I'll be out there on opening day with my son Luke. He's 3 years old and can't wait to get out there. He's been casting his Cars fishing rod in the house for weeks.

myself I come from different world then Bob, I haven't agreed with much he has said in the last few years. as far as first day goes, not my cup of tea, if I go out it would be more of a buddy bonding thing then fishing

I really dont care much for bob sampson (a former fish biologist), or even the fisheries biologist people, its nothing personal, i just dont like what they do for fishing in the state.

yea, I really dont know why people would go out on opening day and even further, even get started in trout fishing. I never see people catching fish when i go out for opening day other than at a few places which are over stocked and crowded (mashapaug, farmington river, TMAs, kids ponds, etc). What I see are lots of kids and families fishing near home at local fishing areas who go home and give up after never catching fish or even seeing a fish caught the entire day. The only times I see people catch fish there spots are the "magic" groups people which flock there right after the stocking truck goes by in may, its amazing how word goes round to people who are 'in the loop' ... Its all priorities i guess. As for the lack of stocking, i dunno, I always read how there are low water levels before opening day prevent stocking, but everyone knows that BS and there are plenty of areas that don't get stocked that are deep. For Example, Willimantic river, a very deep river, at south river road, has 100 or more people or so for opening day and no one ever catches a fish the entire morning, yet 15 years ago, everyone caught fish. Anyway.. Couple the lack of catching fish with decreasing public access, mercury warnings on eating fish, the decreasing value of a dollar, salt water license... well, its not going to be long before more trends are noticed other than people not just going out for opening day.

I'm gonna go the opposite way and say I see plenty of people on opening day the last 5 years. Every year I take my daughter down to Great Hollow and we usually can't find a spot it's so packed.
I see people all over the Pequonnock on opening day.

....AGREED,the youth only hunting days has been a fairly sucessful program(turkey,pheasant and waterfowl).I think a 12 year old age and under prior to opening day would be a great event,certain areas,DEC guys on hand etc.