With spring in the air, good fishing can't be far behind
Greg Brunner, left, of Oyster Bay, and Mark Hemme, of Huntington, fish for trout Sunday, March 23, 2014, at Mill Pond in Oyster Bay. The pond has recently been restocked with fish. Credit: Steve Pfost
The calendar turned the page on winter several weeks ago, but it took until the past few days for me to believe that spring had any serious intent. Last week, wood ducks arrived on the vernal pond beside my home and green buds started pushing out from my briar patch. Then on Wednesday, the first small, white, cabbage butterfly flew across my yard. To me, these are sure signs successful fishing reports will also soon emerge. Some, in fact, already have.
"Trout fishing has been quite steady so far," said Jimmy Johnsen, at J&H Tackle in Oakdale. "Southaven Park, the Carmans River below Sunrise Highway, West Lake and Belmont Lake all have produced for anglers tossing Kastmaster or Phoebe spoons and Panther Martin or Mepps spinners. Over on the Nissequogue River, White's Pool has rewarded anglers dunking night crawlers and rainbow Berkley Power Bait."
One trout lake definitely worth checking out this year is Upper Lake (Lily Lake) in Yaphank. Once a favored early-season hot spot, the lake had become overrun with weeds and its bottom was covered in thick, gooey muck. Last fall, the Town of Brookhaven dredged the lake, removing most of the weeds, vacuuming out the mud and restoring a water depth of 5 or 6 feet across the now sandy bottom, which has made it easier to fish.
It is likely the action will be especially productive here during the next few weeks as the lake was stocked on Wednesday with 150 2-year old brown trout plus 320 yearling rainbows. Toward the end of April, another 260 yearling brown trout and 50 more 2-year- old browns will be added.
If you plan on fishing here, however, make sure to park in the lot next to the historic Swezey Avery house on the east side of the lake. The parking lot next to the Mill House Inn on the west bank is privately owned by the restaurant and reserved for patrons only.
On the salty side, windy weather and cold water temperatures have conspired against winter flounder and codfish fans. Of the flatties, a few scattered reports have arisen from Hempstead and Lloyd harbors, plus Great South Bay, Moriches Bay and Quogue Canal. Local cod action has been picky at best, although catches of pollack and ling ensure anglers usually head home with at least a few fillets.
If you are itching to feel the weight of something substantial at the end of your line, a long-range trip for tilefish and wreckfish is probably your best bet right now. The Capt. Lou Fleet (516-623-5823) has just such a trip scheduled to depart late Saturday night, returning on Sunday evening. That's a lot of time on the water at this time of year but with wave heights expected to be only 1 to 3 feet, the window for a significant score appears wide open.
Olympic archer on LI
It may be nearly six months until bow season begins, but you'll be off to a great start already if you head over to Smith Point Archery (631-289-3399) in Patchogue Friday night and Saturday. That's where five-time Olympic archer Khatuna Lorig, the coach to Jennifer Lawrence of the Hunger Games, will be giving seminars and lessons. Reservations are necessary, so call the shop to save a seat.
Email: outdoortom@optonline.net
