Fishin’ Factory 3

Andrew at Fishin’ Factory 3 told me the opening day of the trout harvest season had created a pretty good buzz at the shop over the last week. Many customers were excited to start their season, spool up their reels and take a few trout home to the table. Most of these hopeful anglers were ‘in luck’ as trout fishing has been very good just about everywhere the state has stocked. The Salmon and Coginchaug Rivers are popular locales and with good reason as plenty of large fish come from each of these streams every season. That said, some of the lesser known waters fish just as well and tend to be less crowded. Black Pond, and other lakes and ponds were also fishing well. The feisty trout were falling to shiners, trout and meal worms, as well as traditional trout lures – all of which the shop is well stocked up with. Striper fishing in the Connecticut River and its tributaries ticked up this week and anglers soaking sandworms reported catching schoolies from the dam to the mouth before the recent rains blew the river out. When the water comes down and clears a bit this action should pick right back up where it left off and should get better and better as the month goes on. Andrew noted the amount of osprey on the river is a sign that the herring are in. Though they hadn’t heard of many shad caught yet that bite should be starting up soon as well. They have plenty of willow leafs and drail weights for anyone looking to get in on that action. They are still selling lots of green crabs to customers looking for a spring blackfish. The best togging they’d heard of in the shop was at the New Haven break walls. The shop is back open seven days a week and will be for the rest of the season.

Andrew at Fishin’ Factory 3 said plenty of anglers were coming in and buying crabs and sandworms meant for blackfish and even winter flounder but he hadn’t heard back from anyone who had been successful in finding them just yet. Most customers expect to find some better results as the month goes on and the water eventually warms up. The Connecticut River is blown out for the time being but that isn’t stopping anglers from finding schoolies. Andrew said the tributaries from the dam to mouth have some fish scattered throughout the system and finding some clean water will be the best way to locate them. Paddletails on jig heads have been the best bet to match the river herring these fish are eating but a well placed sandworm will work too. Those headed to the Housatonic have reported good action, still mostly bouncing jigs. No Live Bait Needed paddletails have been a best bet for a few weeks now. Reports of good trout fishing continue to roll into the shop in spite of swollen rivers and streams. There seems to be more interest this year in the trout “opener”. Starting on Saturday anglers can now harvest their limit of trout. The shop is stocked up with everything you need to target trout from shiners and worms to power bait and lures. Jerk baits and Phoebes have been working well as have small spinners. There are tons of rods and reels in stock as well that cover a variety of sizes and actions. The shop is back open seven days a week starting for the rest of the season.