I checked our computer records, there have only been 6 arrests/warnings for fishing on the Housatonic River since January 1st.

ALL of them were for fishing without a license and a few had additional charges besides the no license. If you buddy was one of them then no license means that whatever he was doing was illegal.

Alabama rigs/umbrella rigs are not illegal in inland waters provided that it does not have more than 3 baited hooks.

Suggest that you double check with your buddy and find out what he got arrested for.