Friends Of The Housatonic River

There is nothing I enjoy more than visiting our states local bait and tackle shops to keep a pulse on the fishing scene. Anglers gather and trade fish stories, tactics and news of the water while shopping for the next great lure or bait that is sure to land the big one.

I do my best to visit the many shops and the great people who own and operated them as often as I can and I am happy to share with my readers the stories and buzz that has been coming out of them this week.

Tom's Marine Bait and Tackle in Derby weighed in several large Striped Bass from the Housatonic and Naugatuck Rivers with the largest fish of the week being a fat 39 incher caught off the banks of the Naugatuck River in Ansonia.

Tom also mentioned that Frank DeFrancesco of Shelton had caught several nice trout while fishing the Farm Mill River last week and also tubed and wormed up a couple keeper Bass out of the upper Housatonic.

As I was leaving Tom's Marine I bumped into Matthew Towel and Jackie Pisani of Naugatuck who were as happy as could be to chat about the five Striped Bass they had just caught at the Shelton Derby Dam including 3 Keepers up to 32 inches. Matthew and Jackie were fishing sandworms on the bottom for all five of their fish.

Jimmy O's Bait and Tackle in Bridgeport reported excellent action with both Stripers and Bluefish from New Haven Harbor to Penfield Reef. Schools of Bunker were also reported in New Haven, Bridgeport and Black Rock Harbors and Blues and Bass were not far behind with several Bass in the 20 pound class and long skinny alligator Blues being caught at all these locations.

Some of the highlights from Jimmy's shop included Jim and Mike Micinilio of Stratford landing 57 Stripers up to 33 inches and 12 Blues up to 31 inches off Blackrock Harbor in Fairfield and Brian Fette, Danny Bobbie and Dennis Bobbie all from Shelton bringing two 31 inch Bass to the boat along with several smaller Stripers while fishing the lower Housatonic River..

The first lady of Jimmy O's, Melissa Tucci was also very proud to report that seven year old Makenzee Melissa Montanaro of Fairfield caught several Bass and panfish at a private pond in Fairfield while out fishing Store owner Jimmy "tootsie" Orifice.

Captain Chris Elsner, who charter fishes out of Westport Bait and Tackle on the Saugatuck River, reported that the Striper fishing has been fantastic on the Housatonic River and that it is picking up quickly on the Saugatuck River and surrounding Norwalk Islands. Captain Elsner had several clients land Stripers up to 40 inches last week, both on light spinning gear and fly rods.

That is going to do it for this week. Don't forget to send your reports and pictures to leonsly65@hotmail.com GO FISH is now available online at hersamacorn.com and if you want even more fishing news follow me on twitter at (fishingreporter)

Until next time.. Tight lines!