Printer Friendly Version - Everyone Is Talking Trout

The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) has been exceptionally busy stocking trout, affording anglers a great preseason catch and release fishery. Photo illustration by Bill Forman, Connecticut DEEP Inland Fisheries Division

From the stocking truck, to the net, and finally the pan; Opening Day of trout season brings it all together. Unless, of course, you are an advocate of catch and release, then it is just pure fishing that attracts you to the rivers. Lately, though, it has been preseason mania that has drawn anglers to the waters—trout waters, that is.

This year’s real springlike weather helped encourage early fishing, but really, it was the odd winter that helped prompt the push. More and more fishers have donned their waders and vests to see if all of the stories that have been circulating were true. For the most part, it didn’t take long before a visit to a popular or favorite trout management area (TMA) answered that question.

The stories were true! Photos helped convince even the skeptics. Densely colored brook trout showing off their patterns, glistening rainbows, and stocky browns stripped line and bent fishing rods. These were the fish that hatchery trucks had been feeding the rivers. Occasionally, an angler was barely a cast away when the trucks showed up. As they say: timing is everything.

However, if one missed that unlikely event, a careful observation of any TMA would have probably given it away. Rather than the water being frigid and icy, causing fish to huddle together in a nearby hole, the conditions were much more appealing. Flows were moderate, levels optimal, and temperatures warmer. That combination afforded fish the opportunity to spread out—even break the surface.

When that happened, the alarm spread and, soon, anglers began showing up. They cast artificial lures, seasonal flies, and an assortment of baits. Those who understood the mechanics of fishing, having practiced varying techniques and perfecting the art, caught fish. Others were lucky, while some were just left pondering.

There are only a few more days until that traditional trout fishing one in April, when family and friends gather for an early breakfast. Only this year, many will have already put a few good fishing stories in the books, thanks to a successful preseason. Whether pictures will show trout being stocked, caught and released, shown off, or plated, the result will be the same: they will forever be etched in memory and passed on from generation to generation.

We are gaining over two minutes of daylight each day as Long Island Sound water temperatures hit 44 degrees and rising. Southwesterly winds have been in our favor, although bouts with gusty conditions have created three- to five-foot waves at times. Nevertheless, there have been some bluebird days that smacked of spring with air temps touching 60 degrees.

Every day the Sound warms a degree, activity increases. For now, it has been a smaller class of striped bass. Loading up your outfit with 10- to 12-pound test line and rigging up with small, top-water plugs or weighted, soft-plastic swimmers is enough to test the waters. These fish are moving around sooner than the start of last season. However, one may have to bounce around a bit and completely work an area before fish are found. Varying the retrieve and depth of the water column fished will make a difference in hookups.

Lakes and ponds that aren’t stocked with trout are also warming up. Baitfish are moving, vegetation is showing life, and typical species such as largemouth bass, some smallies, pickerel, perch, and catfish have awakened. That also goes for carp in their spawning grounds. It’s worth giving them a try.

While schoolie striped bass are being caught in the key tidal rivers and along close-by beaches, anglers have a close eye on trout stocking initiatives. TMAs have been getting a workout as fish from 12 inches to broodstock class are being caught and released. Meanwhile, Trout Management Lakes have closed until opening day. Recently, the Salmon River TMA received 715 brook, brown, and rainbow trout along with some hefty broodstock. Prior to that, Amos, Crystal, and Gardner lakes collectively received a total of 4,755 fish.

There are nine days until opening day of trout season, which begins on Saturday, April 13 at 6 a.m. That’s when many of the current catch-and-release areas open up to catch and keep. Check the regulations for any conditional waters and catch limits. The overall creel limit in Connecticut is five trout, unless otherwise stated. Many stocked waters have a two-fish limit, like trout parks and some rivers, while for others the limit is five.

Register before Opening Day for the Annual Codi & Bubba Memorial Opening Day Trout Contest, which starts at 6 a.m. and runs to 5 p.m. on April 13. Fish anywhere. Prizes are awarded for the heaviest three trout caught and weighed in at the shop. Scales open at 6:15 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. Five dollars gets you in, and children 12 and under compete for free when accompanied by a registered adult. Fish have won weighing as little as one pound to breeders of more than 12 pounds. It’s anyone’s guess, so join in on the fun. It’s a good thing.

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 the latest gear, 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...

Cooking up a colorful brook trout can be the highlight of the day once the season opens on Saturday, April 13. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan