Thames River advice

[Stellaluna]

OK, so cabin fever is setting in bad....I'm looking out my window at 3' snowdrifts, I've already tied lots of flies and organized all the equipment, etc. and May can't come soon enough. So I'm thinking of heading down from Vermont to Defender Industries annual warehouse sale in Waterford, CT (near New London) on the weekend of March 31. I'm considering bringing down my Achilles RIB and trying to fish for holdover schoolies in the Thames. Anybody out there have experience with this fishery at this time of year? Any better place to launch than the state ramp under the freeway? This is my first time in the area -any advice on equipment and general locations would be appreciated.

[albacized]

I have some experience there at this time of year. It's a little hit or miss. But starting now (the last third of March) and into the beginning of April is when I usually start hitting them. In fact, I had cabin fever very bad back when we had that April fools day storm back in 1997. The minute I was dug out, I drove down to the Thames (Norwich Harbor to be exact) where there was no snow on the ground and the grass was green, the temps were in the 60's and I was fishing in a t-shirt. I only managed a couple of fish that day...but I felt like I had won some big battle. Once the sun set, the comet Hale-Bopp was visible with the tail and all and everything was quite scenic. I thought I was going to cry when I had to go home...

But in any regards, as far as advise, if you fish the harbor, the water is fairly deep and the current fairly swift. If fishing from shore, keep that in mind. The fish can suspend at various levels in the water column...but I usually find them on the bottom. One thing to keep in mind is that at this time of year, the fish ball up tightly together while the surrounding water is barren of life. So it's possible that you don't even get a sniff for the longest time, then hit pay dirt. Also, various plastics should work for you and if you want to use bait, blood worms work well and can be bought at the Fish Connection (which is a little ways up the street from there). Furthermore, keep in mind that you'll need to purchase a freshwater licence-you can get a 3 day license. I haven't done that for a few years so I don't know what the going price is at the moment.

Good luck catching a few

Edit***I re-read your post and saw that you'll be boating. There is a good ramp right in Norwich Harbor and that's where most of the fish are anyway.

[Stellaluna]

Thanks for the advice. It sounds like anchoring and casting vs drifting if the current is strong. Is a 400-grain depth charge w/ flies a possibility or am I wasting my time w/ anything other than dredging bottom w/ jigs or soft plastics?

[albacized]

I would say a 400 grain head should get you down to where the fish are. I'd bring a spinning rod as a back up though.

[Kuskus68]

I have very good luck before first light fly fishing off the little dock near the boat launch.I use a uniform type5 sinking line,with a black snake fly it is a deadly combo.
I would also suggest any whistler pattern they sink at the perfect rate,I saw big Bob kill the bass with this fly when the guy right next him went fishless.
As for boat fishing stay out of the current hang out in front of the marina and just float and cast,be ready when the fly is sinking they will grab it and yank the line right out of your hand.
I remember fishing there during Hale bob the fish were alot bigger then now they run from schoolies to 30 inches.
The fishing can be good late at night through first light then it tapers off,but when the bite is good you can catch them all day.

[e-sea-e]

how long is the drive down there from boston? I may run down there in a couple weeks. How will the fishing be in early april? and can you buy a Conn. lisence on-line?

[Stellaluna]

You can get a CT licence over the phone w/ a credit card. (860-424-3700)
Make sure you allow enough time to have them mail it to you. For an extra $3.75 they'll ship it UPS and it will get to you quicker. I just called them today and they said it would arrive before Friday.

[mcurtiss]

norwich town hall is literally a 5-10 minute walk to the harbor as well forlicense purposes.