I hit the Mill River in Hamden this afternoon/evening and fished from 4:30 to 7. I waited to see a trout rising before I got in, and I worked that one trout the entire time. It was feeding from the surface constantly, and tried a variety of dry flies but it wouldn't take anything. A guy who was wading and using spinning gear caught a few. The reason I didn't catch the fish is probably because:
A. I don't really know how to fly fish, and
B. I didn't have the right flies.

I had a good time anyway, and now here comes the story.
As I was packing up to leave, I heard a splash behind me and saw a small trout near the surface. It wasn't swimming well and I made a grab for it, and missed. I chased after it and caught it, all without dropping my fly rod. It was still moving a bit and I tried to revive it. I looked inside the mouth and saw that it was gut hooked. The hook wasn't in any particular organ, but it was partway down the throat and it must have been interfering with gill function. After about five minutes of attempting to help this fish, I decided to call it quits. It was an 11 inch Brown, and though I would have released it had I caught it myself, it will be my breakfast tomorrow.
At least now, I can tell people I've caught trout with my bare hands without lying.

I don't know where I was in relation to the trout park... the spot I usually go to is the closest part of the river to the Mill River Fly Shop, since I often stop there for flies and info. I haven't caught anything, but I'm really getting used to the Mill River. I'm gonna get a bunch of friends to do a hike through sleeping giant, followed by much fishing and possibly camping out there.
Where could I find a map that would show the trout park location?

Do you think a single egg fly would work for the trout there? I'll ask for a beadhead ant at the fly shop the next time I go up there.