Connecticut Opening Day of Fishing April 19, 2014

Finally after a long hard winter, the weather has finally warmed up enough to feel like spring here in Connecticut and that means fishing season is just around the corner.  Actually the season opener is just  5 days away.  For many opening day is more about traditions then the fishing.  That means fishing the same spot with many of the same folks, maybe even camping out or stopping by one of the many fisherman breakfasts that will be happening around the state.

Salmon River, Colchester CT

For me the tradition of opening day has long faded, mostly because as my kids were growing up opening day conflicted with other opening days like baseball.  Also with many Trout Management Areas open to year round fishing, I no longer have to wait for opening day to wet a line and chase some trout.  But I still enjoying seeing others as they work on their opening days plans and preparations.  For me I will most likely spend the early morning out in the woods scouting for turkeys, but I will most certainly stop by my local fisherman's breakfast and then head home to get ready for the family invasion for our Easter celebration and maybe, just maybe I will even run down to the lake and wet a line just to say I fished the opener.

Willimantic River Rainbow Trout

So for all those heading out on opening day in hopes of catching that wall hanger, here are some links with great information on fishing in Connecticut.

DEEP's Fishing Website

Everything you need to know about fishing in Connecticut can be found on the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's (DEEP) website.   Here you can get information about licenses and permits and even make an online purchase.  Review the 2014 Anglers Guide for the latest fishing regulations and a list of lakes, pond, rivers and streams opening to fishing.   Don't forget to review the Stocking Reports and maybe even subscriber to the weekly fishing reports.  If you have young ones that like to fish or you are introducing to fishing for the first time stop by the Youth Fishing Passport page for all kinds of great information and special events for the young fisherman.  Don't forget to stop by the Connecticut Fish and Wildlife Facebook page so you can share photos from your trips and to get the latest information available.

Check those water levels

I am always checking the water levels of the streams and rivers I plan to fish, especially after we've had some rain.  Spring showers can blow out a stream or river quickly and using the USGS Website.  You can use these water reports to view current conditions, see the median levels over the course of many years and  to use it to gauge how quickly a body of water returns to normal levels after a rain.

Whatever your opening day plans and traditions are I wish you a very safe, fun and successful day.

Now get out on the water and enjoy!

Connecticut Hunting & Fishing Appreciation Day - Sept 28, 2013

On September 28, 2013, the CT DEEP and Friends of Sessions Woods will be hosting Connecticut’s Annual Hunting & Fishing Appreciation Day at the Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area in Burlington.
  
Fun activities for all ages are planned, along with educational programs and workshops about hunting, shooting and fishing. Best of all, the event is free to attend!

Why we're celebrating

Hunters and anglers have been at the forefront of the conservation movement for over 100 years. They showed their support by requesting taxes and special fees on hunting and fishing equipment to help pay for wildlife and fish management, habitat restoration, and other conservation programs through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) Program.
 

To find out more about activities, vendors, times and directions visit their website at:  www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2723&q=462388&deepNav_GID=1655

Connecticut Fish Hatchery Victim to Budget Cuts

Taken from Pg 194 of the 2014 & 2015 proposed budget

The beginning of every year brings around the typical state budget issues and discussion that are sure to include items close to the sportsman's and sportswoman's heart and the recent proposal holds true.  Last year it was the states pheasant stocking program and while looking over the 2014 & 2015 proposed budget it looks like the state fish hatcheries are the target this year.  The proposed cut show a savings of $299,820 over two years  from closing one of Connecticut's state fish hatcheries, which realistically amounts to the tiniest piece of sand in comparison to the waste of state government.

Look, I'm tired of giving up more of my paycheck to support the overly fat programs that are part of our state spending and I agree cuts need to be made and making those cuts are never easy, but to me when they target outdoor related expenses they are relying on two things.  First is the uproar that the sportsman and sportswomen of Connecticut will most surely have and the hope of these sportsman groups proposing some type of license increase or new stamp to fund the program to keep it from being cut.

Considering that the majority of the money Connecticut sportsman pay out  each years ends up in the general fund, raising the licenses or creating new stamps are NOT something many of us would support.  If these new increases or funds where put directly into the programs and budgets they are meant to support, well many sportsman would most likely reluctantly agree.

Some numbers on effects of Recreational fishing here in Connecticut.

•  251,000 state residents take 5.4 million fishing trips and spend $198 million per year

•  51,000 non-residents take 457,000 fishing trips and spend $45 million per year in CT.

•  Recreational fishing supports over 4,400 jobs in CT. • Trout are the most sought after gamefish species in Connecticut attracting approximately 2.1 million fishing trips per year and generating ~$50 million per year in annual expenditures having a net economic impact of $67.5 million per year.

•  Approximately $2.8 million in annual license revenue is generated by trout anglers in Connecticut.

•  Approximately 100 lakes and ponds and over 200 rivers and streams are stocked annually with trout.

•  The overall benefit to cost ratio for Connecticut’s Trout Program is 25 to 1. 

The savings created by closing the hatchery in this case would be minor to the potential of costs in the future to reopen said hatchery or improve and grow others.  Also the loss or reductions in these outdoor programs will most certainly result in lost revenue as more and more sportsman stop spending the money on them or go spend their limited funds in other states that are more sportsman friendly.

No matter what side of the fence you are on with these budget issues, it is extremely for everyone to express your views to your elected officials.   Send an email, make a phone call, write a letter it doesn't matter as long as you do SOMETHING!  You can find your legislator and his contact information by visiting the CT CGA website or using this link:  Find Your Legislator

2013 Connecticut Trout Stocking has Begun

March is the traditional time here in Connecticut that most trout waters are officially closed for fishing and trout stocking for the upcoming season has begun.  There are plenty of opportunities to trout fish through out the year by visiting one of the open Trout Management Areas - TMAs.  Make sure you review the regulations for the body of water you are planning to fish before heading out.

This is directly form the CT DEEP Inland fisheries division, sent out yesterday, 2/28:  http://www.ct.gov/deep/lib/deep/fishing/weekly_reports/fishreport022813.pdf

 
SPRING TROUT STOCKING HAS BEGUN-  DEEP Inland Fisheries staff began the 2013 spring trout stockings this week. Among the areas scheduled to be stocked sometime in the next two weeks are many of the state's Trout Management Areas (TMA's). Note that early spring stockings are very dependent on weather and site conditions. 

2013 CT ANGLER'S GUIDES - The full print version 2013 CT Angler's Guide will be published and distributed in early April. An electronic version of the 2012 Guide continues to be available online at www.ct.gov/deep/anglersguide. There are no new regulations in effect for the 2013 season at this time, all regulations found in the 2012 guide remain in effect. 

FISHING SEASONS-Anglers are reminded that the fishing season will close after today (Thursday, February 28^th) on many rivers and streams and at a number of lakes & ponds. (Please refer to the  CT Angler's Guide for complete regulations). All sixteen of the state's Trout Management Areas remain open year round (and all are catch-and-release fishing during the winter and early spring). Class I Wild Trout Management Areas (WTMA) are also open year-round for catch-and-release fishing,

Upcoming Local Events

With winter setting in and most hunting seasons closed and fishing slowing down, everyone is looking for something outdoor related to do so here are a couple of outdoor related things for anyone in the Connecticut area.

Northeast Fishing & hunting Show Feb 15 -17, Hartford, CT

 From the Northeast Fishing & Hunting Show website.

There will be hundreds of booths lining the aisles containing the latest products for both fishing and hunting enthusiasts.  Learn about the newest equipment from some of the top manufacturers and reps, retail vendors, public service exhibits, charter boat captains, plus fishing boats and more!

Attend over 50 hours of seminars from nationally known fishermen and hunting experts.  Seminars will be conducted in three seminar rooms, demonstrations at the fly tying center and the casting pond.
Greg Myerson, sponsored by Eastern Boats, Lane Benoit, Tony Stetzko, Al Gag plus many more.
CHARLIE MOORE THE "MAD FISHERMAN" Saturday, February 16th, 12 noon - 3 PM.  Sponsored by Lunker City

Located at the Big E sight in West Springfield, MA

From the Springfield Sportsmen's Show Website.

The Springfield Sportsmen's Show is undisputedly the largest “pure” sportsmen’s show in the Northeast! This mega sporting event takes place at the Eastern States Exposition, home of the “BIG E,” West Springfield, Massachusetts. The show includes the best of hunting, fishing, boating and adventure recreation that the outdoor world has to offer all bundled together in one great event.

The Springfield Sportsmen’s Show is the place to get the best in hunting and fishing gear!  You’ll find everything you need for your next trip.  We’ve gathered the top vendors of hunting and fishing equipment along with guides, outfitters, and charter captains.  You get the best selection and the best deals of the year all in one shopping location.  That’s why the Springfield Sportsmen’s Show is the Northeast’s strongest fishing, hunting, and outdoor show.

Can't forget about the Upcoming Ducks Unlimited events like the CT State Convention, Putnam Chapter Dinner and the Danbury - Housatonic Game dinner cooking class.  You can check out all the upcoming Connecticut Events at the CT Event Website or check for events in your area.

Connecticut Hunting & Fishing Appreciation Day 2012

On September 22, 2012, the DEEP and Friends of Sessions Woods will be hosting Connecticut’s third Hunting & Fishing Appreciation Day at the Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area in Burlington.
  
Fun activities for all ages are planned, along with educational programs and workshops about hunting and fishing. Best of all, the event is free to attend!

Why we're celebrating

Hunters and anglers have been at the forefront of the conservation movement for over 100 years. They showed their support by requesting taxes and special fees on hunting and fishing equipment to help pay for wildlife and fish management, habitat restoration, and other conservation programs through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) Program. 2012 marks the 75th anniversary of this very successful effort to conserve fish and wildlife in America. It is important to recognize the outstanding contributions that hunters and anglers have made and continue to make for fish and wildlife. Join us and celebrate 75 years of better hunting, fishing, and wildlife-related recreation through WSFR.

To find out more about activities, vendors, times and directions visit their website at:  http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2723&q=462388&depNav_GID=1655

Summer Fishing Nibbles

The summer has been super busy for me and extremely hot with little rain so my fishing outings have been limited so not much to report on my end.  Here are a few summer fishing bits and pieces.

Catch and Release Summer fishing post from Greenfish.

The only sound is the water running over the rocks. The pool, the one you’ve been staking out for the past few days, is still, but for the gentle current seams coiling effortlessly downstream.

You know the fish are circling slowly in a pocket above a big sunken rock, facing upstream. You spotted them from up on the bank, before quietly walking up the shoreline and setting up for the cast.

Just as you pull the line off your reel, a rainbow trout bolts out of the water chasing an insect that just hatched. Low-hanging branches on both sides and a small pool means nailing the first cast is everything. You make an accurate back cast and get the drift right. Slight mend … wait … wait…
Read Entire Post.

For those New England Saltwater fisherman make sure to check out the July issue of On the Water Magazine for some great articles on Live lining scup for striped bass or some tube and worm tips and even some offshore articles.  Something to get your thinking and the blood flowing.  you can get the online versions by subscribing here:  http://www.onthewater.com/magazine/online/


For those within driving distance to the Housatonic River in Northwest Connecticut there is a site that must be witnessed and it is the arrival of the white fly.  The white fly hatch is underway and that means lots of Smallmouth bass looking up and some big boys at that.  When the hatch is in full swing it is similar to a white out in a snow storm.  It is a must event to see and fish for those in the area and worth the trip if you can make it.  Check out the Housatonic River Outfitters facebook page for some recent pictures and make sure to stop in to HRO on your visit for the latest information and some flies.  If you need a place to camp, check out the Housatonic Meadows State Park. Get to the river QUICK!

Photo courtesy of Bluecrab.info - click the image to visit them

It's also that time of year to chase some tasty blue crabs along the Connecticut shoreline.  Stop by the Blue Crab Blog for some great information on Blue Crabs and updated Blue Crab fishing reports local to Long Island Sound. Another great siteis the Bluecrab.Info page which is  loaded with information about Blue Crabs that covers everything from identification and anatomy, to how to catch, cook and eat them as well as a user forum dedicated to blue crab and those who chase them. Blue Crabbing is a great way to spend time with the family while enjoying the great outdoors and it doesn't take a large investment in equipment.  Just some string and a way to secure some bait to it and a net and you will have loads of laughs and some tasty crabs for dinner.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and taking advantage of the great weather and all the outdoor opportunities that exist right now.  Remember to get outside, be safe, have fun and Share the Passion!

First keeper Striper of 2012

I'm running way behind on my posts thanks to work, work and more work and Captain Scotty is claiming I refuse to write this post because he out fished us, but that is jut not true.  Now let go of my arm Scott.

The spring striper run here in CT is one that many folks wait for with baited breath.  Fishing last years run was dampened thanks to all the spring rain and storms we had, and with the dry spring this year we were expected a early and heated run.  So when Captain Scotty called and offered up a boat rid for his first striper trip of the year I jumped at it, of course that was after checking with the boss if it was okay to go fishing on our anniversary.  Thankfully she is a great wife and said yes.

Capt. Scotty with the first keeper of 2012

I met Scott and his son Dylan at 5am at the local store for some gas for the boat and some starter fluid for the 3 of us and off to the river we went.  We hit the launch in Hartford only to find a line of fisherman waiting for the gates to open and no one knew when they would.  We gave it about 15 minutes, which was pretty good considering how impatient we were and decided to head south to another launch and it was a smart move as we had no wait to get the boat wet.

As we set up for the first drift we started looking for signs of life and it was void of any.  Not what we were hoping for but this is a drift that usually produces a few fish.  Half way through the drift, Dylan had a good hit but it was a swing and a miss.  I watched a fish come up and smack some bait, but couldn't get one to bite or follow.  We setup for another drift and that produced nothing and as we were reeling up to setup for another drift Scott got slammed and had that fish on for about a minute before it came unbuttoned.  One more drift and another sniff but nothing so we moved to our second spot and repeated.

I missed a run off on this drift and Scott got whacked again so we setup one more time and at the end of the drift Scott finally got the hook set and the first keeper linesider of the year was in the boat, well, after a few misses by the net man Dylan. Another drift or two with nothing and it was on to spot three which was occupied with two other boats and no one catching anything.  By then it was 1pm and the river was getting crowded so we decided to pack it in and head home.

It wasn't what we had hoped for but a keeper is a keeper and Scott has the bragging rights for now, but all it takes is one good fish to change the tide.

Connecticut Marine Angler Survey Program

Capt. Scott with a keeper Fluke - 2011

For those anglers that frequent Connecticut's shoreline and marine waters to fish there is an opportunity to help the CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) Marine Fisheries Divions by volunteering to participate in the Connecticut Volunteer Angler Survey (VAS) Program.    This program is designed to collect fishing trip information from Marine recreation anglers by giving them tools to recording their angling activities and catches in a log book.  At the end of the fishing season you simple send your logbook to DEEP where they will enter all the data into their computers and then ship your log book back to you to keep for your records.  It doesn't get any easier then that.

More information on the the VAS program and DEEP Marine Fishers Division contact information can be found by visiting the DEEP website at: http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2696&q=322750&depNav_GID=1647

Warmer Then Normal Winter Equals Bigger Fish

There are advantages to the warmer winter that we have been experiencing here in Connecticut according to CT DEEP.  The warmer temps and no snow means that the waters are warmer then normal and the fish in the hatchery are more active through the winter giving DEEP Staff opportunity to feed more often making for larger fish to stock this spring.  It also means the streams are getting stocked earlier then normal with over 12,000 fish stocked already.  Normally we don't see a stocking of the Trout Management Areas (TMA) until early March.  All this is good news for those of use looking to take advantage of the weather and get some fishing in.  Most of the lakes and streams here in CT that have trout are closed to fishing from the end of February until opening day, which is the third Saturday in April.  We are fortunate enough to have many trout fishing waters open year round and with the lack of winter there is good fishing to be had by all.  I feel bad for the hard water ice fisherman, but I am excited to get out on the open water and maybe hook into one of these extra fat stockies.

Here is a video clip from Channel 3 WFSB from their report on the recent trout stocking.




Reminder:  There is still time to get in on the PTO Sharing the Passion giveaway.  Check it out here:  http://passinthruoutdoors.blogspot.com/2012/02/pto-celebrates-two-years-of-blogging.html

CFFA Fly Fishing Expo Review

This past Saturday was the annual Connecticut Fly Fisherman's Association's annual Fly Fishing expo and Banquet held in South Windsor, CT.  The CFFA Expo is a small local fly fishing expo that offers up vendors from the local fly fishing shops, local guides, Local Fly tiers, product reps as well as some great guest speakers.  All that good fly fishing fun and knowledge in one room for a general admission price of one US American dollar, this is a dollar menu worth ordering from.

Steve O and JT - JT's Fly Shop

JT and Steve O from my local fly shop - JT's Fly Shop - had a presence at the show and it is always good to support the local business as much as you can.  These guys have been a huge resource to me offering up free fly fishign and tying classes, answering all my crazy questions and of course willing to order up anything I need anytime.  JT's is a throw back to those mom and pop shops that understood what customers and customer service meant and to them you are not just a customer, but one of their fishing buddies.  I made sure to stick around and help them break down and load up after the show just to say thanks for everything they've done for me.

Loren explaining staying in contact with your flies

The featured guest speaker was Loren Williams from Fly Guy's Guide Service.  Loren is a guide with over 35 years of fly fishing experience, a member of the Fly Fishing Team USA and a coach of the US Youth Fly Fishing Team where he has fished and coached all over the world.  Loren is also an experienced Fly Tier, and was introduced to Team USA in the summer of 2005 when he was selected as  its first official fly tier for the 2005 FIPS-Mouche WFFC in Lycksele, Sweden.  So when a chance to hear someone with Loren's fly fishing credentials speak, you take it and I was glad I did.

Loren's presentation was on nymphing tricks but started out with a story that took place during a world competition across the pond where he watched a young girl with her fly rod in tow enter this pond and feverishly work to entice those big trout to bite her fly.  Watching this young lady brought Loren back to a time when he would sit there himself as a young boy trying to trick a bluegill or bass to bite.  Much of this enticing was related to making weird movements, starts and stops, twitches, hard splashing, anything you could do to make the fish take notice. I'm sure many of you that have fished as a kid can related to this, I know I did.  This led to the basic concept of Loren's presentation which was to think outside of the box from the typical dead drift presentation of nymph fishing.  Obviously when dry fly fishing, getting that perfect drag free realistic drift is important, when nymph fishing is it as important?  Loren's experience shows that there are many cases where that perfect natural nymph drift is not going to get the job done and something needs to happen to induce the fish to strike your fly - not new news for many, but it was a gentle reminder for us as fisherman to think out of the box.  Many time when mending the line to get that perfect nymph drift we get concerned about fly movement, but is it really an issue?  When nymphs are drifting along they are doing all kinds of crazy movements thanks to the different water dynamics they are drifting through.  They could be tumbling along the bottom, rising and lowering along the way or even shifting from side to side.

Loren's table was always busy

Loren discussed how under certain conditions and times that trout react to the splash of something hitting the water and immediately move to take whatever made the splash.   This is common when trout are hanging along banks or under trees waiting for bugs to drop into the water or fishing faster shallow water where the fish have to react quicker. Because of this immediate reaction to something hitting the water, you need to be ready to set the hook and that may require that you cast differently and more importantly stop your cast differently so you are ready for the quick take.   I've experienced this when casting buggers along a bank where the fish violently took the bugger as it hit the water only for me to be day dreaming and miss the hook up or not get a solid hook up.  Loren discussed a technique he learned from one of his coaches that was created just for these scenarios which basically involved setting the hook immediately or close to it just after your flies hit the water - cast, settle, set was how he described it.  Another technique he discussed had to do with setting the hook as your flies enter the spot you believe a fish to be.  That's right, setting the hook without feeling or seeing a take.  This hook set works to elicit a reaction strike from the fish.  This technique would be used many times after a few passes through with no takes and it worked. Interesting concepts  for sure and Loren said that using these techniques had increased their hookup rate greatly. 

One of the questions I have for my fly fishing readers is, have you ever incorporated any motion purposely to try and elicit a strike?  I know I have done so when fishing buggers and it included some slight lifting and dropping of the rod tip when drifting a bugger along, or a few twitches of the rod tip to make it dart or the old Leisenring Lift which was found to entice the fish to take the nymph as it was swept up to the surface like a natural nymph would. 

Loren took the time to answer everyone's questions and he even offered up some casting demonstrations out in the parking lot.  Lorean also turned me on Cortland's new Bicolor Mono sighter  material.  It looks very similar to the Jan Siman Bicolor sighter material that I'm using now, but the real test will come on the water when I get to test each of them in the same conditions and make my own determination.  I have already scrapped all my solid color mono sighters for the bicolor material as it just seems to work well under every condition.  I've found some claims on the web that the Jan Siman material is brighter then the Cortland material but is it enough to force me to stay with a product that is imported and only carried by a few places?  We will see.


I also got to check out the offerings from Fishpond as I am in the market for a new fly fishing vest.  As I continue to collect more and more gear, my current fishing vest isn't cutting it.  Not so much for the storage options, but comfort.  The Fishpond offerings are very comfortable, offer plenty of space and organization as well as adjust-ability.  One look at their offerings like this Wasatch Tech Pack and you realize just how far we come from your grandfather's fly fishing vest.

I'm always looking at fly boxes and and constantly re organizing and trying to find the right fit.  Of course what I should concentrate on is carrying just one box and a small one at that, but like my dad always says - you can't use it if you don't have it.  It's hard to beat these little Grey's GS Fly boxes as they are durable and come at a very nice price point, but I think I might have found a winner in Umpqua Pro Guide Fly Boxes.  The lids were extremely secure and rumor is they are waterproof.  Being as vertically challenged as I am, everything gets wet when I fish so if they are truly waterproof that would be a huge plus alone for me.  Some included little magnetic sections for those pesky tiny flies. 

One last bright spot from the expo was getting a chance to meet the folks from Mill River Fly Rods and to  look over their offerings of fly fishing rods and reels.  Mill River is a small local company located in Wallingford,Connecticut whose company mission is to offer up high quality fly fishing rods and reels at affordable prices.  They offer up a nice range of fresh water rods and reels that felt nice, looked good and to be of high quality and were definitely an affordable price.  The only true test of any rod is to get out on the water and fish it and I would definitely be willing to give their rods a try and just might do so.  It sure would be nice to have a small local business provide me with the tools to catch some fish.

These little expos and shows don't get the big draw and press that the regional shows do, but they are worth the visit for sure and a great way to find and support the local businesses in your area so make sure to visit one.

Now that's a nice fish

Seeing I haven't been fishing in a few weeks I have to live through those that have been on the water.  Capt Scottie and Dylan had booked a trip with Capt Blaine Anderson of Anderson Guide Service with the intention of learning live bait techniques for Striped Bass fishing and from the picutres that I've seen and the verbal recap of their trip, I'm going to say they learned plenty.

Scott and Dylan with a pair of linesiders

Both Scott and Dylan have been really getting into saltwater fishing over the past two years and most of that has been fishing for fluke, sea bass and scup with a little tinkering thrown in on the striped bass side.  One of Dylan's goals was to learn a little bit about live lining for stripers and as a graduation / Brithday present him and his dad would spend a morning with Blaine learning and catching.  Now I hope they learned enough to teach me because Dylan has now caught a bass bigger then me and it has been just exhausting listening to him remind everyone of his catch and fishing prowess.

Dylan's personal best linesider - 48inches

I'm happy for both of them as I'm sure this is a launchpad for great success in their saltwater adventures.  Stop by Blaine's blog to see more pics and read up on their outing.

Congrats on some great fish guys!

Connecticut River Stripers

Turkey hunting or chasing linesiders on the river?  That was the choice I face Friday evening.  It's nice to have choices like that.  I was on the phone with my buddy Scotty as my wife pulled in the driveway and my daughter jumped out of the van and ran into the house.  Turns out she was running in to pack a bag for a sleepover at her BFF's house which made my choice for adventure Saturday easy.  I asked Scotty if he had room for me on the boat, which he did and a meeting time was decided on and then I was off to get gear together.

I met Scotty and his son Dylan, or Junior as we like to call him, at 4:10am at the local convenience store to gas up the boat and grab a much needed cup of joe and then off to the commuter lot to park my truck and jump in with the boys.  We pulled into the launch in Hartford and we were the only people there.  That's either a good sign or bad, but we didn't dwell on it and got the boat in the water and were headed south just around 5:15am as the first hint of light started showing up.

We arrived at Hole #1 with plenty of light and as we were setting up for our first drift we could hear a gobbler sounding off on the roost.  I was thinking it was a sign that I should have went turkey hunting but I didn't let it bother me.  Scott and Junior setup to drift live bait while I was rigged with a 9" pearl YUM Houdini Shad, which you can't get anymore, and was banging the shoreline.  We could see signs of herring breaking the surface but no signs of linesiders chasing them.

Scotty was the first to hook up with a schoolie sized striper and the game was on.  The next fish in the boat was caught by Junior, still not a keeper but two fish on the first drift is a good sign.  We finished out the drift with a few more small ones and a nice catfish that took the live bait.  My pounding the shore proved nothing more than a good attempt at throwing my shoulder out.  I couldn't buy a fish or even a sniff.

We motored back up to our starting point for another drift and this time I grabbed my 7 1/2 foot tica with my Penn bait runner and joined the crowd.  It wasn't long after going over the first hump when Junior was hooked up again and you could tell is was a better fish.  Junior did everything right and ended up putting a keeper bass in the boat and the trash talking started to heat up.  We continuned the drift and picked up another short or two and then setup for a third drift.  The third drift didn't produce a thing and even the signs of herring were gone.

We decided to head north to Hole #2 to see what was happening up there.  We were getting plenty of small hits and even a small run off or two but no hook ups which meant small fish.  We let the drift go a little longer then usual just to see if we could scare up a fish and sure enough I hooked up with another short.  Hole #2 was dead and it was getting near 11am so we made one last run to Hole #1 for a drift that produced a couple of big catfish and one was pushing 11lbs.

The morning wasn't fast and furious but we did put fish in the boat and had plenty of laughs.  There is still time to chase these amazing fish in the rivers of CT so get on out and hit the water.  Good Luck.

Weekend Recap - 5/8/11

With the weekend tied up with helping out at a local fishing derby and Mother's day I decided to spend a few hours on Friday before work chasing some gobblers.  Problem was there were no gobblers to chase just 4 hens and some deer.

I was hunting a piece of private land where my daughter shot her first bird earlier this season hoping to find a smartened up long beard.  I was out before those first slivers of light waiting in anticipation for the gobblers I was certain I would hear, but not a single gobble was heard the entire morning.

My first visitors on the morning were a pair of Whitetail Deer that popped out of the woods just about 40 yards from my setup.  Once they got comfortable with this big camouflage blind they turned their attention to the stationary turkey out in the grass.  They walked around the decoy I had out there and every so often would stop and give it the once over.  If they weren't trying to smell it, they were giving it the old head bob routing.  Here is a small video clip of this show.  Sorry for the quality but all I had was my cell phone as my video camera was still in the truck.



As the deer were heading off to my right I looked back down the field and noticed a turkey moving in my direction.  After a good look with the binos I noticed it was a hen so I gave a few soft clucks and she kept working my way.  She got into the decoy and got a little nervous and worked within 20 feet of the blind and off into the woods. 

 

As the above hen was sitting in my decoy I could hear another hen yelping away and with this hen sitting right at the decoy I decide to wait a bit and as she moved off int he woods I let out some more sweet turkey talk hoping that hen making all the noise would come my way with an old tom in toe.  Well she came my way, but she was alone.  When she popped around the brush on the side of the field and into my view she was close and I swore I saw a beard.  Hmmm.  Grab the binos and sure enough she had a beard.  No in CT the spring regulations allow for the taking of a bearded bird and I must say I did think about it at one point but I decided to enjoy her and hope her requests for courtship would be answered by a tom but no luck.

I then saw two more deer and two more hens but not a single tom or even a gobble.  I was definitely enjoying the great morning and the activity but Busch Pilot texting me and telling me he was working birds wasn't helping my cause.  It wasn't long past 8:00am when I got a picture message of Busch Pilot's third bird of the season.  At one point he had 7 jakes come in on his setup but just couldn't get them separated enough for a shot.  so he moved his setup and called in a lone Jake and decided to end his season so he can partake in the spring striper run in the river.  So I am still sitting at zero, but not discouraged yet.

They were making sure I read the scale correctly.

Saturday I had the pleasure of helping out my pals at JT's Fly Shop weighing in fish for the kids at a Vernon's 42nd annual fishing derby.   It was a great morning but the turnout was light.  The families that did come out found some cooperative trout and had plenty of fun.  I love to hear the kids screeching with excitement as they reel in a fish and then run over to have it weighed in.  We had a trophy for the overall heaviest fish and awards and prizes for the top 3 in all categories.  We had kids not only out with their families having fun catching trout but winning some great prizes like new rod and reel setups, nets, tackle boxes and some tackle.  My daughter even decided to come and help out and we both agreed that the smiles on their faces made missing a morning of chasing turkeys well worth it.

Get Out and Fish

With fishing season and spring in full swing here in Connecticut there are many opportunities to get out on the water and fish along with opportunities to try and learn how to fish.

Our first stop is the Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education (CARE) program.   The CARE program offers up many classes geared to learning about water, fish and fishing.  From specific techniwues to target certain species, Ice Fishing to general family fishing learning.

From the CARE website:

CARE will introduce you, your family, and friends to the wonders of water, fish, and fishing.  Expert Instructors pass along information and expertise they’ve gained while angling in many waters for many years.  DVDs, demonstrations, and activities make learning fun for adults and kids alike.  Many times they’ll even take you on a fishing trip!

For a list of upcoming events and classes check out their website.

CARE is also a great way for those who fish to give back to our sport via donations or volunteering and you can contact  the CARE Center at  860-663-1656 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              860-663-1656      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

Next Stop is for those looking for information on where to fish or where the fish are being stocked here in Connecticut.  The CT DEP Fishing website offers up many publications and news letters with all the information you need to find those fish and enjoy a day on the water.  Make sure to read the Anglers Guide for a list of rules and regulations as well as a list of open waters for fishing.  Trout Management Areas a great place to fish because of the abundance of fish and many of these are open year round so make sure to check out the Trout Management Brochure for more details.   We can't forget about Trout Parks either.  Trout Parks offer another great opportunity to be on fish that gets stocked on a weekly basis so there are always new fish to try and fool.  A new addition to the CT DEP Fishign website are maps of the stocking points for streams and rivers in both Western and Eastern Connecticut.


All of the above is related to fresh water fishing but Connecticut has many miles of shoreline  and access to Long Island Sound that offers many saltwater fishing opportunities to chase Striped Bass, Fluke, Flounder, Tatoug, Porgy, basically just bout anything that swims or lives in the saltwater. 

Race Rock, Long Island Sound

 Our first stop once again is the CT DEP Saltware Fishing website which is loaded with the same type of great information found on the freshwater site.   The Anglers Guide does have a Marine Fisheries section which is a great start but you can't pass on this handy Saltwater fishing brochure which is specifically designed for the Saltwater regulations. 


For those landlubbers the Connecticut Coastal Access Guide is a must visit.  Here you can look for public fishing and access points and also learn about your rights to use our incredible shoreline resources.

The Connecticut Coastal Access Guide is designed to help you explore the Connecticut shore. Use the guide to identify sites open to the public for boating, swimming, fishing, hiking and other outdoor activities. Some sites are posted with brown and white public access signs. Use the signs and the map and detailed driving directions in the Coastal Access Guide to find your way to hundreds of coastal access sights.

Connecticut also has State Parks with coastal access that offer up opportunities for enjoy the shoreline and fish.  About half of these State Parks include designated areas for persons with disabilities and a few offer camping opportunities.

Shoreline Fishing and Property RightsConnecticut's intertidal shore belongs to the people. Under the common law public trust doctrine, the public may freely use land and waters waterward of the mean high water line to fish. The "public trust" area includes beaches, rocky shores and open waters along tidal and navigable waters.  Fishing in the "public trust" area is not trespassing; the DEP encourages anglers to enjoy their rights to use the public trust lands for fishing. However, anglers should also respect the rights of adjacent landowners by not crossing private property without permission and by leaving the shoreline clean and litter free.

All of the above is great information but it sure helps to have the latest information on how the fishing is going and you can get that by checking out the Weekly Fishing Report put out by CT DEP which contains weekly information from many of the states Bait and Tackle shops which  means up to date information for us anglers.



One last item and that is respect of our resources.  This means respecting the rules and regulations, access points and  our neighbors but just as important is respect for the fish themselves.  There is nothing wrong with keeping some fish for a meal but practicing catch and release will help ensure that there are fish for the next person and future generations as well.  Check out the Tips for better Catch and Release fishing for more information. 


Now grab a friend and hit the water.  Tight Lines!