Greetings from Scotland

[Jon]

Actually, I just moved to Ct from Edinburgh. Looking for a new forum and this looks very good, so hello from a very keen, but rather lost, fly-fisher from the UK.

I've been scouting round these parts the last few weeks (I'm living in Fairfield) and have visited the Housatonic (great fun) and found some nice looking waters closer to home - particularly liked the look of the Naugatuck just above and below the Reservoir. I just got here, so I don't like to ask :oops: , but does anyone know whether I can fish this area and, if so, where I park up etc?

My background is fishing for brown trout and occasional Atlantic salmon in the rivers and lochs around Edinburgh, and also in the Rivers Tweed and Dee. I have serious withdrawal from these streams but am heartened to see some lovely waters in Ct. Obviously I'm happy to start from scratch in learning the rivers - it's one of the reason I fish - but I'd greatly appreciate any precautionary tips from experienced anglers. For example, were I'm from there are no trespass laws and I can park my car anywhere!


Good to be here and hopefully I can reciprocate tit-bits the more I learn. More than happy to advise on the rivers/lochs of my homeland should anyone be venturing that far.

Cheers,

K

[Capt Bob]

Kerkaid,
Welcome! Conecticut is blessed with a number of terrific waters to fish. The CT DEP Guide and Regulations that you should have received with your license will list all of the fishable waters.
Having fished the Farmington for nearly 50 years I am very partial to this river. Although the Housatonic and others in the state can be excellent, the Farmington offers the best year round opportuinites for consistent hatches and excellent trout fishing from dry flies, nymphs, steamers and conventional tackle.
In addition Long Island Sound is a short drive from anywhere in the state and offers striped bass, summer flounder, bluefish, blackfish, bonito and false albacore to name a few species. Quite a few of us cast the fly rod for the above fish in the salt.
Surplus Atlantic salmon are stocked in the fall in the Naugatuck and Shetucket Rivers for sport.
As far as No Trespassing the state has quite a bit of open land, but many areas are also posted. Pay attention to the signs and when in doubt ask permission from the landowner or don't trespass.
Hope to meet you out on the water - by any chance dids you play any rugby in Scotland?

[flygirl]

Kirkaig, check out the Saugatuck river which is in your area. Although it's small , right now would be the best time to fish it because we have had plenty of rain this spring. It gets very low in the summer. I fished it last week and saw alot of nice sized trout. They were hitting the small stuff...#20 Griffiths gnat.

[h.ridley]

:D Kirkaid-- Welcome to ct. We have a pleasant climate with 4 seasons. And our fly fishing venues are superior. I don't fish the Naugatuck river but others do and we even have a section for that river on this site. Normally, you'll see me at the Farmy or Salmon rivers. Parking is usually easy to find along the rivers. If you ever want to see my Farmy, I'd be happy to show you around.
Howie



Tis a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. W.S.

[DA]

Welcome. The Salmon River in East Hampton is an excellent trout stream and is about 1hour 15 minutes from Fairfield. It crosses Rt 16 about 7 miles west of Colchester, CT.

http://dep.state.ct.us/stateparks/forests/salmon.htm


From Fairfield, take the Merritt Parkway/Wilber Cross Parkway (RT 15) east to the RT 66 exit at Middletown. Follow RT 66 through Middletown, crossing the Connecticut River at Portland. Stay on RT 66 east, turn right onto RT 16 and go about 7 miles. Take a left just before the RT16 bridge that crosses the Salmon River. The Comstock covered bridge is 200 yards upstream from the RT 16 bridge. The river diverges from the road upstream of the covered bridge. Continue up the road, keeping to the right, to get back to the river. There are several places to park starting about 1/2 mile upstream from the covered bridge. After you have driven the 1/2 mile, there is a dirt road leading off to the right that follows the river for another 1 1/2 miles with many parking areas. There is fishing downstream of the RT 16 bridge, but I prefer the fly fishing only section starting about 1/2 mile upstream of the covered bridge.

[Jon]

Thanks to you all for the warm welcome and the helpful tips. Plenty for me to be getting along with! I'll let you know how I get along (bewteen the showers/job hunting).

K

[The Fisherman]

As a fellow Scot (1/2 that is, on my mother's side) let me say welcome.

We still say the Selkirk Grace before every big family dinner, and my boys are named William, Cameron and Gordon.

Although we draw the line at wearing kilt.

:wink:

[DA]

Stream Flow Conditions In Connecticut:

http://www.thetent.com/arcadia/ct/ctsf_index.htm