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01/22/2019 11:00 PMThe old cantilever Tappan Zee Bridge opened on Dec. 14, 1955, adding an important pathway spanning the Hudson River. For 62 years, it was heavily traveled, outliving its projected lifespan, while use and other deteriorating influences had their way with the structure. The old “Z” was three miles long, allowed vessels navigating the river a clearance of 138 feet, and cost $60,000,000 to construct. Also of note, “Tappan” was a Native American tribe from the area, and “Zee” is the Dutch word for sea.
The bridge linked Rockland and Westchester counties, and it was with great anticipation that New Yorkers awaited its completion. Within the first two hours, 2,162 vehicles crossed. Most people paid the 50-cent private car trip, 50 others held a $10 monthly book, while commercial vehicles paid a proportionately higher rate based on size and weight. The more adventurous, though, opted to walk across using the concrete mall walkway that separated the six-lane crossing.
New York has a successful artificial reef program covering parts of Long Island Sound and Long Island’s southern coastline. There are 12 in total: two in the western part of Sound named Smithtown and Matinecock and 10 in the Atlantic Ocean scattered from Rockaway to Shinnecock, with the farthest out being Twelve Mile Reef. Once parts of the “Z” are dismantled and thoroughly cleaned of coats of paint and other ecologically non-friendly material, they will be loaded onto barges and incorporated into New York’s already successful artificial reef program.
The Sound has many so-called artificial reefs primarily consisting of sunken vessels such as Lake Hemlock, The Deighton, H.G. Smith, The Lexington, and Morania Abaco. Included are an array of recreational wrecks, as well as several barges and scows. Additionally, objects that simulate artificial reefs have been discretely placed on the Connecticut side by fishers throughout the years. These have mainly consisted of discards such as porcelain bathroom fixtures, unwanted moorings, and even old cleaned-up engine blocks.
These sunken items have turned out to be magnets to fish since most of them have developed into a source of protection and an ongoing food supply. As a result, these artificial reefs provide habitat for many different types of recreationally and commercially popular fish, particularly those that are site-associated, namely porgy (scup), black sea bass, and blackfish (tautog).
Besides providing more habitat for fish, artificial reefs can play an important part when it comes to human impact and activity. Reef balls, such as the ones prototyped and developed by the Sound School—a regional aquaculture, science, and marine-based technology education center based in the Long Wharf waterfront district—have successfully demonstrated that they can be a boon to aquaculture, while also serving to enhance the environment. These reef balls not only provide habitat for fish and invertebrates, but can also intercept wave action, allowing for better restoration of marsh grass and thereby increasing habitat.
We are in a new era, one that is more socially and ecologically tuned in to the environment. Our Sound has shown remarkable progress in its health with gains in both cleanliness and its fishery. Now would be a good time for Connecticut to revisit its position on initiating our own artificial reef program. It would enhance a valuable resource and be a sound decision.
On the Water
The jet stream finally took a dip, allowing that Arctic cold to come blasting our way. Until then, recent weather had been pretty nondescript, save for a few blustery days on the Sound. Still, south of the I-95 corridor, the pattern favored more rainy events if any, but was cold enough whereby some ice (3 to 4 inches) formed farther north. Early hour air temperatures dropped into the teens, setting the stage for colder days. However, Long Island Sound water temps remained in the low 40s.
Striped bass residing in key tidal rivers kept the bite alive for fishers using soft plastics and top waters. More than 90 percent of the fish caught were schoolies, but the action proved steady once timing was down. The Sound is still seeing active schools of baitfish that are prompting the gulls to feed and the bass in the rivers to energize.
Spotty action is being observed as searun trout periodically make their run up river. Spoons, inline spinners, and even some bait are getting attention. As in the trout rivers and streams, expect high water joined by fast flows, even though they have been subsiding. This is the same scenario you can anticipate if you’re on the hunt for broodstock Atlantic salmon in either the Naugy or the Shetucket rivers. Continue to look for suspended black crappie, yellow perch, and the occasional largemouth to bite on a live bait offering or a small jig tipped with such.
With the rainfall taking a temporary break, Guilford shellfish beds got the OK to reopen once all testing was completed and the notice was posted. Considering the Super Blood Wolf Moon, the weekend afternoon low tides worked out favorably. Unfortunately, the opening coincided with a couple of weather events that probably kept the weak-hearted off the beds and home by the fire.
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 licenses, 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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