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In Search of Adventure

As fishers shrug off 2021 and focus on what the 2022 fishing season may bring, they begin to take a careful look at their gear and take an interest in new items making inroads into the marketplace. After previously experiencing shortages and disruptions in the supply chain, many are attempting to get a jump on both new and core products that are hitting the shelves, so as to prevent empty spaces in their tackle boxes.

The touch, feel, and conversation that goes hand-in-hand with face-to-face visits while discussing gear cannot be overstated. It certainly goes a long way in helping to eliminate the cabin fever that many New Englanders experience. Similar to the striper run that fishers make during a coastal migration, they also make a similar run by visiting tackle shops frequented during the season, as well as perhaps stumbling on a new one unvisited in the past.

That is precisely what happened when a familiar couple drove up and popped in along their trek from western Connecticut to Rhode Island and beyond. We chatted as they brought their fishing adventures up to date and made their way through the aisles looking for additions, replacements, or items they have not seen before. We talked about techniques, oldies but goodies, and practically ran the gamut on seasonal fishing.

To some people, fishing is a pastime or, better yet, a passion. To the rare few, recreational fishing is a way of life that very few fishers enjoy together. This is precisely how it is with Ben and Jen Torres of Newtown, whose exploits take them throughout the New England coast and into the inland waters and back country, pursuing prized fish.

“It was a match made in heaven,” as they put it. Fishing brought them together, catching fish brought enjoyment and extensive traveling and, ultimately, resulted in the pair making it “o-fish-al” by tying the knot in September of 2021. After teaming up early on, each and every season saw new additions to their arsenal of lures, rods, reels, accessories, and vehicles (even one to replace hotel rooms) that would afford them the necessities to complement their lifestyle.

Ardent kayakers, this couple is quite at home fishing both from shore and aboard their fully outfitted yaks. Whether it is striped bass, flounder, black sea bass, or a myriad of others from walleye to pickerel, trout, smallies, or bucketmouths, they are very much at home. Anyone meeting Ben or Jen will immediately feel the rush of enthusiasm that they have for the sport of fishing and their willingness to share their exploits. For them, there is always another challenge to meet, another fish to catch, and another memory to make. Godspeed on all of your journeys together!

On the Water

A frigid arctic blast hit the area, tanking air temps to 3 degrees and lower when factoring in the wind chill from 35-knot winds that brought temps down into negative territory. High pressure moved in from the west, stalling a cold front and allowing a warm one to briefly poke through as an offshore storm passed to the east.

Then, a strong coastal low moved up the eastern seaboard as air temps remained bitterly cold before moderating. Inshore water temps dropped to less than 40 degrees as winds gusted to more than 30 knots and waves fluctuated between 2- to 5 feet. Calmer seas prevailed during days when northeasterly or south and southwesterly winds subsided, but changed when a clipper system approached. This brought in another cold front, which coupled together with one more round of snow and rain, threatened low-land flooding during the Full Wolf Moon tide.

Considering this boatload of weather, it didn’t take long before soft water turned hard, showing off some newly formed black ice, the kind to which ice anglers flock during one of a season’s first good bites. Unfortunately, wind and false flags were an issue. Several inland waters in close proximity to the shore managed to build about 2- to 3 inches of tentatively safe ice, but any ice fishers venturing out remained relatively close to shore, punching a few holes to jig through. Farther north, ice built more aggressively as breaths are being held in anticipation of a January thaw.

Regardless of how safe ice appears to be, carrying along a pair of ice awls or picks will go a long way in enabling one to pull or crawl to safety if the ice should give way. Threading one end of an attached pair up one sleeve, behind the neck and out the other sleeve, will guarantee that they will always be handy when needed. With so many variables affecting ice strength and thickness on a lake or pond, safe ice can only be determined by probing, looking for fractures, examining where holes were previously punched, or by visually observing where others are ice fishing.

Remember, ice is never 100-percent safe. However, four inches of new, clear ice is generally safe for an average-sized angler to venture out on foot. Anything less is too risky. For a snow mobile, five inches is OK; 8- to 12 inches can typically handle an average automobile; and it’s about 12- to 15 inches for a pickup truck. As temperatures fluctuate and underground springs flow, fractures in the ice can occur, causing a certain area of a lake or pond to become unsafe, while other areas remain undisturbed. Using caution and common sense is the best tip and using a spud (ice chisel) to test thickness from near shore out exercises good judgment.

Of course, there are fishers that hit the cold briny for some good old fashioned New England winter fishing when seas calm down. Party or head boats are usually readily available, pending weather, but it’s always a good idea to call ahead, even if a reservation is made. Although heated rails are a plus, they’re not to be expected. The run may be long and sea conditions may be manageable, but a bit challenging, although the end result and fun encountered is often worth the trip. High on the menu are Atlantic cod, pollock, and red hake (ling), but whiting (silver hake) and Atlantic herring can also be caught.

Once our weather settles into one pattern or another, then planning a trout or Atlantic salmon trip to our inland waters will be viable. Until then, we will read the barometer and capitalize on breaks in the fronts to take advantage of some hearty winter fishing.

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. Masks required inside. 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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