Fishing From Shore - Almost A Memory

FISHING FROM SHORE - ALMOST A MEMORY

by 

Dick Alley

    Twenty years is a long time. On my return to my home town after two decades, I expected to find many changes but was still surprised to find most of my favorite fishing spots from shore, no more than a memory.

     The first shock came when I was denied entrance to Old Mill Beach, even with a beach emblem. I didn't quite believe the sign which said admittance was for Old Mill residents and guests. I stopped to talk to the security guard and she confirmed it.

I was always under the impression that Old Mill Beach was for town residents and that our beach emblem allowed us to park in the lot adjacent to that beach.

Prior to moving out of town, I spent forty years fishing from the walkway to Compo Cove for snappers and from the stone wall into the raceway for bigger fish. I remember the day Bob Skinner caught a 35 pound striper there while on his lunch break when he worked at Gristede's.   

   

 

Add cap

 Old Mill is also one of Westport's better fishing spots. Whether fishing from the bridges over the tidal gates controlling the water  flow in and out of Sherwood Mill Pond, in the tidal race itself or wading the surf onto the tidal flats of Compo Cove, these areas were always  open to anglers for snapper fishing, crabbing, or surf fishing for bass and blues throughout the season. Apparently, private homeowners and guests now have priority, not only for their own use, but for any leftover empty spaces that were formerly allowed for beach-goers and fishermen. 

Old Mill is a favorite spot for fly-fishermen.

    Burying Hill Beach was another surprise. NO FISHING IN THE CREEK OR FROM THE FRONT BEACH, signs are posted all along the entrance road. Burying Hill at New Creek just happens to be one of the best spots for catching snappers, anywhere from New York City to New Haven.  The late fishing legend, William "Doc" Skerlick caught enough snappers there every season to produce an annual "fish fry" for a different conservation organization every season. Our own Westport PAL teamed up with the Westport Striped Bass Club every year in the old days to host a special fishing day for area special kids and the ideal spot was Burying Hill. 

    Fall fishing beginning in late August and early September can be truly spectacular from the front beach. Years back, there was one Bluefish Friday, when migrating schools of fall bluefish showed up at dawn and fed along the beaches and up into the creek and were still there at sundown. Anglers were in and out all day long, stocking their  freezers with fresh fish for the winter.

Burgers for the PAL kids fishing derby held at Burying Hill in years past,

    And then there is the old parking spot at the corner of New Creek Road and Beachside Ave. It only had room for two or three cars, but was ideal to shorten the long walk up to Bedford's Point. Dedicated bass fishermen took that walk often,  never violating the signs posted much closer along Beachside Avenue itself. The gate closest to the Bedford estate was used regularly. We were always under the impression that it was a right-of-way. At any rate it was always used and with no complaints. Bedford's Point was and likely still is, the best big bass spot in Westport and ranked among the top 10 opportunities to catch large stripers from shore along the Connecticut coastline.

Bedford's Point as viewed from Burying Hill Beach. Plays host to trophy stripers for those willing to 
take the walk.

Today, a No Trespassing sign decorates the gate and it is overgrown with brush from lack of use.The parking spot is also now posted No Parking. 

    Twenty years also makes a big difference in the life of a senior citizen. I don't fish much any more. I'm 84 and my sense of balance has deteriorated. A cane helps and when I do fish, I look for places like the Old Mill and Burying Hill, where I can easily cast my lures without danger of falling. Maybe the fish will blitz Compo Beach if the sand eels show up. For the younger guys, Compo Cannons, the jetty, and wading out to Schlait's are all worth a try.

    Westport has grown. Much of the public access has been lost in the process. We can't blame the homeowners for cherishing their own property, but we can blame the politicians for not preserving the rights of the public and for failing to preserve public access. I'm kind of happy that I won't be around to see what  it will be 20 years from now.

                                       dwa