FISHING REPORT NUMBER 19: 8/27/2009
INLAND REPORT
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing generally good to very good. Areas to try include Williams Lake, Winchester Lake, Park Pond, Beseck Lake, West Hill Pond, Lake Wononskopomuc (38 fish in one day day for an angler), Middle Bolton Lake, Lake Saltonstall, Rainbow Reservoir, Moodus Reservoir, Highland Lake, East Twin Lake, Peck Pond, Crystal Lake (Ellington), Bishop Pond, Halls Pond, Red Cedar Lake, Black Pond (Woodstock), Pickerel Lake, Billings Lake, Amos Lake, Rogers Lake, Gardner Lake, Glasgo Pond, Godfrey Pond, Gorton Pond, Pattagansett Lake, Winchester Lake (catches including a 5.5 lb largemouth), Lake of Isles, Quaddick Reservoir, Lake Zoar (including several 4-lb plus largemouths), Beach Pond and Aspinook Pond (recent catches include three 5 lb largemouth).
SMALLMOUTH BASS action reported at Candlewood Lake, Squantz Pond, Beach Pond (including a 4.5 lb smallie), Gardner Lake, West Branch Reservoir (Hogback Reservoir), Lake McDonough, Highland Lake, Rainbow Reservoir, Bashan Lake, and the Upper Housatonic River (including a 56-fish day for one angler).
NORTHERN PIKE – Some good action reported from Lake Lillinonah, Winchester Lake and Mansfield Hollow Reservoir.
WALLEYE are being reported from Lake Saltonstall, Mashapaug Lake, Coventry Lake, Saugatuck Reservoir and Squantz Pond (small fish).
SUNFISH provide excellent summer time action throughout the state. Use worms, grubs, jigs or small poppers for them. Areas to try include Winchester Lake, East Twin Lake, Tyler Lake, Silver Lake (Meriden), Amos Lake, Rogers Lake, Black Pond (Woodstock), West Side Pond, Park Pond, Halls Pond and Batterson Park Pond.
TROUT
Rivers & streams - With a number of hatches slowing, anglers should definitely try terrestrial fly patterns. Some good reports last week from the Naugatuck River, West Branch Farmington River, Farmington River and Housatonic River (including a 4 lb rainbow).
Farmington River – West Branch flows are currently clear and at fishable levels (425 cfs at Riverton, plus an additional 70 cfs from the Still River). Flows may however increase, depending on the track of Tropical Storm Dan. West Branch TMA water temperatures are in the mid 60’s °F. Hatches/patterns include the Trico (Trycorythodes stygiatus, #22-28, morning; spinner mainly), Ephemerella needhami (#22-26, early morning to early afternoon), Leadwing Coachman (Isonychia bicolor, #12-14, fast water, afternoon/evening in the Riverton area), Blue Wing Olives (Drunella sps. & Baetis sps.;#20-24, mid-late afternoon), Caddis (tan #16-22, all day; green #22-26, evening; summer pupa #18-20 morning), Midges (#22-32, morning), Cahills/Summer (Stenonema ithaca, #14-16, evenings), Black Ants (#14-20, mid day in fast water), Black Beetles (#16-18, mid day), Flying Ants (#18-22, mid day, when windy/humid, day after rains), Stone Hopper (#8-12, mid day) and Golden Drake (Anthopotamus distinctus, #10-14, late evening).
Housatonic River – Flows are again clearing and have dropped to moderately high, but fishable levels (1,200 cfs at Falls Village and 1,700 cfs at Gaylordsville). Anglers should be aware that flows may again increase depending on precipitation amounts this weekend (call FirstLight Power at 1-888-417-4837 for updated flow information). Morning water temperatures have been in the upper 60’s °F. Successful patterns include the White Fly (Ephoron leukon, #12-14, dawn & dusk), Leadwing Coachman (#10-12, main evening hatch), White Wulff (#10-12), Light Cahill (#12-16, evening), and
2009 DEP Fishing Report Number 19, 8/27/2009
Black caddis (#14-20, early morning & evening). Try Black/Cinnamon Ants (#14-18, mid day in fast water), Black Beetles (#14-16, mid day), Stone Hopper (#8-10, mid day) and Flying Ants (#18-22, mid day, when windy/humid, day after rains). And don’t forget streamers (morning & evening), try White Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn, Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10).
Lakes & Ponds – Some lakes are starting to produce good late summer fishing. areas to try include East Twin Lake, Wononskopomuc Lake, West Branch Reservoir (Hogback), Highland Lake, Mashapaug Lake, Coventry Lake, Crystal (Ellington) Lake, West Hill Pond and Beach Pond.
CONNECTICUT RIVER – CARP are being caught and released on barbless hooks in good numbers with an unusual 14 pound “Angel Wing” coming to the mat. Homemade ‘RTB’ boilies were the bait of choice for one angler.
STRIPED BASS action can still be found in the lower river on tube & worm as well as on cut bait.
LARGEMOUTH BASS are being taken in the coves around Hartford-Middletown and in the lower river. Recent catches include several largemouth in the 3-4 lb range.
SMALLMOUTH BASS action reported in the upper river area. Try the confluence of the Farmington River.
Some NORTHERN PIKE are being caught in the coves. Night fishing for
CATFISH is still working well and they are being caught on cut bait (chunking) near brush piles adjacent to deep holes and on the outside of bends of the river.
NOTICES:
Depending on the track of Tropical Storm Dan, LAKE LILLINONAH may be drawn down (possibly in the range of 3 to 10 feet) as a flood control measure this weekend. Should a draw down become necessary, the Pond Brook state boat launch will be impossible to launch from, and the Route 133 launch (Steel Bridge) may be difficult to launch from. Anglers can call FirstLight Power at 1-888-417-4837 for updated lake level (and Housatonic River flow) information.
To facilitate dam maintenance and repairs, an extensive drawdown of RAINBOW RESERVOIR is currently scheduled to begin on Labor Day (September 7th), and is expected to continue throughout the month of September. During this period, the state boat launch will unusable due to the low water levels. Also, anglers this week may have found the reservoir down up to 4 feet as the water level has been manipulated several times recently as a flood control precaution. At this level of drawdown, the launch is still usable, but extra caution is advised.
TIPS & TRICKS -
FLY FISHING for RIVERINE SMALLMOUTH BASS
WHEN: The hottest, steamiest, sunniest, dog days of summer bring these feisty fish to a feeding frenzy that can result in shattered equipment and 40-50 fish days!
WHERE: Riverine Smallmouth Bass are structure oriented. Anything in slow moving water usually holds fish. Log jams, rocks and erosion control structures attract smallies. They love slower moving water, structure, and bright sunshine. Mid day is one of the best times to fish them.
HOW The best technique for Smallmouth Bass is to move down the river. You will need to follow the shoreline closely and try to present your fly to any fishy looking structure. Target the downstream side of logjams and structure. Cast back upstream to reduce drag on your presentation.
TACKLE Use a 9' 5” or 6wt fly rod with either a floating (shallow water) or sinking tip (deeper water) fly lines. Successful flies include minnow imitations, crayfish patterns, woolly buggers, and big buggy nymphs with rubber legs.
WHY Pound for pound, no other fish fights harder for their size than smallmouth bass, so get out and give it a try. You won't be disappointed!
INLAND REPORT
LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing generally good to very good. Areas to try include Williams Lake, Winchester Lake, Park Pond, Beseck Lake, West Hill Pond, Lake Wononskopomuc (38 fish in one day day for an angler), Middle Bolton Lake, Lake Saltonstall, Rainbow Reservoir, Moodus Reservoir, Highland Lake, East Twin Lake, Peck Pond, Crystal Lake (Ellington), Bishop Pond, Halls Pond, Red Cedar Lake, Black Pond (Woodstock), Pickerel Lake, Billings Lake, Amos Lake, Rogers Lake, Gardner Lake, Glasgo Pond, Godfrey Pond, Gorton Pond, Pattagansett Lake, Winchester Lake (catches including a 5.5 lb largemouth), Lake of Isles, Quaddick Reservoir, Lake Zoar (including several 4-lb plus largemouths), Beach Pond and Aspinook Pond (recent catches include three 5 lb largemouth).
SMALLMOUTH BASS action reported at Candlewood Lake, Squantz Pond, Beach Pond (including a 4.5 lb smallie), Gardner Lake, West Branch Reservoir (Hogback Reservoir), Lake McDonough, Highland Lake, Rainbow Reservoir, Bashan Lake, and the Upper Housatonic River (including a 56-fish day for one angler).
NORTHERN PIKE – Some good action reported from Lake Lillinonah, Winchester Lake and Mansfield Hollow Reservoir.
WALLEYE are being reported from Lake Saltonstall, Mashapaug Lake, Coventry Lake, Saugatuck Reservoir and Squantz Pond (small fish).
SUNFISH provide excellent summer time action throughout the state. Use worms, grubs, jigs or small poppers for them. Areas to try include Winchester Lake, East Twin Lake, Tyler Lake, Silver Lake (Meriden), Amos Lake, Rogers Lake, Black Pond (Woodstock), West Side Pond, Park Pond, Halls Pond and Batterson Park Pond.
TROUT
Rivers & streams - With a number of hatches slowing, anglers should definitely try terrestrial fly patterns. Some good reports last week from the Naugatuck River, West Branch Farmington River, Farmington River and Housatonic River (including a 4 lb rainbow).
Farmington River – West Branch flows are currently clear and at fishable levels (425 cfs at Riverton, plus an additional 70 cfs from the Still River). Flows may however increase, depending on the track of Tropical Storm Dan. West Branch TMA water temperatures are in the mid 60’s °F. Hatches/patterns include the Trico (Trycorythodes stygiatus, #22-28, morning; spinner mainly), Ephemerella needhami (#22-26, early morning to early afternoon), Leadwing Coachman (Isonychia bicolor, #12-14, fast water, afternoon/evening in the Riverton area), Blue Wing Olives (Drunella sps. & Baetis sps.;#20-24, mid-late afternoon), Caddis (tan #16-22, all day; green #22-26, evening; summer pupa #18-20 morning), Midges (#22-32, morning), Cahills/Summer (Stenonema ithaca, #14-16, evenings), Black Ants (#14-20, mid day in fast water), Black Beetles (#16-18, mid day), Flying Ants (#18-22, mid day, when windy/humid, day after rains), Stone Hopper (#8-12, mid day) and Golden Drake (Anthopotamus distinctus, #10-14, late evening).
Housatonic River – Flows are again clearing and have dropped to moderately high, but fishable levels (1,200 cfs at Falls Village and 1,700 cfs at Gaylordsville). Anglers should be aware that flows may again increase depending on precipitation amounts this weekend (call FirstLight Power at 1-888-417-4837 for updated flow information). Morning water temperatures have been in the upper 60’s °F. Successful patterns include the White Fly (Ephoron leukon, #12-14, dawn & dusk), Leadwing Coachman (#10-12, main evening hatch), White Wulff (#10-12), Light Cahill (#12-16, evening), and
2009 DEP Fishing Report Number 19, 8/27/2009
Black caddis (#14-20, early morning & evening). Try Black/Cinnamon Ants (#14-18, mid day in fast water), Black Beetles (#14-16, mid day), Stone Hopper (#8-10, mid day) and Flying Ants (#18-22, mid day, when windy/humid, day after rains). And don’t forget streamers (morning & evening), try White Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Micky Finn, Grey or Black Ghosts (#4-10).
Lakes & Ponds – Some lakes are starting to produce good late summer fishing. areas to try include East Twin Lake, Wononskopomuc Lake, West Branch Reservoir (Hogback), Highland Lake, Mashapaug Lake, Coventry Lake, Crystal (Ellington) Lake, West Hill Pond and Beach Pond.
CONNECTICUT RIVER – CARP are being caught and released on barbless hooks in good numbers with an unusual 14 pound “Angel Wing” coming to the mat. Homemade ‘RTB’ boilies were the bait of choice for one angler.
STRIPED BASS action can still be found in the lower river on tube & worm as well as on cut bait.
LARGEMOUTH BASS are being taken in the coves around Hartford-Middletown and in the lower river. Recent catches include several largemouth in the 3-4 lb range.
SMALLMOUTH BASS action reported in the upper river area. Try the confluence of the Farmington River.
Some NORTHERN PIKE are being caught in the coves. Night fishing for
CATFISH is still working well and they are being caught on cut bait (chunking) near brush piles adjacent to deep holes and on the outside of bends of the river.
NOTICES:
Depending on the track of Tropical Storm Dan, LAKE LILLINONAH may be drawn down (possibly in the range of 3 to 10 feet) as a flood control measure this weekend. Should a draw down become necessary, the Pond Brook state boat launch will be impossible to launch from, and the Route 133 launch (Steel Bridge) may be difficult to launch from. Anglers can call FirstLight Power at 1-888-417-4837 for updated lake level (and Housatonic River flow) information.
To facilitate dam maintenance and repairs, an extensive drawdown of RAINBOW RESERVOIR is currently scheduled to begin on Labor Day (September 7th), and is expected to continue throughout the month of September. During this period, the state boat launch will unusable due to the low water levels. Also, anglers this week may have found the reservoir down up to 4 feet as the water level has been manipulated several times recently as a flood control precaution. At this level of drawdown, the launch is still usable, but extra caution is advised.
TIPS & TRICKS -
FLY FISHING for RIVERINE SMALLMOUTH BASS
WHEN: The hottest, steamiest, sunniest, dog days of summer bring these feisty fish to a feeding frenzy that can result in shattered equipment and 40-50 fish days!
WHERE: Riverine Smallmouth Bass are structure oriented. Anything in slow moving water usually holds fish. Log jams, rocks and erosion control structures attract smallies. They love slower moving water, structure, and bright sunshine. Mid day is one of the best times to fish them.
HOW The best technique for Smallmouth Bass is to move down the river. You will need to follow the shoreline closely and try to present your fly to any fishy looking structure. Target the downstream side of logjams and structure. Cast back upstream to reduce drag on your presentation.
TACKLE Use a 9' 5” or 6wt fly rod with either a floating (shallow water) or sinking tip (deeper water) fly lines. Successful flies include minnow imitations, crayfish patterns, woolly buggers, and big buggy nymphs with rubber legs.
WHY Pound for pound, no other fish fights harder for their size than smallmouth bass, so get out and give it a try. You won't be disappointed!