Week of March 26th-April 2nd

Well, just when you thought the sure signs of spring were here, stripers beginning to swim towards open water, trout stockings in our local streams and rivers, seminars at Westport Outfitters and the closing of the month of March…not so fast…

At the time of this writing the Saugatuck River has started to recede from encroaching well up into the parking lot here at Westport Outfitters for the fourth time in two days. Sorry boys and girls, no blow out sale on all of the damaged inventory. Although we saw a lot of water, it did not get in, so we are good to go. Once all the totals are in, it is possible that some local towns received well over 5 inches of water over the course of three days. So now the healing begins. Did this storm, like the last, take the few remaining trout that were stocked and introduce them to the saltwater? Will the activity that we witnessed last week at the mouth of the Housey as well as on the mid Hudson, be non existent for the next few weeks? There is only one way to know, get out and fish!

Thursday, April 1st, 2010 will mark the beginning of the much anticipated Winter Flounder Season with some rule changes, so please be advised. The season will run through May 30th. Two fish per angler with a 12 inch minimum. On the subject of flat fish, I received an email from a contact at the CT DEP and expect new rule changes as well with Fluke. Their exact wording to me was to expect some “relaxation in regulations for 2010.”

As the sun hopefully starts to show itself, try drifting some clams or buck tails with worms on some darker muddy bottoms for Flounder. We have a huge selection of various rigs and hooks for targeting these species, so come on down.

Back to the bass, we continued to experience and receive reports all weekend despite some colder air temps that the stripers were still moving around at the mouth of the Housey. Soft plastics for the spin guys/gals while the fly folks were weighing in some sparse clousers off the bottom for fish up to 30 inches. We had a report from Rob D. who claims he has been having better luck at dusk and then into the night. Chicken Scratch Bombers accounted for several fish up to 32 inches. One positive attributed to the rain, Rob also reported in a salmon as well as a 21 inch large mouth bass standing in the same location that he took the stripers from!

Back up on the Mighty Hudson where the water is bigger and burlier, the fishing no doubt will take some added time to recover with all the tributaries that feed it, but keep the faith.

The freshwater streams really took a beating. I am fortunate enough to see the Mill River from the front step of my house and it looks more like a lake than a stream, showing no signs of receding anytime soon. Like the Saugatuck, the Mill does have some decent structure as well as deep holes where hopefully some of these fish were able to find refuge. Until things lighten up, I would stick to throwing metal, some heavily weighted nymps and/or stone flies should get it done should you have the opportunity to get out this Easter Weekend.

Before the rains the Micinillio Brothers have kicked off their season with a few nice bass from the Housey as well as a beautiful 21 inch rainbow on the long rods (see recent catches).

With that folks I will sign off, nothing to convincing yet, but as this report as well as the few previous have shown, fish are definitely on the move, some being forced to move, others finding some calm and continuing to feed. One thing is certain, these two recent storms are definitely going to be a game changer, let’s hope it’s for the better!!

Don’t forget this weekend, April 3rd @ 11:00 A.M. we will be hoisting another FREE seminar with the CT DEP. We will have two of the states top Fisheries Biologists here at the store to give us an update on the overall condition of the sound, some of the programs that are currently in place to make things better and a ton of time to ask all pertinent questions. You won’t want to miss this one!


NEXT WEEK’S FREE SEMINAR- April 10th- 11:00-A.M. Captain Rich Tenreiro-Fishing the Far Western Sound- Captain Rich is a U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Captain who has fished the Far Western Sound and beyond for his entire life and is the host of the ever popular fishing show Northeast Angling.

Bring your rods/reels down for servicing before the fish arrive. Look forward to seeing you all soon.

DON’T FORGET to click onto the “NEWS” tab for our complete list of upcoming FREE seminars!

2010 Lou Tabory/W.O. Fly Fishing Schools-SIGN UP TODAY!!

May 8th @ 6:00 A.M., Compo Beach, Westport, CT
May 15th @ 6:00 A.M., Compo Beach, Westport, CT
June 26th @ 6:00 A.M., Compo Beach, Westport, CT
July 17th @ 6:00 A.M., Compo Beach, Westport, CT
July 31st @ 6:00 A.M., Compo Beach, Westport, CT
 August 7th @ 6:00 A.M., Compo Beach, Westport, CT

This intro/intermediate course will begin promptly at 6:00 A.M. in the water, in your waders. Lou and the crew from W.O. will work with you in learning the general casting stroke for fly fishing; teach you how to read the water to identify bait movement, current, structure and feeding fish patterns and lanes. You will have the opportunity to cast some additional rods with varying types of lines for saltwater fly fishing. After the fishing, we will return to the shop where Lou will go over several formal slide presentations, that will reiterate what was learned on the water, including gear selection, knot tying, fly presentation and much, much more! After lunch, we will have an extended Q&A and then finally return to the park to wrap things up with more hands on casting. The day will end at approximately 3:00 P.M. Cost is $150.00, which includes a light breakfast, full lunch and refreshments throughout the day.

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 FISHINGTM