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04/06/2017 12:00 AMThat’s right. Saturday, April 8 is the Opening Day of trout season. And even with plenty of outreach, some anglers will still feel surprised about how fast it came.
Even though winter was on the mild side and there has already been considerable open water fishing, one could feel the crescendo building. The traditional rush to squeeze in the last-minute goodies like bait, terminal gear, setup, and, of course, a fishing license, began on schedule. The morning following Opening Day will bring on anglers in search for a fix-it kit for those leaky waders or a replacement net for the deteriorated one that caused fish to be lost at an arm’s length. Frustrating as it is, this is part of every opening weekend.
The fresh smell of spring following seasonal rain and wind is everywhere. Air temperatures have been rising and so have the levels of rivers and streams. Circling ospreys are a dead giveaway that trout have been recently stocked, while unsuspecting catch and release fishers working the Trout Management Areas are surprised by the hunting prowess of these skillful fish catchers. These birds of prey make it seem so effortless.
Back at Captain Morgan’s, the aisles have been crammed with traditionalists who always make the day before Opening Day an event unto itself. Some impatient ones become patient as they blend into conversations and learn a few new things. Generally, there are fewer groups of people who are more helpful than a band of anglers. Just don’t ask too much about their favorite fishing hole if you want the conversation to continue.
Anticipating what the future will bring has always been intriguing. To an angler, there are memories of many previous seasons. This one, though, brings questions. Will there be only small fish caught? Will the big one still elude? Is there a skunk in the picture? These questions and others will be answered and then woven into next year’s narrative.
So anglers, get ready for this Saturday’s big event. The weather looks favorable. Check your entire fishing arsenal before hitting the pillow or sleeping bag, and then try to get a few winks of shuteye. If you’re anything like most early season anglers, you’ll be dreaming about some instance where you were either fighting or landing a trout. Before you know it, the alarm will sound, signaling that the day has arrived and it’s time to get a move on!
On the Water
March closed with a soaking along the shoreline and mixed precipitation above the I-95 and I-84 corridors. Wind produced some low-lying area flooding, but nothing too extreme. Meanwhile, inshore water temperatures have been on the rise, most recently topping 42 degrees. By the looks of the mild weather trend, temps will keep climbing.
This bodes well for those ‘tog pullers looking to latch onto the walls and fish those nooks and crannies. The bite should improve as water temperatures reach the high 40s to low 50s. This is when the bite will noticeably improve and the stories begin to unfold. Let’s hope those temps will materialize earlier in April than near the end, when the spring season comes to a close.
Winter flounder is another species, along with blackfish (tautog), whose spring season opened on April 1. As water temps surpass the 42-degree mark, their activity will increase accordingly. Because of the extreme winter along the Maine coast, where the majority of the sea worms are harvested, it might be a little bit longer before they make a regular appearance in southern New England. Good alternative baits for these right-handed flatties are the popular scented sandworm imitations and bi-valves fished in conjunction with the appropriate chum. Fishing bays, coves, and harbor channels should be the first spots to attempt.
Rounding out the springtime marine fishery (not including the soon-to-arrive American and hickory shad family) is striped bass. Both conventional and fly fishers have been working the key tidal rivers successfully and, more recently, along the beaches and harbors. With increasing water temps, more holdover bass are spreading out from the rivers, giving fishers greater opportunities from shore.
Inland waterways that were scheduled to be stocked by Opening Day have already received their initial allocation with a scattered few remaining. The recent rain elevated water levels and, in some cases, compromised clarity. However, flows and visibility should moderate in time for lines in at 6 a.m. on Saturday. The bulk of the trout stocked were browns, followed by rainbows and brookies—all in the 10- to 12-inch range. Some tigers were also stocked and about 1,200 surplus broodstock in the one- to three-pound range were also splashed. Now it’s up to the fishers to step up to the plate and hook into the big one.
Trout Contest
Captain Morgan’s will be accepting registrations for the annual Codi and Bubba Memorial Opening Day Trout Contest through 5:59 a.m. on Saturday, April 8. Fish anywhere. Weigh-ins at the shop. Prizes. Kids under 12 fish free when accompanied by a registered adult. Tickets are $5. For bait and gear, the shop will open at 4 a.m. Final weigh-in on Opening Day will be at 5 p.m.
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 crabbing supplies, 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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