Recent Posts ctfisherman.com en-us Tue, 26 May 2026 09:05:56 EDT https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=cfrm 5 connecticutfisherman@gmail.com 20 Questions 20 Questions https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/images/general/default/rss_icon.gif https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=cfrm SoundsFishy https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1395203#Post1395203 Mitch P.
on: 02/27/12 01:46 PM



CTF name: SoundsFishy
Real Name: Ed Kasper
Real Real Name: Edward Zygmund Fabian Kacprzynski Jr.
Year born: In the year of JuJu – 1950
Current city: Trumbull, CT
Hometown: Bridgeport CT
Family members: Wife: Denece aka (Tellulah) - Son: Craig – Dog and Best Friend: Holly
Occupation: SAP Service Software Business Analyst

1. Is it going to be possible to get a straight answer out of you during this interview?
Just what are you trying to say Mitch? Did TMACK9000 aka Toodles put you up to a question like this? I know he is in constant contact with you since he needs continual internet companionship and your undying love and admiration. He worships you and this site. He sleeps with his iPhone next to him awaiting a Livewell reply. He is the reason behind all that is EVIL !! Now what was the question again?

2. What is a typical day on the job like?
In my current position, I support a global network of field service engineers with their software needs and issues, for a Life Science Company Headquartered in Massachusetts. We use a software named SAP (A German Software Company) that ties in all our business offices globally to insure we maintain best practices. Normally I will be on the phone or on email responding to problems with the software in the field. At this time, I am configuring the Service Software into a new company we recently purchased. The hours are long, but the team I work with is extremely professional and fun. I am looking forward to retiring in a few years and fishing more though. I’m thinking seriously about writing a comedy novel about corporate life called Monkey Business. I have soooo many stories. Gawd.



3. How and when did you first get into fishing?
My dad was a Commercial Fisherman out of Bridgeport CT. The boat was an Atlantic Dragger built in 1922 (converted schooner) moored at Hitchcock Gas Engine Co. on California Street next to the old Pequonnock Y.C. He had me out on the Sound at three years old, & it was love at first sight.



I worked as a deck hand for him throughout grammar & high school summer vacations. I remember when he would laugh when we were dragging the nets & I was on the stern dragging a lipped lure on tarred line behind the boat catching bluefish. But, the Commercial fishing business was not the life for me. I needed more structure and certainty in my life. And a steady paycheck didn’t hurt either. The prices fluctuated greatly but your expenses remained constant.



I remember one day when we dumped 10,000 pounds of scup into Bridgeport harbor because the Fulton Fish Market truck (from NY) would have charged us big $$$$ to get the fish to the processor. We would have had a net loss based on the price of the fish vs the transport cost. But recreationally, I was hooked for life. Shore fished when young, but got into boat fishing when I realized you could catch more. One thing I never was nor shall I ever be is a Boat Ho. I believe this is the lowest form of sea scum.

4. What is one of your most memorable fishing experiences?
There are so many. We dragged up a 20’+ Thresher Shark towing our nets west of Middleground Light House, a 500+ lb Manta Ray East of Middleground.



A Wing Tank, an Air National Guard Pilot in a parachute (very sad), Shark & Tuna Tourneys, the late 70’s yellowfin tuna invasion at the Butterfish Hole, etc. But to pick one, I was aboard Ward Strang’s 37’ Silverton heading to Montauk for 7 days of offshore tuna fishing. It was one of those perfect days on the Sound with 5 knot southerlies. We were all on vacation, mid-sound off of New Haven on course to Plum Gut, all of us up on the flying bridge popping our first beers when Capt Ward looks at me and sez he has some good news & some bad news. He tells me the Good news is, he just purchased before this trip, & mounted, a new 4 person survival raft up on the bow. The bad news was, I was the 5th guy.


A jet's wing tank that was dragged up south of Penfield Light House.

5. Do you have any fishing friends who scoff at the idea of talking fishing online at sites like CTF?
The old timers don’t scoff, most of the ones I know, just don’t know how to use a computer. Some of the younger guys I know have weak handshakes & don’t know how to type and are timid to join in. Danny B & Andrew come to mind as I write this. But I never heard someone say that this type of medium is scoff-worthy. I think you need to start believing more in yourself here Mitch and this monster you have created.

6. How has CTF changed your fishing over the years?
Well, I never used to drink or smoke until I met Team Tuesday. And then there was this 15 minute drift about 5 years ago where I once tried one of Fuzzy2U’s fluke rigs.


Piketoberfest bazooka launching.

7. You’ve been a member since 2003, but it seems you’ve only been really active in recent years. What made you become a more active poster?
Look closely in your archives Mitch at when Toodles started posting. That should make it very clear. He brings out the worse in me and between him, jonh, DEN, Dusty & the Livewell I have never laughed so hard at times…..I have paid 20X the cost of this site to see a comedy show that paled in comparison to some of the funny stuff here behind these firewalls.


Piketoberfest balloon launching. (That's Ed on the left.) Click here for more from Piketoberfest VIII (2009).

8. You’re one of the most sarcastic people on the site, yet in person you’re more subdued. Are you more sarcastic in real life with some of your close friends or family?
Sarcastic? Me?? Hell wait to get you get to be my age. Really though, this is an easy question. We were at a co-workers football game party a few years ago. At the party was a fella fighting some type of disease. The guys I knew all called me into the kitchen and asked me not to goof on the guy because the disease was very serious and could take his life. Cause they knew me (wink) as aka “The Devil” or “Evil Ed”. Well at half-time I make some conversation with him and he tells me he’s a sailboter. Uh-Oh. I tell him I fish the sound with a powerboat and that he would be welcome to join me next summer, ……..as ya’ never know when one of us ain’t gonna be around any longer!!! He lanquished a low guttural laugh & …a prolonged groan emanated from my co-workers in the kitchen. The good news is he IS still alive. But to better answer your question more simply, Yes!

9. Has your sense of humor ever gotten you in trouble?
Wow !! Sure !! But first, in Central High School, in Bridgeport, you can’t believe how many times it saved my life!! Canadians love to laugh. The more you made them laugh the less likelihood of you wearing a shiv under your third rib. Here’s the most recent one where I cringed. We hired a new software programmer from India a few months back. As I walked by his office at work, I noticed his computer’s screen saver. It looked like a pic of Jermaine Jackson of the Jackson 5. So I ask him…” Hey Pradeep, is that Jermaine Jackson on your computer?” He answered “No , …..that is my God !!” …………Ouch! Whoops…exit stage left…


Kanai Drift Trip.

10. You posted a report about fishing in Alaska with your son. Why isn’t he a CTF member? Does he ever question what you are doing talking with much younger anglers than yourself online?
My son loves boating but never really caught the fishing bug. He does join me a few times a year though when his schedule at the Milford Firehouse allows. He’s into his house, job, band & GIRLS. With regard to talking with younger anglers, well, they may have less years than I, but they look, feel and act older than I do, so it’s never been an issue.



11. Do you have a dream fishing trip or destination you’d like to take?
Have already taken that off my bucket list. The Alaska Trip with my son, the day MED took me deep water Flukin’ off of Niantic AND live-lining mackerel off Stellwagon with DEN & Toodles for Giant BFT. A memorable trip was when Danny B was SCREAMING that our anchor shifted and we were off the wreck, with his line straight up & down stuck in…you guessed it…the wreck.


Bankshot and SoundsFishy on Capt. Blaine's boat.

12. What’s the hardest thing you’ve had to overcome in your life?
Ok, I know this is gonna sound cold & hard, but really nothing. Let me explain. My dad was a hard-working guy & one of the nicest guys you would ever want to meet, unless he was hitting the bottle. He then became very mean & abusive…not a good thing at all. I kept my distance when he was drinking (he never drank when operating the boat), but one thing it taught me was to take life with a grain of salt. Look, we are born to die, so to me death or disease IS a HUGE part of our lives. Too many peeps don’t really get that. They prance around as if nothing bad is ever gonna happen. Look, something is ALWAYS trying to hurt or kill us. I fully realize that EVERY day is a gift as peeps many years younger than I have hit the glue pots. With that mindset, it has been easy to handle anything thrown at me…I accept fate for what it is and move forward. Just about EVERYTHING is out of our individual control so why worry about it?? I treat my family and friends as I would like to be treated or even better in return. I love my wife & son more than anything but understand that they can be taken from me at any time. I stay away from the crazies and surround myself with family & peeps who love to laugh and enjoy life. Then these feelings all disappear, my soul shakes, my hands tremble, when I sign into the ChumBucket.



13. What do I think happens to us after we die?
Hoooo boy…Here we go !! Let me begin this discussion by unequivocally stating that I admire and honor the faith that any individual shares. Religion is a very PERSONAL subject & I fully respect everyone’s beliefs. I was raised a Catholic in a local Polish Church where priests kept their kielbasa in their pants. The nuns there truly worked to provide us with a good basic & religious education. We both feared them & goofed on them whenever we could all in good fun. If you call using a straw to shoot straight pins into the backs of their habits (robes), while they wrote lesson plans on the blackboards, “fun”. My Mom, being a devout Catholic, wanted me to become a priest…well after 8th grade, I didn’t know any better so I agreed to attend a Franciscan’s Fathers Seminary in Texas. That lasted about a week. I think it was something to do about some sort of chastity vow. I fell in love with my cousin Theresa during grammar school & I yearned for her dearly. But what I did do, was take away a deep desire to understand the history of ALL religions. So I studied Islam, Buddism, Hinduism & Derivatives of Christianity. Joseph Campbell was an incredible author on the history of religion during our species formative years…he spent his entire life studying & writing of the subject & I found his work extremely informative, intriguing & fascinating. During College, Psychology & Theology was minors of mine because of my love for the subject. What I came away with from all my studies, is this:

1. All Religions are Myths
2. All Religions are Beautiful & Good, Mankind makes them evil.
3. All Religions are based on FAITH.
4. All Religions create fanatics that create war, pain, misery, hatred and even death because fanatics want EVERYONE to believe their way is the right way.

I believe that god is not a grey haired man sitting on a throne awaiting our worship. I believe that God is all around us. In a very real and true sense of the term, “all around us”. Every bit of matter, everything we see and can’t see in the spectrum of light invisible to us, every atom that makes up our body, every rock, grain of sand, cloud, Star, Globular Cluster, distant pulsar or black hole is God. No, not god’s creation, but we are all part of the god that IS this universe that we now have a chance to experience. This is very deep. You have to be almost stoned to truly understand what I am saying here.

We have existed prior to this life forever, for a fleeting instance we get a chance to experience it, and when we die, we return to the state we existed in prior to our birth in our continuing journey through eternity. Hell was dreamed up to keep crazy peeps in line because back in the day, some peeps were 4 hairs short of being monkeys, heaven was imagined up because there was rampant persecution & slavery during the early years of religious awareness. Mankind is extremely self-centered to believe that we were made in the image of a supreme being. Imagine that…God looks like us!! Uhhh that’s a tough one to swallow!!! In addition, if eternity prior to our existence wasn’t all that bad, what’s the problem with returning to it?

My philosophy has me treating all others I meet with kindness and friendship, I shun those that are not accepting or choose to treat others unfairly or unjustly. This earth we have, that we experience everyday, is incredibly beautiful…it IS truly heaven !! From Fiji, to Alaska to the fjords of Norway, this rock, three orbital slots away from our star the sun is truly amazing. Would I love to live here for a thousand years??? Who wouldn’t? Well maybe not some peeps with genetic issues, but we only get this one chance, we should all embrace it and make it better…but we don’t and sadly, religion is one of the reasons why.



14. What is your favorite fish species to pursue?
I love to fish all Salt Water Species, but over the past 10 years I have focused on Fluke and have found it very fun, gay, challenging & rewarding. DEN has shown me how to catch big porgies too. One day I would really love to catch a yellow perch though.




15. Do you have any fish-that-got-away stories that still haunt you?
I have three that always pop up when shootin’ the breeze.. One was when flinging eels near the main light house channel in New Haven Harbor one evening with a good friend Frank (Bankshot). I had a pick up and a run that felt like 5 bowling balls falling down hill away from me. After that first run she stops, I set the hook & pulled the eel. Arrrggghhh Tuff way to learn to use a bigger hook on a bigger eel.
Another was fishing off Charles Island about 8 years ago in a bluefish tournament, had my bunker picked up, and whatever it was SLOWLY walked my line up to the bow, past my anchor line , then 100 yds away, heading into the tide slowly, methodically, steadily & eerily, then…… it drops off, along with my heart.



In the late 60’s we used to rig my dad’s dragger for 2 weeks of harpooning swords off Block Island to No Man’s Land. One day I was up the mast on lookout. What I thought were fishing or fruit crates floating were really the dorsal & tail fins of a swordfish sunning up on the surface. We slowly steamed the boat closer with the harpooner nervously awaiting the beast. The dorsal & tail fins were conservatively 16-18 feet apart. I wish we had GoPro’s back then ‘cause Toodles will call BS, but facts are facts (smile). As the diesel brought our pulpit closer inching the harpooner slowly & quietly to our quarry, he flings the harpoon, the rosette (dart) hits below the dorsal and glances off the side of the fish as she rolled away from him AND the poon’s trajectory path he threw it on. I can see this today as vividly as some peeps we know on this site, see things on Meth.




16. How long have you been married? Does your wife ever join you for fishing trips?
I met Tellulah (Denece) at a Yacht Club Octoberfest 37 years ago and we were married a year after meeting. The marriage has lasted because she does NOT come out fishing with me! She gets to do what she loves & I get to do what I love. It works for us. My fishing partner Bernie & his wife joined us at Mohegan Sun one evening for Dinner at Jasper White’s Summer Shack. My wife leans back in her dinner chair and says..”So, Bernie & Marilyn, …How do you like “MY” boat, opening her arms embracing the ambience of the casino”? After dinner she went to the ATM for bait and went fishing.


Ed's boat.

17. You’re facing the electric chair and you have one last meal. What does it consist of?
A diet of all Tosh.O reruns & rum raisin ice cream. Which spelled backwards is “Murder”. Oh wait, that was RedRum. Sorry.

18. Besides food, clothing and your fishing gear you can only take three items on a week-long fishing trip out at sea. What three items do you bring?
Team Tuesday
Team Toodles, Bernie & Bankshot
Team Allison (Riptide), Timmy (Pistol) & DEN


Team Tuesday.

19. What are your fishing goals for 2012?
The local MudHole fishing clubs that I am a member at, have year-long fishing tournaments with a Fisherman of the Year Status based on points. I would love to have a fish in each category making that board…..…1st, 2nd. Or 3rd is fine. But even if I don’t get there, will have a ball trying.




20. What are some of your favorite bands and musicians?
Years ago…Cat Stevens, Jethro Tull, Black Sabbath, All MoTown Records. Today, ColdPlay, Sugarland, Racal Flatts, Kid Rock.

Thanks Mitch, I have to stop now, my bus is beeping in front of the house. I gotta go…


Ed's dog, Holly. ]]> Mon, 27 Feb 2012 13:46:50 EST https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1395203#Post1395203 fishbag61 https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1391068#Post1391068 Mitch P.
on: 02/10/12 06:46 PM

There were some issues getting this interview to display when looking at the list of threads in the forum.

Copy is here:
http://www.ctfisherman.comhttps://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreadshttps://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/1391066/fishbag61#Post1391066]]> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:46:27 EST https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1391068#Post1391068 fishbag61 https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1391066#Post1391066 Mitch P.
on: 02/10/12 06:44 PM



CTF name: fishbag61
Real name: Craig Vincent
Age: 46
Current city: Waterbury, CT
Hometown: Bridgeport, CT
Family members: 2 brothers, 4 sisters, 4 nephews, 7 nieces, and one wife
Occupation: Church Administrator/Director of music

1. Where did the name "fishbag61" come from?
It's my email address. I just happened to use it as my sign in name when I joined the site. It originates from when I first took up trout fishing. I had friends and family members who were always requesting that I bring them some fish, so to keep the fish fresh, I always brought along a canvas creel or “fishbag.” 61 is the year of my birth.

2. You've been awfully quiet on the board in the last year. What have you been up to?
For the last year, up until recently, I had been literally working seven days a week. Prior to that I had not worked full-time for six years, and I had been my own boss for almost twenty. But suddenly, and through no fault of my own, I became extremely motivated (which is an Olde English word for angry wife) to re-enter the workforce. So I had to begrudgingly shelve my carefree angling existence and replace it with an existence of toil and dumb anguish ….I took a job selling cars at a Mazda dealership. Auto sales wasn’t a bad gig and I became quite good at it, but the hours were long. There were things I enjoyed about it, such as working with people. There were things I hated about it, such as working with people…. During this time, I had also been on staff part time as music director for a church, which I really enjoyed. Between the two jobs….. the one I loved to do which couldn’t pay the bills by itself, and the one I took to reestablish myself as a productive member of society ( and get Broom Hilda off my back…just kidding my wife is awesome!) …I didn’t have much time to fish or spend on the board.

But not too long ago, the church offered me a fulltime job and I jumped at the offer and zoom zoomed out of the dealership. Now I am in the land of balance and leisure again….working 3-4 days a week! I don’t see this as a permanent situation but it provides me with some breathing room to explore my long-term prospects….and get back to fishing.

3. You're known for your very colorful and well written posts.

Here's a Fishbag classic:
"Don't fire Till....."
http://www.ctfisherman.comhttps://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreadshttps://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=591876#Post591876

Here's a look back at more of fishbag61's posts:
http://www.ctfisherman.comhttps://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ub...&page=1When

How did you develop your writing skills?
Hey…I just write em as I see em! As far as developing any writing skills goes ….It’s just my natural proclivity to be a blabbermouth coming out in typeface. Honestly, I had never written a thing or even posted on a forum before I joined this website. Heck, I ‘m certain I made it through high school without ever even writing a paper. However, when I accidentally found CTF looking for fishing info one night, I was psyched that there was an entire community to glean fishing info from, but I also realized that a forum is a give and take concept so I would have to get over myself and contribute. I think in the beginning it was the anonymity which the internet provides that helped me to step out and write the first report, but at some point it was the responses of the members that encouraged me. You friggin people created me!

4. Besides your posts on CTF, do you have an outlet for your writing, such as in your line of work? Have you had any of your writing published?
Nope. I’ve posted on a couple of other sites here and there…other than that …CTF remains my only outlet for any kind of writing…Oh…and I now write the church bulletin every week……Boy…has that thing changed!



5. You enjoy a good cigar. What is the most expensive cigar you ever smoked? What is the most memorable reason you smoked a cigar?
It’s true…I love a good smoke… I routinely spend 20.00-25.00 for a good cigar, but I’m no means a cigar snob. I’ll also smoke an 80 cent Muniemaker, and I’ll enjoy either one. In fact, I love finding good cigars at a bargain. There are some very good internet cigar auction sites where you can practically steal premium cigars if you know what to look for.

The most expensive cigars I have ever smoked were probably the ones given to me from the chief of maintenance of a flight dept. According to him, the owner of the aircraft was a Cuban cigar industry official and they kept it stocked with private label cigars. I have no idea what they would cost as they were not for sale but only given to the passengers who flew on the aircraft.

I certainly have done my share of lighting up over the years, and I certainly have had memorable moments, but truth is, for me, any reason is good enough fire up a cigar… Examples… “Hey! I got a new job… Hey! I finally quit my job…Hey! I’m going fishing…Hey! I had a great time at the grocery store”…Etc. But smoking a stogie goes best when fishing with friends. You know what?... I don’t think I have ever fished without packing a cigar. Cigars and fishing go together so well that even though I don’t have proof, I know in my heart the first person to ever roll a cigar must have been a fisherman. I don’t know with certainty where the cigar was actually invented, perhaps it was in Spain or even Cuba itself, but wherever it was, I like to think it was just a couple of pals hitting the river to tighten a few lines and was conceived of to better the angling experience…. In my mind it went something like this:

Several hundred years ago in Spain …..at a local trout stream:

Luis…“Los pescados de Rolando…the estan mordiendo pero los horseflies maldditos estan matando a mi culo….hacen algo!” “( Rolando...the fish are biting but the damn horseflies are killing my butt…do something!)”
Rolando…..caída en Luis apenas junto algo que debe tomar cuidado de ese problema... que lo llamo un intento del cigarro... él hacia fuera. “(Hang on Luis… I just put something together that should take care of that problem...I call it a cigar...try it out)”

Luis…"(Refresqúese! Gracias mi amigo. Esto es impresionante; es dulce y ricos en el carácter, lleno de medio bodied los sabores del caramelo y del cacao que construyen a un final de nuez que se rezague de largo en el paladar. Pienso que usted apenas puede tener algo aquí!) “(Cool!... Thank you my friend. This is awesome; it’s sweet and rich in character, full of medium bodied caramel and cocoa flavors that build to a nutty finish which lingers long on the palate. I think you just may have something here!)”

The rest, so they say… is history!

6. You have an interesting van. Tell us about it.
My van is no more. I finally retired that ol’ storage unit on wheels. The interesting thing about my van was the fact that anything you could possibly think of could be found in it. I have never traveled lightly. I drove around with so much stuff (some of the site members can attest to this) that it often functioned as an instant outing machine. Along with the fishing gear, there were grills and stoves and tables and canopies etc. You could survive for a long time in that vehicle. When I finally traded it in for a new truck ……we found a buddy of mine who had been missing for 3 years…. living in the back!



7. You’ve been through carpal tunnel and shoulder surgeries. What activities do you think led to your problems? How are you doing now with your body?
I have had a few surgeries the last several years… 12 total. Carpal tunnel both hands, elbow surgery on both extremities and multiple bilateral shoulder surgeries. The repetitive motion of my former profession is what led to my becoming guaranteed income for Orthopedic Associates of Hartford. I traveled around for almost twenty years polishing and waxing aircraft, boats, and other forms of transportation. My partner in the business and several of my employees also ended up in surgery. We loved what we did, but it was physically demanding. A few of the surgeries were successful, some others weren’t. Here’s a tip: You can’t go around rubbing large objects like Boeing 737s forever without it taking its toll on your body. . I still have some lingering problems, and my injuries are the reason for the career change, but I do just fine. I don’t let it stop me from doing the things I love to do.


CTF Hammy 2005.

8. What is your most memorable fishing experience?
I have two… Number one was as a kid when I first actually caught a fish on my own. I didn’t fish much as a child, but one day when I was about nine, I was fishing the pier at Savin Rock and I pulled in a huge lump of seaweed. At first glance it was just seaweed…. but clinging to it were three green crabs and a squirmy 24’ eel. I couldn’t care less what kind of fish it was because it was like a wet, wiggling, treasure to me… I had gone out, threw a line into water and came up with a prize….all on my own. Even though I didn’t take up fishing for about twenty years, I never forgot that feeling of excitement and accomplishment.

The next one was as an adult … a couple of years after I started fishing regularly…Late one afternoon a friend and I set out to fish a stream we had never fished before. It was a in a part of the state that we weren’t familiar with, so we were pretty excited about fishing new water. We had a longer drive than we were used to, but we finally arrived at our destination, and after hiking a half mile or better through the woods we came upon the stream. Then we separated, he went downstream, I went upstream. I had to cover a lot of ground before I started getting hits, and it was just before dark when it started to get good. Once I started catching fish, I was totally absorbed in the moment and wasn’t paying attention to anything else. But after landing about a dozen trout, I realized it was getting too hard to see to on keep fishing. In fact it was pitch black and I could barely see my hand in front of my face because I had forgotten to grab my light. It was then I took stock of my situation… I’m standing up to my chest in a river that I’m unfamiliar with…in total darkness….no idea where I am …no idea how to find the road to get back to my truck….my is buddy nowhere to seen …and……. I’m having a great time! That’s probably the first time it really, truly, dawned on me …. That settles it…I’m hooked…I love fishing!


"There's fish in there, I tell ya!"

9. What is the most ” Beyond Addicted, Just Plain Sick, thing you’ve done in pursuit of fish?
That topic can cover a lot of ground….but I’ll try…

Two summers ago, on 4th of July weekend, I put my waders on and met up with a few site members along with a few other guys. We started out around 4:00pm at Silver Sands to do some salt water fly fishing at the Charles Island sand bar…we fished until they kicked us out at about 8:00. I Left my waders on and hopped into my car…. Then we headed down to Short Beach in Stratford to fish that sand bar as well…We fished till about 11:00pm then we headed to a diner for a snack….I kept my waders on…We decided we weren’t done with fishing yet so we headed over to the West Haven sandbar and fished till about 3:00am… but then we saw lightning coming our way so we headed back to the cars to wait it out. We ended up in the parking lot for about an hour while we drank beer and waited to see what the weather would do. I kept my waders on.

The weather cleared and at that point someone said, (probably as a joke,) “You know guys, if we left right now…. we could make first light on the Farmy.” Well, some of the guys were having none of it….but some people you just can’t joke around with about a subject like an all night all day fishing binge. The next thing you know…. four of us were at the Farmy, standing in the church pool just as the sun was coming up.

We ended up fishing the Farmy till about 4:00 in the afternoon, and were so tired that one of the guys (Fishkid) later admitted to falling asleep standing up in the river. When all was said and done, I had spent 24 hours in my waders…The best thing about it was when I got home and finally took them off I didn’t have to put them away… They were so funky they just stood up….and walked away….. to go hang themselves to dry.



10. Tell us a funny story about your wife’s reaction to your fishing addiction.
The funniest thing about my wife’s reaction to my fishing addiction is her non reaction…She doesn’t hinder me and she doesn’t get fazed in the least… Someone once called looking for me….She hadn’t seen me for four days… but after all, it was the beginning of trout season…the person asked her where I was and she said “I haven’t a clue but I know he’s alive cause someone is making coffee in the morning….he’s probably fishing” But don’t let her fool you! She may not partake in angling activities too often, but she certainly likes the gear and the apparel. We spent 6 hours in the Hamburg Cabelas because she refused to leave….She was so mad at me for pulling her out of there that see didn’t speak to me till we got back to CT.

11. Did you have any heroes when you were growing up?
I had lots of heroes …I had my cartoon heroes…Superman, Spidey, Gigantor, Tobor, Hulk, F4, Space Ghost, Underdog, Courageous Cat, and of course Bugs. I had my big screen heroes…The Duke…Clint….I had my heroes from history….Washington, Lincoln, Grant, Daniel Boone, Davy Crocket, Ike, and Patton. Then I had my sports heroes …The Babe, Jim Thorpe, Joe Willie, Roger the Dodger, Willie Mays, and Dr J.

12. How long have you been fishing and what got you interested?
I have been fishing for 15 or 16 years…When I was about thirty, a couple of the guys that worked for me mentioned that they wanted to go fishing but didn’t know much about it and they had no gear. My partner and I had both fished as kid, he more so than me, but neither of us had fished in years. That didn’t stop us though, the guys looked to us as the experts and we weren’t about to disappoint them. We agreed that we should go fishing and take our employees with us. I worked it out so that we could finish a job early one Friday and we headed down to gulf beach in Milford. Virtually all of the gear we used was broke down and old, dug out from my partners garage…which looked like the set from “Sanford and Son” But we had everything we needed, and of course it didn’t dawn on us at the time that 9 ft surf rods with 20 lb test were a little overkill for snapper blues. Two things happened…. We caught a ton of snappers…..and we had a great time in the process. I went back and fished more that week, and finally went out to buy some gear of my own. The following spring I went out on opening day to try my hand at trout fishing, caught a few trout and that was it…I had a new hobby.

13. Is there a dream fishing trip you would like to take?
Yes… A guided trip to Labrador for monster brook trout.



14. What is your favorite species to pursue in CT and your top three tips for catching a big one?

Although I enjoy pursuing many types of fish…Without a doubt, I’m partial to trout! (Hey…I just rhymed…awesome!) Tips….I’m no expert, but to me it really comes down to basics:

1. Where’s Waldo?… Learn how and where to find the fish.You can’t ketch em if you can’t find em. Learn to read the water…with few exceptions, the fish will be where they’re supposed to be…when I began to learn the structure of streams and how it relates to where the fish position themselves, I began to dramatically catch more fish…. In fact, for me, that’s when angling ceased to be a proposition based on dumb luck and blind chance, and entered the realm of a reasonable expectation of success. Still to this day, the most appealing aspect of fishing for me is probably the prospect of fishing in a new place. When armed with the skill that knowledge brings, there’s nothing better than trying to figure it out and watch it unfold like a good story. I believe to be successful you need to trust the knowledge imparted to you by others who have gone before you and put that good info into use. Sure, you’ll develop your own experience to add to it, but in the beginning ….trust the sum of the dues that others have paid.. Example….One day, I was fishing a new section of one of my favorite trout streams. I came across a hole that looked to be the perfect place for trout to be holding….but caught nothing. Everything I read or learned by experience screamed out that there should trout in there. I kept coming back time and again to no avail. I wouldn’t give up on it because I knew that it was good water and If the stuff I had learned was accurate, well… then good water is like … truth…it will eventually prevail. Sure enough, I tried hitting that ol hole at a different time and it paid off…. with an 18 inch brown trout. I merely needed to hit that hole at the right time…which brings me to number two:

2. What are those #$%^*&%# fish eating? . Learn how, what, when, and even the why fish feed. If you take the time to learn the feeding habits of fish and add it to your knowledge of where to find the find the fish, you will find that they are linked. If the food is there, the fish will be there… now find what they are feeding on…then maybe…just maybe….you‘ll find out why they won’t take you up on your offering.

3. Be prepared!...like a good little eagle scout.There’s no shorter path to angling heartbreak then having catastrophic gear failure….or not having what you need when you need it….or not having the skill required to make that tough cast….or wade that particular section of stream to get to the good lies…or better yet… you can see the friggin fish but you don’t know how to get a good, natural drift going to perfectly present your bait to that finicky trout…. To sum it up… Develop skills and...Mind your gear!

4. Here’s a bonus tip…probably the most important…NEVER STOP HAVING FUN!



15. What kind of music do you enjoy?
I love music. Music is a very powerful medium for expression. It can convey ideas, thoughts, emotions, and even spiritual awareness….or it can be just fun. It’s no coincidence that all of the world’s religions utilize music in their worship. I play a few instruments and I’m the music director at a church, but truth is I like just about every kind of music. I grew up in the late 60s 70s 80s and 90s (can you tell I’m still tryin to grow up) because of this I tend to gravitate toward classic rock, blues and pop….this is seen even in the music that is heard at my church….although the lyrics and themes may be different … musically speaking….any Baby Boomer or Gen Xer would feel right at home.

16. What one thing would you really like to do before you die?
Learn how to type more than 8 words per minute.


From the CTF Winter Banquet. Left to right: Tackleman, Slacktide, fuzzy2u, Mitch P., mikek06511 aka "Zippy", GM Partsguy (now Trooper Bri), Frank and fishbag61.

17. What do you think of the private ctfisherman.com?
I love it. I would have still loved it if it had never changed. On the one hand, I miss some of the people who didn’t come aboard; on the other hand, I just can’t seem to identify with the mentality that took offense to you trying to make the site better. I just don’t see how 15 bucks or so “sticks it to me” and changes everything. Especially considering how valuable this site can be to an angler.

18. What advice do you have for single guys looking to land a wife?
I have no answer…I was 38 when I got married. I’m still trying to figure out how it happened to me. One day I minding my own business, next thing you know I got 200 guests at Chucky Cheese’s eating pizza, drinking beer, and playing skeeball at my wedding reception. The worst part was all those kids tugging at my tux sleeve looking for tokens.

Alright…. here’s my one tip…my only pearl of wisdom. If you’re looking for a wife…Stop…Don’t look for a wife and eventually your wife will find you!

19. What is the best piece of fishing advice you ever received? Watch first...then act…Before you do anything at all…Take a good look. Mike Roman (mydogsnap)…one of the best fishermen I have ever known taught me that…and he didn’t say it to me…he modeled it for me.

20. Where is the craziest place you’ve ever woken up?
That would be the time I awoke one afternoon 3 stories up on the horizontal stabilizer of a Gulfstream IV. Hey…it was a hot, humid day and I had a big lunch!

]]> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:44:59 EST https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1391066#Post1391066 thefinaltimeout https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1388686#Post1388686 Mitch P.
on: 02/01/12 11:05 AM



CTF name: thefinaltimeout
Real name: William W. Stevens, Jr.
Year born: 1961
Current city: Griswold, CT (soon to be Selden, Maine in 5 years)
Hometown: Griswold, CT
Family members:Wife Linda, Daughter Harley, Son Davidson
Occupation: Carpenter (Electric Boat: 33 years)

1. What’s the meaning behind your screen name, “thefinaltimeout”?
My dad bought a 27-foot Searay Sundancer about 18 years ago and brought it from Groton, CT to MooseHead Lake, Maine where he and my mom lived at the time on Hartfords Point. The name of the boat was TIME OUT. My family and I used the boat on the lake I think more than my parents did. One day, I had my daughter Harley about 20 miles up the lake (she was 6 at the time ). I pulled the keys out threw them on the floor and grabbed a drink. I told her that this was a test and she had to drive the boat back home. She did. I told her that if this were an emergency when she hit the cove, shut the motor down and beach it.

Anyway, I loved that boat and name, and when I got my next bass boat I named it Time Out Two. Well after three years with that boat I ordered my Tracker PT 185 in 2005 and named it The Final Time out knowing this was the first and last new boat I would ever own. That is where the my CTF name came from.

2. You’ve shared some awesome vehicle and boat restoration projects on the site. How did you get into working with your hands?
I grew up in Griswold at the house next door to where I live now. We had a horse farm and were always working on something. But when I was 16, I blew the clutch in my 1968 GMC pickup. My dad’s friend said he would help get it back on the road. Little did I know that his help was going to be sitting on a stool drinking coffee and telling me what to do. It took all weekend for me to get it finished but it WAS HANDS ON. By the time I was 20 I had built two different show vans, both of which I placed in a national van show and won trophies.

Since then I worked in the Model Shop at Electric Boat (EB) for 15 years building full scale wooden subs, which taught me a lot about wood working.

As far as the glass etching goes, I paid a ton of money to get my vans etched back in the day. Finally about 20 years ago I started doing it myself. Since then I have etched just about anything you can think of. The vehicles and boats that we have done are cool and just a way to pay for my place in Maine.


"Rollin D's new ride":
http://www.ctfisherman.comhttps://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreadshttps://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/1292444/1

3. What are your day-to-day duties likes as a carpenter for Electric Boat? What are some of the types of projects you've worked on during your 33 years there?
For the first six years at EB, I was on the staging crew and we also did all the blocking for the subs coming into dry dock. Then I spent fifteen years in the Model Shop building full-scale subs out of wood, which was a cool job. But like many things, it changes with the times and now everything that we did is now generated in 3D on computers. For the last 12 years I have been back out in the yard and have gone from running a CNC Router to doing inspection on different things that I can not talk about.


"Yellowjacket"

4. What does Mrs. "thefinaltimeout" think of all of your projects?
She is glad to see me out in the shop spending time with Davidson and friends instead of being out bowling ( I am a 1976 United States National Duckpin Champion ) and being in dart leagues, which I used to do a lot back in the day.


Working on "RubberDaddy's" boat.

5.You’ve shared some of the progress on your property in Maine. What led you to building up in Maine? Tell us about some of the benefits about living in Maine. Do you plan to retire there?
Maine is THE BEST PLACE ON EARTH as far as I am concerned. My parents live in Greenville on MooseHead Lake and I have friends that live Palamaro, and more friends next to my place in Selden. My plan was to buy something in lower Maine, but while we were debating on what to do the prices were going up and it was getting more populated year by year. My buddy Mike, who lives in Selden, made us an offer on a piece next to him .. and for you guys who have seen the post know the rest.

As far as the benefits, well let me tell you this – LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE. People are so laid back and friendly in the area that I can not even explain it. My wife tells me that when I am up there I am a totally different person. Instead of paying $5,500 in taxes a year in CT, my taxes when everything is finished up there should run about $725 a year. As far as retiring, my plan is 55 and done. I am on the five-year plan. House finished. Garage finished. Bunkhouse finished. Then time to relax, enjoy life, fish and have a bunch of you guys up to ENJOY the finer things in life, LOL.


Follow Bill's Maine house updates here:
http://www.ctfisherman.comhttps://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ub...ate#Post1224017

6. Your son is into the outdoors and got his first deer last fall. What are some of the most memorable moments you have shared with your son in the outdoors?
Well, both my kids were introduced to the outdoors at an early age. One time at the DEP trout pond in Central Village, Harley hooked about a 10-pound trout and while I was holding on to her waist with her reeling in. I look at David, who was about 4 at the time, and he is in the water up to his knees with a fish on. Harley lost the fish about three feet from shore, but that was something I will always remember.

As far as memorable moments with the boy, there are a few, including he first bass he caught all by himself on Glasco pond with a shiner. I saw the fish jump as a bird was flying over some lily pads. I told him to cast in that direction. He did and the bobber went down. He got his first largemouth. It was 14.5 inches long. We put it in the livewell and about ten minutes later when he went to check it out, there was the darn bird in the well, LOL. I had the fish mounted for him and it is on his wall today. He was about 6 at the time.

For a more recent memory I would have to say it was when we did a Maine river trip up by our house. He hooked in to a Maine Smallie going 4.6 pounds. The look on his face was priceless as that fish was pulling the Crawdad all over the place for a good five minutes. That fish is also getting mounted.



7. What is the significance of your kid's names?
When the wife and I were picking out names for our first child, she wanted to use the name Rose after her mother. I came up with Harley Rose. We were going to use David Allen for a boy after my brother who passed away when I was six. Well, we had a girl first so it was Harley Rose for her. Then four years later came the boy, so we changed things from David Allen to Davidson. We just thought is would be different and cool.

8. What is your history with motorcycles?
As far as me and bikes, I rode many years ago but had a NEED FOR SPEED. I lost a few friends because of it, so no more bikes. It was bad enough that I got busted drag racing more than a few times back in the day. Between the wife and the kids, I have calmed down somewhat.

9. How long have you been into fishing, and what got you into?
I have been fishing since I was three. My dad does not hunt or fish, but my grandfather did, so he was the one who got me into it. I live in Griswold and have done so most of my live. I had my own boat on Hopeville Pond since I was nine years old. All we did EVERYDAY during summer vacation when I was a kid was fish whether it was Hopeville in a boat, or riding our bikes to Pachaug /Ashland or Glasco, WE FISHED.

10. What is your most memorable fishing experience?
That is a hard one, but I guess it would be a tourney I was in with a bunch of guys from work. It was a night tourney at Beach Pond. One of the guys who was fishing was a loud mouth jerk who won the RI Classic a few weeks before. Anyway, with about ten minutes left to fish that night I cast a black worm up to a rock ledge and WHAM, FISH ON! It ended up being a 6.4-pound largemouth, which gave me and my partner first place and lunker for the night. The loudmouth saw the fish, dumped his bag, and left without talking to anyone. He took a pounding at work for weeks.



11. What is your favorite kind of fishing?
My number one fishing is freshwater bass fishing for both large and smallmouth. I also started getting back into trout fishing last season, mostly because of the TAZ rod. I had a lot of fun stocking the freezer at the same time. Now that I gave up the saltwater boat, I do not get out salt water as much as I would like too. But with the help of some CTF guys, we did get out a few times last season and had a great time.


Maine trout.

12. What’s your biggest largemouth bass? Where, when and how did you catch it?
The biggest that I have gotten into the boat and weighed was caught in Maine back in 2006 on Toad Pond. It was 6.14 pounds. But I do not think that was my biggest. About 12 years ago I was fishing with a good friend Bob Gag (R.I.P Bob - Joe G’s cousin ) on lake X out of a canoe with live frogs when I got a hit from hell. After a long fight, I finally got the fish and a ton of weeds to the gunnel. As I was removing the weeds I saw the fish’s mouth just in time to see my hook come unbuttoned and the fish disappear back into the water. Not sure how big it was, but its mouth was huge and I know there have been a few 10-pounders caught there.


Bill in his shop with "Ol Blue Balls"

13. Do you have a dream fishing trip or destination you’ve like to visit?
There are a few when the time comes. One would be to hook up with Joe G. and Walt and go on the trip that they have done in Mexico. The other thing that I want to do when I get to Maine on a full time basis is to explore all the water up there, which will keep me busy for the rest of my lifetime with all the spots there.

14. Do you have any fish-that-got-away stories that still haunt you?
One that comes to mind was a BIG striper that I had on a few years back in the rip off the Race. We were using leadcore and drifting fresh squid into the rip. It had been a good day when my pole was hit HARD. I had the fish on for the best fight I ever had. I got it to within about 20 feet from the boat only to see it jump and spit the damn hook. Oh, well that’s why they call it fishing and not catching, LOL.



15. What are some of the reactions you’ve gotten from others regarding all of your tattoos, including your CTF tattoo?
That’s a heck of a question. Some of the bosses at EB did not like me flipping them the lower lip which has F--- OFF on it. Back when I started getting my ink in 1979, it was kind of taboo not like it is today. I think the funniest reactions were with the kids’ parents when I was coaching in little league. We would start the seasons practices when it was a little cold out, so I had a long sleeve shirt on. And a few weeks later, I showed up with a tank top on. Some of them and the kids would try not to stare. It was funny as hell. As far as the CTF tat, everyone likes it. A few CTFers think I am nuts for doing it, but this site means a lot to me. I have met people on here that will be friends for life.

16. What is the toughest thing you’ve had to overcome in your life?
Tough question, but I guess I would have too say losing my brother David at the age of six. I saw what it did to my parents. And then the crap that I put them through during my teens was not much better. Thank GOD with all I had done including two marriages and divorces and the partying that I met my wife of 24 years Linda, because without her I am not sure what life would be like today

17. What are you most proud of in your life?
That ones easy. My kids. Harley is graduating from UCONN this year with a 3.4 grade point average and hoping to work at Mystic Seaport full time. Davidson has been accepted to the University of Maine, Oreno for next year. And it looks like he may be starting his own business with the help of a fellow CTFer. More on that when the time comes. The kid is a hard worker and will do good in life.

The "OL Blue Balls K 5 Blazer" Makeover
Before:


After:


Full report:
http://www.ctfisherman.comhttps://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreadshttps://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/1312951/1

18. When not involved in fishing and your projects, what do you enjoy doing?
Spending time with the family and thinking about the next project, whether here in my shop or the next step at the place in Maine.

19. What are some of your favorite bands/musicians?
I like classic rock. My first concert was KISS at the Providence Civic Center in ‘76 Some bands I have seen are: Queen / Bob Segar / Frampton / Who / ZZ Top / Styx / Led Zepplin / Billy Joel / Hager / Cheap Trick / Elton John / Journey / Heart / Eagles / 38 Special. I wish I still had all the T-shirts I had then. On a side note, I will say that my buddy Mike and I had a blast with O BASS playing for us last summer up in Maine. It was a good night.


Some of the CTF crew at Bill's.

20. What are some of your favorite experiences as a result of being a member of ctfisherman.com?
There are a ton of good times that I have had because of this site. Building boats with Med and crew. Mike G’s truck. Roxe’s boat. The Game Dinners (BEST EVER). All the bass events at my place. The blackfish event, and the list can go on. But there was the one night while working on Med’s boat that we all ended shaving our heads. My poor dog was running for cover and I know Med’s wife was not impressed when he got home that night.


2009 CTF Game Dinner.

21. What is one of the most valuable fishing tips you have learned from fishing with a fellow CTF member?
I will not say who said this or told me this but he will know it was him when he reads this: You need to SLOW DOWN and think about your surroundings. Enjoy the fishing for what it is and appreciate what you are doing. Never take it for granted because it could be gone tomorrow.

22. You received a lot of votes for 2011 ctfisherman.com Member of the Year. How do you feel about that?
I feel honored for all the votes. Like I said, this site is a big part of my everyday life. I have made lifelong friends here. I have enjoyed posting all the projects and have had a bunch of people tell me that they enjoy seeing the Maine camp progression. When it is done, I am sure a lot of you guys will end up fishing up there. Also, I enjoy helping out some of the guys who have questions about doing things themselves.

23. What are your fishing plans for 2012?
FISH / FISH /FISH. I know that with the good times that we had with the CTF events lst year, I will be doing more this upcoming season. Plus, I plan on doing the BlackFish Bash again this season. Besides that, I want to spend as much time as I can in Maine working on the place and fishing when ever I can. Time will tell.

]]> Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:05:09 EST https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1388686#Post1388686 Kierran https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1055974#Post1055974 Mitch P.
on: 03/02/09 01:38 AM



CTF Name: Kierran
Real Name: Kierran Broatch
Age: 26
Current City: Milford, CT
Hometown: Milford, CT
Family Members: Girlfriend – Mosey; Parents – Jim & Cydney; Brothers – Gavin & Garrett
Occupation: Volunteer & Outreach Associate

1. You are against the proposed Broadwater liquid natural gas (LNG) storage facility being built in the middle of Long Island Sound. There is still a chance that the facility will be built. Why is this project bad for fishing?
There are many reasons why I believe Broadwater doesn’t belong in the Sound; the negative impacts it would have on fishing and marine life are just one part of it.

First, we have a private company, Shell, that wants to build a facility, the size of Queen Mary 2, in the middle of Long Island Sound that the public owns. The proposed facility, 10-miles off the coast of Branford, would require a large off-limits security zone. Its visiting LNG tankers would require moving security zones and pass through and clear the Race up to six times a week, disrupting recreational and charter fishermen.

Next, Broadwater would suck millions of gallons of water from the Sound daily, along with it countless microorganisms and fish larvae. Increases in water and sediment temperatures from the facility’s discharges could have a negative impact on the Sound’s marine life as well. In addition to mooring the floating facility to the Sound bottom, a 15-mile pipeline would need to be constructed, connecting Broadwater to the Iroquois pipeline, disturbing shellfish beds and lobster grounds. I also don’t like the idea of spending my nights surfcasting, staring at what would rival an Atlantic City casino in the middle of OUR most precious natural resource.

2. What are some of the kinds of work you do with Connecticut Fund for the Environment (CFE)?
I’ve been compared to a utility infielder for CFE and its program Save the Sound for over two years. One part of my job consists of raising awareness about CFE and Save the Sound by presenting and tabling at various events. Much of what we accomplish as an organization hinges on the hard work of volunteers. One of my duties is to coordinate these volunteers and to organize projects like beach cleanups and habitat restoration projects along Long Island Sound. I am also a registered lobbyist and you can sometimes find me at Hartford’s Legislative Office Building pushing environmental friendly legislation.

3. What are some of the things you've done with CT DEP?
For three summers during college I worked as a seasonal park aid in the Connecticut state park system. I was stationed Indian Well, Osbournedale & Silver Sands. It was a great summer gig that I recommend for anyone who likes working outdoors.

After graduating, I decided on one more stint as a seasonal -- this time as a resource assistant with the eastern division of the Inland Fisheries Department. This may turn out being the coolest six months of work I will ever experience.

At the time, seasonals (including CTF's SaxMatt) were conducting creel surveys on three bass management lakes – upper Moodus, Bashan and lower Bolton – in a 13-foot Jon boat. We also sampled numerous lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams by method of electrosfishing. We became a proficient at fish identification and learned some sweet honey holes. Another job perk was fish stocking. We helped stock fingerling northern pike and walleye, as well as hatchery trout and broodstock Atlantic salmon.

4. What are some misconceptions anglers have about what CT DEP does?
Some anglers and arm-chair biologists bicker about certain moves made by the DEP. In their defense, years of scientific research and piles of data back up every decision the DEP makes regarding the rules and regulations put in place on Connecticut’s waterways. These decisions won’t and can’t please every angler, but they are always made in the best interest of the particular fishery.


A 40-inch striper.

5. Given the current economic climate and potential budget cuts, what do you think might happen within DEP and how will it affect the fisherman?
I fear the pathetic funding that the DEP receives will plummet even more. Among many things, this could lead to less fish stocking and even less Conservation Officers (CO) patrolling our waters.

Our state’s walleye program, for example, has really excelled and it would be a shame if there wasn’t sufficient funding to continue its success. We rear our own pike fingerlings in Connecticut marshes, yet we import walleye fingerlings from the Midwest. Currently there isn’t any walleye reproduction going on here, so for our walleye program to continue to succeed, we need to keep up the number of fingerlings stocked.

The lack of funding for Conservation Officers in our state is frightening and may continue to drop. Poaching is still a major issue in Connecticut. The DEP tip hotline is helpful, but if an officer can’t respond within an hour or two, the poacher is already cooking his short fish.

6. If you were appointed head of DEP, what are some things you would try to accomplish?
I really see the need in this day and age to get children more involved with the great outdoors. Video games and the internet have too firm of a grip on their young lives. A priority of mine would be to bolster CARE (Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education), a program introducing youngsters to fishing. I would also work with Connecticut’s Trout Unlimited chapters and expand their Trout in the Classroom program to more schools across our state.

Another goal would be to strike deals with Aquarion Water Company and Regional Water Authority to open up the Saugatuck Reservoir and Lake Saltonstall to permit-only ice fishing (one can dream, right?).

7. What do you think about the proposed all-water fishing license?
I like the idea of an all-water license, ONLY if the fees go towards a conservation fund, not the general fund. I believe the time is overdue for keeping track of how many saltwater anglers there are in this state and just how much of an impact they are having on certain fisheries. I recently heard on the news of a proposed hike in license fees from $20 to $40. That may be little steep given this economic climate, but there is no price I wouldn’t pay in order to be able to fish.

8. You graduated Cum Laude from Eastern Connecticut State University with a degree in Communications and a minor in Environmental Earth Science. How much value do you put on the education you received? What advice would you give to a young person in high school considering not going on for higher education?
I consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to receive a college education, which I value very much. I wouldn’t be the person or at the job I am today without it. The networking in my line of work is good, and it will hopefully open other doors down the road. As many will agree, a lot of the time it’s who you know, not what you know. That said, you certainly don’t need higher education to have a successful career. Many of my friends never went to college, instead focusing on trades or building their own businesses. College isn’t for everybody, which sometimes people find out the hard way.


Topwater bass off Block Island.

9. How has ctfisherman.com changed your fishing?
CTF and its membership have turned me on to new waters in our state, new angling methods and techniques, new species of fish to target, and new fishing partners. I can rattle off dozens of CTF handles that I’ve been on the water with, learning something new from each one. I would like to think that I have helped a few site members over the years as well.

10. Your brother, Britton, died of a stroke at the age of 25. What are some of the life lessons you learned from losing someone so close to you that you apply to your life today?
Losing my brother obviously hit my family and I very hard. Britton was an easy-going, handsome, likeable brother and son that left us way too young. One lesson learned is that your whole life, everything that you’ve ever known, can change in one second. Live everyday to the fullest and remember that each day that passes is a gift.

11. Tell us about the Britton John Broatch Memorial Wiffle Tournament.
Family and friends of my brother wanted to remember Britton in a meaningful way. We created a foundation and fundraiser in his honor, molded around something he loved to do – Wiffle ball. Every second Saturday in July for the last five summers, we have hosted what is now Connecticut’s largest Wiffle tournament. Dozens of teams battle it out on the field, as a DJ plays music and Outback Steakhouse puts on a free lunch. Thousands of dollars are raised annually, which go towards college scholarships for high school seniors graduating from Britton’s former school, as well as other charities. The sixth Annual BJB Memorial Wiffle Tournament will be held in Milford on July 11, 2009 (thebjbtournament.com). It’s a fun-filled event for the whole family that raises money for charity and honors a lost friend.


The Broatch family at the BJB Memorial Wiffle Tournament.

12. What is one of the most "Beyond Addicted, Just Plain Sick" things you have done in pursuit of fish.
I struggled with this question a bit, partly because the folks reading it wouldn’t necessarily think anything I do is sick, because they are all sick too! So instead I let my very understanding girlfriend of three-years take a crack at answering it.

Mosey: "Sick is going ice fishing both weekend days in a row, waking up a 3:30 a.m. and not coming home until after dark and, if you had the choice, you would do it everyday."

Sick? That sound's pretty normal to me...

13. What are some of your favorite pieces of fishing gear?
My most cherished piece of equipment is a Fenwick Eagle GLC 9-foot 5-weight fly rod. The rod holds more sentimental value to me than anything. It was owned by a friend and given to me after he passed on, and I’m happy to say that it’s still bringing trout to the net every season.

A newly acquired possession also holds meaning because of what it took to get it. I recently sold over $500 worth of rare surfcasting plugs and a reel online in order to purchase a new Van Staal spinning reel. It was an investment, which will allow me to fish more effectively in more places.



14. Do you have a dream fishing trip you'd like to take?
A dream trip of mine would be fly fishing for monster brown trout in New Zealand. The scenery alone would make the trip, but the chance at 30" wild brown trout on the fly seals the deal.

15. How long have you played guitar? Have you played in a band? What kind of music do you enjoy playing most?
I have been casually playing the guitar for about eight years. I have never played in any formal band, but took part in many a jam session over the years. My buddy Derrick plays a mean guitar and has helped me get into it, but it never took off for me like fishing did. Yet, it’s something that I can pick up and play from time to time. I enjoy playing acoustic rock, folk and a few tunes that I wrote.

16. You’re going to be stuck on an island (with good fishing of course). What five albums do you take with you?
1. Before these Crowded Streets – Dave Matthews Band
2. Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd
3. Unplugged – Neil Young
4. Gut the Van – Dispatch
5. Last of the Mohicans (soundtrack)



17. Where do you like to go artifact hunting? What are some of the unique things you have found?
My uncle has been looking for Native American artifacts for over 30 years and his collection is museum-quality. His interest has recently rubbed off on me, but it’s another hobby that you have to find the time for. I will say that artifact hunting spots are kept even closer to the vest than fishing spots for good reason; there’s no catching and releasing in this hobby. That being said, Connecticut is loaded with artifacts left behind by Native Americans. Riverbanks and lake beds are great spots for looking, as they naturally erode over time, occasionally shaking loose a thousand-year old stone tool from the bank. Serious hours of looking, driving and befriending land owners are necessary to find artifacts with any regularity. My proudest find to date is about three-fourths of a Susquehanna Broad point knapped from purple argillite, which can be dated back to the Late Archaic period or about 1000 B.C. This arrowhead is significantly larger than ones made in this area thousands of years later, suggesting the size of the animals in this region back then.

18. What are some of your top tips for landing a trophy trout in CT?
The DEP considers "catch & release trophy brown trout" to be a minimum of 22-inches in length. My definition would differ slightly, as I consider any wild or holdover brown trout over 20-inches in length a trophy fish. These trout may not be as large as freshly-stocked breeders, but they are certainly smarter, more elusive and better looking fish – they reached that size in a natural setting for a reason.

As for tips, trout in general are line-shy creatures. Long leaders of fluorocarbon help, as it’s virtually invisible underwater. Don’t skimp on the quality terminal tackle and make sure your knots are good ones.

In rivers, search for quality trout in the best lies. These trout are at the top of the food chain and will hold in the areas that have the most accessible food. A simple, yet accurate, phrase we used while electrofishing for trout was "wood is good." Look for trophy trout in structure, specifically lay-downs and undercut banks, waiting for an easy meal to pass by.

While icefishing for quality trout, electronics are vital. As the saying goes, you cannot catch what is not there. Good electronics do not lie and using them will keep you mobile. Jig a hole for a few minutes and keep moving if nothing is marked. Staying light will allow you to cover more acreage. Don’t commit and anchor to one area unless it is really producing.


A 22-inch-plus brown trout.

19. Do you have a fish that got-away story that still haunts you?
Two reoccurring nightmares come to mind. One took place on Albieman Mike’s boat in Fishers Island Sound. We were in shallow water, live-lining bunker that we worked so hard to snag, and a four-foot long shadow engulfed my bait. It came unbuttoned after about a minute or two, but not before we got a look at the biggest striper I’ve ever come in contact with. He put me on my current PB bass later that day, which helped ease the pain…a little.

Another day etched in my mind occurred a few winters ago on Mansfield Hollow. A northern pike of mythic proportions broke me off, knocking me on my a$$, leaving line cuts in my hands. That is quite possibly the slowest ice fishing lake in the state, but its fish like that keep you going back.

20. What are some of your fishing plans/goals for 2009?
Plans: I would like to arrange some destination fishing trips this season, including a few suicide-runs to Block Island and a flyfishing excursion on the West Branch of the Delaware River.

Goals: For freshwater, I would like to target walleye more often, both through the ice and open water. I would also like to improve upon my fly tying skills in effort to save some cash.

As for saltwater, I would like to go back to the basics. Twenty-dollar wooden plugs have their place, and I do own many, but there are much cheaper, easier, and more effective ways to catch big stripers. I will also focus on choosing my nights on the water more wisely. Many nights I find myself chomping at the bit just to fish, regardless if conditions aren’t ideal, whether it be the wrong tide, moon phase or what have you. I do understand the saying "fish when you can," but I’m starting to learn "fish smarter, not harder."


]]> Mon, 02 Mar 2009 01:38:10 EST https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1055974#Post1055974 chris med https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1048227#Post1048227 Mitch P.
on: 02/09/09 08:26 PM



CTF Name: chris med
Real Name: Chris Medeiros
Age: 36
Current City: East Lyme
Hometown: Lebanon, CT / FT. Worth Texas
Family Members: Wife, Tina; Son, Brendan
Occupation: Golf Professional/Business Owner

1. You own and operate the Cedar Ridge Golf Course in Lyme, CT. How did you get involved in running a golf course?
Well first off, I own a part of Cedar Ridge. I live there, and run everyday operations. I'm Asst. Superintendent to the greatest Super (Matt Guilmette), a professional teacher, GM, head professional, yadda, yadda, yadda...I consider myself a "JERK OF ALL TRADES"!

It's a long story in itself. I guess in reality it all started back in Sept. of '86 when I got kicked in the face during a soccer game and was blinded in my left eye. (hence the gimpy eye and loads of "It's all fun and games......" quotes!) My batting average went right out the door and I wasn't able to play hockey anymore for almost two years! My childhood dreams of MLB and Maine Blackbear Hockey were pretty much done.

So, one sleeting/freezing rain day at Chanticlair golf course I tried playing some golf with my brother. It was the only non-contact sport, or so it seemed I could play while a detached retina healed. Well, my first time out I shot a 41 and from there I have basically lived for the game! I worked at Pautipaug, and Manchester CC as well as Chanty throughout the rest of high school and on college breaks.

I got into commercial fishing for a number of years, but it seemed every time I was fishing, I wanted to be golfing. Kinda opposite these days! When I met Tina, she tolerated the commercial fishing life for a few years, and then she had enough. So, I went to Fenner Hill, got a job on the greens staff there as it first opened and started looking for an Assistant Pro job.

I landed at Elmridge in Stonington where I worked for 6.5 years until I was offered Cedar Ridge! It's been SOOOO much fun, and I am truly fortunate to be one that loves his job everyday! Cedar Ridge is the greatest Par 3 in the state,...and Hardest!!!! (ask Cwoodman!) and a great place to learn the ropes of "THE BIG BIZ."


Tina, Chris and Brendan at Cedar Ridge.

2. What are some of the challenges and benefits of running your own business?
Challenges...easy one there...PEOPLE!!! It's almost impossible to keep everyone happy, all the time. 95 days can go perfect, then the one day it doesn't for them, you KNOW your gonna hear about it. That's the thing I pride myself on is just trying to be "me" around every person that walks in my doors. Keeping golfers happy...it's the toughest job I have ever had.

Benefits...HAHAHAHA...um not many! Work every weekend and holiday that "normal" people have off. Work 70-90 hours some weeks during the beautiful weather months. Try and scrap together a 2-1/2 day vacation at Tmack's Place in VT. And have the winters off? I shoulda been a school teacher!

But, I am TRULY fortunate. Did I say that already?! And that is the truth! It's what I do.

3. How is your golf game?
The saying in our business is that we are "Golf PROFESSIONALS, not PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS." Actually, after all the crap the last two years with my son's injuries/diagnosis. I actually had one of my better years playing last year. I haven't competed in the big events in the last two years. But now, for the love of God,with everything behind us, I may try to qualify for the GHO/U.S Open, and CT Open again this year. We'll see. You have to be 10,000% percent committed mentally, or you're just making donations for someone else to take home! My game is looking good for this coming year!


Cedar Ridge Golf Course in the fall.

4. How long have you been into fishing and how did you first get interested in it?
March 30, 1972! The day I popped out! From growing up on the Yantic River in Lebanon trout fishing just about every single day unless we were skating on the river. It's been a passion since I was two my mom tells me. I have my dearly missed grandfather to thank for that!

Looking back years later, riding your bike 30 miles to go fishing was no big deal. No abductions, no this, no that, just go out crawlerin' the night before, load up the creel and go...just be back before supper. Ah the good ol' days! LIFE WAS GOOD! I can only hope that Brendan enjoys the outdoors as much as I do. I'm sure he will, he's already fishing and blowing on duck and goose calls!

5. Tell us about some of your past experiences on a lobster boat and commercial fishing.
Some of the greatest times of my life and some of the worst.

First off, the anniversary of the Lady Lynn rolling over in the Thames is coming up. That was the saddest day and a thought that stuck with me the whole time I was out there! Rick "Flash" Iasiello (still the white marlin record holder in CT) and Billy Lietke died that cold February day some 200 yards from the dock. Three of my BEST friends survived, only to have Dave Mushinsky die in a car crash in Elko, Nevada some years later. Things can happen in a second on the open ocean. Look what happened in this case! Todd Rana and Garret Drake fortunately are still here.

I started lobstering on the Lindy Inc, owned by Richie Madeira in Stonington in 1995, and my God, what a few years we had! I learned SOOO much about what it takes to be on the ocean 350+ days a year, and wouldn't trade those days for anything. Well...a few close calls with ropes and winter time conching I could've done without!But days of working all morning and then to the Portuguese Club with Richie, Jonny Boy, 'Chico, Lisa and Georgie, drinkin until ......well you get the picture...days I cherish and wish I could do again! He's still at it, and I see a day coming up where I'll go sling pots, bait em', and band some lobsters again! Hell my wife use to go out with us on our anniversary to band lobsters! She absoluteley loved being out there with us!

Offshore draggin and scalloping, well that's another story. Two-week trips, big seas, and not much sleep was fun for a while but the $ started going in the toilet and thankfully Tina "coaxed" me back into the land-lubbers lifestyle. According to Joe Bomster, you have to be a "MAN OF THE OCEAN, and not some fa$$ot lobsterman." Well a year and a half was enough for me. YOU CAN HAVE IT! I looked for some great pics I took but I can't find them. We did have some fun aboard the F/V Provider though! Hey Ben, Scott, Rob, Corey, and Mo! (if by chance they read this.)

Actually, charter boat mating out of Galilee was a hoot. But commercial rod and reel fishing with my friend Al out of Snug Harbor, is where I learned almost everything about offshore "fishing. The man is a fish magnet, a genius, and one helluva angler!

I'm writing a novel as it is, and I could go 40 pages with stories of offshore stuff. What can I say...The Perfect Storm movie was a joke!


From Chris' days on the dragger (around 1995) with a 60-pound tilefish.

6. Did you ever think you’d make personal friends from a website? Tell us about some of the people you have met and friends you have made as a result of ctfisherman.com.
Two word answer, sort of, "HELL NO."

I remember when Buckcall sent me a PM just after signing up. Then to Mansfield Hollow for a CTF tourney, hanging out with Joe G and Walt (Jighead)...way too many "incidents."

In all honesty, pretty much everyday of my life has interaction with someone from here and that thought is WEIRD! I basically spend all winter at FinalTimeOut's house!

Paul D was the first site member to say "yeah let's go duck hunting," which I needed because my old hunting buds aren't doin it anymore. And this year, I was fortunate enough to hunt with a lot of guys! Duck Killer and Tom Reynolds, along with Major Woods for the Norwalk birds, Paul D and his dog Suzey(RIP) for some goosin' on the river, and two VERY MEMORABLE hunts with Keith(KWK) and Oz. Sungana Beach joined all of us that last day of the season and it was great! Sadly it was the last time I would hunt with Paul's dog Suzie!

Ice Fishin' -- can't even BEGIN to go there and those times!

TEAM TUESDAY! Hands down, the day that I live for! I bugged that jackass Cwoodman for a year and a half to take me fishin. Finally he said yeah and look what happened! Cwoodman is one of my best friends now, and man have we had some gooooood times! Fishin, golfin, drinkin, and whatever else. You can bet that 45 Tuesdays a year we'll be doin sumthin!

Vacationing with Buckcall and his family in NY, and Tmack and his family at their place in VT this year. What great times.

All brought together by this "fishing website!"

Nevermind Handy Andy and his traveling sh!tshow!!!! Get the Picture?? Hey Pistol, Frank, Pat, Kapt, and Ice....spring is coming!!!!

Who could forget the Mid February Dusty/Med showdown? What a great two days! Report.

I have indeed made friends here that will be "lifers". NO QUESTION!

C'mon people go to an event and introduce yourself. You'll find someone in this crowd that's worth hanging out with! You'll see what I mean!


The crew of Ducks Rule 3 after a victorious day flukin.


Chris accepting his 2009 ctfisherman.com Member of the Year Award at the 2009 CTF Winter Banquet.

7. You received a lot of votes for CTF Member of the Year from fellow site members. If you had to pick someone for Member of the Year, who would it be and why?
That's a tough one. Seriously, how do you pick just one?! I was really humbled and excited by that. And hell, after all, I was just having fun! It was nice to see that somehow, something I did, made a few people think that way!!


8. How did you get into making your own fluke rigs and freshwater hair jigs? What do you like about your versions compared to ones you can buy in a tackle shop?
I got sick of cheap a@# components and over priced rigs! Plus there is NOTHING better than catching fish on stuff you made! Gamakatsu hooks RULE!





It actually passes a lot of time for me. Wintertime and even in my shop! Moday mornings are pretty funny. We have golf leagues going out, and almost everyone that walks through the door asks me where we're headed on Tuesday. Gee, did all the hooks, line and squid skirts give it away? I kinda take pride in the fact that my golf shop is the only one in the state, covered in fluke rigs on Monday morning!



Hair Jigs? AAAAH. I just give them to Simone and Cwoodman, they use the hell out them! I throw them a little but not like those two maniacs!



9. We all gotta know. What the hell is with your choice of Busch beer over other beers? Have you met anyone else whose favorite beer is Busch?
Russ (RV6) and Paulie, wanna chime in here and help a Busch brother out. Oh yeah, we Busch drinkers don't care what the "critics" think!

Good to the last drop, and cheap without all the hangover factors of that crap you, Scott, Zach and Pdona drink! (The Zach part was serious...Pabst Blue Ribbon?!) And you're picking on me?! He's got PRAHBLEMS!!!

Don't worry, sooner or later everyone jumps onboard and lowers their standards! Why, you didn't like yours at the banquet after party?!

I've been known to dive into a Guinness or 10 with Slacktide, and enjoy Blue Moon, but my liver is with the Blue and gold!


Team Busch Member (RV6) on a night of crabbing, Red sox talk, and of course an few Buschies.

10. What is one of the most "Beyond Addicted, Just Plain Sick" things you have done in the pursuit of fish?
Do cases of beer, jugs of fuel, a 21'CC with a 200 Black Max and the FishTails count? Let's just say I scratched that off the dumb ass things to do in life list! BTW...We caught and we made it back home...enough said!

The other, definitely more life threatening was the F/V Provider...Munsons Canyon...50-60'waves and 90 mph winds. The sounds of a wheel that big cavitating and a boat that big surfing down the back side of a mountainous wave...hour upon hour...is something that still makes me cringe. NOAA broadcast the wrong weather report(I KNOW HUH?!) and we got stuck out there in the winter of '97. By far the most scared I've EVER Been for 36 hours! Rob Cabral did a helluva job driving his boat.

We had windows knocked out of the wheel house and all our satellite stuff and antennas were knocked off the top of the A frame by waves. No one heard from us for a few days until we made it back in. All my wife knew was that a boat went down by 2nd Beach in Newport and we were nowhere to be found. This was the other main factor of getting out of the business. When your mortality faces up like that...um...I think I made the right choice!

11. What is the toughest thing you’ve had to overcome in your life?
Watching my son in the Pediatric ICU at Yale...toughest thing any parent deals with. Nothing in my life even comes close to July 2, 2006.

Brendan took a fall down the basement stairs, coming out to go on a golf cart ride. Tina turned around to close the door and he was gone. He fell about seven fee head first off the side. (Hug your kids everyday and never take your eye off them.)

Cat-scans showed a fractured skull with a bleed in the brain. Life Star coming for your child is one thing that hits hard. Fortunately, he was .007 of a millimeter (yes 7 one hundredths of a millimeter) of blood shy of them having to open up his skull and operate. Apparently in the trauma business, he was on the "brink" and made it through.


Brendan's first day home from Yale.


Brendan and dad catching fish on Gardner lake last spring.

We are still so gun shy when it comes to a romping 4-year-old toddler. And after Nicky's (the Real Ice Man's son) hockey game last Saturday, he's found a new passion! (thanks for the game puck Bob!) I think it's awesome!

I would've said the Asperger's Diagnosis a close second. Fortunately with some great advice from Frank and others, and one helluva special Education program in the East Lyme school system, things are progressing really well which is a big relief for Tina and I! Autism has many spectrums, and as life goes on, we'll deal with this one!

Geeze, and most people woulda thought I'd say a gimpy left eye and a big nose!

12. Do you have a dream fishing trip or destination?
Easy answer. Alaska. Halibut. One day man, one day!Thoughts of catching a huge halibut (fluke on mega-"roids") on stand up tuna gear...now that's my cup of tea!

13. What kinds of hunting do you enjoy, and what is your most memorable hunting experience?
Pheasant hunting in Iowa is something EVERYONE should do once in their life! But waterfowling takes the cake. If that doesn't get your blood going, I really don't know what will!

Paul D said it best in one of his posts...and I quote:
 Quote:
Must be cuz we waterfowlers seem to give up sleep, warm covers, and a large chunk of our "expendable" income to go out in conditions not fit for man or beast day after day and keep comming back. They say it has something to do with those magnificent sun rises/sets, the wild things we witness, the solitude yada, yada, yada. Or it may be the adrenaline rush of having 15-20 birds circle, cup their wings, and commit to the decoys while your heart has stopped beating and you proceed to get so wound up and frazzled you cleanly miss three shots at in your face birds. It may be watching a pup you have raised from 9 weeks old that lives to retrieve. It may be the friendship and comradery of your hunting partners, and at times the competing hunters around you, the stories told while the birds aren't flying. It may be the anticipation of tomorrow's hunt "like a kid at Christmas" I have heard.

So is it fun? Hard to say. It takes a certain kind of person to enjoy this type of activity. One thing I can tell you is that a majority of the people that are dedicated to the sport of waterfowling are the type of people I find it a pleasure to associate myself with for their dedication, strong will and character and work ethic (or at times lack of).


As for memorable, Iowa has produced some doozies! But in honesty all the trips with PaulD and Suzey on the River stands out. But if I had to choose one,...it would be the jewlry report.

Man, I'm gonna miss that dog.

And, this year with KWK at his spot poppin' geese and "Mr Quackers" are two that I won't ever forget! Report.

14. Other than the offshore story above, have you ever been involved in another life-threatening experience in the outdoors?
If there had to be a second, it'd probably be this last summer before a big storm. I say before because the skies were black on the horizon, the sun was out here at the course and BAM! I and a few others were about 40 yards away when the bolt hit my 9th green!


Chris' staff on the 9th green after a lightning bolt hit.

15. Does CWood Man really catch more fish than you?
What the hell kinda question is this and how many cases of Molson XXX did he buy you?!

Being that everyone must be a runner up in the "High Hook" department, I plead the fifth, dirtbag! THERE, YA HAPPY?!

In all actuality, we've become best friends over the last two years and I have NO PROBLEM bowing to the best all around fisherman that I know! HOWEVER...not always!


I may not always beat him, but I would never get caught singing Carly Simon!

16. Do you have any fishing superstitions?
NOPE! I know, a short answer. Fishin is fishin. Some days are good,, some days not so. As long as good friends and cold beer'ski's are there, well hell, why ask for anything more than that?

17. When you're not running your business or enjoying the outdoors, how do you like to spend your time?
I have an attention deficit problem, I think! I can't sit still for too long! Some people sit around and do nothing for relaxation Absolutely not possible for me! You only get one go-'round'. Make the most of it!

Taking my boy down to Niantic Bay Boardwalk and the beaches is it for me. Kickin back at Skippers sharing some fried clams and ice cream with him and Tina. Now that's livin! Can't wait 'til this year when he gets out on the boat a lot more.

But "craft" wise, it's definitely spending time up at Bill's (Finaltimeout) garage. That is a place where things get done, and Bill is sooo good. You may have seen his projects, but I'll tell ya, it is so very cool to see a piece of crap turn into something that you are proud to be seen in!

It's not Jack's story (Fortunateone) but it's what we have. Jack's post is simply awe inspiring, and truly INCREDIBLE! I'd be blessed to one day step foot on that masterpiece!

Ducks Rule 3 Project
http://www.ctfisherman.comhttps://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreadshttps://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1037323#Post1037323

http://www.ctfisherman.comhttps://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreadshttps://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1044619#Post1044619

http://www.ctfisherman.comhttps://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreadshttps://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1046183#Post1046183

Ducks Rule 2 Project
http://www.ctfisherman.comhttps://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreadshttps://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=913515#Post913515

Ducks Rule 4 Project
http://www.ctfisherman.comhttps://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreadshttps://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1046657#Post1046657

Man, do we have a great time during the winters!

18. What fishing techniques would you like to improve on in 2009?
I'd have to say deep water flukin'. Now that I have some 16 and 20-oz. jigs, I will be "out there deep" a little more than normal this year. My goal is multiple double digit fish. Hey, everyone has to dream right?

I would like to teach my buddy Cwood man the fine technique of beverage conservation. That dude knocks over more...well..nevermind!

19. What specific fish or fishing trip is most memorable to you?
Flukin with Paulie and Chris every Tuesday are memories in themselves. Every single week is just out of control. Offshore tuna fishing almost everyday for three summers in the mid-late 90's. I could go on and on. But to answer the question with one, the Pollock slam is unlike anything you can imagine.


The Team Tuesday Freak Show: Pauliewoz 13, Cwoodman, and Chris.

But, bringing Bob (The Real Ice man)and Kapt blackfishin' last year, where Bob proceeded to have the hot corner and boat fish after fish, until he broke off and then it was on for us! Kapt got his PB, I missed mine by a few oz's and I inherited the treasured "Tog Horn" which is now a permanent fixture on Ducks Rule 3!


Chris, The Real Ice man and Kapt after a day of big togs.

Report:
http://www.ctfisherman.comhttps://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreadshttps://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1005621#Post1005621

20. What is it about fishing that keeps your attention and passion for the sport?
Every fisherman knows the answer to this question! ]]> Mon, 09 Feb 2009 20:26:04 EST https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1048227#Post1048227 Dsouth https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1042850#Post1042850 Mitch P.
on: 01/26/09 02:39 PM



CTF Name: Dsouth
Real Name: Dan Southwick
Age: 50
Current City: Millville, Mass
Hometown: Millville, Mass
Family Members: Mother, Jean
Occupation: Production Manager for Keyfilters Inc.

1. You've posted some impressive swimbait reports on ctfisherman.com. How and when did you get started fishing swimbaits?
My first swimbait fishing started in the fall of 2002 and the first bait I bought was a 12" MS Slammer perch color. The plan back then was to target CT pike, but on my first outing working a long point that had deep weeds, I was nailed by a 7-pound, 2-oz. largemouth. I have been addicted from that day on.



2. About how many swimbaits do you have in your collection? What are some your favorite models in terms of fish-catching ability? What are some of your favorite models just because they are cool to look at?
My hard bait collection is around 125 and my rubber swimbait count is around 30. Favorite models is all about the time of year your in. Ice out in the springs rubber baits like the hudds and baitsmith baits worked very slow. As the water warms baits like the 3:16 1-up ($150 bait) and there new real deal perch pattern are big bass producers. The day after opening trout day in CTin 2006 I landed a 7-poound, 14-oz. on the 3:16 1-up is why its my all time favorite swimbait. When summer sets in its wood wake bait time. Nights and low light days and time are always best.

The three I like the best are:
1. Woodtail made from a friend in CT called Joe Adams
2. 3:16 wake-Jr black and blue.
3. MS Slammer 2X black with a char tail.

As far as cool baits the real snake my friend Joe makes stands out and swims like no other snake bait I have ever seen. It's sweet.


Woodtail bass.

3. You offered some swimbait tips on this thread:
http://www.ctfisherman.comhttps://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreadshttps://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=988475#Post988475

For an angler looking to fish a swimbait for the first time for largemouth in Connecticut, what set-up would you recommend for him (rod, reel, line)? What specific swimbait(s) would you recommend he start with?
Good gear is a must and can get very $$. Rods 7'6"-8' are best. A rod rated 1-4oz or 1-6oz will handle most of your needs but a good meat stick that's rated 3-8oz or 4-10oz is nice to have for the big 5oz plus baits. For reels, Shimano 300 D + Es are hard to beat. Lines I use are Gamma copolymer and Maxima and Big game all in green and all 25lb.

As for a first time set up, here's what I started with:

Reel
Shimano Cariff 300 for around $110 is a good 1st reel.

Rod
My first rod was a Okuma Guide Series Big Bait 7'6" heavy rated
1-5oz and was also $110.

Line
Line Big Game is low cost and works.

So a full starter set up is around $230 but now you need some baits. LOL.


Perch BBZ-1 and sucker musky BBZ-1.

4. Besides bass, you've caught some impressive northern pike on swimbaits. What specific tips can you offer for catching pike on a swimbait? What is the largest pike you've caught on a swimbait?
I love working CT waters for pike with BIG swimbaits and musky plugs. Late summer and the fall are my best times to be OTW. Pike love bad weather days with wind and rains. Bring on a good noreaster and I am CT pike fishing. That always turns the big girls bite on big time. Working swimbaits and musky plugs fast with stop and go mixed in will always get bites. Your CT pike program is one of the best here on the northeast.

My PB on a rod is 18 lbs. 4 oz. but that was on a super spook. PB swimbait pike is 17 lbs., 4 oz. on a windy rainy Sep day in 2007. That was my best pike year with four over 15 lbs. and 11 in the 10-14.5lb range.



5. What appeals to you about chasing steelhead?
It's a rush fishing for NY steelhead with long light rods and light lines with small flies. I have put in my time up there (27 years) and know the river like my back yard. Most of the local guides up there have given me the nickname of stony because of the # of fish I have caught over the years on stone flies. I love the area and after my working days are over my plan is to move there for my golden years but I will always be a Soxs and Pats fan.


18-pound steelhead.



6. Tell us about some of the smallmouth fishing you enjoy. What is your personal best smallmouth? What are your top three tips for catching a trophy smallmouth in the northeast?
Pre-spawn cold water smallmouth is the smallie fishing I enjoy the most. Mass Cape ponds and lakes the Quabbin Res VT waters and CT Candlewood are my favorite places to fish SM. PB is 6lbs. 5oz. and is one of my proudest fish.


6-pound, 5-oz. smallie.

Three tips?
#1 Tubes
#2 Hair Jigs
#3 Perch colored hard and soft swimbaits.


Hog smallie.

7. You've enjoyed bass fishing in Mexico. How would you describe the experience to a bass fisherman who has never done it?
I fished Lake Baccarrac for 5 days in Nov of 2007. The area in the mountains where the lake is breathtaking and the fishing is world class. I am not a big fan of air travel and the Mexico airports didn't help me feel at ease. Coming home, our plane had a touch and go that still gives me bad dreams. I think my plan is to keep my feet on the ground and work New England waters.


Mexico hog.

8. What are some of your dream fishing trips and/or destinations?
Like I said before, my feet are staying on the ground now. My dream fish is a 10lb+ LM on a CT, RI or Mass water. There is a short list of
fishermen in Mass that are on the 10lb list and joining that club is a dream.

Another is a 20lb+ pike on the rod in CT or Mass. A NY Musky trip is another thing on my to do list but I am happy working the great waters we all have here in New England.


19-pound Mass pike.

9. What can you say about the importance of quality fishing gear?
The way the quality gear changes year to year makes it hard to keep up with. Lines, Rods, Reels and baits improve year after year but the cost can put you in the poor house but the bottom line is quality gear is a must I feel.

10. You posted some "old school" fishing photos here:
http://www.ctfisherman.comhttps://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreadshttps://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=991 989#Post991989

When and how did you first get interested in fishing?
I always fished as a kid growing up, but mostly trout and panfish and a little bass. My last year of high school (1978) is when the bass bug hit me and made me a hard core LM guy I am today.



11. What is the most “Beyond Addicted. Just Plain Sick!” thing you’ve done in the pursuit of fish?
On a eastern CT lake a few years ago I fished 75 hours straight looking for a few big swimbait LM bites. My 17’8” V-Hull boat has room for a small sleeping cot for short cat naps. One night I hit Foxwoods for a little Texas hold'em poker with the boat in tow ready to go after my poker fix. I ended up hitting Long Pond at 2:00 a.m. for a little summer time MS Slammer wake bait fishing. Come 4:00 a.m. I hit the cot for a little cat nap. Before I hit the cot I cast the big floating wake bait out and left it out there dead sticking and drifting around while I napped. At 4:30 a.m. I was awakened by a big splash and I was on. Ended up being a nice fat 6-lb. 14-oz LM. I have always read about long dead sticking swimbaits so when ever I take a brake I cast and let it sit.

Another sick thing when I was younger was driving five hrs and NY steelhead fishing all day and drive the five hrs back home and working the next day. That steelhead bug when it hit you, that's all you can think about.


20-pound steelhead.

12. What are some of your tips to a successful ice-fishing outing?
I only ice-fish for trophy pike and my best advice is to scout weed lines in the fall that have drop offs close by. Confidence in the area you fish is key. I am a big believer in confidence, but having good fresh big pond shiners and large fallfish always helps in building my confidence. Being able to go days without a flag is very hard to do but the reward of a 20lb+ HOG pike is worth the flagless days.


20-pound pike.


22-pound, 4-oz. pike.

13. Is there a particular fish that you lost that still haunts you?
Yes there is, and it's a CT LM bass I lost this past spring on a 5-oz. Hudd swimbait. This fish came unbuttoned boat side as I was reaching for her with the net. I relive that day in my mind everyday and think of what I did wrong. It was the biggest LM of my life and I pray that she gives me one more shot at her this up coming spring.

14. What are some species of fish that you’ve never caught but would like to?
Maybe a false albacore. Other than that, my list is full.


World record channel catfish! This recognition was issued by the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame. The fish species was confirmed by CT, DEP, Inland Fisheries Division. Dan caught this 26 lb. 8 oz channel catfish on 2/26/2005 out of Mansfield Hollow Reservoir to set a Division #4 - Ice Fishing, Tip-Up (Heaviest (only) Line Test Class) World Record.

15. What do some of your non-fishing friends and family think of fishing?
90% of my friends are also fishermen and understand my fishing addiction. My family members think I am nuts for spending $200 on a swimbait and $600 for a top of the line rod and reel set up. Being a single guy and having a good job helps me big time when it comes to buying big dollar plugs and gear.

16. You’re going on a wilderness fishing trip. What three CDs do you take with you? What three lures do you take with you (for catching the most species)?
1. Neil Young, Harvest
2. Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, Greatest Hits
3. Grateful Dead, Two from the Vault

3 baits?
1. Gold Salt water supper spook
2. Woodtail Perch color swimbait
3. Jig + pig. Black Jig with a super pork brown.




17. Outside of fishing, what other hobbies and activities do you enjoy?

I have three.

#1 is fish

#2 is eat

#3 sleep.....

18. Without giving away any secret spots, what are some locations in the northeast that you recommend for catching trophy bass & pike?
All New England waters offer trophy bass and pike fishing. Info about the state you live in is always available if you look for it. I have fished CT waters for the last 8 years and it only took one call to the CT DEP to help me out. There are also some great books at the DEP store. I love working virgin CT swimbait waters for LM.



19. What is the toughest hardship you’ve had to overcome in your life?
Back in 1977, my dad past away at the age of 37. The family business was left to me and my mother to run. It was hard times back then and we both lost everything that my father worked 7 days a week to build. I am a happy man now but back then there was a few hard years to live through. I think back about the hard times and say to myself and ask why? I guess there is a reason for everything, at least that’s what I am told.

20. What are your fishing goals for 2009 and beyond?
#1 is to land that CT LM I lost last spring.
#2 is to land a pike over 20 lbs. on the rod in Mass or CT.]]> Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:39:48 EST https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1042850#Post1042850 E.J. https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1037130#Post1037130 Mitch P.
on: 01/12/09 03:11 PM


CTF name: E.J.
Real name: Eric Wilder
Age: 51
Current city: Enfield, CT
Hometown: Enfield, CT
Family members: 5
Occupation: Investment fraud investigator

1. How long have you been a charter captain?
Six years.

2. Do you charter full-time?
I charter part-time at the present

3. When and how did you first get into fishing?
I was a military brat. My folks were both in the Navy and I used to fish with my father at whatever port he was stationed. Then as a teen I lived in western Massachusetts and fish extensively for trout in the various rivers and streams in the area.

4. What is one of your most memorable charter experiences?
I love to take kids fishing. One charter a few years back, two dads wanted to take their kids fishing. It was on a day late in the baseball season when the Sox were playing the Yanks. So the two dads being diehard Sox fans just left the kids in the back of the boat while they sat up front listening to the game and having a few beverages. The kids had never fished before so I spent a lot time teaching about how to use the equipment baiting a hook and etc. To make the story short these two kids boated four stripers over 40” and 15 other keeper sized fish along with several gator blues. All were caught on very light tackle in less than eight feet of water. Yup, their smiles were priceless.



5. What is one of the strangest experiences you have had while chartering?
There are a lot of them so I’ll go with one from last season. I was fishing the mouth of the CT River with topwater plugs. Tman had given me a couple of his new poppers to try. I was into the fishing for about an hour and one of my friends was throwing a Danny’s swimmer and doing well (he boated about six fish). I hadn’t boated any fish. However, I was getting whacked hard on almost every cast but couldn’t stay hooked up. I was taking a lot of ribbing from my buddy and since it couldn’t be “me” doing something wrong I decided to check the plug. Trying not to let my friend know cuz I had already took enough crap from him, I found the problem. Pat puts safety plastic over the hooks. Yup, felt pretty stupid that day. After I took the plastic off the hooks, I landed numerous fish

6. When people go on a charter, what are some of things they should -- and should not do -- to ensure they have a good experience?
People should come rested and prepared. Staying up all night partying may sound like fun when you’re with your buddies, but once you’re on the water for a few hours it WILL catch up with you. Always have enough clothing. You can always take something off, but it’s generally cooler out the water then at home. And bring a camera.


A customer's nice striper.

7. Do you have any fish-that-got-away stories that still haunt you?
Losing my only Marlin in Cabo San Lucas Mexico. Still can’t talk about it

8. There are a lot of charter captains who choose not to participate in online fishing forums. Why are you a member of CTF?
I like to talk about fishing and meet new people.

As for why there is reluctance for other captains to get involved I think there’s a lot a different reasons. I think are that the newer captains do get involved on websites and discussion boards more often. In the past, captains used trade shows, fliers, periodical advertising to get the word out about their service. That’s what they know and were successful at. The internet in this industry, as in everything, has changed things

9. Do you ever have time to "fun fish" for yourself?
Absolutely, some of the best time have been with close friends and some new friends from CTF board.


Albacore triple.

10. Without naming names, what are some of the unethical things you have witnessed within the charter boat industry?
A few years ago I went out on a charter with a friend from NJ. We were fishing for stripers and I believe NJ had a slot limit at that time. We were catching a lot of fish on umbrella rigs and bunker spoons. However we were also keeping EVERY fish no matter size or numbers. I stopped fishing after about an hour it was just too disgusting.

11. What is the biggest misconception people have about being a charter captain?
The stress and hard work that goes into it. Every time I take someone my stomach is in knots until we get into fish. Anybody can catch fish on good days. As a captain you earn your reputation on the very slow days by still putting your client on fish. It may mean changing tactics, changing location, going from plan A to plan B to plan C……. until you find something that works. Also since you are with people so you need to be a people person. Nobody wants to spend a day with a grumpy ol salt

12. What is the biggest striper one of your customers has caught?
The biggest striper was 53” by a gentlemen named Anthony caught on a live shad.



The biggest striper on artificial is a tie 46.5” on a 2 oz pencil popper (Tom) ...



and a 46.5” caught on a Tman tube last fall (Gene) ...



and the biggest caught by someone under 10 ...



13. What are some of the biggest mistakes the average fisherman makes when it comes to targeting striped bass?
I think the biggest mistake made by fisherman that target stripers is they have not taken the time to learn what will work in the area they plan to fish. There are plenty of FREE resources including websites devoted to striped bass fishing and local tackle shops that are willing to suggest the proper equipment and baits. Doing just a little research will help avoid making the mistakes others before have learned the hard way. Granted, as fishermen, we like to embellish our stories but the advice and fishing lore can put you in the right direction. Also, going out with an experienced guide will save time and money in the long run.

14. How has the fishery in and around Connecticut changed in your lifetime?
I was originally a freshwater fisherman and the fishery was somewhat consistent because of stocking. I have seen the American Shad fishery deteriorate over the years. I can remember have days of throwing shad darts and catching till my arm became sore.

As a kid living on a naval base in Newport, RI, I remember how great the striper fishing was. Then as everyone one knows for years striper were awful. Bluefish everywhere but no stripers. The Stripers came back a few years and has been great. However, I’ve noticed in some of my favorite areas that it stating to deteriote rapidly. Most notably CT River, the Saco River in Me. and the Merimack River in Newburyport Ma.

15. How do you see the future of fishing in Long Island Sound?
I have some concerns. Fluke fishing around Niantic bay is not as good as it once was. (Commercial boats) Albies have not been around for two years. And there seems to be more slow days for striper fishing. On the good side adult bunker are around in good numbers.


E.J. fishing in Alaska.

16. You're put in charge of the CT DEP. What three things do you do right away?
Absolutely abandon the restoration of Atlantic Salmon to the CT River. This is and has been a complete failure over the last 40years. And it will continue to be a failure for the foreseeable future

Spend the money from the Salmon program and use it restore the herring run. This is a far easier task and would bring lot’s of revenue to the state

Hire more field officers. Too much illegal fishing going on for them to police.

17. Outside of fishing, what hobbies or interest do you enjoy?
Playing tennis and basketball. Watching the Red Sox

18. What is the biggest hardship you have had to overcome in your life?
Working full time and going to college full time

19. If you had to choose just one lure to target stripers for a day on the water, what would it be?
TMAN TUBE-15 inch red

20. What advice would you give to a guy who says he wants to fish for a living?
Got to be persistent and flexible. Fishing changes everyday. What works one day may not the next. You always need a plan B.

]]> Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:11:18 EST https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1037130#Post1037130 Blaine https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1032617#Post1032617 Mitch P.
on: 01/01/09 03:40 PM



CTF Name: Blaine
Real Name: Captain Blaine Anderson
Age: 43
Current City: Newington, CT
Hometown: Unionville, CT
Family Members: Wife, Heidi; Son, Blaine Jr.
Occupation: Fishing guide, tackle shop manager

1. Let's get right to it. You've made catching big stripers on a consistent basis look easy. How did you get to that level in your fishing?
There are a couple of things. I am a little more passionate about my fishing than most. Regardless of weather or water conditions, I'm going fishing. I have a ball whether I'm fishing for stripers, pike, crappie or even jigging pondies. Having that fire to fish turns in to massive amounts of time on the water. I spend a lot of time out there and while I may have refined my techniques a bit over the years if anyone spent as much time as I do on the water, they too would catch a few big fish here and there.

Another reason I've done well over the years is that I invest a lot of money in having the right gear. I think I have the perfect boat for my style of fishing. The boat can get in tight to the rocks or fish the shallow flats yet rides remarkably well in the rips and snotty stuff. I have three separate livewells so that when I get on the bait, I can really load up and keep them lively. The trolling motor is key as well. I use it a lot to compensate for mind or weak tides. The Humminbird side imaging has been a huge asset for me as well. It's changed the way that I fish.

2. When targeting stripers, what are some of the most common mistakes you see anglers make?
I wouldn't necessarily call it making mistakes. I've learned to adjust to changing conditions. I also to move around a lot. Regardless of whether or not I'm marking fish, if a spot doesn't pan out in 15 to 20 minutes then I'm out of there and on to the next one. Even on a great day of fishing, I'm averaging 25-35 miles on the boat. Be flexible, just because it worked yesterday doesn't mean it is going to work today. Take lots of notes, written or mental, just be aware of what's going on around you. Eventually patterns will develop.

3. You were into racing cars. When did you do that? Tell us about it.
I love the life I have now but I sure miss those days. I've always been obsessed with horsepower and speed. When I got out of the Army in '91, I moved to Newington and met some fellow gear heads through a speed shop called Radical Rods. I became great friends with a guy, Tim, who was in to autocrossing. Autocrossing is done in large parking lots where cars are run through an elaborate course set up with cones. The runs are timed and highly competitive.

I helped work on Tim’s car and would occasionally get to run the course with it. From there we started to gravitate more towards unconventional racing, this is where I really got hooked. We did some ice racing during the winters and became pretty serious about Pro Rally. Rally races are run mostly off road with some pretty high tech cars. We ran two races a year on logging roads between Rumford and Rangely Maine. One race was in the dead of winter. These races are run at very high speeds over the course of a couple of days. I sat in the passenger seat as the navigator. What a thrill to blast down a single lane dirt road at speeds approaching 100 MPH! The ice racing was mostly time trial stuff, not much door-to-door racing, but probably the most fun I’ve ever had in a car.

During all of this I bought my own race car. It was a 1981 BMW 318. I did everything but rally with it. Hill climbs were probably the most hair raising races -- up the access roads of ski areas like Ascutney, Okemo and even Mt Washington. If any of you have ever driven to the top of Mt Washington, picture doing it at speeds up to 120 MPH. The fastest time (No, not me) recorded up the mountain was just over 6:41 over a course that was close to eight miles long -- that's an average up the mountain of almost 70 mph. Absolutely insane! Racing was a huge investment. I had a house and a family and figured it was time to become a bit more responsible. I was lucky to sell the car and make a nice little profit. With that money, I bought my first boat and the rest is history!

Here is a pic of the cars we ran back in the good old days. It sucks having to grow up!



4. You've shared many great pictures over the years. Give us five of your favorites and a few tips for good photographs.
I love taking photos. I never go out without my camera. I'm certainly no pro. My best tip would be to contact Den for any photography advice you have! Seriously, I use the flash on 99% of my pictures. Even on the brightest days, it takes some of the shadows away and gives the photo better color. Take a ton of pics. If you take enough of them, eventually you'll get some good ones. Here are a few of my favorites:



This is a formation of a formation called Hoar Frost. Pretty rare phenomenon.



Brook trout from the Gods River in Manitoba, Canada.



Obviously, I didn't take this pic. T-Man did. It's probably one of my all time favorites though. It tells a great story. The report from that day is here on the site somewhere (link) but Bob D and I were both fighting 50" stripers at the same time!



A juvenile bald eagle swooping down on Gods lake in Manitoba, Canada.



You never know what you’ll see on the CT River.

5. You've posted about a few fishing trips with your son. Do you think he'll grow up to be a casual angler or a fishing fanatic?
Too soon to say. I've tried real hard not to push it on him. I wish that I had more time to get him out on the water but as busy as I am, it's tough. I've seen glimpses of the fanatic but it has yet to surface and stay. I would certainly welcome it. I'd love to show him some of the things I get to see on a daily basis. I've got quite a photo collection of sunrises, sunsets, eagles, etc. It never gets old.

6. You had a "tough" childhood. Would you care to elaborate? What kinds of things are you doing differently, now that you are a parent?
Elaborate? No...I don't even talk to my wife about most of it.

7. When you first started chartering – and maybe still to this day – you have encountered some negative people. What are some of things that were said about you or done to you?
I have been incredibly lucky to be involved with great people from day one. Other than one isolated incident, I honestly can't think of anyone that tried to discourage me or persuade me to not jump in with both feet.

As for the incident, I have no proof, but I think there was a certain charter captain in the area who felt threatened when I started up. In one week's time, I had a phone call at home from the DEP in regards to a complaint that I was operating in the marine district without a license. The season was early and I had just moved from the upper stretches of the river to Niantic. I had been scouting a lot with Jon H. and some others here on the board. The DEP said that someone saw me out there and assumed I was running charters. Two days later I was boarded by the Coast Guard while on Bartlett’s Reef. Everything checked out and I was back to fishing again. Not long after that someone got on my boat and wiped me out of everything. I lost thousands in gear. Way too many things in a short period of time to be just a coincidence. Since that time, it's been smooth sailing. I learned to watch my back and follow the rules to the letter because you never know who is watching.

8. What are some of the biggest misconceptions people have about chartering?
LOL. It's easy money of course. I guess I make it look too easy some times. No one sees me roll out of bed at 2:30 a.m. for a 5:00 a.m. launch. I'm there 45 minutes ahead of my clients retying leaders, checking drags, getting the boat ready. The client shows up and we shove off. We return to the dock, I clean their fish and they get in their car, crank up the AC and drive off. No one sees me on my hands and knees scrubbing the boat and gear for another hour after that. Then I drive like a mad man to get to CT Outfitters on time and work here till 6:00 p.m. if I'm lucky. Many nights I'm there late. It's tough to lock the doors when customers are still pulling in. I haul ass home, have a quick dinner with the family and go to bed. I usually fall asleep by 8:00 p.m. watching the Sox.

9. You work at CT Outfitters. What differentiates the shop from others? What are some of the misconceptions people have about the tackle business?
I'd like to think that it's the people here. We all love what we do. I honestly like to come to work. I take a lot of pride in the shop and run it like I own it. The passion I have for being on the water translates well in to the sales side of things. I know what works, I know what's biting when and where. I get a kick out of putting customers on fish from behind the counter. Misconceptions? That we're getting rich here.

10. You had a life threatening experience while ice-fishing. Tell us about that.
Back several years ago, I was ice fishing on a cove of the Nashua River in Pepperell, MA. It was bitterly cold and we had just finished setting up. My black lab, Garth, was a little cold so I decided to get him moving around to warm up. One of his favorite games was to fetch ice chunks that we slid across the ice. I took the spud bar out and cut a decent sized piece and bowled it across the cove. He caught up to it but the chunk was too big for him to pick up and bring back. He decided to play soccer with and batted at it and pushed it with his nose. As he did this, he got closer and closer to the open water. I saw this and yelled to him to heel, which he did immediately.

The fishing was getting good and we had flags popping. I had just released a bass and was on my way back to the bucket to grab another shiner when I noticed Garth wasn't around. He was nowhere to be seen. I called to him a few times with no results, now I was starting to get pissed and a little worried at the same time. From way down the cove I heard a faint cry and then noticed a tiny spec in the distance splashing in the water.

I took off running towards Garth. It took forever to get to him, but the closer I got, the louder his cries got. He was sitting low in the water with his paws on the edge of the ice and his eyes were bulging out of his head. Looking back at it now, he had probably been in the water for almost 10 minutes at that point. He didn't have much longer.
I thought that if I could get to shore, I could call him down stream to where he could get to the bank of the river and climb out on his own. I ran passed him heading for the bank looking for a place where he could swim to. I will never forget his cries as I ran further away from him. The shoreline was a marsh area on the north side of the cove. This area was in direct sun every day and with the decaying weeds there, the ice was honeycombed and very week. I couldn't take the extra time to go around further downstream. At this point, I realized I would have to go in to get my dog back.

As I ran back towards him, I began stripping clothes off so I wouldn't be quite so heavy in the water. As I got near him, I was down to my underwear and a turtle neck. The ice was cracking around me and I still had 20 feet to go. I laid down on my belly and began crawling towards him. Garth wasn't moving much anymore, just clinging to the edge of the ice and breathing real hard. I will never forget the look in his eyes as I got close to him. With five feet to go, the ice started sinking and the water rushed up towards me and in a second I was in the water. It was over 10 feet deep there so there was no hope of touching bottom. I thrashed around for a bit trying to catch my breath. As I kicked to get my torso back up on the ice, Garth was trying to climb out over my back. Every time I got back on the ice it would give way under the weight of the two of us. Pretty soon I was surrounded by broken chunks of ice. I couldn’t feel anything at this point and as I continued to kick, my toes and shins were getting cut to ribbons by the chunks. Garth was still trying to climb out over me. I remember looking back at the fire we had going on the ice and wondering why my partner wasn’t coming to help. He looked so small on the horizon. We kept breaking ice and inching along until finally I was able to get my upper body on the ice without it breaking. Without looking back, I reached behind me for Garth and through some stroke of luck my hand landed on his collar. I flung all 70 pounds of him up on the ice.

OK, he was out, now it was my turn. I had to force myself to slow down and think. I knew if I tried to stand up I'd be right back where I started from. I was able to lean to my left a little and kick my right leg up on to the ice. From there I was able to roll my entire body out onto the ice. It still wasn't thick enough to stand on, so I continued to roll. I think I rolled for close to 50 feet across the ice -- soaking wet and nearly naked. When I finally stood up and started making my way back to the fire, I had a tough time walking. It’s weird when everything is numb.

Anyways, I made it back to the fire which my partner had so graciously stoked up. He grabbed the keys out of the sled and headed back to the truck for my extra set of clothes. I moved my chair right next to the fire to dry off and keep warm till my clothes and boots arrived. I wasn’t bleeding much because I was so cold but I remember looking at my legs and feet. I was missing 3 toenails and was thinking to myself that this was really going to hurt when I warmed back up.

I was safe though, the worst was over. The adrenaline was still pumping pretty strong in me and I happened to notice that there were three flags up.

By the time partner got back 15 minutes later with the clothes, I had iced four fish. I can't imagine what I would have looked like to a person watching me chase flags completely soaked, nearly naked and barefoot.

As I dressed, he went and retrieved my boots. By this time Garth had lots of ice frozen to his fur but he was running around again and seemed to be almost as warm as I was. We finished the day off on the cove and caught a ton of fish. I honestly think that Garth knew how close he had come to dying. He was never more than a couple of feet from my side for the next few weeks.

I’ve been asked by a ton of people what the F%#$ my partner was thinking when he didn't come to my aid. I don’t have an answer, maybe he freaked and froze but the more I think about it I don’t think he knows how to swim. Whatever. It's in the past, I pick who I fish with much more carefully these days.

I don't know what I was thinking when I took this picture but it had to have been something like "Nobody is going to believe this $hit."



11. What would you say to the guy who has never tried ice-fishing and scoffs at the idea of fishing in the middle of winter?
I hear it all the time. Too cold or it looks boring. It is usually more productive than fishing open water. Year in and year out, I see my largest fish come through the ice. We are allowed six lines in the water at once so odds are you're gonna see some fish.

Clothing is the key. Try going with someone who is experienced. When you're with someone who knows the ropes, you will see just how productive ice fish can be. Like anything else, if you are comfortable, you are going to have fun. I get a lot of customers who tried it once and never went back out. I guarantee they got cold. Dress right and you'll have a blast.

12. Tell us about some of your freshwater fishing experiences growing up.
My earliest memory is trout fishing with my uncle. We'd fish an impoundment created by beavers on a stretch of Bunnell Brook in Burlington. He'd put me on his shoulders and we'd wade down the brook through the overhanging brush and make our way into the marsh and fish from the dam. I grew up on the Farmington River in Unionville. There weren’t many kids my age in the area so I fished a lot. Every day in fact. I didn’t care what I caught as long as I was fishing. I'd spend 2 days in the brook near my house building a dam so I could watch the fish that would use the pool. As I got older, I met my best friend Chris. His father and he were and still are very close. They fished together a lot and began inviting me along. Once Chris got his drivers license we fished together every night after school. We fished every pond and brook from Farmington to the NY border. Most legally, some not so much. Ah, the memories.

13. You work a lot of the winter fishing shows. What keeps your interest level up while working such a demanding schedule?
That's easy. I get to talk about fishing and play with all the new stuff. It's a long winter. At last count, I'll be on the road for over 40 nights this season. I've met a lot of great people and made some career advancing contacts at the shows. No matter how much you think you know about fishing, there are countless people who know more than you'll ever know. Every winter I talk to someone and hear about a technique or trick that I never considered trying. By the end of the Providence show in April, we're all ready to go fishing again

14. A young kid comes up to you at one of the shows and says he wants to be like you – working in a tackle shop and getting paid to take people fishing. What advice do you give him?
Go for it. Here is what worked for me: Start by getting a job related to fishing, ideally in a tackle shop. Get to know the people in the industry, let them get to know you. If you feel you have something to offer, look for a pro staff position with one of the manufacturers. If you're lucky enough to get a foot in the door, volunteer to work the shows and events. That's where the snowball starts rolling.

15. An older person – perhaps more serious about actually chartering – asks you the same question. What advice do you give him?
Go for it. You've got to be 100% committed to it. If all you want out of it is to make a boat payment, you probably won't be very good at what you do. Be prepared to do it full time if you want make a living. By full time, I mean on the water, at the shop and at the shows in the off season. It never stops.

16. Tell us about your military experience. What kinds of things did you learn that you still apply to your life today?
I was and Airborne Combat Engineer. The US Army is the reason that I am who I am today. I was headed nowhere before I enlisted. I learned the importance of reliability, and accountability. Aside from earning my wings, the highlight of my time in the army was teaching demolitions at West Point. My class was "Calculation and Placement of Steel Cutting Charges". If you ever want to drop a bridge into the CT River, I'm your man.

17. How did you get started running charters?
I took the money I made from selling my race car and bought my first boat. It was a 16’ Sea Fox center console. Wow, there were some stories born on that little boat! Anyways, the summer that I bought it, I got laid off from my job in the IT world. I had 14 week's severance and gas was dirt cheap. I was in no hurry to go back to work and I fished the Sound almost every day. I had an absolute ball and learned a ton. I decided that I definitely did not want to go back to a high stress job no matter how much money they paid me.

Chartering looked like the best of both worlds to me. I could work part time somewhere while I built up a client base. That winter, I went and got my captain's license. That spring, I remember standing in the show room of Atlantic Outboard, looking at bigger boats and telling the wife that I only needed to do 8 charters that year to make the payments. How hard could that be????

Somehow I talked her in to it. We bought a 19' Hydra Sports Bay Bolt and I was off and running. I did ten charters that year. Things really took off after that, the next year I did 40.

18. How did you get started fishing in Manitoba, Canda every year?
Pretty cool story actually. When I first got started guiding on the CT River for pike, I had a guy, Robert, from Westchester, NY book me. He wanted to learn how to catch pike. We used his boat, a gorgeous Lund Alaskan 21-footer. I think it was towed be hind a new Land Rover. We had a great day and that was that. A couple of years later Robert called again and this time wanted to catch stripers on the Sound. He wanted to throw lures with spinning gear. He brought some of his own gear and nothing but the best. As I recall, we had a tough day by my standards but Robert had a ball.

The following year, I got a call while I was here at the shop. It was Robert. He was at Plum Gut in his boat and having a tough time. He explained the conditions and tide to me and I have him a couple of places to catch some scup for bait and told him to call me when he had a couple dozen baits in the well. An hour later he calls me back and based on his description of the tide I gave him some GPS numbers of a hump to hit and sent him on his way. Two hours later he called me back as giddy as a school girl saying that they had an incredible day of big fish and lots of them. I felt great being able to help him out from way back here at the shop.

We went over a year without talking again and then in the dead of winter I got an email from Robert thanking me for everything that I've done for him. He went on to say he'd like to return the favor by bringing me with him to his camp on a lake in Manitoba called Gods Lake. Trophy pike, lakers, walleye and brookies in the same place. I remember thinking to myself "Riiiiiiight, that will happen." It was one of those too good to be true stories. We exchanged a few more emails and I finally asked him what made him buy a place in Canada. He sent me a link to the place and it was then that I realized that he didn’t just buy a camp, he bought THE CAMP. Boats, cabins, guides, the whole nine yards! All I had to do was buy the airfare to Winnipeg and the rest would be taken care of.

We kept talking over the next few weeks and before I knew it I had bought my tickets. The trip was absolutely incredible and I really hit it off with Robert and the lodge manager, Lee. They asked me if I'd be willing to help them out with advertising and booking clients and guiding a bit in exchange for a free trip every year. There wasn't much of a decision to make. This August will be my third trip up. I can't wait to get back up there!



19. If you weren't involved in a fishing-related career right know, what do you think you'd be doing?
I shudder to think of what I'd be doing. Chances are I'd still be in the IT world. The money would surely be decent but I'd be miserable. By the time I was laid off way back when I was pretty burned out.

20. What would you still like to accomplish in your fishing career?
I'd like to catch a 50-pound striper in all of the New England coastal states. I'm half way there. Not sure if it's ever been done before. It might make for an interesting book someday.



]]> Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:40:02 EST https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1032617#Post1032617 Crazy Ivan https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/942669#Post942669 Mitch P.
on: 04/21/08 04:26 AM



CTF Name: Crazy Ivan
Real Name: Craig Lengyel
Age: 43
Current City: New Milford, CT
Hometown: Norwalk, CT
Family members: Me, myself and I. Brother, Christian and six cousins
Occupation: Inventory Analyst

1. Why the screen name "Crazy Ivan"?
My father is the real Crazy Ivan. He loved the movie “The Hunt for Red October” and during the movie the Russian sub would do a maneuver called a “Crazy Ivan”. My dad had the shortest fuse known to man. The man was truly crazy in some aspects and his first name was Irving. Irving-Ivan. Pretty close. I started calling him Crazy Ivan and he even re-named his boat to that. He passed 4 years ago so I use his name in his memory. Luckily I don’t have the crazy gene that he had.

2. How did you first get interested in fishing?
My grandfather got me into fishing. He was a huge trout fisherman and taught me how to fly fish at 8. When the state introduceced fly fishing only areas we put mono on our reels and would drive worms on a fly rod. We then used those rods to fish for flounder, snappers, frost fish. I grew up in Norwalk and we would fish the Saugatuck River mostly for our trout trips. Three times a year we would do a road trip up to Cornwall to fish the Housy. Those trips I really cherished and was like an extra Christmas day each trip. Back then the waters up there we full of big trout and we would always limit on some nice fish. The long ride up from Norwalk to Cornwall was always a great with my grandfather telling me stories of his fishing adventures.

3. What is your favorite saltwater fish to target?
Inshore it would be blackfish. I have blackfished pretty much all my life when my dad had enough money to own a boat. We used to do combo blackfish and winter flounder trips that was great. Funny that we did not fillet the fish back then. We used to skin the fish and eat them whole.

Offshore jigging up yellowfin tuna.

The past four years I’ve gotten into the offshore fishing with CTF members and I really got the bug. I did an overnight chunk trip on Captain Bill Brown’s boat last summer and jigged up an 80 pound tuna on what I would call a Bass outfit. I did another trip on Bob Bradley’s boat last year and we slammed the tuna with non stop action all night long. I am really looking forward to doing more trips this year.


A couple 80-pound class yellowfin caught last year on Capt Bill Brown's boat.

4. How did you hear of CTF? How has your fishing changed since joining CTF?
A friend of mine at work told me of the site. He said there was some good info on what was biting and where. I remember logging on and seeing posts from John from Madison catching these huge Striped bass. Wow. I used to just fluke, bluefish, and blackfish before I joined CTF. Since I joined CTF I started fishing for striped bass and got into cod fishing, shark fishing and tuna. The ability to meet people and network has broadened my fishing experience immensely. Plus, I have made so many friends on the site where we fish on different boats. Last year I did not use my boat once and went on 10 different CTF’ers boats!! I even got into ice fishing. I live off of Candlewood Lake so it’s easy for me to have access to great ice fishing waters.


Craig's boat at the race.

5. Who are some of your favorite fishing partners? How did you meet?
I first started fishing with BK from the site five years ago now. BK-Bruce and I fished 30 times a year for a few years. Bruce taught me allot about striper fishing and we got very good trolling using T-man tubes in Norwalk Waters. I started posting results from out trips and other local like Fishnchips-Rick and Striper Sniper-Chris became friends. It just blossomed from there. Now it seems like there are very few active members I have NOT fished with.


BK.

Right now I am fishing with the CTF cod squad (Vick, Mygirl, and Sungunabeach). The four of us have done a ton of cod trips over the years and have had a great time busting chops in my truck on the ride up and back.

6. Outside of fishing, what hobbies or interests do you like to pursue?
I used to golf a lot and had my handicap under 10 but I just could not get it lower so I gave up and spend my time fishing instead. My younger brother Christian got me into NHRA drag racing 5 years ago and I am hooked. Going to the drag races at Englishtown, NJ and Redding, PA are the only hobby that will pry me away from fishing. The sound and force of an 8,000 hp top fuel dragster awesome.



7. You're active in organizing events and trips including Spring Blackfish bash and Hammopalooza one year. What draws you to the events?
What got me really hooked on the site were the outings. We have not had the saltwater outings we used to but when I joined we had the Spring Blackfish bash, Hammopalooza. Fluke event and the fall blackfish bash. The last few years there was no Hammopalooza or fluke event. Bob Bradley and I have been keeping the Spring Blackfishing event going and Fuzzy has done a great job keeping the fall blackfish bash. I plan on trying to drum up interest this June/July for another Hammopalooza. Hopefully we can get enough interest to bring the events back to the glory days. We had a CTF cod trip last Friday. Report.

8. How do you feel about the proposed saltwater license?
I feel it’s inevitable so why fight it. It would be nice to see all of the funds collected to go to the DEP for fisheries management and not into the general fund.



9. What was your first boat?
My first boat was a 17’ GTX Winner that I co-owned with my younger brother. I sold that in 1994 and bought a 21’ Checkmate Enchanter. I used to blast around Candlewood at 60 mph and bring my friends waterskiing. Both boats were meant for freshwater and I wanted fishing boats so I got rid of that boat for my current boat a 21’ Dixie Cuddy walk around fishing boat. I sold the motor to my checkmate to Don P from the site. I will never forget when Don showed up at my house with his dad. Don and his father wanted to check all the cylinders on the motor for compression. Somehow their gauge made it to the ground and I stepped on it band broke it. I thought Don P Sr was gonna grind me up into little Crazy Ivan burgers but it worked out good and Don took me on my first striper trip and on that trip I caught my biggest striper -- 36.5 pounds!


Craig's biggest bass: 36.5 pounds caught on Don P's boat.

10. Is there a species of fish that you haven't caught that you would most like to catch?
I would like to do a trip to Costa Rica or Cabo some day. Watching the fishing shows during the winter you see some amazing fishing down there. Catching an acrobatic fish like a sailfish or a blue or black marlin would be my wish list.

12. What are your thoughts on the direction CTF has gone?
I like the idea that the site has a little less ball bustin than it did before. I think that was how a lot of the stuff that went on got started. I miss bustin Don P back and forth hijacking a thread. I’ve gotten some people mad at me and received a few PM asking what was going on. The idea of a pay site makes no real difference to me. The price is nothing compared to what I spend a year on fishing and is well worth it. I couldn’t care less if people see where they think I am fishing. I know how to take creative pictures with no background and sometimes I might post that all the fish I caught were at 11B



13. How did you get into smoking fish?
BK-Bruce gave me one of his old smokers. I remember having the smoked bluefish pate at one of the offshore events and thought I would try smoking some bluefish and striper. It takes some time to figure out how long to brine the fish and how long to smoke at what heat. Well, I enjoy drinking beer and seem like I would need to add wood chips every 2 beers. Need to add wood about 4 – 5 times a batch so I would put a good dent into a 12 pack. I think I finally got it down and now have moved on to smoking chickens. Never thought of smoking spam like that guy did at the game dinner this year. It was pretty good!!



14. What kind of music do you enjoy?
I’m a Howard Stern fan and listen mostly to his show during the day. Since I started listening to Howard I stopped listening to music. I used to be a big Eric Clapton fan in the 80’s and 90’s. I went to England in 1992 specifically to see him in concert at Royal Albert Hall. One of my best friends in high school and I went to England for a week and had floor seats and rushed the stage and I pushed my way to the stage. Eric came to where I was and played for an hour 5 feet from me. I had my camera and took a few shots; one is on my desk at work. Will never forget that concert.



15. What would you do if you won the lottery?
Check into a fat farm or rehab center. But somewhere close to the salt water. I’ve gained a few pounds over the years and would like to do the rehab thing where food is just not available to me. After I get out I would buy a 74’ Viking Convertible and fish all year round. I need to win 100 million at least for me to buy the boat and be able to fill the 5,000 gallon fuel tank! Would be cool to run offshore in 5’ers and not feel a wave☺

16. What are your top three tips for catching big blackfish?
1. Spend the extra time to anchoring to make sure you are on a spot. Anchoring for Blackfishing can be extremely frustrating with the tide going one way and wind going another. Think you have it right and the anchor pulls. But, if you take your time and get on your spot it will make the difference between catching allot to catching nothing.

2. I have gone to using the smaller hooks. 1/0 to 3/0. And even those nasty circle hooks (not a fan of circle hooks but they do work)

3. Make sure you’re prepared with rigs. I make 5-10 rigs the night before. When the bite turns on you do not want to be tying rigs when you can pop on a rig and be in the game. Sometimes the bite only lasts for 30 minutes and you have to be ready.

17. Tell us about your dogs. For someone considering owning a dog, describe what it’s like.
Unfortunately, I lost both my dogs last year. They were brother and sister that my dad gave me as a late Christmas present, New Years Eve. He brought them home from work right when I was going out to a party. I spent the whole night with them. One thing I learned was that I needed to socialize them with other dogs more and people. If you don’t your gonna have problems later since the dogs will see them as the enemy. I was lucky not to have any biting incidences but the dogs used to bark like hell at other dogs and kids. Training the dogs that they eat at a certain time and then take the out to does their business will save on accidents. I live alone and trained the dogs to eat at 7am, and then do their business, and they would then be good till 5pm when I got home from work. It puts them on a routine, and if you keep the routine you will not come home to some lab pyramids or indoor pee ponds.



18. What is the most "Beyond Addicted, Just Plain Sick!" thing you have done in the pursuit of fish?
It’s got to be the mid-winter cod fishing trips we have done over the years. We did one last year January 11th with guys from CTF. The water temps are close to freezing and when we got to the grounds it had to be 5 to 6-footers coming in from two directions. I thought for sure I was going over the side and in that cold temps you would not last long. Luckily the seas calmed and we ended up with the most pollack and haddock I have ever seen. We could have sunk the boat with the amount of fish on the deck blocking the scuppers. We each came home with over 100 pounds of fillets and that made for many happy friends since I like to give most or all of it away.


Big cod on last year's CTF trip.

19. Do you have any funny stories about reactions from friends, family or co-workers about your fishing?
My friends think I am nuts most of the time when they hear I left my house at midnight to drive to New Hampshire to be there by 4am to fish for cod in January. I get stuck in allot of DWI road blocks on these trips and one police officer asked where I was going on a Wintry morning. I told him fishing. He almost broke out laughing until he looked with his flashlight into the back of my truck and saw the 3 fishing rods and tackle boxes. He shook his head and grinned and told me to have a safe trip. I think the word has gotten around the police department since I go through the stops and they wave me though. I used to send e mails to my friends and family with links to the posts so they can see what I do in pursuit of fish. I get allot of return e mails asking if I am out of Lithium or if I regularly see a psychiatrist. They think I am crazy until I show up with some fresh fish. Nothing like eating fresh cod, Pollock or Haddock caught the day before!!


Last years killer pollack trip

20. Do you have a fish-that-got-away story that still haunts you?
I have had some big blackfish on the either brought me into the rocks and broke the line or just popped off. Those things aggravate me but I would not say haunt me. What bothers me is losing a fish I never see. If I get a big striper on and he comes to the surface where I can get an idea how big it is then the hook pops I am fine with that. But the ones that act like a big fish and stay down peeling line and either come un-buttoned or wrap you around a lobster pot, those bother me. The last couple years I have lost some big fish that could have at least topped the 40-pound mark but lost for whatever reason. Still have not beaten that 36-pounder I caught on Don P’s boat. This year’s goal is still to get my first 40.

]]> Mon, 21 Apr 2008 04:26:06 EDT https://www.ctfisherman.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/942669#Post942669