Where are the trout?

Based on the latest (2009) stocking info, here's where you'll find the trout in eastern CT waters:
Natchaug River     Browns        6200
                              Brookies     1750
                              Rainbows    9400
                              Tigers         1000
                              Broodstock   300
Other river totals include the Shetucket, 7700; Yantic, 8500; Willimantic 10,000; Moosup, 7000; Hop River, 3500; Little River, 3900; Quinebaug, 12,000; Mashamoquet Brook, 2000; Mount Hope, 7000; Lower Five Mile River, 3600; Still River, 2000. Access and wading opportunities on the Quinebaug can be difficult despite the numbers, although there are good areas for launching a canoe or kayak.  All other rivers are easily wadeable with the Moosup, Willi, and Yantic open all year.  All others listed close FEBRUARY 29 until opening day, April 21.

Spent a few hours on the Moosup this week with new friend Steve.  Check out his custom made art knives , true works of art!  The levels and flow are perfect, fish are deep and not very active yet; a few small stoneflies were showing; expect more as the temperatures move upward into the 50's.

We have 3 free intro casting clinics scheduled from April thru June at this time.  If we can arrange something for your group, association or other, let us know!

Drag free!

The Natchaug River, Section by Section

We will be reviewing the  Natchaug River in depth, section by section starting at it's origin in the middle of Charlie Brown Campground.  If you would like access to the maps and description of specific areas, where to find trout, access, parking etc. EMAIL us at team_7x@yahoo.com

We will be updating the sections throughout the pre-season, in time for OPENING DAY!

Here's a sample from Section I...

Bigelow Brook and the Still River join to form the Natchaug, flowing north to south,  in the middle of Charlie Brown Campground, Rt. 198, Eastford, CT.  Parking is allowed inside Charlie Brown Campground in designated areas.  CHECK WITH THE OFFICE.  The folks at CBC are very hospitable to fishermen and are some of the nicest campground operators you'll meet. They are a TEAM7x partner, so mention our name when you choose to fish the area and PLEASE respect the campers and personal property by NOT trespassing thru campsites.

Walking the road to the left just before the playground area, you'll end up on Bigelow Brook.  There are several nice cut bank pools on the left as you walk upstream toward the bridge at Rt. 198.  Downstream after a run and riffle a very nice cut bank pool forms to the eastern side of the river under an overhanging tree and will hold trout for most of the season.

(Maps courtesy of CTDEP)

Trout streams open year 'round in Eastern CT

The following TMA's have no closed season and offer some early season opportunities:


Willimantic River TMA
Moosup River TMA (in CT, not RI, see my previous post)
Merrick Brook TMA
a bit farther south...Yantic River TMA

Look for early season small black stoneflies. With the lack of runoff, most are running just perfectly and I hope to have a condition update soon.

Check out a great reel and great value at Flyfishing Benefactors. Beautiful fit/finish, sealed drag.  The Snake I, large arbor, lightweight.  Click on the photo on the left for a full review. More reviews on FFB's great reels and a new rod shortly!  FFB's profits go to some very worthy causes; check 'em out via the link!

TUNE UP for Spring!

Team 7x is offering group and individual fly fishing lessons now thru Opening Day of fishing season in April. If you belong to a group or club at your workplace, contact us to discuss an agenda for your winter meetings! We'll cover the basics and tailor instruction to the abilities of your group. Casting lessons, fly tying,(equipment supplied) and proper gear setup can all be part of 3 to 6 session program one night a week.

For indoor fly casting, we'll supply all the equipment and we require an open high ceilinged area. We'll come to your location in Eastern Connecticut or Rhode Island. If you're interested, we have sample agendas that we've developed for several groups; contact us to customize a program for your friends, club members, business associates and newcomers to fly fishing.

We encourage youngsters new to fly fishing and those who always tell us, "Well I always wanted to fly fish...BUT"

NOW'S THE TIME...the winter's long and cold...we'll have you casting tight loops with your hand tied flies by the time OPENING DAY rolls around!

A special thanks to the great group of folks who joined us on a dreary Saturday, Sept. 24th at Charlie Brown Campground on the Natchaug River. We had fun and hope you enjoyed casting the great SAGE rods, reels and lines with us!

Drag free!

RI bans felt soles---BUT WHO KNEW??

UPDATE 2/21/2012...RIDEM will recind salt water felt sole ban! 

As of 1/1/2012, RIDEM's regulations prohibit felt soled wading shoes in both fresh and SALTWATER. Amazingly this new regulation somehow appeared without the slightest advance notice and little public comment. Leaders of RI's largest fishing groups, RISAA and others had no knowledge of this when I asked for their position. 


A total of THREE states as of this date have banned felt, but SALTWATER? In fact many states recommend washing felt soled boots and other wading gear in a SALT SOLUTION to control invasives. NO didymo has been confirmed in RI fresh waters, and the banning of felt in the salt is patently absurd. What's worse is that few anglers know of this regulation which is NOW in effect.

       No question that felt soles are safer than rubber. RIDEM has made no effort to educate wading fishermen and women in properly cleaning equipment and in moving from one stream to another where didymo may be present.  In RI no presence has been confirmed unlike CT, NY and others who HAVE NOT banned felt soled wading boots but have taken a broader approach of angler education. Felt soled boots are OK for use in Yellowstone National Park even after several years of whirling disease closed some areas of the Yellowstone to fishing. If anyone can confirm a comment period, hearings or other advance knowledge of this regulation, prior to its implementation, PLEASE LET US KNOW!

APPARENTLY EVEN RIDEM IS KEEPING THIS A SECRET!  I've asked the Director to suspend implementation of the regulation, pending more study, education, and public comment.  No response...
Drag Free in 2012!

FROM the REGULATIONS on RIDEM website:
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS 
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 
FISH AND WILDLIFE 
RHODE ISLAND FRESHWATER AND ANADROMOUS
FISHING REGULATIONS for the 2012 – 2013 SEASON 

1.17 It is prohibited that any person use foot gear with external felt soles in any state waters, inclusive of freshwater, tidal, or marine. This shall include any waters shared with adjacent states in which any Rhode Island Fishing Regulations apply.

Looking for the ideal trout outfit?

 Perhaps we can help with some ideas for you, your fly fishing spouse, child or granchild.

We've been working with several suppliers in an attempt to recommend a complete outfit, fly rod, reel, line, leaders, and fly box with a dozen flies with specific requirements and we've found it! 

                    1.  High quality at an affordable price.  Our goal is a COMPLETE OUTFIT (all of the above) FOR $300 OR LESS! We have field tested each component for action, durability and overall quality and can recommend a great 5 wt. package!

                    2.  Reliability.  Our recommended supplier offers a solid warranty program with a proven track record.

                    3.  Our TEAM7x pledge:  If we recommend an outfit that does NOT meet your expectations, we'll buy it back from you at your full purchase price in new condition. We're NOT going to recommend an outfit that we wouldn't want to own ourselves!        

                    4.  Affordability:  A high quality fly fishing outfit CAN be expensive, $1000 or more easily, but it doesn't have to be. Why not discuss your needs,requirements and budget with us?  We'll put you in touch with our selected TEAM7x  supplier. You won't be obliged to follow our recommendations nor will you purchase from us; we're not selling equipment.

Lastly, why not consider booking a spring "Evening on the Natchaug" gift for yourself and a spouse, child, friend or parent ?  

We've explored several new areas on the Natchaug this fall, some requiring a little effort to reach BUT, these are precisely the locations we love to target and share!  Depending on water levels/conditions we can also target the Shetucket, Moosup, Yantic, Still, Hop and other Eastern CT hidden gems!

Contact us at team_7x@yahoo.com for info on  the above and as always DRAG FREE!

Shetucket River Salmon

The Connecticut DEP stocks excess broodstock Atlantic salmon during the fall in two rivers; the Shetucket River in eastern CT and the Naugatuck River in the western part of the state.  Team 7x, on a recent beautiful November day, fished the Shetucket in hopes of finding these strong fighters.  The Shetucket is a trophy trout stream like the Natchaug  but is a larger river with stronger flows originating from the Scotland dam.  It can be subject to high levels but there are some good wading opportunities below the dam to the village of Baltic.

We fished streamers for the most part without success.  The Atlantic's can be elusive with only between 350-500 fish stocked in the Shetucket.  There are some large trout as well; spotted several large browns hugging the bottom but couldn't interest them on this day.

The Shetucket River is an excellent fall option to try for the Atlantic salmon, especially on a warmer day...not many left!  Give us a shout if you'd like to spend an afternoon learning more about this river and we'll target these leapers!

We're planning our winter agenda for lessons, including fly tying.  If you belong to a group or club at your workplace or elsewhere, let us tailor a once-a-week program for the winter months.  No better time to learn fly tying and brush up on fly casting techniques and gather details on some of the underfished eastern CT and RI rivers and streams!
Drag free!