Printer Friendly Version - A Full Week of Fishing in Both the Sweet and Briny

Avid young fisher Nicholas Dietz of Madison (left) takes the top spot in Captain Morgan’s annual trout contest with a nice 1.49-pound, 15-inch brown trout and Knox Chandler of Guilford (right), another experienced angler, sent over his pic of a nice pair of brook and rainbow trout to capture the best photo. Congrats! Photo illustration courtesy of Captain Morgan

Three key fishes were the driving forces on which anglers focused as the weekend recouped from April’s trying weather conditions. During a break from gusty winds, turbulent seas, and buckets of rain, salters took to the briny for the challenging blackfish (tautog) and the ever-popular striped bass that worked the tidal rivers and beaches. The air was clean and crisp as noticeable signs of spring took hold, displaying more green and showing off forsythia and cherry blossoms dotting southern Connecticut.

It was a good feeling to once again be touched by the cool salt spray either coming off of the surf driven by a southwesterly breeze or the bow slicing through the wavy Sound. Even if it was a trial run to test the vessel’s engines, systems, and electronics, it was a welcomed break from the norm. However, the main goal was to hook up with a linesider or catch a limit of ‘togs—preferably, a pair of what old salts refer to as whitechins.

The third fish—or first, depending on your preference—is our inland trout. Those are the colorful fish that take a much smaller hook, require lighter gear, and can certainly put up a strong fight or display acrobatic antics once hooked. With Opening Day of trout season in Connecticut as we knew it now gone, along with its longtime traditions, the lure of pursuing a trout has not diminished.

As one angler said while purchasing live trout worms and returning from an extended journey that took him down to Florida across to Texas into Albuquerque and back home, “It’s good to leave the dust and fish for trout in the Salmon River once again.” So, while the shop’s annual trout contest notches another year and anglers spread out fishing the rivers, streams, and lakes in hopes of landing the heaviest trout or coming up with an eye-popping photo, the scale and email patiently waits for the results.

These were two good days for a trout contest! Weather and fishing conditions were good, even though the wind, water levels, and flows did present a challenging and variable platform in which to fish. However, persistent anglers prevailed and were rewarded accordingly. As we approached both a column and contest deadline, at this time, we can say we have the official winners of Captain Morgan’s Annual Codi and Bubba’s Trout Contest for both the heaviest trout caught and best photo submitted. The winning anglers are Nicholas Dietz of Madison for the heaviest trout, a 1.49-pound, 15-inch brown trout, and Knox Chandler of Guilford, who sent in his pic of a nice pair of brook and rainbow trout that he caught. Congratulations to the winners! Hopefully, all who participated enjoyed their time fishing the waters.

Low pressure and cold fronts hit the area, prompting air temperatures to dip below freezing before brief high pressure and warm fronts brought buckets of rain, gusty winds topping 50 knots, and low-area coastal flooding. These systems briefly repeated before heading out to sea as high pressure with diminishing southerly winds took hold, but were still gusty enough to keep many fishers and their vessels at bay. A weakened frontal system approached prior to the weekend, accompanied by another cold front before high pressure regained dominance that carried through the week. Air temperatures in the mid- to high 50s held, while nearshore water temps remained in the high 40s, touching 50 degrees in places. Expect dry conditions, but cool high pressure to set in for the week.

As striped bass season kicked into place, holdover schoolies became more active in most coastal tidal rivers and along the beaches. Certainly, the inshore reefs held fish, but there were not enough vessels on the water to take advantage of the Connecticut run. Soft baits, swim shads, hard swimmers, and topwaters took many throwbacks as fly fishers had to deal with the winds, but scored on sinking flies. More than a few slot-limit linesiders were caught, but many were in the over and under category—mostly under. Look for a decent sand eel run this season.

As the spring blackfish (tautog) season winds down, ‘toggers will be out in force as the weather breaks, winds calm down, and water temps climb. Most of fish that have been hooked have been small, although a few outlier whitechins fell to a ‘tog jig and crab, namely at the walls in New Haven with decent results off Clinton. Productive water depths varied due to the winds and cool water temps, but on the better days, 20- to 25 feet has been a good starting point, whereas the walls recently came alive with a few fish in the 7- to 10-pound range.

Seeking out prize blackbacks to start off the winter flounder season was hampered by the southerly winds, especially those fishing the open bays and harbor channels. Fishers that managed to score dinner took advantage of either a calm tide or a northerly breeze that was generally blocked or partially blocked by land. Sea worms and clams (perhaps mixed with mussels) were the key baits, along with simple single or double hook rigs. Light saltwater or medium freshwater setups were good choices with sensitives tips that would detect the slightest nibble.

Trout, trout, and more trout continue to top inland conversations. Rainbows, browns, brookies, and tigers are running the gamut when high river levels and flows aren’t playing havoc with anglers. So far, the stocking appears to be keeping up with the demand. However, as the flippant weather conditions moderate and more anglers hit the inland waters, we will have to wait and see if the quality and frequency of fish caught maintains its current pace.

As river flows, levels, and water temps fluctuate, so do the conditions in which to fish. During this period of fluctuation, we see the morning and late-day bite switch from live baits to scented ones, from swimmers to spinners, and from nymphs and streamers to dries. In many cases, the strikes are hard and the runs invigorating, especially with browns and tigers. With that in mind, periodically check your knots and about the first 12 inches of line for abrasions.

In addition to the trout family of fishes, the basses remain aggressive in their pre-spawn stage. Spinnerbaits, cranks, soft plastics, and small jigs continue to produce along weedlines, points, and drop-offs. Pay particular attention to the shallows. Pickerel, perch, black crappie, some northerns, catfish, and carp are all in play, as are white perch in the tidal rivers, as well as American and hickory shad.

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 reels, swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days at 21 Boston Post Road in 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.

Thumbs up for Troy Hawk, 6, of Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania, for a single-handed effort in catching his first striped bass, a slot limit one, to boot. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan