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03/09/2016 11:00 PMDaylight Saving Time (DST) crept right up and is on Saturday, March 13, when we spring our clocks one hour forward. This sets us up for the warmer months so that daylight is stretched an hour longer in the evening. The compromise is that normal times of sunrise are pushed ahead, as well.
This practice has been going on since 1916 in various parts of the world and has really caught on since the energy crisis of the 1970s, when it was introduced primarily to combat excessive use of energy—namely, evening lighting. With today’s advancement of energy-saving technology, it will be interesting to see if this practice will eventually outlive its usefulness.
To the angler, though, changing the clocks really doesn’t matter. We pay more attention to actual sunrise, sunset, moon phases, tides, and water temperature than the clock. That instrument only comes into play to identify when most of these occurrences take place. For example, when one fisher asks another, “What time shall me meet?” the response is generally “When is high tide?” or “What time is sunrise?”
Fish are no different in that respect. Their biological clock is also their driving force. When it ticks, something happens. They move, spawn, feed, or rest and, if not careful, they get caught. For fishers to succeed, they need to be attuned to Mother Nature’s way of doing business. This is the time of year when fish begin to silently appear in the Sound, tidal rivers, bays, and estuaries. It’s the time of year the fishers check previous year’s records in order to get ahead of the action. It’s also when the lakes, ponds, and inland waterways begin to stir.
It isn’t too early to check out some of your favorite fishing spots. Even during this mild New England winter, nature has a way of rearranging the furniture, so to speak. Look for changes that would enhance your fishing experience or detract from it, such as a newly fallen tree, a change in the water flow, or a new cut or trough along the beach. The effort will be well worth it.
So instead of getting your mojo working at DST this March, try sticking with the old time for a while longer, stretching your arms and legs when the fish actually begin stretching their fins. To our benefit, we won’t have ice to deal with or be unnecessarily burdened by excessive winter hazards that block rivers. We may experience a bit of frost on our fishing rod tips, but that would be a small price to pay.
On the Water
The skies squeaked out a few more flakes of defiance before much warmer weather settled in along the shoreline. Pushing 70 degrees in the beginning of March has gotten anglers all fired up and, with St. Patrick’s Day on the 17th, the celebratory mood is certain to continue. This year, there is one event that most fishers will not celebrate and that is the ice-out.
As open water abounds, our Trout Management Lakes have been getting a workout, along with many of the non-stocked ones. Anglers are finding that fish are in tune with the weather patterns, foraging for live shiners, and pursuing various sizes and colors of swim baits. There is also an appetite for worms and rigged baits. Fighting, catching, or releasing these early pre-spawn fish is now providing some terrifically refreshing recreation.
Not only are we seeing action in the upper water column, but also down deep. Channel catfish have been stretching their fins and sniffing out stink and rigged ball baits. The action isn’t quite as intense as the predacious pickerel, yet respectable nonetheless. For the traditionalist, this might seem to be pushing the season, but for the initiated fisher, the bite is on.
Not to be undone, the briny is also waking up. Actually, it’s been fairly awake throughout the winter in between the few storms, cold stretches, and wind. Baitfish have been here throughout and now we are seeing some striped bass activity as the water temperatures are rising both in the rivers and the Sound. Many spots along the coast and even further out have been in the low 40s. Keep an eye on the shore birds and they will clue you in to what’s happening.
For those looking for other outdoor activities, check out the waterways and marshes where nearby nesting couples of bald eagles could be spotted hunting fish. January is breeding month, while February and March are egg-laying time, followed by about 35 days of incubation before one to three chicks hatch. Keep your distance from these raptors, remain quiet, and please do not broadcast the nests’ locations for obvious reasons.
Note: Email us pics of your catches to share with our USA and international fishing friends who keep up with the latest fishing news and frequent social media.
For all things fishy including flies, swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days located at 21 Boston Post Road, 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...
Tight Lines,
Captain Morgan
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