Printer Friendly Version - Water Activity is Happening Earlier Than Usual

Indicative of this year’s dramatic weather swings are these Madison and Guilford tidal wetlands—a 26-degree icy morning high tide (bottom), followed by a clear 41-degree afternoon low tide (top). Photo illustration courtesy of Captain Morgan

As the right whales continue to migrate south amidst published navigational warnings of their location so vessels won’t impede or endanger their progress, fishers are enjoying another reasonably mild winter. Now that most water goers have a better idea of what to expect, it seems as though the pandemic has lit an even hotter fire under them. This also applies to many former landlubbers, too.

They now realize that some sort of activity on the water is a good way to spend their quality time. Others find themselves renewing their interests in some form of boating, fishing, clamming, or crabbing. You can sense that people are off to an earlier start than in previous seasons. They apparently cannot wait to break up the monotony of staying indoors or playing out practically the same daily routine.

People are eager to either acquire all new gear, ready their old trusty standbys, or just get a head start on the season. There is no official word yet if or how early trout season will open in Connecticut, but anglers are looking forward to it. Meanwhile, sweet water fishing continues. There are also fishers making a few early casts along the shore, even though hopes of connecting with a meaningful fish are reduced. That, of course, is rendering a different outcome in some of the tidal rivers, where results are more positive.

It was a snowy owl that brought out a group of birdwatchers to the shore when word got out that one was seen. It not only got the birders out of the house, but also returned them to a bit of normalcy. With cameras and binoculars in hand or slung over shoulders, they sought out an image that could be a worthy of a frame.

Overall, fishers and non-fishers alike are enjoying this winter and taking to the outdoors. Practicing their casts, some are hopeful that one will be outstanding enough to catapult them to fame, even if within their local circle of friends. So, get out and enjoy the fresh air. Stay safe and fish well.

Our mild weather continues on a path similar to last year. Evenings and early morning hours chilled down, but the afternoons bounced back to the 40s as sea conditions in Long Island Sound moderated. Recent moon tides opened the door for clammers who sought any open beds. Those negative tides unearthed sea bottoms that otherwise would be covered over by higher water levels. However, past rains brought about closures, after which water and shellfish samples were gathered by the towns and subsequently tested by the Bureau of Aquaculture before any closures could be re-opened.

There was a steady flow of shell fishers looking to welcome in the new year on the beds. They longed to exercise those muscles, inhale the fresh sea air, and catch some bivalves to munch on. Considering the wind chill, in most cases the water was actually warmer than the air, but the clams were chilled enough to be sweet to the taste. Due to the colder water temps, blue crabs have long left the scene, with many taking up their muddy winter grounds.

Unlike most other outdoor activities, the angling community remained engaged with the water—some hard, but mostly soft. Lakes, ponds, and puddles south of I-95 remain liquid, with the occasional skimming over after a cold night. Maybe a bit thicker, but certainly bordering unsafe. Other areas of the state (northwest and northeast corners, even Winchester) have been seeing better ice, but no great opportunities to set up a series of tipups or jigging holes.

However, traveling to one of the Sound’s main tidal rivers can put you on striped bass. Due to the rather mild conditions, the bite has been unseasonably good. Action has remain reasonably steady when using artificials like distance casting swimmers, paddle tails, and jigs. If using some sort of bait (live or once alive) when fishing for stripers, be sure to rig up with an inline circle hook. This is not an option, but rather a new Connecticut state regulation put in place to reduce the kill rate and bolster the striped bass population. Initially, educating the fishing population as to the importance of these hooks is the main goal of law enforcement. However, there is a difference between being unaware and blatant disregard. So, the best advice is to do the right thing. After that, it will be time to pay the piper.

Heading to inland waters and waterways, fishing varied most often due to weather conditions. All in all, if anglers were looking to wet a line and the wind cooperated, then there were multiple opportunities. River levels and flows changed repeatedly, forcing trout and Atlantic salmon anglers to change both their presentations and terminal gear accordingly. As temperatures fluctuated, that also held true for those fishing the lakes and ponds having open water. For a special bonus, check out lakes like Winchester, Coventry, and Tyler, along with Squantz and Bigelow ponds for lake trout. Considering January’s mild weather, fishers can expect their rods to bend when fishing inland. Ice fishing, though, may render a much different result depending on location.

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. Or, contact Captain Morgan for a fly fishing trip of a lifetime to a remote national or international fishing destination.

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.

Ted Gardziel (formerly of Guilford) is fly fishing the good life somewhere in the great fishing state of Colorado. Photo illustration courtesy of Captain Morgan

This typical picturesque bay attracted photographers, clammers, and feeding fowl during this week’s impressive negative low tide. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan