Connecticut inland waters close the last day of February and remain so until the 19th of April. What remains open are the Trout Management Areas, Wild Trout Management Areas, selected lakes, and some tidal sections of various rivers. The reason for this is to allow trout stocking, and help avoid poaching while this takes place. It also allows for an "Opening Day". This day has become a solid tradition for families and friends and encourages young people to get into fishing. I for one believe this is a good thing and should be something that remains.
Connecticut also has many small streams that are not stocked by the state but have good populations of self sustaining wild brook and brown trout. These streams also close just the same as stocked waters. The opening day of the little streams is a few weeks away, but the anticipation of fishing them again is starting to build. The third Saturday in April will find me on one of the streams below.
"Bombers" and "parachutes" will float along the hideouts of feisty wild trout.
A quiet pool, where if your careful you can see the pearl fins of a brook trout lying in the tail.
Where small rods will again rest on soft dark green moss that cover the rocks and allow you to take that photo of the wild brook you have been able to fool.
It's only a few weeks away.........
I can't wait to get out on the streams again, we don't have a closed season here in VA but schoolwork and regular work for that matter really cut into fishing time. I really hope to make it at least a monthly thing this summer.
ReplyDeleteBill Thomas,
DeleteThanks.
I'm pulling for you Bill. There are times when life can alter our plans.
There's something about the anticipation of an "Opening Day" that gets the blood pumping. If nothing else it's a sure sign that seasons are changing and Spring has finally arrived.
ReplyDeleteHighPlainsFlyFisher,
DeleteThanks.
I agree. Hopefully by mid April we'll be in Spring.
What a beautiful place to fish.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz,
DeleteThanks.
Serenity for sure.
nice. :)
ReplyDeleteTexWisGirl,
DeleteThanks.
Something special to look forward too on the 19th of April.
ReplyDeletebrian,
DeleteThanks.
Anticipation, anticipation..........
Ok, I admit it. I am very jealous of all the beautiful Blue Lines that you have to fish in your area. Guess I will just have to live on them through your blog. Thanks, Alan.
ReplyDeleteMel Moore,
DeleteThanks.
Live on Mel, better yet come here and fish a few.
You take some of the greatest pictures to "share" with the world, and reflect on yourself Alan. Those streams are so "New England" to me. Tumbling, rumbling, pitching, and sliding their way to larger waters and the atlantic beyond... But seeing the bright green of spring illuminating them... Ahhhhhh!
ReplyDeleteWill
Hibernation,
DeleteThanks,
Will I truly appreciate those thoughts.
March is a tough month. The TMA's get pounded hard, and on some days you can find a fisherman in every hole. March brings back memories of flounder fishing when I was little, but flounder fishing no longer exists.
ReplyDeleteSavage,
DeleteThanks,
I have those memories of flounder in March. We would stop at Hillyers in Waterford pick up some sandworms or squid and head to Niantic bay and catch us some fine table fare.
Now that is going to be special!
ReplyDeleteJim Yaussy Albright,
DeleteThanks.
For sure Jim.
Beautiful little fish! I wish I was fly fishing back when I was stationed in CONN.
ReplyDeleteKevin Smith,
DeleteThanks.
If you were Navy or Coast Guard you had some wonderful small streams to fish.
Wonderful pictures Alan! I love the fresh green color of spring. It's my favorite time of the year. Right now it's time to take the first trout here where I live. Let's see if I can get out this weekend or the next week. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThe Jassid Man,
DeleteThanks.
Get out there Mats, and try one of those fine soft hackles.
Good things come to those who wait.
ReplyDeleteBill,
DeleteThanks.
That's what I've been told friend.
Alan
ReplyDeleteBeautiful streams with all those wild brooks waiting to take the Bomber or Adams. I prefer the wild trout in these areas more than the stock trout, they just seem to have more fight in them. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell,
DeleteThanks.
Small wild trout are much more colorful and can be quite feisty in the small streams.
Love them for sure.