Not All Tackle Shops Are?

Not All Tackle Shops Are ?

Not all tackle shops are friendly. And not all tackle shops can spell.

 

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Worms Again!

Worms Again!

Well the Rhode Island worm bite is still in gear. No, not everywhere mind you, but in some spots. Doubt it can last much longer if the water temperature keep rising.  At some point the bass will be forced to boogie back to cooler water.

The picture below shows Captain Pete Farrell fishing a worm hatch. As usual Pete is busy catching bass. Dude is hard core. Nice going Pete!

Captain Pete Farrell       photo credit Phil Farnsworth

Got an interesting worm fly to show you. It was tied by Mark Lewchik, who is widely known for being fabulous at the vise, cranking out wonderful flies for both fresh and saltwater.

Mark Lewchik’s Worm Fly

This puppy is near 1.5 inches long and rides a size 2 hook. Looks like a Gamakatsu to me? The body is hollow and sealed, permitting it to float.

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Worm Time in Southern New England

Worm Time in Southern New England

Well, well its worm time in the salt ponds along the southern New England coast. Yes, the spring has been cool and wet, but the worms are definitely here now. Pick a sunny day with a low tide during the afternoon to warm up the flats. That should trigger the hatch. No cold fronts please! And keep looking because the hatch moves around the pond following the warm water.

Worms

Here’s a look at that those squiggly little devils. Many, but not all, will be about an inch long with a red or pink body and a head tipped in black. But some can be almost white. So its best to have a wide selection of flies, as the fish are apt to be very fussy. Have some floating flies in the mix for sure.

Worm Flies

Still, don’t be surprised if the fishing to be tough at times, even when there are plenty of fish around. Just keep trying. Slow retrieves are the ticket. You’ll get there.

Photo credit Phil Farnsworth

Photo credit Captain Pete Farrell

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The Weather Worries Me

The Weather Worries Me

The weather worries me. Here in Connecticut, 2022 was a drought year. Dry as a bone. Then a switch flipped – 2023 being one of the wettest years ever noted. December, January and February proved  to be the wettest early winter months ever. And rains have continued and continued.

July 2023 was the hottest month ever recorded on our planet.  Get you some of that! And this winter is the warmest ever recorded in the lower 48 states. What about our wonderful oceans? Global warming has them on the hotplate. And they have been there for over a decade. Ready for more? Today my location weather forecast has a flood watch. And March turned out to be the second wettest month in Connecticut on records going back to 1905. The weather sucks.

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Are Bunker Back???

Are Bunker Back???

It’s a question on a lot of anglers’ mind.  And it’s been there for a long time. Many years ago, a handful of anglers, including myself, got the menhaden trawlers pushed out of Connecticut waters. To do it we had to testify in the Connecticut legislation as to why this was needed. Well it worked. And many other states did the same. It was a step in the right direction.

In recent years, bunker have been more plentiful throughout the Northeast; not quite like the good old days mind you but better.  And there is reason to believe we going to see more in our waters. Why? Because so many people bitterly complained for over a decade, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is finally making a concerted effort to improve how they manage menhaden.  Can’t go into details here, but if you wish to know more, pick up a copy of  the forthcoming May/ June  issue of Martha’s Vineyard Magazine. I spell the whole thing out there.

 

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