Seeking advice.... what would you do?

[The Patriot]

I am off today, and the rest of the week, until next Monday.

I am planning to brave the rain today and take advantage of the gray, cloudy, low light conditions. But I can't make up my mind where I should fish.

I could hit the Farmington, fish streamers, maybe nymphs, and look for rising fish....

I could hit the Salmon and do the same....

Or... I could head to the shore and see if any stripers are also taking advantage of the current conditions....

High tide in the Western Sound is around 3pm. (Beaches in West Haven, Milford, Stratford and points west.)

High tide at the 95 bridge in Old Lyme on the CT river is around 2:15pm. (Beaches around Old Lyme and Old Saybrook.)

High tide in New London is around 1pm. (Beaches around New London.)

High tide at Watch Hill is around 11:30am. (RI's South Shore.)


What would you do?


I am open to input as to where I should go.... no smart a$$ remarks, please... ;) :D

[pvansch1]

Water level of the Farmington is up but not bad as of 5:45 this AM.
Since you are off all week, I'd hit the salt first and then when it clears a bit later this week, head for the freshwater rivers and streams. Besides by Thursday I should hopefully be free and aching to get out

[Kierran]

If I was off today I would be throwing big streamers in the upper TMA. Use white Zonkers, olive Wooly Buggers, & salmon parr imitations. You should have many pools to yourself. Good luck.

[The Fisherman]

Kierran took the words right out of my mouth! I'll bet today would be a great streamer day. Also see DaisyChain's post on his streamer experience in the lower TMA.

[The Patriot]

Well I'm still here, still agonizing, and watching the weather.... it looks like the Farmington is definitely my best bet.... the rain looks to be the heaviest down along the shore, so I think that rules out striper fishing.... there's rain, and then there's RAIN! They're calling for heavy rain and wind through most of the afternoon, tapering off around dinner time..... and like I said, it's most heavily concentrated along the shoreline... you should see the radar over New Haven!

Thanks for the advice... guess I'll start heading out....

I woke up about 4:15 this morning, and heard the rain coming down harder than I was willing to endure, so I went back to sleep and woke up with a headache.... so I'm taking my time and figuring out what to do...

Off to the Farmington with my new 6wt and Teeny 130 line to fish streamers.....

Catch y'all later....

[pvansch1]

Bring the 10 wt and the intermediate line. Pull off Rt 4 just over the river and park in the new lot. Walk up to the head of the long slow pool cast across and let it sink deep.

[The Patriot]

Well thanks for the input everyone.... it was helpful... but I ended up not going anywhere anyway.... :(

By the time I made up my mind to head for the river and forget about the shore, the rain moved north. It was pouring in NB, where I live, and the radar on the weather channel looked ominous.... I'll fish in the rain, but not when it's coming down in buckets and sheets, like it was here.... the only thing worse than getting skunked is getting skunked AND drenched....

By the time the rain passed, I figured the river was going to be high(er) (or high-ish) and maybe dirty.... the gauge for the Still was still from 0630 this morning, so I had no idea what the flow was... it was 1300 and rising in Unionville.... and there was a flood warning for Litchfield and Hartford counties.

I coulda gone to the shore at that point, but couldn't think of a good place that might be good for the tide conditions... and I had a screaming headache all day that I couldn't shake. And I was FREEZING! I put on some sweats and went back to bed for a nice nap. Stayed home this evening to bank some points that I'll cash in this weekend.... gonna have to break the no fishing on weekends rule ;)

Today I just wasn't feelin' it.....

Just wanted to thank you for your suggestions.... much appreciated....

[flyrodder]

I have a couple ideas for the shore tonight if you want. Not sure how fishing will be though after the front moved through.

I almost went out last night but I was just feeling too lazy.