AW Marina

Karen at AW Marina told me a few folks were in getting licenses and trout worms to take advantage of the opening of the trout harvest season. The state was stocking Mohegan Park with trout for the local kids and trout fishermen when we spoke. Trout fishing will be good throughout the spring and is a good option for folks looking to scratch the fishing itch before the eastern sound rounds into form. The shop was selling lots of sandworms to customers headed out in search of school bass and blackfish. There were a few reports of schoolies caught in the Thames and its tributaries in the upper river. While several anglers were headed out in search of a spring tog armed with crabs and sandworms no successful reports had yet to make their way back in. The catch of the week was a winter flounder snared by Scott Schnieder. Scott said he had to work for it but he did manage to land an elusive flatfish. Karen thought it was very important for folks to take note of the upcoming Marine Fisheries Commission meeting on Atlantic Herring and to make your voice heard. The overall lack of herring has been concerning for her and her customers and it’s important to take the opportunity to comment on any proposed regulations that impact the fishery.

Karen at AW Marina said they were ‘steady as she goes’ and the shop was officially open this weekend and would be open weekends, Friday through Sunday for the next couple of weeks. Her customers were pretty much focused on three species this week – schoolies, blackfish and the trout as the harvest season opens this coming weekend. A few brave souls headed out in search of tautog this week and although spirits were high, they were ultimately unsuccessful. Karen said she expects to have sandworms in the next week or so for those looking to tangle with an early season tog. Anglers are finding a few schoolies in the Thames River and its tributaries but overall effort there has been low from what she’s heard thus far. Most of the folks she’d seen over the weekend were headed in to get licenses for the 2024 season and were planning to get out for the opener of the trout harvest season starting on Saturday the 13th. The shop has plenty of trout worms, crawlers and tackle for those looking to get in on the action and take a few fish home to the table. Karen thought it was very important for folks to take note of the upcoming Marine Fisheries Commission meeting on Atlantic Herring and to make your voice heard. The overall lack of herring has been concerning for her and her customers and it’s important to take the opportunity to comment on any proposed regulations that impact the fishery.