Finally got out fishing on Sunday! It’s been way too long… Me and a buddy took advantage of the regularly scheduled weekend water release to float a section of the Deerfield River. We put in below the bridge near Zoar Picinic Area and floated down to the take out – I can’t remember the name of the take out but there’s a parking lot and it seems like it’s one the major stopping points for tubers, rafters, kayakers, etc.
We had hoped that the forecast, which called for rain, would keep the non-angling floaters off the river. We were wrong. It was pretty insane how many people float that section. It’s difficult to say whether or not the cadre of tubers, rafters, and kayakers turn the fish off but my guess is that it certainly doesn’t improve the fishing. Unfortunately the weather ended up being hot and muggy like it has been seemingly forever. I didn’t have a thermometer but the water felt pretty warm. Needless to say, the fishing was slow. It was great to get out anyway though. We mostly fished hopper-dropper rigs but never got any looks on the hopper.
My buddy Brian did connect with a really nice brown on the dropper though. A beautiful fish.
That was the only fish we got all day. I didn’t care though. It had been a long time since I’ve been able to get out and just being on the river fishing was enough for me to feel a little more like myself again after the long layoff.
I’m definitely looking forward to the upcoming fall, cooler water, and active fish. I’m formulating fall fishing excursions for colorful, aggressive pre-spawn brookies and browns, landlocked salmon, and fall stripers (just to name a few) in my head as I type this post…anyone else get out lately? What is everyone else planning for their fall fishing?
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Nice brown, great photos! I'm got pretty much the same plans as you minus the landlocked salmon. Maybe some broodstock salmon that the CT DEEP stocks.
Welcome back, brah!
I love autumn fishing. The trout seem to turn back on in October. The water is cooler then, but, also, the brookies will be spawning and all of those eggs create a great deal of feeding activity.
Also, the state stocks some rivers starting end of Sept. to mid-Oct., by Columbus Day weekend. For example, here is a link that shows fall-stocked waters in the CT district.
Ya I'm definitely looking forward to the fall!
Hey Adam, just wondering what type of kayak you use for fishing? I am in the market for one and just trying to get some ideas from those that already own one.
Thanks,
Mike
Hey Mike, I have been paddling Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 for years. I've gone through several though with some being stolen and some I've just beat up beyond safe use haha. I really like them. I use it for fishing and duck hunting mostly. Stable, maneuverable, sufficient room for gear, tracks decent and is faster than it looks. The only problem is that you can't stand up in it. It's also a pretty good price especially in the fall when last years models go on sale. Hope that helps!
Adam