Our first fishing outing of the year is traditionally at Smith’s Point (Milford Point), accessed through the Connecticut Audubon Coastal Center in Milford. We will be meeting April 13th, at 4:30pm in the Audubon Coastal Center parking lot and walking out to the Housatonic River from there. This is where winter holdovers (usually schoolie stripers, but there can be some decent fish at times) are usually plentiful before moving outside into the Sound. This is a great spot for beginners to learn how to catch fish in waders, and others to knock the dust off your rods and start the season. The address is: 1 Milford Point Road, MIlford, CT.
If you get therea little late, go to the marsh side of the building (to the right side of the building), Step down over the edge of the marsh and walk out to the dunes separating the marsh from the river, about a half mile out. You'll see a path, usually flanked by rope to keep people out of the bird nesting areas. Follow it about 20 feet and you'll see the river, with fishermen doing fishing, because that's what fishermen do. Come down and fish.
Typical lures that catch well are 3/8 or 1/2oz jig heads with Zoom Flukes (I like the White Ice color) or paddle-tail shads in white or chartreuse. Plastic subsurface swimmers such as Yo-Zuri Mag Darters or Crystal Minnows will also catch, and some years even small pencil poppers might take a few fish. Fly fishermen will use Lefty’s Deceivers (I like blue over white with a few strands of pink on the sides) or Clouser Deep Minnows. Whether using lures or flies, the suggestions above usually produce, but bring a few of your favorites to try, it may prove effective.
Please stash a garbage bag in your gear and use it to haul out a bit of trash on the way back in. There's never any shortage of that along the high tide line, and the folks at the Audubon Coastal Center really appreciate it when we spend a little effort on cleaning it up.. Take a picture of your bag and send it to me, I'll make sure the center gets it. They've always been great to us and guarantee our access , let's return a favor.
