Some grueling March and early April weather is going to have a bit of a reprieve so we can get a successful opening day of trout season in. Striped bass and river herring activity will likely be spiking along with the temperatures before cold weather returns.
Connecticut Fishing Report
Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, told me that the school striped bass in the Connecticut River woke up this week. Sandworms have been the top producer for most anglers, but some fish are being taken on small swimming plugs and soft plastics as well. The herring are in the river in pretty good numbers, and before long we should have some good action with bigger fish patrolling the runs. Pike action is very consistent in the Haddam area, with fish taking spoons, jerkbaits, large soft plastics and large shiners. Blackfish and flounder reports were quiet out front, with the water temps still being very low for early April, but a good blast of warm water this weekend could get things moving. Andrew is all stocked and geared up for opening day; the shop will be open until 10 PM Friday and reopen at 4 AM Saturday. The opening day party will be in full swing, with CYR BBQ providing pulled pork sandwiches an fish tacos all weekend, along with some breakfast offerings on Saturday.
Mike Roy, of Reel Cast Charters, told me that he spent some time out on the rivers this week, and things have been steadily improving. He is still finding a consistent pick of holdover bass and with the influx of bait and a quick rise in surface temperatures, so better fish have been showing up. The warm temps of the weekend should fire things up nicely, and as more and more herring show up, more and more big bass should find them.
At Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, the trout guys continue to find good results in the Farmington TMA, and flows across the state look for this weekend’s opener. Blackfish anglers started making their way back to the water this week, and while reports are quiet, there have been enough guys going that some of them are most likely catching. The channel edges of the harbor and the mouth of the Housatonic are starting to produce some decent flounder catches here and there; while striper action up the Housatonic remains consistent. The fish are now on the tail of herring, and there has been some good action right up at the dam. The combination of warm weather and the incoming herring should really help accelerate things this weekend. There have been some solid bass reports from our neighbors to the south, so we shouldn’t be too far away from some good slugs of solid fish showing up.
Torrey, at Upcountry Sportfishing in New Hartford, is all set for opening day and told me that plenty of fishermen were out last week getting a jump start on the season. Plenty of fish were caught despite the cool temperatures at night, and flows are much better than usual for early April. A good amount of insect activity is now being observed, including Baetis/Blue Winged Olives (BWOs), some Midges, and Early Black Stones. Some fish have been rising to Winter Caddis in the mornings and occasionally to Midges and Baetis/BWO’s in the afternoons. Olive mayfly type nymphs in #16-18 seemed to be working better than average the past couple of days, probably due to the increased Baetis/BWO activity. Nymphers continue to have the best results in terms of both numbers and size, but the trout should become more active for the dry fly guys with the warm temps this weekend. Torrey is back to his “In Season” hours now: 8am-6pm Monday through Friday, and 6am-5pm on weekends.
Rhode Island Fishing Report
Captain Frank, of The Frances Fleet in Narragansett, didn’t have much to report this week, due to unfavorable conditions once again. He did say that things appear to be trending in the right direction for the weekend, and he still plans to add an offshore wreck trip to the schedule. He has moved the date of the offshore trip to Friday April 20th; they will be sailing at 10 PM and returning late on Saturday. Be sure to check with the office to confirm the sailing schedule for the offshore trip, and also to see when he plans to start sailing again in the inshore waters.
Mike, at Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly, reported that the ospreys are back in full force, and he has seen quite a few grabbing herring in the lower Pawcatuck River. Not coincidentally, the fishing for holdover bass has picked up in the river and a few solid reports have come in. There hasn’t been much in the way of big fish just yet, and most anglers are catching best on small swimmers and soft plastics. It should only be a matter of days before the first fresh fish show up at the West Wall, but no reports from that area have trickled in yet. A few anglers have been trying their luck with winter flounder in the breachway ponds, but Mike hasn’t heard much, good or bad, as far as reports. Mike has the shop fully stocked for trout season, and will have everything you may need for opening day.
Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, is gearing up for opening day, and has the largest selection of trout gear and bait in the Providence area. He will be open until 11 PM on Friday night and reopen at 4 AM on Saturday morning. As far as reports go, Dave told me that some bass were seen feeding on what appeared to be herring between Hog Island and Carnegie earlier this week. Dave also heard the first reports of keeper tog being caught this spring season, and the white perch are still very active. Along with all your trout supplies, Dave will have sand worms and crabs available as well.
Connecticut Fishing Forecast
After a long winter that did not want to end, it looks like we are getting graced with a small glimmer of great weather for the trout opener this weekend. Temperatures are rising quickly (then falling just as quickly), and there’s no doubt we’re set up for one of the best opening days (weather-wise) in a while. While trout fishing will certainly garner the most attention this weekend, the striped bass enthusiast should also benefit from the warm weather, with herring and bass action likely spiking. The tautog also seem to be waking up in the salt, with some solid reports trickling in from both states. For those who enjoy heading out on opening day, but aren’t into the trout, largemouth bass, pike and white perch reports have been very strong.
Waiting for reports for the Connecticut River
I’ve tried Old Saybrook twice at the mouth of the river with no luck yet so hopefully they’ll be here soon.