Pictured above: Jacob Ayotte with a beautiful RI carp.
Freshwater action remains very good in both states, and things appear to be trending in the direction of spring for the week ahead.
Rhode Island Fishing Report
The The Frances Fleet in Narragansett continues to wait for a reprieve from the wind, which has wreaked havoc on the Rhode Island cod fleet recently. The boats have remained tied to the dock this week, but Frank has high hopes that the cod will still be chewing when the weather cooperates. Looking ahead at the forecast for the weekend, the wind seems to be taking a turn for the better and they are optimistic that they will be sailing. They are scheduled to sail daily at 5 AM, but be sure to check ahead to ensure that the weather will cooperate, and that they are indeed sailing.
Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, reported that some local carp anglers are finding the fish starting to settle into their spring patterns, and some good catches have been reported. Jacob Ayotte took a beautiful 25-pound plus specimen this week. White perch, calico and largemouth bass are all also starting to show signs of increased activity. Good perch bites have been reported from Turner Reservoir and the Narrow River, and the calico seem to be chewing pretty much anywhere that they are found. Some of the local herring runs are starting to see some fish, and largemouth bass action should be good this weekend at ponds that get a herring run. Places like Gordon’s Pond in Warwick and Brickyard Pond in Barrington are both good places to look for some big largemouth this weekend. Opening day is right around the corner, and Dave will have the shop renovated and ready to go for all the festivities.
Connecticut Fishing Report
At Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, Andrew reports that the local TMA’s continue to fish good, with the snow melt providing some good clean flow. The pike in the Connecticut River seem to be setting up for the spawn, despite the major temperature swings and anglers are finding some good catches. Big live/dead baits have been working better since the temperatures started to dip again. There are still plenty of schoolie bass in the Connecticut River tribs, as well as the Housatonic, and they should fish nicely when things warm up next week. Stay tuned for opening day, as Andrew will have his annual BBQ, as well as helping to put on a huge carp conference for carp anglers up and down the east coast. The seminar is right down the street from the shop, and there will be plenty of carp supplies at the shop and at the seminar.
At Rivers End in Old Saybrook, Joe said that the word from local fishermen has remained about the same as the past few weeks. The Connecticut River tidal estuaries are still producing holdover bass from small schoolies to mid-30-inch fish. The cold days have made things tough, but enough warm days have been mixed in to keep the bite going. The same can be said for the Housatonic, where there are still plenty of fish, but the best reports are coming on the warmer days. Anglers from East Haddam up to Middletown are starting to pay more attention to pre-spawn pike, and the bite seems to be steadily improving. Don’t forget, this Saturday the shop will be holding its annual Surf Day from 10-4. There will be a number of seminars and demos, reps from a number of big time companies and some awesome raffle prizes; including a new Van Staal.
Rich, at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, reported that last week’s storm slowed down the reports coming from the Housatonic, but they are steadily starting to improve. We are likely closer to a prolonged stretch of warmer weather, and the fishing should really start to take off. River herring will start to trickle in any day now, and the bigger holdovers will take notice. Before long we should also start to see the arrival of some fresh bass, and there are almost always a few big outliers in that first push. The local TMA’s continue to produce some good catches of trout, and the official opening day is right around the corner on April 8th.
Torrey, at Upcountry Sportfishing in Pine Meadow, reported that things have been going good below the permanent Catch & Release area, where Sam Morse managed some nice holdover and wild browns in the 16-19 inch range over the weekend on Stonefly Nymphs. The best fishing lately has been in the areas that were recently stocked, from Whittemore to the dam in Riverton and from below the Route 219 Bridge in New Hartford to the lower dam in Collinsville. Total flow in the permanent Catch & Release area is a moderate 244cfs (161cfs from dam in Riverton, plus 83cfs from the Still River). With normal flows here lately, some normal sized nymphs (#14-16) are working, along with the smaller #18-20 Midge Pupa/Larva & Pheasant Tails that have been so effective the past month. Even some good reports on big #8 Mop flies lately too, especially on the recent stockers. Bigger Stones #8-12 are pulling less but bigger fish. If you are looking for rising trout, target the soft water in the big wide pools (generally Caddis in AM, and Midges & Stones in afternoons, but that is a very general rule and varies from day to day). Winter & Early Stones are all hatching, especially on milder/sunny days- Tiny Winter Black Stone sz 18-24 (Capnia), Early Black sz 14-16, and Early Brown sz 14-16. Trout are rising to the Stones at times, but nymphal imitations continue to be the most consistent producers.
Rhode Island Fishing Forecast
Constant temperature changes have made it difficult for anglers (and the fish) to get in any sort of pattern, but things look to finally be leveling off. Hopefully the cod fleet can finally leave the dock this week, and cash in on some warmer temps next week. There are reports from across New England of some river herring starting to show up, and the bass fisheries around their runs should be blowing up very soon. Pike, perch and largemouth bass are all viable options in both states, and the trout fishing will remain strong in the TMA’s right up to opening day.