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A cruise around Long Island Sound or a walk along the beaches can result in interesting encounters with various pinnipeds like these harbors seals originating from Maine and Nova Scotia. Photo illustration courtesy of Captain Morgan

Somewhere between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, we find ourselves in the middle of winter. Will this winter’s on-and-off pattern persist or will the season’s weather turn the corner and shorten the throes of winter? There’s little doubt that daylight makes days seem longer and, as that is often associated with warming temperatures, hope for an early spring emerges.

Groundhog Day focuses on that transition and, as our hibernating prognosticators are ungraciously pulled from their deep burrows to transport their thoughts to anxiously waiting translators, the worlds of both winter warriors and sunshine worshipers wait in anticipation. That is now.

The origins of Groundhog Day can be assigned to somewhere around the 16th century—a forerunner of sorts to forecasting the weather. Being that February is considered mid-winter, many folks then (as they do today) looked forward to spring. It’ the time to take a stab at when the last frost will occur and when the ground will thaw, thereby signaling the time to plant.

Back then, lighted candles were the method used to determine such a forecast. Prior to transitioning from winter to spring, when days are often relatively calm, if a candle remained lit, winter stayed. On the other hand, if the flame blew out, there would be an early spring.

When the German settlers came to America, they brought their rudimentary weather prediction tradition with them. Over time, candles were replaced with a groundhog’s shadow. It was the Pennsylvania Dutch who substituted the badger or dachshund with the groundhog, and it was back then, in the British Isles, that the tradition was called Candlemas Day.

The following English poem sums it up, even though changes in a day’s length are much more reliable: “If Candlemas by fair and bright, winter has another fight. If Candlemas brings cloud and rain, winter will not come again.”

So, what will it be? Punxsutawney Phil, with a 35-41 overall record and 50 percent for the last decade, saw his shadow and predicted another six weeks of winter. Connecticut’s state official Chuckles predicted six more weeks, while New York’s Staten Island Chuck saw no shadow, thereby predicting an early spring. Sadly, Milltown Mel, New Jersey’s favorite groundhog, passed away two days before, consequently canceling the event. Technically, according to the calendar, there is always at least six more weeks of winter until the spring equinox.

However, the way this winter season has been fluctuating from one extreme to another, temperatures can easily warm sooner. Many fishers are already gearing up in preparation for an early start or possibly to have a leg up on the supply chain. Whatever the reasoning, there’s early activity taking place. In the traditional sense, this fisherman is sensing an early start to the season. What say you?

Unseasonably fair weather remained in control prior to the weekend, where high pressure dominated and air temperatures reached into the mid-40s until a cold front crossed the area. The weekend saw another high pressure system develop in spite of a looming threat of another stormy weekend event that was followed by an offshore low pressure as it skirted by the region. Meanwhile, Long Island Sound water temperatures came up a few degrees to around the mid- to high-30s and colder in the tidal rivers, while the difference in air and water temperatures caused periods of dense fog.

Although the warmer air temps and some rainfall made the hard water a bit slushy, it did little to reduce ice thickness. However, some of the shallower lakes and ponds may have developed fractures before re-freezing, so caution should be taken. That said, ice fishing remained a viable activity throughout much of the state, including south of the I-95 corridor with thicknesses topping 7- to 10 inches in many areas north of that line.

Flags flipped as largemouth bass hit hard on live shiners, especially prior to drops in barometric pressure. Yellow perch, black crappie, pickerel, some nice northern pike, and walleye flipped flags or fell to jigging sticks. The boost in warm weather prompted many fishers to take a vacation day or use down time to freshen up their bait and gear, then hit their fishing hole. This window of opportunity provided nearly windless days through periods of rain.

February typically brings cold days that give ice fishers time to pause and think about how long this year’s hard water will last. True, there is a warming trend along coastal waters and, to a degree, inland. Nevertheless, it is a far cry from Connecticut’s record setting temperature of -32 recorded in Falls Village within the town of Canaan recorded on Feb. 16, 1943. From all indications, we will be flipping flags for little while longer south of I-95 and longer than that north of I-95 and into the northwest and northeast corners of the state.

If anglers are looking for flowing or partially flowing rivers and streams, scouting will be in order. Once located, trout can be found, searuns will attempt to run the tidals upriver through any ice blockages, and broodstock Atlantic salmon catches will definitely vary with flows. Although baits will produce, artificial lures such as swimmers and inline spinners, as well as sinking flies, might be the better bet.

If looking for some winter relaxation and fun, hit the beaches and be on the lookout for members of our seal population that are taking the winter in stride. Maybe even hop on a vessel or take one of those seal watching tours that cruise Long Island Sound, looking for our cute pinnipeds nestled on many of the shores’ rocky outcrops. You will smile as you see them sprawled out or even posing in a banana-like position. They will usually feed around high tide and bask during low, digesting their last meal that probably consisting of fish (about four to six a day), shellfish, and crustaceans.

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. 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.

Taking break from ice fishing Bantam Lake under the cover of their well-equipped shanty, Rob Williams (standing) of Madison and Chris Dejlitko (seated) of West Haven soak in the sun. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan