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04/13/2022 12:00 AMIt has been 25 years since our inaugural trout contest was held at Captain Morgan’s and 17 years since it began memorializing Codi and Bubba, two of our local boys who forever fished and pranked together until, unfortunately, they were taken from us too early in their young lives. Fishing was in their blood, and the memories they created could have very easily been chronicled in any vintage fishing novel.
Once again, it is the time of year for trout rivers to swell up from torrential rains after freeing themselves of winter’s icy banks. Buds are popping through, nature’s debris is being washed downriver, and fish hawks are targeting recently released trout. Although these mark just a few of spring’s familiar occurrences, this season is quite different.
The age-old tradition of Opening Day is passé, and regularly scheduled associated events are left to their own devices to carry on in an attempt to capture a bit of yesteryear. This is what Captain Morgan’s is attempting to accomplish and, hopefully, others will follow suit. This event may not signify Opening Day of trout season, but it is an effort to have anglers both young and old get together to welcome the season, enjoy each other’s company, and create a memory. Oh yes, and perhaps even catch a fish or two from the 477,000 trout planned to be stocked this spring.
In the process, it is an opportunity for the experienced to teach the inexperienced the intricacies of angling and the basics of how to fish in the company of others. All that being said, when it comes to feeling that little nibble and a tug on the hook, all else is ignored. The focal point now becomes one’s line moving through the water or the trout that suddenly breaks the water’s surface, exhibiting its sheer size. Whether it is one’s first fish ever, the first of the day, or one in a long list of catches, the feeling of accomplishment is the same, So, if you need a reason to get together with friends and family or to get on the sweet water and catch a trout, this is your chance. It will be fun, rewarding, and relaxing.
Captain Morgan’s 25th annual Codi & Bubba Trout Contest will be held on Saturday, April 23. Registration is $5 and kids under 12 fish free when accompanied by a registered adult. Catch fish anywhere and weigh in at Captain Morgan’s. Heaviest trout caught earns first place. Scales are open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Also, there will be a prize offered for the best photo of a trout and contestant (time-date stamped between 6 a.m. on April 23 and 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 24) and emailed to CaptainMorganUSA@hotmail.com no later than April 24 at 7 p.m. If you cannot make the event, your donation is welcome.
On the Water
A warm front stalled southwest of the region as low pressure emerged from the mid-Atlantic, putting our waters on the northern portion of the storm system as it became a miss. A stronger frontal system and low pressure moved across prior to the weekend, along with high seas, as it hung over the Northeast leading into the weekend, causing rain as air temperatures rose into the mid-50s to climbed to 60. Meanwhile, nearshore Long Island Sound water temperatures hovered around the low- to mid 40s, adding bounce to an already active spring fishing season.
April has been exhibiting typical winds that shake out the trees and bushes, clearing the way for new budding, but slapping us with temperature readings that cause the mercury to rise and fall as various weather fronts sweep through. Although they affect fish behavior, particularly their foraging, the season is progressing and the fish are in their active pre-spawn period.
For the most part, winds kept fishers at bay, but as better weather dominated and calmer seas prevailed, more ‘toggers ventured out looking for those early season whitechins that might be tucked in those walls, rocky structures, and nearshore reefs. Catches improved with the warming trend, and any ‘togs caught, especially those breaking five pounds, took a ‘tog jig and crab. Like almost every year in April, things typically come together as the month draws to a close and spring ‘togs catch a break until July. Weather aside, the bite has been above-average. Flipping the coin to winter flounder, it was the protected bays and inshore flats that saw varied action as a handful of fishers worked the bottom for any blackbacks that might be looking for a meal.
Striped bass action is improving as schoolies are being caught in the key tidal rivers and along some of the beaches as holdovers spread out. For now, deal with slot limit fish or under as these hungry linesiders are looking to beef up. This week saw increased water temperatures, so activity should increase accordingly. An assortment of plugs, soft plastics, bait, jigs, and flies are all options. For now, most fish are on the small side, so keep that in mind when rigging up. Bait and inline circle hooks should be second nature by now. Shad, alewives, and bluebacks are in and menhaden are filtering into the Sound.
Trout fishing is open in all waters. Trout Management Areas opened on April 9 to catch and keep, but not all. Some remained catch and release year-round, including Class 1 Wild Trout Management Areas. There have been quality rainbows, browns, and brookies caught to date as stocking trucks continue to work. Inline spinners, swimmers, scented baits, and flies all are doing well. Crowds have been kept to a minimum until stocking days, so there are plenty of opportunities to cast in peace. If you are looking to hook into a nice bucket mouth, now is the time to hit many of the lakes and ponds. Smallies have been active as well including many of the regular species like yellow perch, pickerel, black crappie, catfish, and bullheads. Northern pike have been making inroads where isolated coves have attracted bait. Casting to the edges of the grass will most often garner a strike. Live bait or lures—take your pick.
Another Option
During a recent meeting of the Atlantic State Marine Fisheries Commission focused on the Harvest Control Rule Draft Amendment, a new intricate methodology concept (Option C) was presented and discussed that would add another dimension to the harvest numbers already supplied by the Marine Recreational Information Program. It purportedly would give those figures a more realistic and well-rounded account of the health and sustainability of the summer flounder (fluke), porgy (scup), black sea bass, and bluefish stocks by scoring each species independently to better determine a more precise Recreational Harvest Limit or how many pounds of fish can be landed. Several options were discussed including no action, percent change, fishery score, biological reference, and biomass based matrix approaches. It was the fishery score (Option C) that placed individual species in bin 1-4 (good to very poor) that drew most of the interaction among the participating group.
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 crabbing 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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