Connecticut Outfitter’s weekly fishing report for the week of August 23rd, 2010.

Rivers and Streams: Monsta Cats!!

This just in from Channel Matt:

“I wish I could describe Terry’s battle with a big cat in 3 feet of water better, but it was about as close as you can come to sight fishing for cats. Just a big, angry cat on the hook fighting like a b@stard, peeling out line and all ! Dang thing was in sight, then out of sight a few times.” This account from a night trip on the CT River by Matt Schoel and Terry Rand. Terry’s fish weighed in at 9.5, and Matt had a 7lber as well.

Steve Sliva of Rocky Hill boated a 5lb Largie in the CT on Wednesday using a 10” Ribbontail Power Worm.

Hickory shad are slowing a little this week

Smallmouth fishing is still doing very well in the usual places; fast moving current near weedlines and deeper holes. 

Walleye fishing in the Ct River System! Another customer reported hooking up 2 fish in the lower Mattabesett near Cromwell/Middletown line. No weights but one was over 16”.  It appears we have a Walleye population you can target year round in the Connecticut. Great news for Anglers, not so good for the “Salmon Restoration Guys”.

Trout are still doing well in the larger, stocked, catch and release areas (TMA) of the state. Fly fisherman doing nicely with Blue Wing Olives and Terrestrials.

Lakes and ponds:

Large Arkansas shiners are working well enticing the Pike Bite; now that the waters have cooled slightly.  This weekend’s rain has raised the water heights and cooled the temps down a few degrees. This week should be a good week to target the waterwolf.

Fishing Deep at Chrystal Lake in Ellington is reported as “great” by a few trollers we had in the store this week.

A lot of customers targeting huge ‘Gills this month.  Bob Sampson’s article in The Fisherman must have had an effect! The panfishing is doing well with Yellow Perch, Black Crappie and Bluegills in the mix.  Worms, grubs and shiny metallics.

Marine:

Striper fishing inside the sound continues to be slow.  Bunker east of Hammonasett are few and far between, but Hickory shad are around in modest numbers. Many guys favoring the Eel Bite at night for this week, and reports are good. Schoolie fish still in good numbers. Only 3 days of CT Fluke season left. Not much to report…

Snapper Blues still in great numbers, whodathunk?

Offshore:  Trolling opportunities slowed this week, so many crews opted to Chunk Fish the night bight, and did well. The west wall reported the most action in 600 feet of water.

This week we may begin hookin into the Speedsters? (Bonito and False Albicore) keep your fingers crossed, and GET OUT!