Fishers
Island Sound Planner
Ó Ed Mitchell 1999
Dreaming about new waters? Want a place with plenty of fishing options, with the chance to cover either exposed or sheltered waters? Want it to be right off the interstate, easy to reach from some of the major metro centers of the Northeast? Want a shot at striped bass, bluefish, bonito or little tunny -- maybe all four in a single day? And let me guess, you want spectacular scenery too? Yeah you are pretty hard to please. Still you best pack your gear, because I have a place for you.
At the eastern end of Long Island Sound, tucked between Fishers Island, New York and the Connecticut coast, sits a protected body of water known as Fishers Island Sound. It begins at the mouth of the Thames River in New London and then follows the winding coast of Groton, Mystic, and Stonington, Connecticut, eventually ending over at Watch Hill, Rhode Island. Along the way it encompasses roughly 40 square miles of rips, reefs, flats, bays and coves with three rivers to spice things up. These are clear waters, rich with forage, and inside them lies some of the finest saltwater fly fishing in the Northeast.
Season
Striped bass start to chew by the first week of May; although determined anglers catch them right through the winter in the Thames River, especially upstream near Norwich harbor. June is prime time. One of the best bites occurs off Watch Hill, where striped bass chase squid skipping over the reefs. Bluefish numbers have declined, but recently they are showing signs of rebuilding. Look for them to show by late May and heat up with the warmth of summer.
Bonito begin biting in August. One of the first places to look for them is in the fast waters of the Race at the western end of Fishers Island. As the season goes on they will move closer to the shoreline. The bonito’s bigger cousin, the little tunny, typically blows into town by Labor Day. Peak action for both of these rockets occurs from September through to the second moon of October. If want a slam - all four species in a single day, this is the right time of year to be here. Favorite locations include Watch Hill passage, the Watch Hill reefs, and The Race.
As October continues the little tunny often pull up stakes, particular if a series of storms roll through, but expect the other three species to remain awhile. By the first week of November the blues and bonito will answer the final bell. Still the bass bite can last well into the month, out to Thanksgiving in most years and perhaps beyond.
For the Foot Soldier
If you want to fish from the beach try Harkness Memorial Park in Waterford, to the immediate west of the Thames River. I caught my first striper on fly here and it is still a productive piece of water. Between New London and Stonington, ground access is fairly tight, but the fly shops can help you out. Once you reach Westerly Rhode Island, however, things really open up. John Prigmore, who used to run Cove Edge Tackle puts it this way "Southwest Rhode Islands has tons of public access, some of the prettiest and most productive places you will ever fish".
Without a doubt the finest public access in the Fishers Island Sound is Napatree Point over in Watch Hill. This long barrier beach offers three different fishing options -- an exposed sandy shoreline, a rocky point and a protected bay loaded with flats. The exposed beach and the rocky tip have big bass, but both can have surf too. Lower stages of the tide make fly rodding these areas easier. And on the rocks a pair of cleats is required gear. The protected side holds shallow flats where schoolie bass feeding on sand eels. Night fishing anywhere at Napatree can be excellent.
Kayaks, canoes and car-tops
Angler with kayaks, canoes or car-top craft should try Barn Island Wildlife area in Stonington, CT off Route 1. From here you gain entry to a portion of Fishers Island Sound called Little Narragansett Bay. Shallow and sheltered it has plenty of fishing. When the wind is down, head out to Sandy Point, about a mile off the Stonington shore. This sandy barrier island has fine potential including the opportunity to sight-fish. Striped bass are the main target in these waters, but bonito and little tunny pass by as well. The Pawcatuck, the upper Thames and the Mystic River also have potential for fly-rodding from a small craft, especially in the spring.
Bigger Boats
If you have an 18-foot or bigger boat Fishers Island Sound is your oyster. The Barn Island ramp I mentioned above would be a good spot to launch. Be aware, however, that this ramp is very busy on weekends. There is another good public ramp off Bay Berry Lane in Groton. It wouldn’t handle as many cars and trailers, but it is often not as hectic as Barn Island.
The Race and the Reefs
At both ends of Fishers Island there are some very special waters. Off the western tip is a famous tidal rip called The Race, which I mentioned prior. Here a huge hunk of Long Island Sound's waters chugs by with the changing of the tides. And when the flow begins birds, bait and game fish frequently collide. Make no mistake, whether you are looking for bass, blues, bonito or little tunny, this one of the most productive spots on the Atlantic coast. And many a fly rodder has left here with a big smile. At the eastern end of Fishers Island a series of rocky reefs extend out toward Watch Hill. Like the Race, there is a good deal of current here and once again the fishing can be wonderful.
Both places deserve your respect and cautious captains and seaworthy craft are in order. For one thing the currents are swift. In the Race they climbs to 4 knots or more on a moon tide. And if the tide turns into the wind the waters quickly get wild. The reefs are studded with exposed and submerged boulders. So like all waters local knowledge can be very important.
At the extreme eastern end of Fishers Island Sound sits Watch Hill Light. The moving waters immediately in front of the light are home to a great many fish. On your chart it’s called Watch Hill Passage. And the same holds true for the adjacent reefs. Look for them on your chart. Sugar These reefs can be quite tricky, so be very cautious around them. You don’t want to hit one of those big rocks.
Tackle
For shallow bars and protected coves an 8-weight is a good tool. Venture into deeper water, however, and you'll need a stronger stick. A 9-weight works, but I prefer a 10-weight and a few anglers like even heavier rigs -- there are some real brutes swimming here. Two fly lines are standard equipment, an intermediate and a fast sinker for the reefs and rips. And if you want to try catching some of the Hickory shad in these waters, pack a 5-weight too.
For flies you'll want the usual array of Clousers and Deceivers in sizes up from size 1# to 3/0, but some other things are in order too. Poppers and slides are effective flies. Sand eel patterns are popular too. In the spring, squid flies are very useful, as are cinder worm patterns. And if you show up here in the fall, you better have some bay anchovy flies in your box too.
The End