Several years ago, a well-known television news anchor who frequented the shop asked if I write a new column every week. I replied, “Yes.” He then said, “You must have an evergreen piece ready to go for the holidays or in the case of an emergency, right?” I replied, “What’s an evergreen piece?” He replied, “It’s a column that does not rely on current events and is ready to go in such a case.” My answer then was “No” and still is today.

However, as I thought to myself, this would have been just the time to have had one already pre-written. What’s a little surgery? What’s a little pain? To someone who thinks aspirin is a drug, medication after a bonafide fillet job is a rude awakening. Nevertheless, here I am using AI and spellcheck, fighting through the task at hand, and, weirdly enough, enjoying the fishing aspect of it.

One thing is for sure, this old salt will not be climbing any banks and walking through flowing streams for a trout this upcoming Christmas, as in years past. So, I thought, well, the doctor and crew did their magic, and, although negotiating unbeaten paths through leafless trees and working stiff currents to reach the other side was a mere unattainable notion, casting an ultra-lite from shore seemed a little more realistic.

So the tale begins. Water temperatures were, shall we say, chilly. Air was warmer than normal for the time of year but crisp with accompanying winds on the lighter side - probably due to the formation of trees lining the banks. Quite evident, early on, was that a slightly heavier setup would have served the body better - less maneuvering and fewer steps.

The basis for this particular form of home-grown therapy had to do with convincing myself that rehabbing a years-ago hand/arm injury was to catch schoolie bass on an ice rod - in late spring. Since they were feeding in the river regularly, the routine was to increase catches/releases incrementally until soreness reared its head. Eventually, pain subsided, strength came back, and I was catching/releasing a whole lot of stripers - some of which put a deep bend on the rod tip almost to the wrist - as boaters passing by stopped to wonder what was on the other end.

That being said, this time around, eye-popping fish were not the objective. Ideally, it was just ones that bent a rod, clicked off a little drag, and gave up only after a few runs. Hooking into several of those sized trout - along with any related exercise - would be considered a day well spent. Movements made were cautiously tentative but determined. Trout will consume any small fish they can catch, including their own young. Focusing on an inviting fall-colored, 1/16-ounce floating swimmer that was tied to a two-pound test line and fished through riffles and also inward of undercut banks worked.

After that, focus returned to my new body part, and just for the heck of it, a new small jointed swimmer was tested, as well. Still, the best feeling was the splash of a cold brookie kicking their tail as it swam away. To say the least, it was a good day and well worth the effort. May this season be as rewarding to you in your own way as it was to me. From Captain and Crew to you and yours, have a joyous and wonderful Christmas holiday.

On The Water

Freshwater trout species from brookies, browns, rainbows, and tigers to Seeforellen brown trout and broodstock Atlantic salmon are the main draw. Inland lakes and ponds are seeing fish like bass, crappie, perch, and other panfish, as well as catfish, and some carp are also quite catchable. There may be a few slab white perch tucked in off the tidal rivers hugging the bottom of deep water waiting for your worm or metal jig. Pickerel enjoy this cool water, and now that grass beds have all but disappeared, this ambush predator can be found lurking by sunken wood or similar structure. Although it is preferable to give holdover striped bass a rest, catch and release linesiders can be found in key tidal rivers from the lower sections to the upper reaches.

IMPORTANT FYI: An Atlantic Striped Bass Informational Webinar logged on by 445 attendees was held on Dec. 5 to review the Technical Committee (TC) Report on updated projections and 2025 management options for 2025. The recent 2024 stock assessment was completed in October, indicating that the stock is overfished but not experiencing overfishing. The stock rebuilding deadline is 2029. In all probability, fishing mortality will increase in 2025, and under the most likely projection scenario in the report, the probability of rebuilding the stock by 2029 is less than 50%.

The TC was tasked with determining the 2025 reduction needed to achieve a 50% probability of rebuilding the stock by 2029. Additionally, the Board asked the TC for extra projections for comparison. Of interest were scenarios of low fishing removals in 2024, followed by an increase in fishing mortality (F) in 2025, and then a decrease/stabilization of F from 2026 to 2029. Those estimates included a 9% fishing release mortality rate. Scenarios presented for rebuilding the stock by 2029 ranged from 57% to 43%, which equates to reductions ranging from 0% to 14%, spread across both the recreational and commercial sectors.

To achieve that, commercial reduction would be via a reduction in commercial quotas. Size limits and seasonal closure options would be on the table for the recreational sector. Various slot and size limit options were presented, in addition to closures consisting of No-Harvest Closure (catch/release only) and No-Targeting Closure (all striped bass fishing prohibited).

Since the assessment indicates less than a 50% chance of rebuilding, the Atlantic Striped Bass Board can change management measures through Board action to increase those chances. A Monday, Dec. 16 meeting is set to consider just that, after the Technical Committee had the opportunity to update projections and developing options.

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 last minute 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 (winter hours in effect), located at 21 Boston Post Road, Madison. Until next time from your Connecticut shoreline's full-service fishing outfitter, Authorized Penn Premium and Daiwa Tournament Dealer, where we don't make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better.

Tight Lines,

Captain Morgan

captainmorganusa@hotmail.com

captainmorgan-fish.blogspot.com

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