While a few brave anglers are fishing the last bit of ice in the hills, it appears that spring has finally arrived. Holdover striped bass reports are multiplying by the day, along with pike in the Connecticut River and trout in all the local TMAs.
Connecticut Fishing Report
Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, told me that open-water pike in the Connecticut River is the hot local bite right now. The gradual melt and a lack of heavy rain have kept river levels under control, and slightly cleaner than it usually is this time of year. Big live baits fished under floats, or big dead baits on the bottom are the most consistent producers, but large, brightly-colored artificials are also producing well. Big white or chartreuse spinnerbaits, suspending swimbaits or large soft plastics are good producers, and should be fished slowly in this cold water. The Housatonic River is pretty much ice free, and that seems to have woken up the large schools of holdover bass. Andrew reported that anglers have been getting good numbers of school bass from Milford to Shelton on Alabama rigs, while a few anglers have managed some keepers on rigged Slug-Gos after dark. Ice anglers in the northwest corner are still reporting good ice to over a foot thick in places, but an impending heavy rain Friday night could put an end to this prolonged hardwater season.
Mike Roy of Reel Cast Charters took his maiden voyage of the season on the Housatonic River this week. Earlier in the week, Mike reported massive groups of school striped bass that were eager to hit Alabama rigs, despite the cold water temperatures. The fish were lethargic but a slow and steady presentation was all it took to get large numbers of fish on the boat. A Wednesday night trip saw similar results, and also saw an increase in the size of the bass. Along with plenty of schoolies, Mike and his clients saw quite a few keepers up to 15 pounds. Paddletail jigs and larger Slug-Gos accounted for most of the keepers, and is a good sign that bigger fish are moving in and looking for bigger baits. Things should only improve in the upcoming weeks.
Rich, at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, said that the Housatonic opening up this week has really got angling attention kicked back up in the western part of the state. Anglers are reporting big numbers of small school bass during the daylight hours, with small soft plastics on light jigs, Alabama rigs and bucktails being the go-to lures. After dark bass numbers may drop a bit, but some larger fish are coming out to hunt in the stealth of the darkness. Keeper bass to 38 inches have been reported from boat and shore anglers along the river, with 9-inch Slug-Gos and SP Minnows being the plugs of choice. Tautog and winter flounder have opened in Connecticut, and while it should take a few more weeks of warming to start seeing tautog locally, winter flounder reports from the local bays and harbors should be coming in soon. In other freshwater news, fly-fishermen are reporting some quality fish from the local TMAs, with conditions being pretty good due to the gradual melt.
Torrey at Upcountry Sportfishing in Pine Meadow reported that the Farmington River remains free of slush or floating ice, and the total flow through the TMA/C&R area is at a nice medium 370 cfs. Some good reports came in from fly-fishermen up and down the river last weekend, with anglers that located pods of freshly stocked fish having the best luck. Torrey recommends moving around often and covering large areas of water, if you get into a fish or two it’s a safe bet that a few more are sitting that pool. Slowly fished nymphs and deep, slow streamers have been the most reliable producers, but dry-fly guys are finding more and more fish rising each day. Bug activity has been very strong with good numbers of Tiny Winter Black (18-24), Early Black (12-16) and Early Brown (14-16) stones showing all over the river.
Rhode Island Fishing Report
The last blast from the winter that didn’t want to end kept The Frances Fleet in Narragansett tied up to the docks for yet another week. Warmer weather finally appears as if it is here to stay, and should wake the cod fishery back up. The big news this week is that the sailing schedule has changed to 7 A.M. start times on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and weekends could be booked by reservation. Captain Frank reminds clients to call ahead on the morning of their trip, as last minute cancellations can occur depending on the weather.
The Island Current Fleet in Point Judith made their last trip out of Snug Harbor this past weekend and was able to find a few interested cod, although the overall results were sub-par. Another week or two of warm weather should help this fishery, but the Island Current will be heading home to City Island, New York to start spring and summer sailing for Fluke, Sea Bass, Blackfish, Scup, Stripers and Blues. Be sure to check out their website for updated fishing season information, regulations and full sailing schedules.
Captain Howard, at Galilee Bait and Tackle in Narragansett, reported that things have remained quiet on the open-water front, and anglers are praying for a good warm-up before opening day of trout season on April 11. Many of the winter holdover and early spring striper hot spots were still holding some ice earlier this week, and with water temperatures barely above freezing, fish and fishermen activity have been minimal. A string of warm days like we are seeing now could send surface temperatures up quickly, and news of holdover bass in the salt ponds and the Narrow River will probably be heard this weekend.
Fishing Forecast
The unique fishery that is holdover striped bass fishing in Connecticut and Rhode Island should really get kicked into high gear, with more warmth and rising flows coming our way this weekend. It is likely another week or two before river herring arrive in good numbers, but there will still be plenty of bass to play with in the meantime. For those who are more interested in the smaller rivers, fly-fishing the local TMAs should remain excellent right up to opening day.
The mill river TMA has not been stocked as of April 2 . Is the state just behind schedule due to the late thaw?
They attempted to stock 2 weeks ago. access rd was all ice. Supposed to stock next week.
That’s the mill river in Hamden …TMA in sleeping giant state park.
Are there any reports about winter flounder fishing in Southeastern Ct? If so where ?