Freshwater Fall

[Sentience]

I am always so torn this time of year. I love saltwater striper fishing. A lot of it has to do with my love of the ocean. There is something about catching fish from the shore that is so satisfying and primal.

On the other hand, this is when the trout start their fall feed. The water gets to be more reasonable for them and they get more active and aggressive. The trout's strike on top is one of the most exciting and satisfying things in life.

I haven't been on the freshwater lately, but I am itching to go. Part of the problem is not knowing the water temperatures and conditions. I don't want to travel to good water only to find out that I should be on the ocean looking for those stripers. Anyone have any luck lately? I usually start going to the Nissittisset River and Walden Pond around now. Anyone hit the Swift lately? No worries about the temperatures there. Anywhere else?

[MKDeceiver]

I hit a Cape Pond about a week ago. Pretty slow, I managed one nice holdover brown and dropped a rainbow. There wasn't any activity on the surface towards the end of the day.

The water last week down the Cape was in the high 60's. Judging from temps this week things should pick up for this weekend right on cue for this time of year. Midday temps have been in low to mid 60's with nighttime temps in the low 50's.

I would say the water is getting to a more comfortable range for Trout. I think the midges don't really start to hatch until the water gets colder either.

I'm pretty sure all the ponds have been stocked by now.

I here you about being torn. But you can't beat a sheltered cove, in a pond with minimal fishing pressure and trout rising to midges this time of year.

Unless it's nightime striper fishing in the Canal Buzzards Bay area, the decision for me is pretty easy. Trout by day, Stripers by night.

By the way, post your freshwater reports, not by pond location but by region. We need to build up the freshwater arena here. General information would be nice, including water temps, patterns, fish activity ect....

[Sentience]

good idea. i definitely would like this freshwater forum to pick up. i think there is a big hole in the freshwater community for something like this.

[Diggedy]

Sentience,

Most of the freshwater impoundments have been stocked at this point. The Swift has as well. Be prepared to stand in a line over some psycho-spooked fish there. The place has gotten out of hand in the last 5 years or so. I think that's part of the reason that noone (myself included) likes to give too many details/reports for freshwater. I guess this is the downside of the recent flyfishing boom. We don't have a ton of options for stream trout here unfortunately.

Someone told me that the Nis and Squan have been stocked but I would call the DFW office if you're going to make the drive. I fish these places extensively most years but the nis was barely a trickle this year. Bad news for the big holdover brownies.

Good luck if you go.

Love this emoticon! :-%

[PAX]

Hi Sentience,

Have not been back to the Swift since Labor Day. I am still chasing stripers and blues mostly on the Cape. I will probably make the switch to freshwater in two weeks from now. Maybe I will see you at the Swift, Squannacook or Niss.

Patrick