Friends Of The Housatonic River

Blackfishing season closed April 30^th and will not re-open until July 1^st much to the disappointment of many local anglers who did not find time to get in on the action before the seasons end. Blackfish or Tautog, as they are referred to locally, are excellent table fare and a favorite of many fishermen throughout our local waters. They live amongst the various rocks and structure and that is exactly where anglers found them for some end of season action last week.

Tautog up to 12 pounds were caught fishing the Break wall of the Housatonic River and both New Haven and Clinton Break walls each produced several fish over 10 pounds. Read more

Objective:  To restore the natural beauty of the Housatonic River by removing as much litter and debris as possible from its miles of shoreline. 

Date: May 2^nd 2009  Rain or Shine

Time:  8am-4 pm

Locations:  Sunnyside Boat Ramp, Shelton

                   Birdseye Boat Ramp, Stratford

                   Milford/Devon Boat Ramp, Devon 

*All participants will receive a FREE commemorative T-shirt and be entered in a   drawing to win gift certificates and prizes. 
Read more

  I would like to start this week's report by commending the numerous volunteers who  took part in the various environmental clean ups that took place as part of the earth day celebration.
  As anglers, we too have a great responsibility to protect and improve our states shoreline and bodies of water which we use and enjoy.  That is why I'm happy to tell you there is still time to do your part to improve one of the most important local water ways.   Read more

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<![endif]-->   Trout Season in Connecticut officially opened on Saturday and thousands of anglers across our state ventured to their favorite fishing holes in pursuit of their limit while dreaming of a trophy catch.

  For many anglers, opening day is much more than just the beginning of the year's fishing season.  It represents the beginning of spring and serves as a day dedicated to spending time outdoors with family and friends.  It is a day of reflection storytelling and camaraderie.  A day when anglers think back and reflect on their fondest fishing memories and one full of the anticipation and exc Read more

Shelton Fireworks scheduled for July 2nd with a rain date of July 3rd. 

Stratford Fireworks scheduled for July 3rd with a rain date of July 5th.

 Connecticut's trout season opens this coming Saturday but Trout Management Areas throughout the state are open and are already providing anglers excellent sweet water trout fishing. 
  The year round Trout management sections of the Naugatuck and Farmington rivers have been red hot and fishermen have found plenty of Brook, Brown and Rainbow Trout from twelve to twenty plus inches and up to four pounds.
   Bait fishermen looking for their limit of trout will find great success drifting and bottom bouncing Garden Worms, Mealworms and shiners.  Salmon eggs and various other artificial powerbaits are also very effective with the recently stocked fish.
  Spin-fishermen should find plenty of aggressive trout while casting small phoebes, rooster tails and spinners across tail and pocket waters, while various swim baits such as Rapala Countdowns and Yozuri Pin Minnows are excellent choices for raising Trout from deeper waters.
  Fly-fishermen have experienced consistent action fishing beaded nymphs and caddis larvae patterns, while various colored weighted streamers have also produced some bigger Rainbows at both locations.
   Kierran Broatch of Milford landed numerous Trout while fishing Caddis and Nymphs on the Farmington River last weekend. Kierran found plenty of fresh stocked trout in the 12-15 inch range but was also able to locate some larger hold over Brown Trout exceeding 20 inches. Read more

Rejoice Anglers!  Spring has finally arrived and the 2009 fishing season is already off to a great start.
The opening of Connecticut's Trout season is only two week's away but many of the state's year round Trout management areas are already producing some quality fish.  Garden and Meal worms drifted slowly through rips and pocket water has been very effective and  fly-fishermen are doing  well bottom bouncing various nymph patterns.
Large and small mouth Bass fishing is off to a great start.  Tube and hair jigs, along with swim baits and nightcrawlers are all excellent choices for spring Bass fishing and have produced some quality fish already at Candlewood Lake, Lake Zoar and Lake Housatonic.
  Saltwater fishermen are anxiously awaiting the 2009 Fluke (Summer Flounder) regulations which are sure to change from last year.  Due to declining stocks of these popular table fare, the Department of Enviromental Protection in Connecticut, and surrounding states are all re-evaluating the management efforts in hopes to rebuild the stock.  New York recently raised the keeper size limits and lowered the daily fish allowance and Connecticut is sure to follow although no official word has been released yet.
  Winter Flounder Season opened on April 1st but fishing has been spotty at best.  Some reports of decent action came in last weekend from Niantic and Norwalk, but nothing local. Read more

From the StratfordStar.com, Leon Sylvestor of FOTHR.org was quoted about the proposed hike in fishing fees and new $30 salt water license fee.

“Overall, it’s not the increase in the fee, because there hasn’t been an increase in a while,” said Leon Sylvester, director of the Friends of the Housatonic River and fishing columnist for this newspaper. “It’s the concern that none of that money will go back into supporting what we do.”

Sylvester said most fishermen want to see the additional revenue channeled into the DEP, not only to bolster Connecticut fisheries but also to improve regulation enforcement, and to improve and maintain the health of the Long Island Sound and other state waterways.

“I think you’d see fishermen willing to pay $60 if all the money was going into the DEP,” he said.

 Read the full story here.

DEP alleges The Chromium Process Company has SEVERELY failed to compile with the pollution release standards into the Housatonic River from their West Canal Street building.

http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2586&Q=430072&depNav_GID=1511

POST COMMENTS HERE http://www.topix.com/forum/city/shelton-ct/TVLEEDDQ14EAV1RED

FERC has heard our calling, and reversed it call, now there is a rehearing

http://www.ferc.gov/whats-new/comm-meet/2008/112008/H-3.pdf