DEP Weekly Fishing Report #3 Freshwater 5/3/09

TROUT
Rivers & streams - Anglers are finding many rivers are producing good to excellent fishing, with reports from the West Branch Farmington (excellent fishing here) and Farmington Rivers (over 20 fish caught & released by one angler), Housatonic River (many trout over 20”), Saugatuck River TMA, Natchaug River, Wepawaug River, Mianus River, Mill River, Ten Mile River, Pomperaug River, Willimantic River TMA, Blackberry River, Eightmile River, Hammonasset River, Latimer Brook, Merrick Brook, Moosup River and Naugatuck River. Anglers have been finding comfortable weather and flows for fishing recently, with varying amounts of precipitation forecast for the next week, flows may increase in many streams throughout the state.

Farmington River - Water temperatures are in the low 50’s °F. Flows are clear and moderate, with the West Branch contributing 160 cfs (Riverton) and the Still River adding an additional 130 CFS. Hatches consist of Blue Wing Olive (a.k.a. baetis or vegans; #16-#18) in a parachute or emerging dun (noon to 5pm), Hendrickson (a.k.a. red quill; #12-#14) in a parachute, comparadun or emerger (1 pm or yellow egg sac pattern around 6 pm) and Blue Quill (a.k.a. paralep; #18) in a parachute or emerger (midday). Also try Rusty Spinners (#16-18), Mahogany Duns/Blue Quills (#18-20), Tan Caddis (#14-18) and Winter Caddis (#18-22). Nymphs (#18-22) are always a good go-to fly. Try Bead Head, Midge Pupa, Brassie, Zebra Midge or Copper John patterns. Streamers are also producing. Use White Zonkers & Buggers (#4-12) as well as Muddlers, Micky Finn, Grey or Black Ghost.


Housatonic River - Conditions are great for trout fishing. Flows are clear and moderate, about 700 CFS at Falls Village and 1,100 cfs at Gaylordsville. Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 50’s°F. Adams (#12-14) in the evening are producing. Hendrickson (#12-#14) are on the water in the afternoon with Green Caddis Pupa (#14-16) soon to show up. Anglers using Pheasant Tail (#12-14), Copper John (#12-16) and American Pheasant Tail (#12-14) are finding nymphing to be very productive. Try streamers (Yellow/White Zuddlers or Gray Ghost) around 6:30 pm.
Anglers Can Expect Good Fishing in western CT on the Naugatuck River (including the TMA), East Branch Naugatuck River, West Branch Naugatuck River, Hall Meadow Brook, Nepaug River, Pequonnock River (including Trophy Trout Area and Beardsley Park), Pomperaug River, Pootatuck River, Sandy Brook, Saugatuck River and Still River (Colebrook). In Eastern CT, good fishing can be expected at the Bigelow Brook, Branford River, Coginchaug River, Farm River, Fenton River, Five Mile River, French River, Hop River, Jeremy River, Moosup River (TMA only), Mount Hope River, Natchaug River, Quinebaug River, Salmon River (including the TMA), Shetucket River, Skungamaug River, Still River (Eastford) and Whitfords Brook.

Lakes & Ponds – Trolling your favorite lures at 5-7 colors (15-20’) has produced some excellent fishing in many lakes/ponds throughout Connecticut. Some anglers are also targeting big fish in deeper water with bait. Good reports from Highland Lake, East Twin Lake, Quonnipaug Lake, Rogers Lake, Crystal Lake (Ellington), Mohawk Pond, Mt. Tom Pond, Black Pond (Meriden/Middlefield), Wononskopomuc Lake and Ball Pond.
Anglers can expect good fishing at Amos Lake, Beach Pond, Beaver Brook Park Ponds, Bigelow Pond, Billings Lake, Black Pond (Middlefield/Meriden), Gardner Lake, Hewitt Fly Pond, Hyde Mill Pond, Lake Saltonstall, Lantern Hill Pond, Long Pond, Mashapaug Lake, Quonnipaug Lake, Shenipsit Lake, Wangumbaug Lake (Coventry Lake) and Wyassup Lake in eastern CT, and at Ball Pond, Baummer Pond, Bunnells Pond (Beardsley Park Pond), Black Rock Lake, Hop Brook Lake, Mohawk Pond, Mt. Tom Pond, Huntington Park Pond, Stillwater Pond, Twin Brooks Pond, Tyler Pond, West Hill Pond, West Side Pond and Wononskopomuc Lake in western CT.

Trout Parks - These areas are designed to be easy to fish, with excellent access and amenities such as picnic areas nearby, and are stocked frequently. The Day Pond, Mohegan Park Pond, Natchaug River, Chatfield Hollow and Wolfe Park (Great Hollow Pond) Trout Parks were all stocked this week.

LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing is fair to good with reports from Saugatuck Reservoir, Moodus Reservoir, Crystal Lake, East Twin, Candlewood Lake (A 9 lb largemouth was caught at a recent tournament), Lake Wonoskopomuc, Rogers Lake, Amos Lake, Bashan Lake, Gardner Lake, Lake McDonough, Lake Zoar, Lake Waramaug, Silver Lake (Meriden), Tyler Lake, West Hill Pond, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Messerschmidt Pond, Ball Pond and Glasgo Pond.

SMALLMOUTH BASS action is excellent at Candlewood Lake (catches this spring include a 6.7 lb monster and numerous catches in the 4-5 lb range). Some fair smallie fishing reported from Lake Zoar, Beach Pond, Bantam Lake, Highland Lake and Coventry Lake.

NORTHERN PIKE catches reported from Bantam Lake.

WALLEYE are being reported from Lake Saltonstall, Saugatuck Reservoir and Mashapaug Lake.

CHAIN PICKEREL are being caught at Moodus Reservoir, Saugatuck Reservoir and Pachaug Pond.

CONNECTICUT RIVER – STRIPED BASS are in the river to the Windsor area. Mostly school size (16-25”) fish. Some adults are showing up in the lower to mid river. Sand & blood worms, and big plastics like 9” Houdini Shad, 7” Bombers & swim baits are working.
Some SHAD are reported up to Holyoke, MA with many reported up to the Essex, CT area. ctfishingreports.blogspot Anglers catching them for striper bait are reminded that the only legal method of harvesting American shad is angling.
NORTHERN PIKE are reported in the Wethersfield and Middletown areas. Knowledgeable anglers are targeting
CATFISH in the Hartford to Middletown area. Sandworms and cut bait are catching fish this week up to 10 lbs.

FRESHWATER TIPS & TRICKS
SHAD – The shad run is now. Some fish have been seen as far north as Holyoke, MA. In the lower Connecticut River there are many fish up to the Essex area. As the major slug of fish moves up the river fishing will get better. These fish are great fighters for their size.

Trolling
*A weighted willow leaf or shad dart is producing well.
*Use 8-10lb test fishing line. Set boat speed to 1.5 - 2.0 mph. Use a 1/4 - 3/4 oz weight depending on conditions. Tie a 6 foot - 6lb or 8lb leader above the lure. Silver, white and gold are your go to colors. Other colors that work include pink, chartreuse, red & green. The drag should be set light as shad have a delicate mouth.
*Try trolling against the current. Vary your speed until the correct presentation is found.

Shore Fishing or Wading
When shore fishing or wading, cast your lure across & up stream. The correct depth is when the lure just ticks the bottom. Let it drift downstream and expect the fish to hit just before the line straightens out and hang on.