Tuesday, May 31, 2016

2016 U.S. Olympic Archery Team Announced

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

The 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials process came to a close after thousands of competition arrows shot since the process began last September. USA Archery will have an incredibly strong showing in Rio and is incredibly proud of the team selected.

USA Archery CEO Denise Parker was very pleased to share: "Congratulations to all of the athletes who made it to the finals of the Olympic Trials this week. The depth of the competitive field was impressive and I am excited to see the quality of archers we are sending to Rio. We will all be cheering our women on in Turkey in their quest to secure a team slot."

The U.S. has qualified a full team of three slots for the men for Rio, but so far has only secured one slot for the women. This means that top finisher Mackenzie Brown (Flint, Texas) is locked in for the Games, but Hye Youn Park (Cuptertino, California) and Khatuna Lorig (West Hollywood, California) will need to medal with Brown at the Archery World Cup in Antalya, Turkey in June to earn those last two slots.

Brown (Flint, Texas) commented: "I'm in shock and awe. I'm speechless, elated, I don't even know how to put it in words... Thank you so much to my parents, family, Coach Mel Nichols, and all of my childhood coaches that helped me and supported me on this long journey. All praise honor and glory goes to God. My focus now is training with the team for Turkey to ensure we have our full qualification."

Park finished second in the Trials as a bit of a Dark Horse. Park just started competing in the U.S. recently after emigrating from Korea several years ago and attaining U.S. citizenship in 2015.

"You know this process is hard for all the athletes, and harder than I thought it would be," commented Park. "All the archers here did a really good job. I wanted to try for the 2012 London Olympics but I couldn't get my U.S. citizenship, so I was only able to try now, and this has been a long road. Now in 2016 I feel that it's very different. That time was very hard but it is even harder now. There are so many great archers now so it will be even more difficult. On behalf of all the other athletes I will do my best to get the other two spots for the U.S."

This will be Lorig's sixth Olympic Games and she is also feeling confident about the team. Her focus will be: "Keep practicing, stay positive and lots of team work. Having a team means having more chances to get a medal - you can have two medals instead of one, and for the U.S. it is more realistic to medal as a team than as individual. I have a strong team and I have no doubts. My fans' support was huge, this is the first time in 20 years that I felt like people really cheered for me, thank you so much Team Lorig!"

"I feel good about how the Trials shaped up and the level of competition in our women's program," commented National Women's Head Coach Guy Krueger. "This is the first time that we've ever had three or four women who are able to shoot over 330 70m scores. That level of competitiveness and how much they've improved over the last year and a half is great. I like our chances in Turkey, we have a very talented and dedicated and experienced team so we'll see how we do."

National Head Coach KiSik Lee agreed: "I'm very confident. We have a strong team compared to other Olympics because we selected the best archers through this Trials process. They are getting stronger and stronger day by day. Our men's team is especially strong - we have a new archer joining experienced archers, and that will make a big difference. There is evidence of this as all three men have shot 340+ in international competition."

Brady Ellison (Globe, Arizona) and Jake Kaminski (Gainesville, Florida) were two thirds of the team that won silver in London 2012. Ellison is excited about the team that was put together for Rio: "We have an awesome team, we have a team that has the ability to shoot better than we did in London and the Games are still a long ways away. We still have several tournaments in between so my focus is Turkey and the rest of the competitions before the Games."
It makes all the hard work and the planning totally worth it," commented Kaminski. "It's a long road, it's not, as they say, every four years-its every day and that's the truth. I'm honored to make my second consecutive team and am proud to represent the USA in Rio."

On making his first Olympic team, Zach Garrett (Wellington, Missouri) shared: "I feel relieved but we're only half way to the goal, I don't' think that anyone or I will really feel accomplished until we're standing on the podium. We'll have our team camps and that will be good to get a feel for how we shoot as a team. Personally I will make some slight form changes, check on my equipment and continue training. Hopefully the scores will be where I want them to be. Thanks to everyone who came out and watched and supported me."

Huge congratulations from USA Archery to all the Trials participants, especially including our 2016 Olympic Team and alternates Daniel McLaughlin (West Chester, Ohio) and LaNola Pritchard (Lehi, Utah).

For more, follow USA Archery on  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About USA Archery
USA Archery is the National Governing Body for the Olympic sport of archery in the United States. USA Archery selects and trains Olympic, Paralympic, World Championship, and World Cup teams, as well as developing archery at the grassroots level across the United States. For more information, visit http://www.usarchery.org.

Monday, May 30, 2016

Channel Catfish stocking in Connecticut

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

CHANNEL CATFISH STOCKING–

The annual stocking of yearling and adult channel catfish was completed this week. Over 15,800 catfish (5,800 12-18 inch fish averaging 1.5-2.0 lbs apiece and 10,000 9-12 inch fish) were stocked into 23 water bodies scattered throughout the state (listed below). Good reports from the Community Fishing Waters including; Bunnells Pond (Bridgeport), Birge Pond (Bristol), Keney Park Pond (Hartford), Mohegan Park Pond (Norwich), Picketts Pond (Derby), Stanley Quarter Pond (New Britain) and Lake Wintergreen (Hamden). Other catfish waters include Beaver Park Lagoon (north pond -  New Haven), Center Springs Park Pond (Manchester), Freshwater Pond (Enfield), Lakewood Lake (Waterbury), Rowans Pond (Butternut Park Pond – Middletown), Batterson Park Pond (Farmington), Black Pond (Meriden-Middlefield, Burr Pond (Torrington), Hopeville Pond (Griswold), Lake Kenosia (Danbury), Maltby Lake #2 (Orange-West Haven) -, Maltby Lake #3 (Orange-West Haven), Quinebaug Lake (Killingly), Scoville Reservoir (Wolcott), Silver Lake – (Berlin-Meriden) and Stillwater Pond (Torrington).

Saturday, May 28, 2016

Special Guest on the OUTDOOR SCENE on 5-29-16

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Tides, Salt and Fresh Water Fishing Reports, Stockings and Hunting Information from the Eastern Seaboard. Guest Interviews Too !

Tentatively Scheduled for Sunday May 29, 2016 at 9:10am we will interview and take you e-mail Questions at waynewnri@yahoo.com
                                                Rhode Island's
Friends of NRA is a key grassroots event that supports thousands of community services related to firearm education and other shooting sports interests.

Mr.  Jonathon Hirons will be on the guest line to discuss
his growing organization and any future events.


Friday, May 27, 2016

Muzzleloader Antlerless Deer Permit Applications Available

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

MONTPELIER, Vt. -- Vermont’s muzzleloader season antlerless deer hunting permit applications are now available on Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com).  A quick-link to the information and online applications is on the home page.  Applying online automatically enters you to win one of ten $50 Cabela’s gift cards.
 
The Fish and Wildlife Board met on May 25 and set antlerless deer hunting rules for the fall deer hunting seasons. 
 
Hunting for antlerless deer will be statewide for the October 1-28 and December 3-11 archery season.  Last year, hunters took 2,618 antlerless deer during the archery season. 
 
One deer of either sex would be allowed for youths during the November 5-6 youth weekend hunt.  Youths took 761 antlerless deer during the 2015 youth weekend hunt.
 
The December 3-11 muzzleloader season would have 18,950 antlerless permits distributed in 16 of Vermont’s 21 WMUs, which is estimated to result in 2,700 antlerless deer being taken. 
 
Landowners who post their land may not apply for a muzzleloader landowner antlerless deer permit. 
  
“The number of muzzleloader season antlerless deer permits was increased to account for the expected increase in the deer population following the exceptionally mild winter of 2016,” said Nick Fortin, deer project leader for the Fish & Wildlife Department.  “The recommendation is intended to allow moderate population growth in most of the state while stabilizing or reducing deer densities in a few areas.”
 
“We expect the statewide deer population to be 140,000 to 145,000 prior to the start of the 2016 deer seasons,” said Fortin. 
 
The deadline to apply for a muzzleloader antlerless deer permit is August 26.

Muzzleloader Antlerless Deer Permit Applications Available

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Rhode Island Federation of Sportsmen Clubs News

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Banquet Committee 
  • Tickets are on sale for the Federated annual banquet. Banquet is on September 24,2016 at 6:30pm. Anyone can contact Ed Smith at 401-529-5598 for ticket sales. We are asking all delegates to make ticket sales available to each and everyone in there clubs as well. It should also be mentioned that in lieu of buying tickets they can be supporting the Federated with a monitorial offer and or buy buying some kind of tangible gift to help with raffle prizes. We should ALL be supporting the Club that supports ALL the sports men and women in R.I.!!!
  • Sports and Shooting Committee Report
  • John Carnevale mention the 29th annual North East Ducks Unlimited sporting clays open fun shoot. On June 12,2016. 100 rounds of sporting clays, raffling off several high end guns and lunch at Addiville East. Tarklin Road, Mapleville, R.I.
  • Manville Rod and Gun Club mentioned on Thursday May 25th they are hosting a 10$ 3-D archery shoot that is open to the public.... anyone is welcome.
  • Riverside Sportsman Club is open to the public on Sunday mornings for trap shooting. 5$ a round...All are welcome.
  • For questions contact Brian Marshall at 401-632-3943. 
  • Brian Marshall mentioned that Midstate is putting a team together for anyone who wants to shoot 22 target pistols in the Ocean State Pistol League. This will give the league 9 teams to shoot against and the league will now run for 27 weeks with an awards ceremony and all you can eat banquet at the Venus Demilo. Brian is looking for any new bulls eye shooters to participate in the 2016-2017 season. You do not need to be a member of any particular club or have any experience in shooting to shoot.
  • Jason Gouveia at R.I. Fish and Game mentioned that his club has done a lot of improvements to their club and invites anyone to come down to see and to take advantage of some of the various shoots. RIFG have a new pistol range and are now are open to the public for specific shoots on Sundays. The first Sunday of the month they will offer a 5$ per gun center fire shoot and lunch to any one who enters. The second Sunday of the month is a 22 rifle shoot at 25 yard for 5$ but I can't remember if lunch was offered or not. And on the third Sunday of the month they are offering a 15 yard 22 rifle shoot but again my notes don't say whether lunch is included or not...  :( sorry. Thursday and Sunday they are also offering Trap shooting at 4$ a round. They do run a trap league that is generally open to the public but the league has already started and is now closed. On Sat June 4th they are holding a Ding Shoot. 10$ to enter and my notes say lunch will be served for this event. On June 12th, 2016 R.I.F&G is holding their annual Family Day. This Day is geared more for kids than adults but they are holding a 9 gun raffle for all that show up. For any further information on these events please feel free to contact Jason Gouveia at 401-256-6647. Thank You Jason for opening up your club  to the public and making all these events possible for our enjoyment.  
  • Cumberland Beagle Club has a center fire league on Monday nights and a 22 pistol shoot for the summer.
  • Massasoit is running center fire shoots on Wednesday nights and until July 7,2016. They have a 22 rim fire is also allowed on Wednesday nights. 
  • Wednesday, May 25, 2016

    Catfish Stocking in Connecticut 2016 Great on the Grill !

    Posted by Wayne G. Barber

    The Channel Catfish are here! Yesterday 24 waters were stocked with adult (12-18 inches), yearlings (4-8 inches) or both. The Channel Catfish provide a unique fishery through the summer months. One of the tastiest freshwater fish, try them blackened, cajun style, or fried. Good eats and good luck! Here are the locations http://www.ct.gov/…/…/fishing/fish_graphics/catfishlakes.pdf



    Tuesday, May 24, 2016

    How Big is the Annual Maine Moose Hunt ?

    Posted by Wayne G. Barber
    The 2016 Maine Moose Permit Lottery Drawing will take place on June 11 at Kittery Trading Post


    We are so pleased to announce that the drawing for Maine’s moose permit lottery will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at Kittery Trading Post in Kittery, Maine.

    This year, 2,140 names will be drawn in the random chance lottery from a pool of over 55,000 applicants.

    The event will be held under a tent at Kittery Trading Post. Festivities kick off at 9:00 a.m. Food will be available from Kittery Trading Post’s new “Lobster Pot” restaurant located on the patio and over one dozen local vendors will be on site offering everything from guided hunting trips to handmade crafts and goods. Staff from the Department including local biologists and game wardens will be on hand at the event as well.
    At 2:00 p.m., we will commence the drawing and announce the name of the first hunter fortunate enough to be selected.
    Since 1999, the Department has rotated the lottery throughout the state. Prior to 1999, it was always held in Augusta. In more recent years, lotteries have been held in Scarborough, Oquossoc, Greenville, Presque Isle, and Bethel.
    We hold the drawing in different areas of the state so that people can have the opportunity to be part of it first hand. Nothing pleases us more than to have members in the audience react to being selected!
    For those of you who can’t make it to the event, the names of permit winners will be posted on the Department’s website starting at 6:00 p.m. on the day of the event. Visit www.mefishwildlife.com to access the list once it has been posted.
     There is no charge to attend the event at Kittery Trading Post. In the past, the reading of names has lasted approximately 3-4 hours. Kittery Trading Post is located at 301 U.S. Route One, Kittery, Maine.
    For more information on moose hunting in Maine, visit www.mefishwildlife.com
     We hope to see you at Kittery Trading Post on June 11!

    Monday, May 23, 2016

    Buy Your Hike Safe Card and Get Set for the Summer Hiking Season

    Posted by Wayne G. Barber

    CONCORD, N.H. -- As the summer hiking season gets underway, the NH Fish and Game Department reminds outdoor enthusiasts to buy their Hike Safe Card before they hit the trails.  Voluntary Hike Safe Cards are available from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Purchase the card to support Fish and Game search and rescue efforts and be exempt from liability for repaying search and rescue costs in New Hampshire (unless caused by reckless or intentional behavior). All funds raised through sale of Hike Safe cards go to Fish and Game’s Search and Rescue Fund.
    Hike Safe Cards may be purchased online at www.nhfishandgame.com/HikeSafe.aspx, at Fish and Game headquarters in Concord, or by using a print-and-mail application available at www.nhfishandgame.com/safe. The cards are $25 for an individual, or $35 for a family (parents and minor children), and are good through the end of the calendar year.
    “Whatever outdoor activity you enjoy -- hiking, biking, paddling, climbing or walking the local nature trails, the Hike Safe Card is your back-up plan for the great outdoors,” said Fish and Game Law Enforcement Colonel Kevin Jordan. “Buying a card is a great way to help support Fish and Game’s search and rescue activities.”
    In recent years, Fish and Game has conducted an average of about 180 search and rescue missions each year.
    Learn more about the Hike Safe Card and see Frequently Asked Questions about the card at www.wildnh.com/safe.

    Friday, May 20, 2016

    Connecticut has some outstanding fishing right Now !

    Posted by Wayne G. Barber

    TROUT STOCKINGTrout stocking has come to an end for spring 2016. With the very “spring-like”
    weather and no sign of early summer heat, trout fishing will remain very good through Memorial Day
    Weekend. Some have inquired as to why there will not be any stocking over the Memorial Day
    Weekend. Typically, by the end of May, water temperatures begin to approach the upper thresholds for
    trout in many of our waters. The Inland Fisheries Division is looking to reduce stress on the fish by
    completing our trout stocking by mid-May

    ). Nymphing can be a good go to as hatches are intermittent. Try wooly buggers, muddler
    minnow, Stoneflies (#6-10), Pheasant Tails (#14-20), and Black Stoneflies (#18-22) among others.
    Housatonic River - Fishing has been good. Conditions for the weekend will be variable. Currently flows
    are about half of what is typical of mid-May levels (currently 660 cfs at Falls Village and 997 cfs at
    Gaylordsville) and very fishable. Anglers can call FirstLight Power Resources at 1-888-417-4837 or check
    the USGS website (http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ct/nwis/current/?type=flow
    ) for updated Housatonic
    River flow information (and also check with a local bait & tackle shop). Morning water temperatures are
    in the upper 40’s °F.
    Hatches/patterns Same general conditions as the Farmington, keep a variety of flies on hand.
    Expecially, Hendrickson (#12-14), Blue Wing Olive (a.k.a. Baetis vagans; #16-18), Green/Olive Caddis
    (#16-18). Anglers using March Brown (#10-12), Pheasant Tail (#12-18) & Stonefly nymphs (#16-18) are
    finding nymphing to be working well. Try streamers (Yellow/White Zuddlers or Gray Ghost). Brown and
    green woolly buggers are working.
    Rivers and streams stocking update (Note that all stocking schedules are subject to change):
    RIVERS AND STREAMS: The Natchaug has been real good with small caddis and olives. The Willimantic
    has been slow in the TMA but above and below have been real good with buggers and wet flies. The
    Hockanum is good in the TMA using mostly small caddis.
    In western CT; Blackberry River, Whiting River, Leadmine Brook, Pequonnock River, Pomperaug River,
    Farmington River TMA (from the lower Collinsville dam to the Route 177 bridge), Norwalk River
    (Merwin Meadows), and the Farmington River TMA (from the lower end of the year-round catch-and-
    release area at Route 219 to the lower Collinsville dam).
    In eastern CT; the Willimantic River (both the TMA and sections downstream of the TMA), Skungamaug
    River, Scantic River, Shunock Brook, Little River (Canterbury), Hammonasset River (including the TMA),
    Mount Misery Brook, Myron Kinnie Brook, Indiantown Brook, Coginchaug River, Roaring Brook
    (Glastonbury), and Salmon River (including the TMA).
    TROUT-LAKES & PONDS - Trout fishing has been generally good with reports from Beach Pond (fair),
    Hewitt fly Pond (good), Crystal Lake,Highland Lake (heavy bait for browns was working for some),
    Saugatuck Reservoir, Candlewood Lake (fair), and Squantz Pond (good).
    Lakes and ponds stocking update (Note that all stocking schedules are subject to change):
    In eastern CT; Amos Lake, Long Pond, Wyassup Lake, Crystal Lake, Green Falls Reservoir, Angus Park
    Pond, and Gay City Park Pond.
    TROUT PARKS Fishing is reported as good to fair to good at our Trout Parks and Community Fishing
    Waters. The Chatfield Hollow (brook only) Trout Park was stocked.
    Author with a nice 23 inch post spawn Largemouth on a Rebel lure 5-19-16

    LARGEMOUTH BASS continues to require some work as water temperatures are slow to rise.
    Working slugos across the emerging aquatic plants to
    trigger the strike.
    Tournament angler reports are from Gardner Lake
    (fishing on the tough side for many, also not many
    bigger fish, 2.5 lb and 1.5 lb lunkers), Pattagansett
    Lake (slow to faira ction, fish average weight was 2.24
    lbs with a 4.74 lb lunker), Quaddick Lake (lots of action
    “…caught bass all day”, but nearly all 13-14 inch fish,
    biggest fish were 2.96 lb, 2.85 lb and 2.46 lb), Rogers
    Lake (good fishing, with some nice size fish averaged
    2.5 lbs per fish, with a 6.25 lb lunker), Candlewood
    Lake (fair for largemouth, 6.91 lb, 6.87 lb and 6.42 lb
    lunkers), East Twin Lake (good to very good action,
    with some big fish, including a 7.5 lunker caught by
    Dennis Sikorski, and 5.9 lb and 5.1 lb bass, and a
    nearly 3 lb per fish average), Lake Lillinonah (fair
    action), Lake McDonough (good for largemouth, with
    a 3.6 lb lunker), West Hill Pond (fair action, with a 6.48
    lb lunker) and Lake Zoar (hard work finding many, not
    much size with a 3.69 lb lunker)

    SMALLMOUTH BASS. Tournament angler reports are from Gardner Lake (nothing), Candlewood Lake
    (fishing has picked up, 3.7 lb lunker), Lake Lillinonah (fair to good fishing, with a 4.69 lb lunker), Lake
    McDonough (slow to fair for smallmouth, 2.6 lb lunker), and Lake Zoar (slow to fair).

    Nice 13 inch Crappie I caught on 5-19-16
    BLACK CRAPPIE fishing is very good throughout the state and should pick up a bit when waters warm a
    few more degrees, look for underwater structure close to the shallows.

    CHAIN PICKEREL Very good reports from most waters, pickerel are on the aggressive feed trying to
    bulk up. Gardner Lake was the hot-spot.

    COMMON CARP Very good reports from shallow coves on the Connecticut River, Lake Zoar, Lake
    Housatonic, Lake Lillinonah, and lower Housatonic River (New Milford), and Hanover Pond- Meriden.

    CONNECTICUT RIVER
    Water temperatures went up to 14 17 C (57 63 F), which is still a bit low for this time of year but
    closer to normal. Flows are clear and at typical levels (17,600 CFS). STRIPED BASS (schoolie-size and
    some bigger fish) are being found scattered throughout the river. Some 20-30 lb plus fish caught in the
    upper river (good action on bloodworms, large white slugos, and plugs). Action at the mouth has been
    better early in the morning (see marine report). AMERICAN SHAD are really picking up and can be found
    throughout the river (very good action in the Enfield area). Willow leafs remain the standby
    . BLACK
    CRAPPIE fishing reamains good (small grey, white, or silver plastic jigs).



    2016 CT DEEP Weekly Fishing Report No. 6, 5/19/2016

    World Fish Migration Day: This Saturday, May 21, is a world-wide celebration of

    efforts to restore migratory fish runs. Many fishways in CT will be open for tours
    and viewing. Here are some details:
    All fishway open houses are from 10:00 am until 3:30 pm unless otherwise
    noted. Look for yard signs on the day of the event.
    Rainbow Dam Fishway Open House- The state’s tallest fishway on the Farmington River,
    Windsor. A vertical slot fishway at a 59 foot high hydroelectric dam. Includes a trap, an
    underground window where visitors can see fish swim by, and downstream fish passage
    facilities. DEEP staff will be on hand to answer questions. Species could include Atlantic salmon,
    American shad, blueback herring, sea lamprey, American eel, sea-run trout, and many resident
    river species like trout and bass. Address: 400 Rainbow Road, Windsor, C

    Harry Haakonsen Fishway Open House- A Denil fishway on the Quinnipiac River in Wallingford
    in the shadow of the Wilbur Cross Parkway (exit 64). Includes an underground video chamber
    with a camera that records images of migrating fish. Species could include American shad,
    gizzard shad, blueback herring, sea lamprey, American eel, and many resident river species like
    white suckers, trout, and bass. DEEP staff will be on hand to answer questions. Address: 367
    Quinnipiac Ave., Wallingford, CT

    StanChem Fishway Open House- A Denil fishway on the Mattabesset River in Berlin. Includes
    an underground viewing window where visitors can watch migrating fish swim past. Species
    could include American shad, gizzard shad, blueback herring, sea lamprey, American eel, and
    many resident river species like white suckers, trout, and bass. DEEP staff will be on hand to
    answer questions. Address: 409 Berlin St., East Berlin, CT 

    Greeneville Dam Fishlift Open House- A fish elevator on the Shetucket River in the Greeneville
    section of Norwich. Includes a viewing window where visitors can watch migrating fish swim
    past. Species could include American shad, gizzard shad, blueback herring, striped bass and
    many resident river species like white suckers, trout, and bass. Norwich Public Utilities staff will
    be on hand to answer questions. Address: 88th Street, Norwich, CT

    Latimer Brook Fishway Open House- A steeppass fishway on Latimer Brook in East Lyme.
    Includes a trap and an electronic fish counter. This fishway passes alewife and sea-run trout.
    DEEP staff will be on hand to explain the operation of the fishway and the sea-run trout
    program. Address: 100 Boston Post Road, East Lyme, CT (best for GPS since the fishway has no
    fixed address. But the actual site is about ¼ mile east of the intersection of Rt. 161 and Rt. 1
    (Flanders) on Rt. 1

    Mianus Pond Fishway Open House- A steeppass fishway at the head-of-tide on the Mianus
    River in the Cos Cob section of Greenwich. Includes a walkway along the fishway, an electronic
    fish counter, an underwater video camera, and an eel pass. Staff from the Greenwich
    Conservation Commission will be on hand to explain the fishway. This open house will run from
    2:00 to 4:00 pm. Address: 848 East Putnam Ave. Cos Cob, CT 

    Striper Bass is Excellent right now.




    with the approaching full ”flower” moon.

    There have been some very large stripers
    being caught in the Thames River (Norwich).
    Striper spots include the Pawcatuck River,
    Mystic River, Thames River, Niantic River,
    lower Connecticut River (DEEP Marine
    Headquarters fishing pier and Dock and Dine),
    Black Hall River, New Haven Harbor (Sandy
    Point), Housatonic River and Norwalk Harbor
    including the islands. Sand and blood worms
    have been working the best for “schoolie”
    bass. Casting swimming lures, small jigs (Chartreuse color) with twister tails, soft baits, and Kastmasters
    and other metal lures will all work. Find the menhaden (bunker) and you will find those beautiful
    stripers. The evening/night bite is fantastic with bait, including eels.
    Bonus Striped Bass Tags are gone for this year. Thank you for everyone who took advantage of this
    unique program.
    SUMMER FLOUNDER (fluke) fishing is good overall and quickly improving. As squid enter Long Island
    Sound…fishing will only get better. Mid to western LIS anglers reported fluke from 3 to 7 lbs being
    common. Anglers targeting fluke report that skates and searobins appear to be in plentiful supply.
    Fluke spots include the typical locations: south shore of Fishers Island (Isabella Beach, Wilderness Point),
    Napatree Point and along the beach, off the Stonington breakwater, mouth of the Mystic River to
    Groton Long Point, Thames River channel, Two Tree Island Channel, Black Point/Niantic Bay/River, Long
    Sand Shoal, Westbrook-Clinton area, Falkner Island area, West Haven to Woodmont, New Haven Harbor
    including by the breakwaters, off the mouth of the Housatonic River, and around the Norwalk Islands.
    Since squid are coming in, offering a live one on the bottom (10-40 feet) would be a good move for
    catching that big slab “doormat” fluke! Try drifting with a white or pink Bucktail Jig and attach a Berkely
    3”- 4” Gulp Mullet in chartreuse, white or pink color. Fresh squid and or silversides (spearing) have also
    been producing. Minimum size is 18 inches and the daily creel limit is 5 fish per person.

    WHITE PERCH fishing is fair, outgoing tide is better along the Connecticut shoreline and its coves. Perch
    spots include the Pawcatuck River, Mystic River, Thames River, upper Niantic River, lower Connecticut
    River (DEEP Marine Headquarters fishing pier), Black Hall River, Lieutenant River, North/South Cove and
    Hamburg Cove. Grass shrimp and small garden worms are the keys to success.
    SCUP (porgy) fishing is phenomenal by Orient Point and the north shore bays. Much better in Gardiners
    Bay and the Peconics (Little Peconic Bay is hot). Hook up with a Party or Charter Boat
    and enjoy some
    of the best scup fishing you will ever experience. These prespawn scup are gigantic! Seriously, try
    fishing on a party boat and enjoy some great fishing. Porgies measuring 12-18 inches (“hubcap size”)
    have been caught! Porgy fishing has also been reported at these excellent shore fishing locations: Rocky
    Neck State Park, Meigs Point Hammonassett State Park and Fort Trumbull State Park. Locate your
    favorite
    Enhanced Shore Fishing Opportunities for these excellent eating “Reef Slammers”. These
    panfish of the sea are easily caught on sandworms/cut squid or any other small piece of bait. Contact
    your
    local bait and tackleshop for updated fishing information.
    BLACK SEA BASS fishing is slow but improving. The early season hot spot is Falkner Island and from New
    Haven to Woodmont. Fishing over any deep water structure in 60 to 100 ft around slack tide will
    produce some trophy-sized “humpbacks”. Fish shallower and you will catch plenty of keeper-sized sea
    bass. It’s important to continue to move from structure to structure to find these beautiful and
    awesome eating fish. Remember, CT black sea bass regulations are as follows…15 inch min. length, 5
    fish daily limit from May 1
    st
    to December 31
    st
    . Berkely Gulp (swimming mullet) on a jig along with squid
    with a spinner works great for these “Bucketmouths”.

    HICKORY SHAD fishing is fair in the lower Connecticut River by the DEEP Marine Headquarters fishing
    pier. Connecticut Tarpon (Hickory shad) can be found mixed in with schoolie striped bass and harbor
    blues. Flood or Ebb tide is best and lures of choice are a willow leaf (silver), kastmaster (single hook),
    small plastic jigs (white or chartreuse), and or shad darts in various colors. One day they are here in
    large numbers…the next day you are left wondering…where did they go.

    WEAKFISH. Look for weakfish in Guilford/New Haven Harbor over to the Milford/Stratford area along
    with the Peconics (NY). Some really nice 8 to 12 pound fish have been recently caught at Sandy Point in
    West Haven.

    BLUEFISH. The Race, Millstone Outflow, Plum Gut and the north side of Long Island including
    Gardiners Bay and the Peconics are the early season hotspots. The “Blues” are coming as we
    speak…chasing the squid into the sound..
    For Current Connecticut Recreational Fishing Regulations: Anglers should consult the 2016 Connecticut
    Anglers Guide which is now available at most Town Clerks Offices, DEEP offices and at tackle stores
    selling fishing licenses. Current regulations, electronic versions of the Anglers Guide and additional
    information can all be accessed on the DEEP website at: www.ct.gov/deep/fishing
    .