brook State Park (11.5 lb brown trout), Black Rock State Park and Wharton Brook State Park,. Many anglers are having success using earthworms or mealworms & corn.

Farmington River - Water temperatures are in the low 40’s °F. Flows are clear and quite fishable, currently 190 cfs at Riverton plus an additional 290 cfs from the Still River. Successful fly anglers are using Blue Wing Olive (#16-20), Hendricksons (#12-14, afternoon), Blue Quill Duns (#16-18), Winter Caddis (#16-20), Midges (#22-28) and a variety of nymphs. Hare’s Ear (#14-16), Yellow Prince (#14-16), Wooly Buggers and streamers are also producing. Surface activity will increase as temperatures rise.

Housatonic River - Water temperatures are in the high 40’s/low 50’s °F. Flows are clear and fishable (actually somewhat lower than typical spring levels), currently 91,180 cfs at Falls Village and 1,800 cfs at Gaylordsville. Hendrickson (#12-14), Parachute Adams (#12-14), Midges (#20-28) and black/brown stoneflies (#12-14) are the current hatches. Anglers Can Expect Good Fishing in western CT on the West Branch Farmington River TMA, and both TMA’s (Housatonic River TMA, Bulls Bridge TMA) on the Housatonic River.

In Eastern CT, good fishing can be expected at Beaver Brook, Bigelow Brook, Blackledge River, Branford River, Chatfield Hollow Brook, Eight Mile River, Farm River, Fenton River, Hammonasset River (including TMA), Hunts Brook, Indiantown Brook, Jeremey River, Middle River, Mount Hope River, Natchaug River, Raymond Brook, Roaring Brook (Stafford), Salmon River (including TMA), Shetucket River, Still River (Eastford), Susquetonscut Brook, West River, Willimantic River, Yantic River (including TMA).

Lakes & Ponds – Good fishing and some excellent catches were found in many lakes/ponds throughout Connecticut including Colebrook Reservoir, Wononscopomuc Lake, Crystal Lake (Ellington), Mashapaug Lake, Coventry Lake, Cedar Lake, East Twin Lake (6 lb brown), Coventry Lake, Highland Lake, Quonnipaug Lake, Tyler Lake, Bashan Lake, Candlewood Lake, Cedar Lake (5 lb rainbow), Mt. Tom Pond (a beauty of a rainbow trout, just under 13 lbs), Mohawk Pond, West Hill Pond, Walkers Reservoir, and the Trout Parks at Wolfe Park (Great Hollow Pond, 8 lb rainbow), Chatfield Hollow State Park (very good), and Black Rock State Park.

ATLANTIC SALMON catches were reported at Mashapaug Lake (12 lb beauty caught by 10 year old Julia Kelley), Crystal Lake and Beach Pond (several 2-3 lb salmon reported). Broodstock salmon fishing should be especially good at Beach Pond and Mashapaug Lake, the two lakes were each stocked with 200 surplus broodstock salmon in early April.

LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is generally fair with reports from Aspinook pond (including a 4.8 lb bass), Lake Zoar, Lake Wononskopomuc, Amos Lake, Eagleville Lake, East Twin Lake, Pachaug Pond, Scoville Reservoir, Saugatuck Reservoir, West Hill Pond (good, including a 8 lb bass), Candlewood Lake, Bantam Lake, Highland Lake, Moodus Reservoir and North Farms Reservoir. Powers Lake was slow. Target dark bottom warmer back water coves.

SMALLMOUTH BASS are fishing well with best reports from Lake Lillinonah (including a 5.5 lb smallie) and Candlewood Lake (some 4-5 lb smallies among the catches). Other places to try include Saugatuck Reservoir, Highland Lake, East Twin, Tyler Lake and Squantz Pond.

WALLEYE are being caught at Mashapaug Lake (11.1 lb walleye among the catches), Lake Housatonic, .Lake Saltonstall, Coventry Lake and Squantz Pond (4.5 lb walleye). Target near shore rocky cobble areas with stick baits, Shad Raps and live bait.

CONNECTICUT RIVER:
STRIPED BASS are moving up the river up to Windsor. Schoolie size (14-24”) fish and adults up to 27-28” (lower river) are showing up. Anglers are catching schoolies on a variety of plastic baits on jigs. Sand & blood worms work best in early season stained water. A single report of SHAD indicates that these tasty treats are starting to make their annual trip up the Connecticut. CARP are being caught on homemade bait.

NORTHERN PIKE fishing is good in the Middletown – Haddam Meadows area.

TIPS & TRICKS:
TROUT IN LAKES – Trolling got off to a great start with many big fish being taken. Experienced anglers used stick baits, spinners, rooster tail, flash kings (orange/gold), DB Smelts (blue/silver), streamers & live bait. Lead line, flat line and down rigger presentations were reported as being effective. Fish were found from 0 to 12 feet. Slower boat speeds of 1.5 – 1.9 mph were found to be the best as fish are still sluggish with the colder water temperatures and lower light levels. Bigger fish can typically be found in 45-50ºF water. Lure color can be very important and bright colors (reds, oranges, or yellows) below 40 feet of water usually don’t work. Black and silver work at any depth and should be the go-to colors.

MARINE FISHING REPORT
STRIPED BASS FOR SCHOOLIES: is fair to good along the coastline with tidal rivers being the better spots. Striper locales include the Pawcatuck River, upper Thames River (Norwich Harbor down to Montville), lower Connecticut River from Hamburg Cove down to the DEP Marine Headquarters fishing pier and off the woodlot at Great Island, Housatonic River from Derby down to Devon (the upper river is yielding keeper bass to the mid 30 inch range), Bridgeport Harbor by the power plant warm water discharge (Breezy Point/Seaside Park), and Norwalk Harbor including around the islands.

WINTER FLOUNDER: fishing is on the slow side. Flounder spots include Bluff Point State Park (Poquonock River), Pine Island area in Groton, Niantic Bay including Niantic River, and Norwalk Harbor (Calf Pasture Point).

Water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) are in the low 40’s °F.

Shad Starting to Arrive in Connecticut River

The New England Shad Association report that as of April 6th there are "few" shad in the Connecticut River. This is just the beginning of the migration and I expect an update will show the shad levels increased.

The Gloucester Day Times has a good article on Shad (Shad fishing starting to pick up) in the Merrimack River. It covers the natural history of shad and importance to Native Americans. Also covered is tips to catch 'em.

The CT River Fish & Wildlife Service doesn't have the counts up yet for 2009 but will once the shad start showing up.

The Holyoke Gas & Electric Shad Derby is set for May 9,10 and 16, 17.

Freshwater fish records have staying power

Freshwater fish records have staying power is the theme of Martin Armstrong's lastest article with all kind of interesting tidbits like the biggest saltwater fish ever caught weighed over 2600 lbs. Click on the article to read more.

The Stamford area freshwater fishing is okay and the saltwater is picking up. Lot's of trout caught in the area with the usual trout baits (meally, trout & earth worms, shiners and lures).

The saltwater action included "a 32-inch striped bass... caught off Cummings Beach.... using clams for bait", Darien gave us a 26" school and a 34" striper using a 10" Finesse lure". Schoolie stripers were caught while bucktailing out in Greenwich Cove.

Winter flounder seems to be doing well in the area. Reports of flounder being caught last week while fishing Stamford Harbor with sandworms and attracted by clam chum.

First day yields big trout Norwich Bulletin 4/22/09

Bob Sampson in Outdoors: First day yields big trout notes the success of opening day and that tackle shop owners saw an increase in trout size this year.

"It’s interesting to note the vast majority of big fish and “contest winners” have historically been caught on a handful of popular trout lures. Kastmaster Spoons, Al’s Goldfish Spoons (in gold) and Mepps Spinners". Is there something special about these lures or is it just that "Al’s Goldfish, one of the cheapest, most widely available lures on the market has accounted for the vast majority of big, early season catches in this corner of the state"

Not to neglect the other fish in the state that can be caught such as white perch, stripers & panfish in the "the back waters and coves of the Connecticut River". Fishing for striper schoolies in "the Thames River while Hamburg Cove was a near total bust"

Fishing Column The Advocate 4/18/09

In the Fishing Column in the Advocate written by Martin Armstrong notes that "Winter flounder fishing is picking up".

In Stamford, Norwalk Harbor, Norwalk flounders were caught with sandworms and clam chum.

Striped bass fishing is still good, albeit small at the Bridgeport Power Plant and and at the confluence of the Housatonic and Naugatuck Rivers.

Captain Morgan, The Day, 4/23/09

Captain Morgan reports in his The Day column on an increase in blackfish/tautog action on the walls. Western sound anglers are finding less winter flounder but there is an "increased striped bass activity along the shoreline and in the tidal rivers."

"There’s been a marked increase in baitfish, not only with herring and shad runs but also with a spring run of bunker. Stripers are changing their eating habits by the tide, if not almost by the hour. Some sight fishers are experiencing challenging circumstances whereby ‘linesiders’ are clearly visible on the surface eating everything, but what’s in their bag/box or baitwell. "

Spring Stripers in the Connecticcut River

Spring Stripers in the Connecticut River! This Thursday evening, April 23rd at 7pm Captain Blaine will be in the store sharing tips, tactics and secrets of fishing for keeper-sized Stripers in the Connecticut River during the Spring run. We expect the run to be in full swing in the next 2 weeks, so this is the perfect opportunity to get prepared just in time for the big fish to hit Hartford.

Rivers End Tackle, Friday April 24, 2009

by Pat Abate, Rivers End Tackle, 440 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook, CT 860-388-2283

STRIPED BASS- The corner has been turned. Conditions are getting good in the lower Connecticut River with the water level coming down and clearing up. School bass have taken up patrol along Great Island in fair numbers. Similar reports are coming from points north in the River. The West Wall in Point Judith has its usual run of school bass as well. Best catches are coming on lead headed plastic jigs. Some bigger bass are coming from tributaries going into the Thames, Connecticut and Housatonic Rivers. Find out where the herring are hanging out and they'll be some bass crashing their party. No bass have been reported from any of the reefs. Shorebound anglers are catching bass from Saybrook Point and the DEP Piers, mostly on sandworms but a few larger bass have been caught on mackerel chunks.

WINTER FLOUNDER- A few flounder have been caught this week with reports coming from the Niantic area. It may be worth a shot this week on a flood tide at the Breakwater, I haven't heard of any caught there yet but conditions are good.

BLACKFISH- Few reports came in but its now or never with the spring season ending this Thursday. New Haven and the Niantic RR Bridge are the only first hand reports we heard.

NETTING LIVE BAIT SEMINAR-- Saturday, May 2nd at 11am-- 'Q' Kresser will show you how to throw a cast net and set a gill net for bunker."

DEP Weekly Fishing Report #1 4/23/2009

INLAND REPORT

Anglers enjoyed good Opening Day weather and good fishing in many areas last Saturday. Eight of the Trout Parks were also stocked on Opening Day and the many kids present enjoyed helping us stock. DEP’s in-season stocking is underway with nearly 300,000 additional trout scheduled to be stocked between Opening Day and the end of May.

TROUT

Rivers & streams - Flows are quite fishable in most areas throughout the state, and there are plenty of trout to be caught. Good reports from the West Branch Farmington & Farmington Rivers (including a 28” Seeforellen brown trout), Salmon River, Natchaug River (9 lb brown among the many catches), Mill River Easton/Fairfield), Scantic River, Mianus River, Saugatuck River (24” brown), Salmon
River, Mill River (Hamden; very good), Housatonic River, Wepawaug River, Naugatuck River TMA, Norwalk River, Blackberry River, Yantic River, Shetucket River, Skunkamaug River, Fivemile River, Hammonasset River, Eightmile River (Haddam/Lyme), Hockanum River, Moosup River, Willimantic River TMA, Furnace Brook, Latimer Brook, Bigelow Brook, Leadmine Brook and the Trout Parks at Kent Falls State Park, Stratton Brook State Park (11.5 lb brown trout), Black Rock State Park and Wharton Brook State Park,. Many anglers are having success using earthworms or mealworms & corn.

Farmington River - Water temperatures are in the low 40’s °F. Flows are clear and quite fishable, currently 190 cfs at Riverton plus an additional 290 cfs from the Still River. Successful fly anglers are using Blue Wing Olive (#16-20), Hendricksons (#12-14, afternoon), Blue Quill Duns (#16-18), Winter Caddis (#16-20), Midges (#22-28) and a variety of nymphs. Hare’s Ear (#14-16), Yellow Prince (#14-
16), Wooly Buggers and streamers are also producing. Surface activity will increase as temperatures rise.

Housatonic River - Water temperatures are in the high 40’s/low 50’s °F. Flows are clear and fishable (actually somewhat lower than typical spring levels), currently 91,180 cfs at Falls Village and 1,800 cfs at Gaylordsville. Hendrickson (#12-14), Parachute Adams (#12-14), Midges (#20-28) and black/brown stoneflies (#12-14) are the current hatches.

Anglers Can Expect Good Fishing in western CT on the West Branch Farmington River TMA, and both TMA’s (Housatonic River TMA, Bulls Bridge TMA) on the Housatonic River. In Eastern CT, good fishing can be expected at Beaver Brook, Bigelow Brook, Blackledge River, Branford River, Chatfield Hollow Brook, Eight Mile River, Farm River, Fenton River, Hammonasset River (including TMA), Hunts Brook, Indiantown Brook, Jeremey River, Middle River, Mount Hope River, Natchaug River, Raymond Brook, Roaring Brook (Stafford), Salmon River (including TMA), Shetucket River,
Still River (Eastford), Susquetonscut Brook, West River, Willimantic River, Yantic River (including TMA).

Lakes & Ponds – Good fishing and some excellent catches were found in many lakes/ponds throughout Connecticut including Colebrook Reservoir, Wononscopomuc Lake, Crystal Lake (Ellington),Mashapaug Lake, Coventry Lake, Cedar Lake, East Twin Lake (6 lb brown), Coventry Lake, Highland Lake, Quonnipaug Lake, Tyler Lake, Bashan Lake, Candlewood Lake, Cedar Lake (5 lb rainbow), Mt. Tom Pond (a beauty of a rainbow trout, just under 13 lbs), Mohawk Pond, West Hill Pond, Walkers
Reservoir, and the Trout Parks at Wolfe Park (Great Hollow Pond, 8 lb rainbow), Chatfield Hollow State Park (very good), and Black Rock State Park.

Anglers can expect good fishing at Black Pond (Woodstock), Branford Supply Pond, , Horse Pond, Lake Saltonstall, Mansfield Training Ponds, Norwich Pond, Paine Pond, Rogers Lake, and Saw Mill Pond.

Trout Parks should all fish well. Black Rock Pond, Chatfield Hollow State Park, Southford Falls State Park, Stratton Brook State Park, Wharton Brook State Park, Mohegan Park Pond, Valley Falls Park Pond and Great Hollow Pond/Wolfe Park were all stocked on Opening Day and the Day Pond, Chatfield Hollow, Kent Falls, and Natchaug River Trout Parks were all stocked this week.

ATLANTIC SALMON catches were reported at Mashapaug Lake (12 lb beauty caught by 10 year old Julia Kelley), Crystal Lake and Beach Pond (several 2-3 lb salmon reported). Broodstock salmon fishing should be especially good at Beach Pond and Mashapaug Lake, the two lakes were each stocked with 200 surplus broodstock salmon in early April.

LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is generally fair with reports from Aspinook pond (including a 4.8 lb bass), Lake Zoar, Lake Wononskopomuc, Amos Lake, Eagleville Lake, East Twin Lake, Pachaug Pond, Scoville Reservoir, Saugatuck Reservoir, West Hill Pond (good, including a 8 lb bass), Candlewood Lake, Bantam Lake, Highland Lake, Moodus Reservoir and North Farms Reservoir. Powers Lake was slow. Target dark bottom warmer back water coves.

SMALLMOUTH BASS are fishing well with best reports from Lake Lillinonah (including a 5.5 lb smallie) and Candlewood Lake (some 4-5 lb smallies among the catches). Other places to try include Saugatuck Reservoir, Highland Lake, East Twin, Tyler Lake and Squantz Pond.

WALLEYE are being caught at Mashapaug Lake (11.1 lb walleye among the catches), Lake Housatonic, Lake Saltonstall, Coventry Lake and Squantz Pond (4.5 lb walleye). Target near shore rocky cobble areas with stick baits, Shad Raps and live bait.

CONNECTICUT RIVER – STRIPED BASS are moving up the river up to Windsor. Schoolie size (14-24”) fish and adults up to 27-28” (lower river) are showing up. Anglers are catching schoolies on a variety of plastic baits on jigs. Sand & blood worms work best in early season stained water. A single report of SHAD indicates that these tasty treats are starting to make their annual trip up the Connecticut.
CARP are being caught on homemade bait. NORTHERN PIKE fishing is good in the Middletown –Haddam Meadows area.

TIPS & TRICKS:
TROUT IN LAKES – Trolling got off to a great start with many big fish being taken. Experienced anglers used stick baits, spinners, rooster tail, flash kings (orange/gold), DB Smelts (blue/silver), streamers & live bait. Lead line, flat line and down rigger presentations were reported as being effective. Fish were found from 0 to 12 feet. Slower boat speeds of 1.5 – 1.9 mph were found to be the best as fish are still sluggish with the colder water temperatures and lower light levels. Bigger fish can typically be found in 45-50ºF water. Lure color can be very important and bright colors (reds, oranges, or yellows) below 40 feet of water usually don’t work. Black and silver work at any depth and should be the go-to colors.

MARINE FISHING REPORT
Striped bass fishing for schoolies is fair to good along the coastline with tidal rivers being the better spots. Striper locales include the Pawcatuck River, upper Thames River (Norwich Harbor down to Montville), lower Connecticut River from Hamburg Cove down to the DEP Marine Headquarters fishing pier and off the woodlot at Great Island, Housatonic River from Derby down to Devon (the upper river is yielding keeper bass to the mid 30 inch range), Bridgeport Harbor by the power plant
warm water discharge (Breezy Point/Seaside Park), and Norwalk Harbor including around the islands.

Winter flounder fishing is on the slow side. Flounder spots include Bluff Point State Park (Poquonock River), Pine Island area in Groton, Niantic Bay including Niantic River, and Norwalk Harbor (Calf Pasture Point).

Water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) are in the low 40’s °F.

Westport Outfitters Week of April 18, 2009

By Eric Johnson

As I write this report, the weekend forecast is looking sweet, so be sure to get out there this weekend. Even if you don’t catch fish, I think we all deserve a bit of R&R after this miserable winter and thus far, a Spring that has been more reminiscent of Fall with the wind and rain. I was out this A.M. in 25 knots of breeze blowing out of the Southwest, first from Norwalk to Southport and then from Norwalk to Darien delivering boats. Along the coast, there were birds in mass, picking off bait that most likely was small grass shrimp and perhaps even some herring mixed in, whatever it was, there were birds working in essence all the way from Southport to Darien.

Earlier in the week we were over at Cove Marina prepping boats and witnessed an osprey fly directly over us with a bunker in its mouth, so yet another good sign that once the fish start to arrive, there will be plenty of bait to entice them to stick around.

So, dust off the rods folks and start checking your local outflows, harbors and marshes as schoolie size stripers have started taking up residence in areas like Norwalk Harbor, and Milford Harbor which means we are only days away from a push of fish into all the usual haunts. In fact, we had young Elliot report earlier in the week a catch of a 24 inch striper off of Burial Hill on a buck tail tipped with a Mister Twister. Most likely just an errant fish, but nonetheless a great early season catch! Penfield Reef, Southport Harbor, Beach, Sherwood Point, The Mill and the Saugatuck will soon have their share of schoolie bass action! Focus on first fishing small soft plastics, preferably with shades of white and olive. We prefer sluggos on off set hooks rigged weed less. If you don’t know how to do this, stop on in and we can get you rigged up.

Some of the resident fish are starting to exit the Housatonic River. We had Gaston, Big Ed, as well as Paul C. catching bass from Milford Point all over the past week with Gaston’s crew landing a nice 32 inch 11lb fish on Wednesday(see recent catches). The bigger fish are mixed in and if you want to have a shot at them, whether on the fly rods or spinning tackle, throw bigger stuff like Pete Vs Herring patterns and/or larger swim baits and/or slash baits.

The Housatonic River has really been producing excellent action for smaller bass as well and areas further north continue to produce keepers at times and there is a decent presence of herring to keep the big girls looking up. Try fishing some of the shallower mud flats with big herring patterns or swim baits and you will definitely have a shot at one of the bigger resident linesiders! You can also finally dust off your intermediate lines for fishing the shallower waters but when targeting the channel edges, go with a 9 or 10 weight set and 300-450 grain lines like the Rio Striper line and the Airflo Depth Finder. Fly patterns that typically draw the attention of the schoolie bass are chartreuse/white clousers, and mushies in the same color combination. White jiggies are another excellent choice when targeting numbers. For the shot at a bigger fish we have Pete Viviano’s yak hair herring imitations and Eric Peterson’s tried and true herring patterns as well.

Spin and baitcast anglers are beginning to see more action on slash baits as well, like the Rapala Xrap and Yozuri Crystal Minnow in the larger sizes. For casting these larger plugs you will want to gear up with 15 lb. test Yozuri Hybrid or 20-30 PowerPro braid and a 7-8 foot 10-20 lb. action spinning or bait casting outfit. Daybreak fishing can produce surface action on Super Spooks and poppers as well as our favorite the Lordship Lures. Swimming a big Danny in the surface film at daybreak can produce action on the biggest fish.

Although the river has been productive, now is really the time to start focusing on the Sound and above mentioned flies and lures will prove effective as fish move into their spring feeding patterns…the only way you will know for sure folks is to get out and fish and this weekend there should be no excuses!!!

Freshwater Report

Well we endured the mayhem associated with the Opening Day of trout season and it was a beautiful, almost hot day, throughout the state. The stocking program once again put a good amount of fish in all of our local streams like the Mill River, Aspetuck, Saugatuck, Norwalk and Mianus. Several broodstock trout well over 5 lbs. were landed by overjoyed anglers! An opening day icon for certain is the Farmington River and the anticipation of shoulder to shoulder fishing did not disappoint anyone that enjoys taking part in this annual ritual. This river is absolutely loaded with holdover and stocked fish right now and it is only an hour away from Fairfield County. If anyone is interested in learning the rivers better fishing areas and entomology we have guides that can get you dialed into this world class trout fishery. Right now a green bodied caddis imitation in sized 14-18 will produce well on our smaller streams as well has the upper Housatonic and Farmington rivers. Always come prepared with nymphs, emergers and dries to help you extend your productive fishing periods. Blue Wing Olive mayflies are appearing in our Fairfield County streams more frequently now and stonefly imitations are also a good bet. Of course the old standard the Wooly Bugger will get the job done along with other streamer imitations like the black ghost and mickey finn. The stocked fish usually prefer the flashier imitations right now until they hone in on the insect activity.

The recent and much needed rain will help spread out some of the stocked fish and provide for more interesting fishing on our smaller streams.

Well folks, that is it for this week, don’t forget to stop down this Saturday April 25th for a presentation/demonstration by Lordship Lure’s founder/creator Ron DiConstanza. As this is our inaugural first full fishing report, it also is yet one final sign that our season is now upon us. Look forward to seeing you all once again at our new facility located at 609 Riverside Avenue in Westport CT!!

Bob Samspon's Season Opener & Podcast

Covering Trout, Winter Flounder, Stripers and how to fish the herring problem.

Rivers End Tackle, April 17 2009

STRIPED BASS- Schoolies are in the lower Connecticut River in fair numbers, weather and water conditions should be OK for the weekend, next weeks predicted rains might mess things up in a few days. There have been small bass on bait and jigs at Saybrook Point and the Causeway and just bait at the DEP Piers. A couple of keepers have been caught but don't get your hopes up yet. a few big bass have been caught on the tributaries leading into the Thames River as well as the Housatonic.

FLOUNDER- Its not as good as it was last week and last week was terrible. I haven't even heard of any caught this past week.

BLACKFISH- Just a trickle of optimism to wrap up the last two weeks of the spring season. Its been pretty good at the New Haven Breakwater and they're generally a week ahead of us. A report came in of a few blacks at the Niantic RR Bridge.

River's End Tackle, 4/10/09

STRIPED BASS-- Schoolie action in the Connecticut River is still in the beginning stages with the exception of Hamburg Cove. Worms are producing smallish bass at Saybrook Point and the DEP Piers. It looks like we are going to have a few days of rain over the next week and that won't help the flooding and mudding of the River. Next week is the traditional starting of migrating bass in the Connecticut River and I don't think that the weather is going to stop that trip. I think it'll be worth a shot to try along Great Island. If that don't produce you can head up to Hamburg, just watch for logs.
WINTER FLOUNDER-- Nada first hand reports this week. Some third hand reports of a few flats in the Niantic River.
BLACKFISH-- Same thing, even spoke to some divers who didn't see any. They could show up any day though.

River's End Tackle, 4/3/09

STRIPED BASS-- Some more reports of river herring sightings came in this week for tributaries in the Thames and Connecticut Rivers and along with that some more striped bass catches. Schoolies with a few keepers are hitting in the upper Thames now not just Norwich Harbor, similar reports are coming from the Housatonic River. A few small bass were reported from Saybrook Point mixed in with the catfish.
WINTER FLOUNDER-- The season opened this to a dismal start this week. Reports from Bluff Point, usually an early hot spot were scant. A few more fish were reported from the Niantic area.
BLACKFISH-- Season is open but we have no reports of fish yet