Spring is around the corner

Here are some updates.

Promise of spring fishing gives us hope

By Charles Walsh, CORRESPONDENT

Published: 06:15 p.m., Saturday, February 13, 2010


And so it begins ... again.

True, the air temps are still in the low 30s and the water temperature is 35 degrees. Nonetheless, thoughts of fishing are springing into anglers' heads like purple crocuses pushing through the snow.

Opening day of trout season is practically moments away and spin casters and fly fishers are already thinking about wading into Long Island's chilly water for a shot at the holdover schoolie bass. By now, the stack of fishing catalogs on my coffee table is a foot high. From what I can tell, the new lures are mostly just the old lures in new colors, but perusing catalog pages is another pastime that makes the long winter days and nights go faster.
And like those crocuses, the Fishing Column springs back into action after a month and a half of battling cabin fever. Here is some of what has happened and is happening in the world of fish and fisherman.

LICENSES -- We would very much like to report that over the winter, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection decided to drop the marine (saltwater) license requirement. Unfortunately, we can't, so make sure you have your saltwater license on you (it's still $10 and available at tackle stores and town halls and online) before heading out on Long Island Sound or to the mouths of state rivers. The no-enforcement "educational period" we enjoyed last season has expired, so the next DEP cop you see is likely to be carrying tickets and they won't be for the Governor's Ball.

Rhode Island is the latest New England state to require a saltwater license. Residents there will pay $7 for their marine permit.
The inland (freshwater) fishing license is now $40. Online registration and a full list of license fees are available at ct.gov/dep.

FISHING SHOWS -- To while away the hours until the real fishing begins, there is always a fishing show or two to attend. The 13th annual Northeast Hunting and Fishing Expo will run Feb. 26-28 at the new Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. Show hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. In addition to hundreds of booths, fishing seminars include: Rhode Island-based guide Captain Lynn Smith on Taking Bluefish and Stripers on Light Tackle; Capt. Blaine Anderson of Connecticut on Trophy Stripers on Live Bait; and Pat Renne to demonstrate trolling techniques with his popular T-Man Tube and Worm rigs. Ted Lewis, Roger Plorde and Dave Benoit will give fly-tying demonstrations. Details are at www.fishingandhuntingexpo.com.

http://www.ctpost.com/othersports/ar...ope-363947.php