July 2022

Big striped bass are in our area but they are holding in deeper water requiring either trolling or bait fishing, many 30-40 plus pound bass have come over the rails in the past several weeks. For fly and light tackle anglers we are in a slower period but there are opportunities as some bunker schools start moving back out of the harbors and into open water where they can be targeted using bunker fly patterns and topwater lures....so much fun! Fluke and sea bass fishing remains slow but the porgy are here for young anglers to get steady action.

Colton above with one of many big stripers trolling tubes!

August 2022 - Colton holding one of many Spanish Mackerel we caught during their assault on spearing anywhere from Milford to Fairfield, this was the best showing we have ever season for these tasty and fun fish to catch!

Above Colton and Hunter are holding some excellent table fare, the sea bass fishing is excellent right now in the middle of June and will continue to improve throughout the summer and into fall!

It's amazing the volume of small baits, silversides, peanut bunker and snapper blues, that are all in large numbers already in the western LI Sound, this is about a month early but we'll take it! Blitzing schoolie bass near New Haven, West Haven and Milford as well as the North Shore of LI have also been occuring which is way ahead of schedule...aaaaand once again zero complaints and I would not be at all surprised to see bonito in our waters in catchable numbers by the 2nd week of August...mark you calendars :-)

Tube and worm is still producing big stripers on structure and boulder fields, these fish can be caught mid day as they are typically sulking after feeding during the evening hours...a cow bass just cannot resist smacking a tube and worm rig even when her belly is full!

Freshwater Report -

The Farmington River is fishing well again after some heavy flooding conditions in late July! Pike fishing has been decent in Lake Lillinonah and Bantam.

A 20" survivor strain Farmington River brown trout hooked on a size 12 parachute Hendrickson dry fly!

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 info!

Tight Lines!

Heather above with a 52.5 inch striper taken on a red tube and gulp imitation sandworm trolled up on light tackle with a Lamiglas Tri-Flex conventional and Avet MXL reel!

A healthy 16" holdover rainbow trout taken on a pheasant tail nymph in a headwater riffle.

This false albacore was 6 oz. from being a state record at just over 14lbs. and was caught on Sept. 29, 2009 near Milford, CT. It was my personal best fat albert! Let's hope they stack in tight again!

Bonito can be expected in August, it was an epic year in 2009.

My big fly rod fish above was taken July of 2009 on a 15 inch all black spun deer hair pattern tied by Peter Viviano, Jr. - check out all of his selection at www.fishflyes.co

A pristine wild brown trout that fell for a traditional wet fishing the Pomperaug River in early May!

A vew off the stern with twin 250 HP 4 stroke power to get us to the fishing grounds comfortably and fast!

The new rig is finally home - well new to us anyway!
This boat is well kept 2005 26 foot Regulator that will get us to the fishing grounds safely in almost any conditions.

Always take the time to take a kid fishing, nothing like getting kids outdoors and away from all of the electronic distractions these days....enjoy the outdoors and please respect your environent!

CaptElser@charter.net

203-216-7907

All images and text - Copyright 2022 - Elser Guide Services, LLC