Week of June 18th- June 25th

TWO SPOTS LEFT FOR THIS WEEKEND'S FLYFISHING SCHOOL WITH W.O. & LOU TABORY. DON’T MISS OUT!!

PESCA MAYA TRIP MOVED TO JANUARY. CHECK UNDER THE “NEWS” SECTION FOR ALL THE DETAILS!

ALL NEW SMITH/ACTION OPTICS ANGLING SUNGLASSES HAVE ARRIVED!!

SEND YOUR REPORTS AND PICS VIA EMAIL TO ejohnson@westportoutfitters.com!

Well folks, first off, I hope you all enjoyed the video we took from Montana. As those of you know who have visited this great state, there is still some technology that is lacking and thus we could not post the hard update. I know the guys back at the shop were fishing all week, so hopefully you stopped in to get the full report.

As a recap of our annual pilgrimage to Montana, we once again were greeted with some very interesting weather patterns. The week started off throwing micro caddis to hungry trout, some streamers when the cloud cover came over and ended with some nymping when the rains came. Tuesday we were fishing in the rain all day on some ranch lands that were fed by spring creeks to form several large ponds where we were sight casting size 26 pink scuds to monster browns from 24-27 inches. In the middle of the week we escaped some very high water and fished the legendary Beaverhead River for once again a great day with some monster bows in the mix to 26 inches. Friday, unfortunately, the Big Hole River was flowing at just under 9,000 CFS and looked like a dark cup of coffee. Streamers were the method of choice and the fish were very hard to come by, but at least it was not raining on us. All in all another great week at the Complete Fly Fisher in Wise River Montana. If you want in on this trip for next year, contact me directly. We have plenty of room! www.completeflyfisher.com.

Back locally the fishing has remained strong despite some pretty consistent high temperatures as well as almost on cue, a passing cell or two of some boomers in the afternoon. The water temps are hovering right around 68-70 degrees, but keep in mind these are surface temps, so don’t get too scared. Bunker schools are just about everywhere you would expect them to be, while the sand eels are still all over the place, concentrating in areas like Compo Cove, Kensie Point, Cove Park and Compo. I am always looking forward, but I must reflect and just say remember this time last year? Enough said…

The blues it is safe to say are here, despite me being in denial. It seems as if each day the size of these monsters coming to the net gets bigger and bigger. If you don’t want them on the end of your line, try focusing on low light conditions or better yet, no light. A lot of what these fish east they have to see and if they can’t see your fly/lure, chances are you will catch more bass!

On a quirky sort of note, I can not remember the last time we saw more keeper fluke being taken untraditionally, (i.e. without bait). We have been taking these fish along with a host of customers on flies, rattle traps, x-raps and even slugos! Regardless what the ultimate fate is for theses fish once you get them to the boat/net, they are a great fight on light tackle that many have never experienced.

The Micinillio Brothers continue to get it done (imagine that) fishing in tight on Saturday they totaled up 14 keepers up to 35 inches trolling T&W(see recent catches). They focused around fishing the Norwalk Islands where it was tuff as 12-14 inch blues were just hammering sand eels leaving nothing for the bass. They readjusted to a little bit deeper water and it was game on.

Bill Beck reported in from Compo Beach and the good news is there were fish on the flats throughout the weekend. Seems like the Bluefish have moved in and taken over the early A.M. bass hotspots in Bill’s opinion. After the first 2 casts hooking small blues and shredding slugos he switched over to a crippled herring spoon and caught fish non stop for about 30 minutes until the sun started to come up and the action slowed @ about 6:30 A.M. It’s almost time to start preaching “the early bird gets the worm” adage….

We had Vinny E. report in from down Stamford way with some cool information. He witnessed a massive sand eel hatch with an almost equally massive school of small blues chasing them. Awesome fishing but its impossible that this will have a somewhat adverse effect on striper fishing. Vinny is right, but traditionally if you move off some of these flats, the stripers be waiting where as the blues camped out in tight. This particular hatch was so thick the water in the marina looked like it was crawling and you could reach in and pick up bunches by hand. Pretty cool stuff!! Thanks for sharing Vinny!

Ever day this week representatives from the shop have been out at day break and man has it been worth it. Cody and Johnny J. have been hitting it hard with the fly rods all week. Getting out on the water at about 4:30 A.M. each morning, they have both taken their fill of 26-31 inch fish on the long rods. Flies of choice have been our own Captain Mike Platt’s “Secret Sauce” and Pepto Clousers. Johnny J. has also thrown some of his talents into the mix by adding a bit of Marabou….come on by and have a look.

Johnny J. reported in that the morning bass bite has been in less than feet water. Make sure your strips are slow; many of these fish are feeding on small calico crabs that move slowly, so don’t be afraid to throw some crab patterns as well...our tactics thus far have accounted for fly rod fish up to 31 inches over the past four days(see recent catches).

Wednesday A.M. fellow WSBC members Sam A. and Kevin S. brought to the net a 31 lb bass…bait of choice…undisclosed…location…”local.” (see recent catches).

The weekend is looking good folks so be sure to stop in and check us out. We still have two spots available for this Saturday’s Lou Tabory Fly Fishing School that will begin at 6:00 A.M. at Compo Beach. The next session is set for July 11th. Don’t miss the chance to fish with Lou and the crew from W.O.

Sand eels will be the lure/fly selection of choice. However, don’t be afraid to throw something out of the ordinary to get a strike. Try weighted lures/flies to get down through schools of blues if they are around. But above all, get out there and experience some great late spring/early summer action!

Don’t forget the next date with Lou Tabory is June 26th and slots are filling up fast. If you want in, be sure to give the shop all to hold your spot.

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