Week of November 5th-November 12th

Well folks, don’t give up hope just yet, this coming weekend they say the temperatures may even breach the 60 degree mark, so break out some gloves and some layers and get some fishing in. The trout stocking in our local rivers and streams seems to have been a good one. The WTMAs have produced some beautiful fish on the Mill River specifically. The TMAs that were heavily stocked continue to produce fish up to 22 inches. With the recent winds almost daily, if your constitution allows, I would stick with some streamers and nymphs, only because it has been very difficult to actually track a dry fly with all of the foliage in the water. If you find some clear water, try a few BWOs or perhaps even a Muddler Minnow, but fish it dry with some floatant and slowly retrieve it back towards you.

Back on the salt the reports continue to come in, although getting more sporadic, which is normal for this time of year. The fish are really starting to move, some into local estuaries, some out and some just passing through. Now more important than ever during this time of year is simply putting your time in, it will really start to be a percentages game, so if you have the time, wet a line. With the water temperatures the way they are, the blues are still around. Local Westport Striped Bass Club Members Jim C. and Sam B. had blues up to 14 lbs at will earlier in the week out at 11B with just a few other boats around. Jigging although seemingly a simplistic way to catch fish is indeed an art with real technique needed, so be sure to swing by before you head out and we can give you some pointers to increase your catch ratio. Having a moving tide is critical and being on the right side of the structure is equally critical, so don’t over look these variables. Leave the spinning rods stowed and break out some stiffer conventional set ups…say 15-30 lb rigs and drop the silver down and hold on!

Back in tight, Burial Hill this week definitely produced if you could stand the wind. NNW you would think would be okay but it seemed to shift as the day went on, almost turning out of the east. I found sanctuary at Kensie Point, where after about an hour of fishing, I had 3 good sized bass up to 30 inches on the fly rod. Just to the left of me closer to Pine Creek I witnessed a man who was chunking who landed what seemed to be at least a 20lb fish that he safely released.

The reports from the Housey from both the fly, spin and bait crowd are really starting to heat up as well. It does not seem to matter where, whether at the mouth, near Birdseye and/or above, the fish are around and in good numbers. The lower portion of the river is still loaded with 12-14 lb blues in shallow water up tight against the reeds, so try tossing a crease fly and/or small popper and hold on. Dave L. reported in three fish from shore that topped 14 lbs on Wednesday A.M. on the dropping tide, all on poppers near the mouth.

Back to the West, the Tog bite continues to be better than good if the darn wind cooperates. Although this may be redundant, what separates a good day of blackfishing from a good one could be inches, not feet, so the wind can really reap havoc on fall anglers targeting Togs. Load up on some green crabs and get to your local rock pile and drop them down. Much like Porgy fishing, if you are not getting a bite in a short period of time, readjust immediately. Readjusting on Tuesday with a decent breeze, found local Ned trying 4 locations off of Westport before settling in around the vicinity off of George’s Rock where he limited out within two hours and tossed back at least 20 fish that were keepers in most boats. Biggest fish to the rail was 8.5 lbs.

The bass, as we all know, begin to move at this time of year which can be frustrating after you hear a report that claimed they were jumping in the boat to only return the next day and not even sniff a fish, but this boys and girls is fishing and that scenario plays itself out all season long. There is however something you can do to combat this, spent as much time as possible on the water when you can and I promise you, you will all get into some nice fall bass.

A crew of three, captained by good friend Ed, headed out on Wednesday from Westport, taking advantage of the holiday and were greeted with a chilly, but beautiful sunrise. Lines were in the water by 7:45 A.M. as they worked the jetty off of Southport for their share of schoolie bass up to 21 inches on light tackle and fly rods. As the tide really started to drop they were still able to sneak up inside and were rewarded with a fat 17.5 lb bass (see recent catches). Later they moved off of Penfield for some top water blue action to 12 lbs and back to the dock and at the Black Duck for lunch by 1:00 P.M….not a bad day off boyz.

Further to our west, the coastline of Darien continues to heat up as well. Coming put of the river, Darren had his share of bass just after first light in tight on Tuesday. He noted that finally, there was some decent bird activity, giving the location of these fish up right away. Nothing huge, but stout fish up to 30 inches all on light tackle and poppers.

Well folks, that’s about it, this weekend is looking great from a weather standpoint so whether you choose to fish in the salt or take a hike up in the woods for some wild trout, the main point is that you get out. The fishing remains strong and you will thank me for motivating you when it’s February 18th and it’s negative 6 outside. So whether it be jigging, togging, troutin’(my friend Dave says this) or bassin, you won’t have too many more opportunities, to do so, so get on out and ENJOY!

Eric C. Johnson
Westport Outfitters, LLC
609 Riverside Ave.
Westport, CT
06880
www.westportoutfitters.com
www.allseasonsmarineworks.com
p-203.341.9490
f-203.341.9423
ejohnson@westportoutfitters.com
TAKE THE FAMILY FISHING