Continuing after enjoying hillsides clothed in unending bouquets of fall colors, we embark into the Christmas season, where leaves are replaced with bright lights and other expressions of merriment. Holiday decorations light up the spirit, while a beam of light may point to a path one takes, and colors that blend together may serve as identification in the world of nature.

Colors, for example, can be beautiful, striking, bland, cool, or just plain camouflaged. But generally, the ones that get the most attention are pleasingly aesthetic and attractive. The one thing trout have in common with this time of year is the cool temperatures. They are a cold water fish that, under given conditions, can be rewarding to pursue. Of the most popular and beautifully colored is the brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) - especially native brookies living in wild brook trout rivers and streams.

A rainbow palette of green to gray on the back, and upper flanks fading to orange, pink or cream color, accompanied by red and/or yellow spots on the sides and red or yellow fins with a white edge stripe, make this fish highly recognizable. Their sides are soft and delicate, but their fight on an ultra-lite spinning or 3-5 weight fly rod is nothing less than admirable. They will take small in-line spinners, lipped swimmers, worms, nymphs or streamers, as well as tandem setups.

Brook trout prefer small, cold rivers or streams with gravel or rough bottoms, a good tree canopy for shade, and sufficient sub-surface cover (rock formations, logs, undercut banks). There are nine Class 1 natural Wild Trout Management Areas (WTMAs) in CT, where a section of water that has adequate natural reproduction can support year-round fishing, providing there was no harvest. There is no stocking in these waters, and the use of barbless, single-hook artificial lures (as well as barbless single-hook flies) are required.

The nine Class 1 WTMA waters are: Tankerhoosen (Vernon), Pootatuck (Newtown), Macedonia (Kent), Eight Mile (Southington), Harley’s Brook (Easton-Weston), Merrick/Beaver (Scotland), Mill (Easton), Quinnipiac (Meriden-Southington) and Wachocastinook (Salisbury). Additionally, there are Class 2 and Class 3 WTMAs that are not self-sustaining, are stocked, and have daily harvest limits, no gear restrictions, and are fishable year-round.

By now, you might need a short break from all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, or you may just be getting started. At any rate, gift yourself with a little time off, and wet a line in one of these relaxing, off-the-beaten-track trout waters.

On The Water

A weak high pressure built and eventually dissipated, as a low pressure developed southeast of the area. High pressure briefly moved in, then weakened before moving offshore, after which it regained steam prior to moving farther away. The highs and lows produced days of mixed sun and clouds, rain, along with some mixed precipitation in cooler areas where air temperatures rose and fell between unseasonably warm to chilly and cool. As daylight shortened, water temperatures responded by gradually cooling down a degree or two. Long Island Sound fluctuated between the mid to high 40’s, while flooding seas rose and fell between four feet to one foot in the midst of gusty to reasonably light breezes, with choppy or calm seas.

It is the small boat army that has been reduced to a squad or two that is now darting in and out of Long Island Sound and its tributaries. The search primarily is for end of the season, and holdover striped bass in key tidal rivers like the Connecticut, Thames, and Housy. Days remaining are the unseasonably good ones - sun and calm seas. Those fishers that have held out know what that means, as stripers continue to fall for various artificials and selected baits. These brief periods that interrupt the coming of a steadier winter weather pattern are the ones that can bring surprise catches. Similar to early spring-like days, stripers are hungry and take on an aggressive approach to any available forage. Fishing the inshore shallows and areas of nearshore, concentrated structure can easily pay off.

Although Connecticut small boaters can take advantage of the extended porgy season that stretches through Dec. 31, they most likely will not due to the deep water necessary to find them. If those are of interest, your best bet would be to seek out one of the larger party or charter vessels that typically book through the winter months. The same thing will probably hold true for black sea bass, where they will take squid or jigs, stack on deep structure, and generally be larger. However, small boaters will have a better shot at winter flounder, when fishing the inshore bays and estuaries that have muddy/clean sand, or gravelly bottom habitats using soft baits like clams and worms. A light-to-medium setup, flounder hook, and about a one-ounce sinker is all that is necessary, except for maybe a log of chum. The limit of this tasty flattie is two fish at 12”.

December is half over, and the weather has not been as threatening as some predicted. Freshwater fish have been responding in-kind, which leaves recapping the activity almost monotonous. From an anglers’ point of view, that is a good thing! Both air and water temperatures are trending downward which is cranking up the trout bite - as long as it does not suddenly tank overnight. Late morning and early afternoon have not been bad. River action and trout management areas have been above average. Browns and brookies are taking live but mostly artificial baits on the brighter side, including nymphs and streamers. Rainbows have been liking floating, slow sinking swimmers and inline spinners. Also, keep Atlantic salmon stocked rivers, like the Shetucket and Naugy, in mind for some really good fishing opportunities, pending depth and water flows.

Switching over to large/smallmouth bass, the fishing continues to be above average. The way weather patterns and fronts have been coming and going has affected fishing, so timing it and hitting the lake, pond or river (as the case may be) ahead of the front and barometric drop usually dictates the best results. Crank baits, jigs, small spinnerbaits, and even a soft plastic can hit the spot. Northern pike have responded to cooler water, as have perch, crappie, catfish, some walleye, and bluegills.

Report Shark/Fish Interactions: Seeking images/videos of shark vs. hooked fish encounters while fishing in Long Island Sound. Specifically, include images of striped bass bitten, and/or of shark actually attacking a striped bass while being reeled in. Email to CaptainMorganUSA@hotmail.com and include name, home town, and any other pertinent data.

Fly Fishing Clinic: Now accepting reservations for 2024. An outstanding opportunity for the experienced or intermediate fly fisher! Booking inland and marine fly fishing lessons with top flight, highly experienced instructors and guides. From trout, salmon, steelhead, and sea-run browns to striped bass, bonefish, permit and tarpon, etc., techniques learned and honed will improve your fishing. Holiday gift certificates are also available.

Note: Email us pics of your catches to share with our USA and International fishing friends who keep up with the latest fishing news and frequent social media.

For all things fishy, including the latest gear, flies/fly fishing, rods/reels, clam/crabbing supplies, fishing trips, licenses/permits and much more, swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days, located at 21 Boston Post Road, Madison. Until next time from your Connecticut shoreline's full-service fishing outfitter and Authorized Penn Premium Dealer, where we don't make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better.

Tight Lines,

Captain Morgan

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