Trout Facts?

[ctoutdoorsman]

There was a good article in the Hartford Courant posted above on the Farmington River section regarding Dave Goulet. There was a lot of history there before my time about the Farmington that I never knew of. Does anyone know any particular stats about trout in the TMA or Farmington as a whole. That was wild that 550+ were in the TMA alone pushing 24". Anyone know the quantities, holdover rate, mortality, etc. or any other cool facts. I'd love hear some if you got 'em.

[Troutfitter]

Dave is a great resource.

The Barkhamsted TMA boasts a 20% wild trout population after summer ends and the stocked numbers get depleted by mortality. One in ten of the TMA trout is over 16 inches. This was reported to the FRAA by Neil Hagstrom of the DEP.

[ctoutdoorsman]

That's an awesome fact...I mean to learn, not the mortality. I imagine the bait has a lot to do with it. I support any kind of fishing, even bait. But I believe there has to be places (i.e. the TMA) where there can't be any. I'm not knockin it completely, but it's really too bad they allow it where "No Kill" is the name of the policy.

[Troutfitter]

I'm with you.... I have suggested that the TMA be made a single hook artificials only area to the DEP but have so far fallen on deaf ears.

[The Fisherman]

Or, to reduce it to the minimum, at least send a warden out in early season to enforce the barbless hook rule on spin fisherman.

I know it's profiling (I am a former spin fisherman and still do it on occasion) but hey, if the shoe fits.

[Richard W. Fleet]

What criteria does the DEP use to decide designating an area as a TMA? .... or fly fishing only?

[Troutfitter]

Its all about percieved public opinion. They are trying to please everyone... so in the case of the Farmington, we will not see a fly fishing only area. I belive a change in designation to an artificials only area is a possibility.... many Western catch & release areas are designated this way instead of fly fishing only. This allows the spin guys to have their fun while cutting down on mortality rates.

[peconic]

I spoke with one of the DEP questionare guys on opening day and i told them i was in favor of the whole river being catch and release.

As far as checking the spinning fisherman for barbless hooks i really don't see the problem with that, check every one in a barbless zone, get the message out and people learn.

[Richard W. Fleet]

CTOutdoorsman - there's a report published by CTDEP on Trout Management in CT Rivers and Streams that is loaded w/ info on populations, mortality rates, etc. etc. It's a little dated but probably relevant today. It's available online on DEP's Fisheries Division website.

[ctoutdoorsman]

Thanks Rich-
I'm definitely going to get that. That sounds exactly what I'm looking for. I gotta get out with these guys shocking and stocking more often too...