While the state tries to find a compromise to restore fishing access to the Stratford sea wall, petitions on each site of the issue are seeking online signatures.
One is requesting that access to the site be restored. Another supports the town’s ban of fishing at the spot.
Town officials say there is fishing access in other places.
Click here to follow the story.
FishRpt15 08-02-2018 Recent rains have refreshed Connecticut rivers to levels not usually seen in August, according to the Aug. 2 issue of the weekly fishing report from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
The weekly bulletins also offer river-specific ideas on flies to match the hatch on destinations such as the Housatonic and the Farmington.
Information on fishing for other species, fresh and salt water, is also included.
Aug. 11 is a free fishing license day. Information on that is contained.
There are also tips for curbing the spread of “rock snot” in the Farmington.
Click here to read the full report.
Saltwater anglers have lost access to a popular spot in Stratford, where the town has banned fishing at the Stratford Seawall in Lordship.
State officials have expressed concern about the move, which town leaders say is for safety reasons.
Click here to read more.
Trout fishing is expected to be fair this weekend, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection in its weekly fishing report.
“Conditions for trout fishing remain fair. Water levels are dropping following steep flushing flows from the line of storms earlier this week,” the weekly report reads. “While most of the rivers are entering the summer doldrums – too warm for trout, there are a few here and there. Best bets are to seek out smaller streams and our Wild Trout Management Areas (tend to have good cold flow year round). Other places to try include the Qunnipiac River (Gorge Area), Salmon River, Scantic River, Mianus River, Norwalk River, Hammonasset River, and Bigelow Brook. As usual very good reports from the Farmington River (West Branch and mainstem) down to Unionville.”
Click here to read the full report.
There’s a chance later this week (on Wednesday, July 25) to fish the Farmington and attend the quarterly meeting of the Connecticut Council of Trout Unlimited. Click here for more information.
An effort to restore one of the most valuable and storied wild trout streams in New England is under way, and volunteers are needed for the next step.
On Aug. 19, the Nutmeg Chapter of Trout Unlimited, working with the Town of Fairfield, will reshape the Mill River along Congress Street. Once a meandering stream, the waterway was straightened due to development. Using a technique known as conifer revetment, turns and pools will be restored to a river known as one of the best wild brook trout habitats in Connecticut.
Once a meandering stream, the waterway was straightened due to development, which reduces the health of the stream and the habitat for trout and other aquatic life. Using a technique known as a conifer revetment, turns and pools will be restored to a river known as one of the best wild brook trout streams in Connecticut.
Conifer revetments use discarded natural Christmas trees to shore up the banks, collect sediment and reroute the river. Volunteers anchor now-dead evergreens in the water along the banks. There they will trap sediment and build up the bank, extending land into the water and creating a curve in the river.
“This is a great opportunity for volunteers to get their hands dirty and see the direct impact of their efforts as we work to improve the quality of the Mill River as a wild trout stream,” Nutmeg TU President Rich Rosen said. “Already we have mitigated the Knotweed problem and planted native trees and shrubs to help bring the river back to its natural state. We look forward to seeing more, larger fish making their home along Congress Street.”
In the fall of 2017, the Nutmeg Chapter received a $670 grant from the Embrace A Stream program to support removal of invasive species and shoring up of the banks of the Mill River near the Easton-Fairfield border, along Congress Street in Fairfield.
A short time later, donors contributed another $1,860.69 toward the Mill River restoration in TU’s Embrace a Stream Challenge, which rewarded chapters with bonuses for reaching certain milestones and soliciting donations..
Money was also raised when Nutmeg TU collaborated with the Candlewood Valley and Mianus chapters on showings of the Fly Fishing Film Tour in 2017 and 2018.
Details on where to meet and how to volunteer will soon be posted, but save the date of Sunday, Aug. 19.
Nutmeg TU member Dave Edgeworth recently led a trip to the Farmington River, starting at the famous Church Pool.
Josh Lockwood, grandson of Nutmeg TU member Phil Jacques, landed an 18-inch trout with a hook jaw, estimated to weigh about 2 pounds.
More outings on the Farmington are coming soon.
Fish the Ovation Pool on the Farmington River in New Hartford, then gather for an informal meeting of the Connecticut Council of Trout Unlimited on Wednesday, July 25.
Fish Ovation or nearby pools as early and often as you want.
At 7 p.m., we will meet at a restaurant near the Ovation pool — Parrot Delaney Tavern at 37 Greenwoods Road, New Hartford — for our quarterly meeting. Everyone will be responsible for buying their own food and drink. Click here to view a menu.
Please RSVP to johnkovachiii@optonline.net so we can have an accurate headcount.
Agenda to follow.
Council meetings are held the fourth Wednesday of July, October, January and April, and are open to all.
A heat wave is expected this weekend. If you do go fishing, target species that will not be traumatized by high temperatures and exercise care if doing catch-and-release.
On some trout waters, thermal refuges have been closed to fishing. Watch for signs and obey laws with regard to fishing a proper distance from those streams.
Here is the latest weekly fishing report from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Join Nutmeg TU for a morning of exciting fishing on one of the best rivers in Connecticut, the Farmington River, on Sunday, June 24, starting at 8 a.m. You may come earlier if you wish, I will be at the river setting up and getting some quick fishing in.
We will be meeting up in the Church Pool parking lot: look for the Nutmeg TU banner and a silver Subaru Forester.
Open to everyone, beginners and experienced anglers alike, this trip is a great way to learn the river. Spinning or fly fishing, all are welcome. If you are new to the river or fishing, I will show you techniques and strategies that will have you catching trout in no time. If you are more experienced, I will have maps of spots you can fish.
Following fishing, everyone is welcome to meet up at the Parrot Delaney Tavern in New Hartford, next to the Ovation factory and the famous Ovation Pool fishing hole. BYOL (Buy Your Own Lunch)
Please RSVP to David Edgeworth so we know who to expect. Text or Email
(203) 627-5817 or email Eggsofan@hotmail.com
Looking forward to see you
Fish On!!
Dave Edgeworth
Nutmeg TU members Ed Grzeda, Jerry Goldstein and John Kovach fished Lake Saltonstall on Friday, June 8.
Jerry had a solid day, landing a big bass, a similarly sized walleye and having a long tug-o-war with a big one that we’ll be going back to try to hook again.
Ed landed a half dozen on the fly rod, and John boated a decent sized perch.
Watch this website for details on future outings. A day pass costs $5, plus $40 to rent the boat.
Click here for information on recreational opportunities, fees and permits on Regional Water Authority.
Click here for a Yankee Fisherman episode about fishing Lake Saltonstall.