PIC-TALES -- #1 For The Birds!!!

 Four AND Twenty Blackbirds (and maybe a few more)

It was a long time ago. I was on my way to the Shetucket River in northern CT to try for salmon and drove past this farm where I quickly hit the brakes, pulled to the side of the road and grabbed the camera. Never, before or since that day have I seen so many blackbirds (or maybe starlings) gathered to feed in such a small area. It was early November and they were undoubtedly migrating. It planted another of those special memories in nature that I never forgot. Going through some old photo's today, I decided to share yet another "fishing" memory that helps to explain that fishing itself is only a fraction of the world to be enjoyed in the out-of-doors.

WESTPORT SMELT - GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN!

 WESTPORT SMELT

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

by

Dick Alley

        I moved to Westport in 1952, but didn't get into saltwater fishing until the late 1950s after my stint in the Army. The other day I was going through old photo's and a shot dated March of 1968 triggered a sad memory.  It was the last time I remember a smelt run in the Saugatuck River.

        In those early years, winters were cold and the earliest activity we could find on the river was netting Westport Smelt with scoop nets. It was something to do and the smelt were delicious. In fact, Westport smelt were known far and wide as some of the best. 

        Pat Fratino was Westport's Harbormaster. He was also a commercial fisherman and had a small but busy fish market on the lower level of the building bordering the river in Bridge Square just below Cribari Bridge. Pat would lobster in the summer, but he always started his season with fresh smelt from the Saugatuck River. 

        He caught the smelt in a huge net which he stretched across the river just north of Church of the Assumption and he pulled the net sometimes twice a day depending on the tide. What he didn't sell in his own market, he loaded into his pickup truck and drove down to sell them at the Fulton Fish Market in NYC.  . Often local friends and fishermen would stop by to help haul the net and were rewarded with a few smelt for the dinner table.

        1968 boasted an excellent spring run of smelt. Pat made good hauls every day. Many of the local gang had scoop nets and waded the upper tributaries leading into the river, scooping up limits of smelt to share with friends and neighbors. My favorite spot was the little brook behind what was then North Main Garage. Others found the fish in good numbers in Dead Mans Brook behind the police station and other small brackish streams.

    On this particular day, I happened to stop by as the guys were making their first pull of the net. I remember Mike and Pat Cofelice were there. So was Joe Saviano. 

The bulge in the net as they drew it towards shore made it obvious that the net was packed with fish. As the fish came out of the water, guys on shore transferred them into bushel baskets and loaded the fish-filled containers onto the back of Pat's truck. 

Everyone helping took home as many fish as they wanted and Pat headed for the market. I later heard that he brought the price down to 10 cents a pound that day. The following day, the net came in empty and the day after that and for several days thereafter. To my knowledge, Westport never saw a smelt run again.

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SNAPPER BLUES - SEPTEMBER SPECIAL

 

    BABY BLUEFISH- More commonly known as snappers or snapper blues show up in August and grow through the month of September at a phenomenal speed. They are fun to catch, delicious to eat and for years capped off summer vacations for hundreds of Westport anglers ranging in age from 8 to 80. That's the good news.

    On the flip side, what was once a thriving sport fishery, has been over-regulated to the point that snapper fishermen are getting hard to find.

    Back n the 60's and 70's, before cell phones, when a fun afternoon consisted of catching the dropping tide at a favorite snapper spot, the Post Road Bridge in the center of town was lined with anglers of all ages, fishing the first couple of hours of the drop  and loading buckets with baby bluefish to be taken home, cleaned, some set aside for the evening dinner and on the good days, some frozen for dinners throughout the winter. Weekends in August and September showed the bridge lined from one end to the other.

    Mary Eliason one of Westport's longest serving school crossing guards fished the creek at Burying Hill on a daily basis, feeding her pet cats at home and releasing the fish she caught after the cats were fed.

    Legendary Westport fisherman and conservationist, William, "Doc" Skerlick, lived in the trailer park on the Post Road and didn't have a freezer, but every year he found someone willing to share some freezer space, caught a daily tally of snapper blues 

An old photo from the creek at Burial Hill. Note the long bamboo poles - were a popular choice for catching snappers without investing in more expensive fishing outfits.

and later in the fall put on a snapper feast for one or another of the conservation organizations he belonged to.

    SNAPPERS are easy to catch. A light spinning rod and reel, artificial lures and/or frozen shiners provide a sure path to a successful fishing day -and that is the flip side of the story. The current 3-fish per day limit on bluefish includes snapper blues.

    I caught my first snapper yesterday. I found them at the creek at Burying Hill. First cast with the popular SNAPPA-POPPER produced a hit. Next cast, a bluefish about 3 or 4 inches in length (released of course) and a couple more hits followed. As the heat index was in the triple figures, I packed the rod back in the car and enjoyed the air-conditioning on the ride home, convinced that there should be some good snapper fishing over the next few weeks.

    By the time these little guys pull out ahead of a cold snap or a Nor'easter, many fish will average 8 to 12 inches in length. Right now, even a 3-fish limit couldn't provide a meal.

    I am sure these biologists are well educated and highly qualified and are convinced that the baby blues need to be preserved. However, sometimes common sense has to enter into the picture.  Snappers have always been a favorite bait for fluke fishermen. Indeed, the fluke population consumes thousands  of these baby bluefish a day, far more than recreational anglers. Many additional species are predators that consume snappers. Three fish a day is a reasonable  limit for adult bluefish.  Not for snappers!

    Recreational anglers who enjoy snapper fishing also like to eat their catch. In these inflationary times, senior citizens, jobless and low-wage workers look for ways to put food on the table. For people who fish for more than fun, snappers head the list. 

    Snappers also have very sharp teeth. They must be handled carefully as simply brushing a finger along those teeth will draw blood. Handling them safely also can injure the fish so that many of those that are released don't live anyhow. Better they be consumed by those folks who appreciate them.

    They are found close to shore. Tidal creeks, coves and shallows are the hot spots. In Westport,  the Old Mill, Sherwood Mill Pond, New Creek and dozens of spots along the Saugatuck River are snapper locations.

 Take your choice. Depending on the tide, either side of the bridges at the Old Mill can be productive. 

    Looking downstream at Pasacreta Park, numerous areas are potential snapper spots. The Post Road Bridge is best  at change of tide and the first hour or so on the drop.

    Unrealistic limits and our high-tech world have robbed a generation of one of nature's greatest gifts. Fishing is one of the safest and best activities for youngsters adults and families in these crazy Covid times. 

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2021 TROUT SEASON IS OPEN!

 2021 FISHING SEASON OPENS EARLY

by Dick Alley

                                                2021 FISHING SEASON NOW OPEN!

    Today, Governor Lamont signed an executive order opening the 2021 fishing season officially open.

Trout season is open in all lakes and ponds, rivers and streams throughout the State. Likewise for other fresh water species.

                                                                                        

GOVERNOR LAMONT SIGNS ORDER OPENING CONNECTICUT’S  FISHING SEASON EARLY 

Trout Fishing Season Opening Early to Encourage Social Distancing, Anglers  Reminded to Exercise Caution if Fishing on Late-Season Ice 

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has signed an executive order removing closed seasons for fishing on all inland waters in Connecticut, and opening additional  lakes, ponds, as well as rivers and streams to fishing statewide, effective today. The governor  signed a similar order last year to open the state’s fishing season early at the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic. 

Executive Order No. 10B removes prohibitions on fishing for trout, effectively advancing opening  day of trout season from April 10, 2021 to today. The governor said that opening the fishing  season early permits anglers to enjoy additional access to outdoor recreation, which has been a  help to residents’ mental and physical health. 

“Opening the fishing season early helps to reduce opening day crowds and limit the potential for  spread of COVID-19,” Governor Lamont said. “Anglers are encouraged to continue to practice  social distancing, and we encourage fishing to be enjoyed only with members of your immediate  household and not as a group activity.” 

Connecticut saw a 17 percent increase in new fishing and hunting license sales last year, evidence  of how residents are enjoying the state’s spectacular fisheries and natural resources as a safe  respite during the pandemic. 

The Fisheries Division of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection  (DEEP) began its 2021 spring stocking of all traditional trout fishing areas in early February. There  are also plenty of opportunities to fish for bass, pike, walleye, catfish, and carp in areas that are  usually closed at this time of year. Anglers are reminded to purchase 2021 fishing licenses, Trout 

& Salmon Stamp, and Youth Fishing Passports online, through DEEP’s mobile friendly website or  access through DEEP’s main fishing website. 

Important Reminders 

Rivers & Streams: DEEP will be stocking throughout March and early April and anglers are  encouraged to enjoy early season fishing on rivers and streams that are traditionally closed  during this time. 

Ice Fishing: Ice fishing opportunities may exist on some waters in parts of Connecticut. DEEP does  not monitor ice thickness and warns all anglers to exercise caution if planning to fish on the ice.  DEEP reminds winter anglers that safety comes first. Be aware that ice thickness varies on all  waterbodies due to a number of environmental factors, including in-lake water circulatory  patterns. Please check the late season ice carefully before venturing out and check repeatedly to  make sure that ice thicknesses are sufficient. Remember, late season ice is not as safe as early  season ice. Thickness that would be safe at the beginning of the season should be viewed with  caution now. If in doubt, DO NOT GO. Always let someone know where you are going and when  you will return. Visit the DEEP Ice Safety webpage for more information. 

Social Distancing: Anglers should maintain a distance of at least six feet from others, practice  good personal hygiene, and stay home and away from others if you feel sick. If you arrive at a  favorite fishing spot and see that crowds are forming, choose a different location, or return  another day or time. Please respect social distancing for your safety and that of our staff if you  encounter DEEP’s hard-working staff stocking trout. 

Boat Launches: All of DEEP’s 117 boat launches located throughout the state remain open  provided the launch is free from snow/ice, although docks will not be in place yet. DEEP reminds  boaters that social distancing rules still apply and all boaters are encouraged to consider the size  of the vessel, the number of people on board, and the ability of people to keep separation  distances. From October 1st through May 31st, you must wear a Life Jacket (state law). All  children 12 and under must wear a Life Jacket. Whether fishing from a kayak, canoe, rowboat, or  outboard a PFD can save your life should you capsize. 

While Executive Order No. 10B opens water to fishing, all other fishing laws and regulations,  including requirements for a fishing license and trout and salmon stamp when needed, and all  methods, creel limits and length limits remain in effect. The executive order does not change the  regulations for Trout Management Areas that are currently open for catch and release fishing  only nor does it change the one fish per day, 16 inch minimum length, currently in effect at Trout  Management Lakes. 

DEEP has many great sources of information available to anglers through social media, email, and  the agency’s improved website. The 2021 Connecticut Fishing Guide has loads of valuable  information for anglers, as do the DEEP Fisheries and Wildlife pages on Facebook  (facebook.com/CTFishandWildlife) and Twitter (twitter.com/CTFishWildlife). Questions about 

fish or fishing can be emailed directly to mike.beauchene@ct.gov, who can provide assistance in  as timely a manner as possible during normal working hours. 

**Download: Governor Lamont’s Executive Order No. 10B 

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TMA TIME!

 TMA TIME

by Dick Alley

February 22, 2021

                                                    TIME FOR TMA FISHING

        Today is George Washington's birthday. Late February.  Looking out the window, it's raining, or maybe a mix. It was snowing hard an hour ago, hard enough to coat the parking area. I'm still smiling. The thermometer is supposed to rise into the high 40's on Wednesday, maybe 50 this weekend. That is enough to make me smile. I had my first Covid shot almost two weeks back. One to go in early March. Another reason to smile. It is all good, but even better, the early trout season will begin in just a few days. 

    Regular trout season doesn't begin state-wide until the second Saturday in April, but if the normal schedule is followed, maybe this week, maybe next, Trout Management Areas in Connecticut will receive their first trout plants of the year and catch and release fishing will open up in these areas. Add in a few specially designated lakes that offer an extended trophy trout season through March 31st and forget all about those winter doldrums.

    Westport's local TMA is the Doc Skerlick Trout Management Area located in a stretch of the Saugatuck River between the Dam at the old Dorr Mill, on down to the Merritt Parkway where the river feeds into Lee's Pond. That stretch of river is restricted to FLY FISHING ONLY, but is open to fishing throughout the year with the added restriction of catch and release fishing between the end of September and  the second Saturday in April.

      

I snapped this photo of Doc with a catch of mackerel at Burying Hill Beach about half a century ago. He fished all day and nights, attended meetings all over the State related to conservation and fish preservation. He loved all kinds of fishing but trout and snapper blues were his favorites. 

Another popular TMA is the Cascades on Mill River in Fairfield, where catch and release fishing restrictions are similar in the pre-season, but where fishing with spinning gear or bait is also allowed.

    Another nearby spot is the Mianus River in northern Greenwich which has a TMA section. This stretch is especially noted for its stonefly population, making those imitations the big attraction for fly fishermen. Additional locations are listed in the Angler's Guide, the DEEP publication which will be coming out with the latest edition in March but is also available on the CT DEEP website.

    Also listed in the Guide are the Trophy Trout Lakes which offer an extended season through the end of March. Depending on the weather, fishing can be in open water or through the ice, but a two trout over 15-inch limit is  the rule. Some of these lakes also have been stocked with Atlantic salmon, often surprising lucky anglers with a real trophy.

    Most of the freshly stocked trout in the TMA's will hit streamers and nymphs in the early season. Patterns like the Mickey Finn, the Hornberg Special, Woolybuggers and the Hare's Ear nymph have always produced well for me.

    Where spinners are allowed, try Trout Magnets, Rooster Tails, Blue Fox spinners, but be sure to consult the guide in advance as some spots require single hook only lures.

    Early spring, late winter trout fishing is the best cure for cabin fever. It wasn't always like this. Way back when I was young, trout season ended the last day of October and opened the third Saturday in April. I think it was back in the 60's that the DEEP tried opening the first TMA on the Willimantic River.  The Cole Wilde TMA quickly grew in popularity, offerring CT anglers a chance for early season fishing for the first time. Today, similar areas exist across the State, including the one dedicated to my old friend, the late Doc Skerlick.

    A CT fishing license is required for anglers over 16 years of age, as is a trout stamp. ENJOY! Trout season is back .

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FIRST TROPHY TROUT - GOLLY, I'M GETTING OLD!

 

Many years passed before I caught a bigger trout than this beauty.

        This old photo isn't dated. I would guess late 60's to early 1970's. It was then the biggest trout I had ever landed. I had it mounted and it hung on my wall on our three-season porch in Manchester for the 20 years we were there.

            

            The pipe in my mouth puts it prior to 1974. That's the year I stopped smoking. The tent was our first camping shelter. We purchased it when the kids were little after a disappointing "vacation" to New Hampshire that cost a bundle and ended early when the kids became sick from a dirty swimming pool and the cabin we rented was full of little critters crawling around at night. After two nights, we packed up, headed home, stopped at Morsan's Camping store in Milford and purchased our first camping gear.  That began a lifetime of family camping adventures, most of them at good fishing locations.

            

            This particular trip took us to our all-time favorite camping spot, Nickerson Park Family Campground, located on Rte. 198 in Chaplin, CT. The campground is still there and thriving, and that particular site is located at the far end of the camp. 

            It was always a productive area for fishing,  but this particular morning in late April or early May found me casting the upper section where the river reverses itself in a double curve before heading straight down to the main camping lodge.

            I was fishing with spinning gear and my lure was the flexible plastic Mepp''s  Minnow. It was a little bit bigger but less heavy than other lures in my box and could be worked just off the bottom depending on how deep the water and how fast the current, making it a favorite for early-season trout fishing. 

              Todd with a nice rainbow in 2018. He caught it at the lower end of the campground.

            That trout hit hard and offered  a valiant battle before I guided it into my net with shaking hands. It was by far the biggest trout I had caught in my lifetime. 

             

             Nickerson Park became our seasonal campground for the rest of our camping lives and continues to be the summer camping spot for my son Todd and his family. Owners, Mr. & Mrs. Chris Nickerson have been life-long friends.

            The Natchaug River also remains one of the State's top trout streams. The section flowing through the campground is a Trophy Trout Management area, while the State Park a couple of miles upstream of the campground offers family fishing and a five-trout limit. Several other spots along the length of the river offer easy access and good fishing as well, while nearby alternatives for bass, pike and panfish include Hall's Pond and Mansfield Hollow.

            Family camping, fishing and the great outdoors provide a fabulous form of entertainment in these days of the Pandemic all less than a couple of hours from the New York border.

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 BONUS WEATHER FOR LATE-SEASON ANGLERS: 

by Dick Alley

        WOW! As I  sit and type, the weather guys are predicting another 10 days or more with daytime highs in the 50's, no frosty mornings and bonus fall fishing.--- and we're not just talking salt water. Fall trout and salmon stockings are happening. There is no better time to squeeze in a trip to the shores and tributaries of Lake Ontario. 

Salt water species are migrating and stopping off to feed at warm-water spots like power plant outflows. This beauty was caught some years back when Millstone was open.

         

Blackfish are always popular for late season anglers. When we can fish for them in 60-degree temperatures they become a late fall favorite.

There is still time  for targeting lunker-size striped bass and gator blues. As the migration continues and action fades along the Connecticut and Westchester shorelines, the hop across to Eaton's Neck, Buoy 11B then westward to Oyster Bay can bring bonanza catch and release fishing for schoolie-size fish. 

Fall trout fishing can be better than springtime action, minus all the hype of opening day. Check the CT DEEP website for stocking reports, pick your favorite water and enjoy the scenery, the solitude and success of some of the best trout fishing of the year.

The Naugatuck and Shetucket Rivers have become top picks for fall Atlantic salmon fishing with annual plants of brood stock Atlantic salmon pleasing anglers for several years now. A few lakes have also been added to the stocking list. This fishery has special regulations so be sure to consult the Angler's Guide for all the info.

Last but certainly not least is the fantastic Great Lakes fall fishery for steelhead, King salmon, trophy brown trout and Coho. Google Great Lakes Salmon Country for the many choices, but my favorite spot is Pulaski, NY for lifetime fishing memories.

ENUFF SAID!!!   FISHING IS THE BEST ANSWER TO BOREDOM IN THIS TIME OF COVID 19!!!

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