Fished from 1-4 pm yesterday wading a rocky stretch of river. Cloudy, dark, drizzle off and on seemed like extra fishy conditions. The water level was lower than expected but running crystal clear. I managed 3 smallmouth on a top water and missed a few others. Also threw grubs on a jighead also but snags in the rocks became too much. Saw an eagle, muskrat and a heron too. Nice way to get a good leg workout.
Nice report. I think wading or yaking is the only way you fish up there now. I was out with my son, Friday from 6-8:30pm on the river. Fishing was OK 3 Stripers 3 smailies and a pike. We were barely able to get my 12' tin through in a few spots. I can not go out there again unless the water level picks up significantly. I might try wading since you have done well. Thanks for your report.
Nice report. I think wading or yaking is the only way you fish up there now. I was out with my son, Friday from 6-8:30pm on the river. Fishing was OK 3 Stripers 3 smailies and a pike. We were barely able to get my 12' tin through in a few spots. I can not go out there again unless the water level picks up significantly. I might try wading since you have done well. Thanks for your report.
MikeV
How big was the pike? Never had any luck pike fishing on the Connecticut River. Guess I just have no idea where to go.
Pike was very small, about 2 lbs. We usually spot a pike or two on our smallie trips in the CT river. Never really target them. The water we fish is a little too fast for pike so we catch them rarely. If you want to target pike in CT, try Mansfield Hollow and work the mouths of the three rivers that empty into it. You will see a few pike on most bass trips there. It's been a while (August 2004) but that's where I took my biggest freshwater fish. The pike measures 48" and tipped the scale just over 20 lbs. She was caught on a 5" Yozori crystal minnow crank bait on 8 lb test.
IF you really have to catch Pike, head up to Pottsdam NY (6 1/2 hour from Hartford) there is river that runs through the center of town that is loaded with them.