Digging Out, Conditions Improving
Hartford Show This Weekend
I’m likely in good company when I say that I’m still sore from digging out of this mess. More than three feet of snow fell in my hometown of Milford, Connecticut, which received a mindboggling six inches per hour Saturday morning. As one could expect, very little fishing was done anywhere in southern New England since last week’s report. However, road conditions are improving, parking areas are being cleared and snow is melting, so this weekend will be back to business as usual for anglers itching to wet a line or just get out of the house. There is a big fishing show in Hartford, cod fishing off Block Island, trout fishing in rivers, and a limited number of ice-fishing options in northern Connecticut.
Rhode Island Fishing Report
Cod fishing was put on hold for a while thanks to the blizzard, but things got back on track midweek and the fish were right where the head boats left them. Captain Chris of the Island Current reported a super day on the grounds Wednesday with a full-boat limit of codfish and a nice mix of pollock too. The pool-winning fish was in the low 20-pound class and all the catching was done on fresh skimmer clams while at anchor with generous amounts of chum in 120 feet of water. Chris is optimistic about sailing conditions for Friday and Saturday, but is keeping an eye on high forecasted winds for Sunday. So if you’re on the fence about which day to go this weekend, the first half may be the better play.
Fishing for trout in the Wood River or other small streams is another option this weekend, one that you won’t be able to do when the season ends in two weeks. Dave at River and Riptide closed the shop early on Friday and hit the Wood River during the storm. He broke off a nice trout and landed another using a bead-head leach pattern that he casted downstream and across fishy-looking water. Dave went back Sunday and saw some nice trout milling around, yet they were extra spooky from snow and ice falling from the trees. As a sidebar, Dave noted that a silver lining of the recent storm is the heavy snow pack that we now have, which will mean healthy flows in our local waterways this spring.
A major downside of the storm is the ice conditions on area lakes and ponds. There wasn’t a whole lot of ice to begin with and now it’s cloaked in a couple feet of heavy, wet snow, which can further worsen the integrity of the ice as it melts. Unfortunately, conditions are just not good enough to promote any kind of ice fishing in Rhode Island this weekend.
Connecticut Fishing Report
You can cure any signs of cabin fever by going to the 2013 Fishing & Hunting Show at the Connecticut Convention Center this weekend, which starts Friday at noon and ends Sunday at 7 PM. There will be dozens of exhibitors on hand, including On The Water at booths 118/120, as well as over 50 hours of informative seminars and casting demos. Fishing seminar topics include Understanding What it Takes to Catch Bass from the Surf, Sharking Made Simple, Best Kept Secrets for Trophy Bass Revealed, Small Boat Inshore Tuna Fishing, Targeting Trophy Striper Bass, Carp Fishing in & Around New England, Black Fishing Tactics & Techniques, Special Rigs for Stripers, Fluke & Cod Fish, Night Time Bass Fishing In the Race, Down Rigging for Striped Bass Success, and Fluke Fishing the Mouth of the Connecticut River. Check out the website for the seminar schedule and full exhibitor list: http://www.fishinghuntingshow.com/north-east-hunting-and-fishing-home.cfm.
If you’re determined to ice fish this weekend, the storm had less of a negative impact on conditions in the northwest corner of Connecticut. While that part of the state still received a ton of snow, many lakes and ponds had there had about a foot of ice before the first flakes fell. Blaine at Connecticut Outfitters said anglers are slowly getting back into the groove of ice fishing in deep snow like we did two winters ago. He noted that it will be sloppy out there, but there are a handful of places, Mount Tom Pond and Highland Lake for example, where people have been on since the storm. Dave at Valley Angler said Candlewood Lake’s Jig & Pig will be held this Saturday after being postponed two weeks in a row. The tournament runs from 6 AM to 2 PM out of the New Fairfield State Park Boat Launch, but you have to register at Valley Angler in person or over the phone by Friday evening. There is a $25 entry fee and cash prizes will be awarded for the heaviest bass, perch and trout. Dave said some jumbo yellow perch and smallmouth bass were coming out of Candlewood just before the storm. Please be smart if hitting the ice this weekend and don’t leave home without your spud bar and ice picks!
Trout fishing in streams and rivers is a viable option this weekend, but probably easier done with a pair of snow shoes. Torrey from Housatonic River Outfitters said the Cornwall area of the Housy is fishable again, no slush as of Wednesday morning, and the flow is clear and on the upper-end of medium. He wasn’t sure how many pull-offs have been plowed, but Housatonic Meadows State Park is accessible. Torrey said late mornings through late afternoon are peak winter fishing time on milder days. Egg flies and scuds are top winter choices, along with stoneflies, prince nymphs, caddis larva, midge pupa/larva, and San Juan worms. He added to focus fishing efforts on softer water in pools and deeper runs. Torrey also said there will be a free fly tying class this Saturday and to call the shop for details.
Fishing Forecast for the Weekend
Cod fishing is back after a brief layoff and the bite is still on. You won’t have to deal with any snow either which is a bonus. I’d suggest scheduling a trip on Friday or Saturday with one of our local head boats as Sunday’s wind forecast doesn’t look good. If actual fishing is not in the cards, you can still get your fix at the Fishing & Hunting Show in Hartford. It will be a great way to get pumped up for spring, which is right around the corner!