March 3, 2010
Saltwater Report
Connecticut TIDES • Rhode Island TIDES
The late winter early spring holdover fishery for striped bass in the Housatonic River is just rounding the corner and the fish are beginning to transition out of the deep holes and moving into feeding lanes throughout the river. We got out last weekend and picked up some fish much lower in the river than usual which is a good sign that the fish are on the move. Soft plastics in white, pink and chartreuse in 4-6 inch lengths are doing best and deceiver flies in the same size/color combinations will produce even better if the wind cooperates. Look for this fishery to EXPLODE by the second week of March!
Freshwater Lakes and Streams
The Farmington is the place to get in on the winter fly rod action for certain as it is a tailwater with water temps averaging in the low 50's during the winter months. The dry fly purist can enjoy rising fish from about 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. while the streamer slinger can get into some very large browns swinging wooly buggers or a black ghost through a deep run.
There is some good local action on the smaller streams for wild and holdover trout, although not as large as the Farmington River fish, they offer great action on light tackle or a 4 wt. fly rod. We will be hosting guided trips throughout this winter on the Farmington River as well as the Pootatuck, Pomperaug, Norwalk and Shepaug (please see our Rates link for details!
Interested in Fly Casting instruction for fresh or salt water? Captain Chris Elser is a certified casting instructor and will be offering lessons and instruction throughout the winter months. Take advantage of one-on-one personalized instruction at any location that is convenient for you, even your own home! He has all the tackle and can also incorporate a lesson into a trip out on the Sound or inland lakes for trout and smallmouth bass.
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Captain Chris Elser has been writing the Western Long Island Sound fishing reports since April of 2006, you will surely get detailed information on fishing for Stripers, Bluefish, False Albacore and more! Pick up the new isue for the latest!
Tight Lines!
Dan caught this 20 lb. Bass at mid-day in Stratford..
These 3 boys had the time of their life catching Gorilla blues near shore on a very sporty day of seas!
Captain Elser landed this fat Cow which took a small tube trolled close to shore tipped with a Gulp Imitation Sandworm! Did not want to kill the fish and did not get a weight - it will be fun guessing though as this fish was released to fight another day!
Above is a 15+ lb. bluefish taken on September 24, 2008 in skinny water deploying a Pete Viviano tied yak hair bunker imitation, this was an epic battle on a 10 wt. fly rod! It is game on for gator blues in the shallows right now!
I caught this beauty near Stratford mid day!
I caught this fat 27 inch bass on a deceiver on November 28, 2007 off of Stratford. Striper fishing lasted well into December, hopefully this year will be a repeat!
2007 will go down in history as one of the best years ever for the ever so tasty and feisty Bonito!
Rick took this fat 41 inch bass on June 13, 2009 while we were fishing off of Stratford.
Heather above with a 40+ pound striper taken the day after her brother landed the 50 pounder! She did land a bigger fish but I had to hold it up for her!
Heather with a 31 lb. 42 inch striper taken near Stratford, CT
CJ Elser, with a personal best 50+ pound striper taken at 7 p.m. July 17, 2008.
"The STUDENT becomes the TEACHER"
Joe Gianettino - above - with a nice Salmon River Steelhead taken from under the wings of his Master Tutor John Cardinale. Joe is no longer the student :-) Good times had by all - too many laughs!
CaptElser@CT-Fishing.com
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