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02/20/2019 11:00 PMThe National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the Environmental Protection Agency have teamed up in partnership with the Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF) to fund 36 grants. The grants, totaling $2.57 million, are earmarked for local governments and community groups for programs benefiting the complex ecosystems and overall wellness of Long Island Sound (LIS). Twenty of these grants, totaling $1.73 million, directly benefit Connecticut and will be matched with another $1.84 million from grantees, bringing the total to $3.57 million in community conservation.
A further breakdown details how funds for various on-the-ground conservation projects will be distributed not only to Connecticut, but also to Vermont, New York, and Massachusetts. Water quality and habitat restoration will be a focal point, including opening up rivers and restoring coastal habitat for fish and wildlife.
“These grants represent continued commitment to improving the health of rivers, coastal marshes, forests, and grasslands for the benefit of local communities and fish and wildlife in Long Island Sound,” said Jeff Trandahl, the executive director and chief executive officer of the NFWF.
For example, funding by the NFWF and grantee Hammonasset Trout Unlimited was used in construction of the Pages Millpond fishway that enabled river herring, American eel, and sea run brown trout through-access from LIS. To complete this migratory habitat restoration project, a steeppass fishway funded by LISFF and Save the Sound will be constructed, adding another 5.35 river miles and opening this corridor from LIS for the first time in 300 years.
Since 2005, LISFF has committed $19.6 million to 416 projects. Adding grantee matches of $36 million, the total realized to date is $55.6 million for locally based conservation, including funding that opened up 163 river miles for fish passage and 1,109 acres of critical fish and wildlife habitat, in addition to education programs and treating water pollution. Additionally, monies are being used for resiliency and living shorelines restoration, as well as for the LIS Blue Plan that incorporates marine spatial planning management.
LIS is an estuary and a great nursery that has unmatched economic, social, and recreational potential. It’s also home to 170 species of fish, more than 1,200 invertebrates, and many species of migrating birds. Taking this into consideration, it is no wonder why we are protective of her. All of the monies and effort that go into keeping the waters and what thrives in them healthy ultimately yields a living ecosystem that will be better equipped to handle the pressures of change.
Yes, there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes brought about by Mother Nature and the people who deal with this collective that we call The Sound. Native Americans revered it and most of us through the ages have respected it, but many have also abused it. We are seeing species of fish like black sea bass making advancements and invertebrates like American lobster falling far behind, while others such as blackfish (tautog) are teetering due, in part, to predators and the hands of fishers.
Teaching someone how to fish is only step one. Teaching them to only leave a footprint behind is just as important. If we all do our part to help bolster the Sound and the waterways feeding it, even it is just minimal, it will make a big difference.
On the Water
First week back in the Northeast and it doesn’t feel much different than when I left for southern climes. More of the same along the shoreline with warm air interrupted by a blast of snow, followed by more rain and more warmth, before a cool-down. Long Island Sound water temperatures are averaging about 38 degrees as sea conditions continue to waver between small craft or gale warnings to calm, while visibility ranges from 0 to 12 miles. Still, at this juncture in time, there has been more rain than anything else with the state receiving around six inches more than normal to date.
As short bouts with snow continue and February continues to shun its typically cold temps, there are more open water opportunities to fish for trout and Atlantic salmon. High water levels and fast flows are the challenges. However, those breaks in the weather pattern have opened up some good opportunities for people using lightweight spinning and fly rods for trout and heavier setups for the salmon. As in previous weeks, there are still opportunities to catch linesiders in the main tidal rivers, mostly on weighted soft plastics. Out on the Sound, check out the seals and maybe an eagle or two hunting for food.
As the state has been experiencing wide swings in temperatures, there are areas where ice fishing has been productive. Pike, trout, crappie, catfish, largemouth bass, yellow perch, and even holdover striped bass have been caught through the hard water. Of course, there are areas where the ice has been compromised, so all ice fishers should be taking a safety-first approach as they venture out.
For you clammers looking to get out and stretch those scratching muscles, the beds in Guilford reopened after most had been closed due to weather-related issues—namely rain. Captain Morgan’s has all the equipment necessary, including 2019 shellfish licenses and measuring rings, to get you out and gather your catch limit. Clams are deeper now.
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 clam 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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