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Date: March 28, 2020 Body of Water: Spot Pond, Lower Mystic Lake and Mystic River below Amelia Earhart Dam Moon Phase: New Moon + 3 days Boat: None, Shore fishing With: Alone Target: Stocked Trout, Striped Bass or Whatever Time: 9 AM - 1:30 PM Conditions: 35 - 55 degrees F; Clear and bright but becoming cloudy; mild southerly winds; rain expected the next day Needing to avoid crowds and yet, not wanting to travel, I decided to try Spot Pond for the first time. This reservoir is scenic and was recently stocked with rainbow trout. While I don't want to chase the hatchery trucks, with the cold water conditions and my limited local knowledge and experience, trout still seem to be the best local option (despite my run of bad luck with respect to getting any bites.) By 9 AM, I was set up behind the water plant on the eastern shore of Spot Pond. Working along the rip rap dam, I was hopeful that a trout would crystalize in the clear depths before me. But an hour of floating shiners, throwing spoons, and presenting crawlers along the bottom resulted in no contact with any fish. I relocated to Straw Point at the pond's north end, and this too, seemed trouty. Another pleasant hour of effort here resulted in more of the same; nothing. From here, I went to Lower Mystic Lake, below the dam. Here, I did have an actual fish bite, on a Carolina-rigged crawler floated off bottom with half of a small marshmallow. The light rod was bucking pretty good, but when I wound down on the fish, my weight was rocked up; and the fish came off before I could extricate my rig from the bottom. I confidently cast my last shiner to this same area, but with a bit too much enthusiasm. I cast it off, and it sailed away before I had a chance to swim it. I knew the tide was likely not favorable, but my last stop was on the Mystic, in the salty water below the Amelia Earhart Dam. I've heard rumors of some herring moving, and this is a known striper holdover spot, too. I caught the last half of the rising tide here (I think it will fish better on a falling tide), and in an hour of casting a small swim-bait, once again, nothing happened. Well, with this exception; I did see a couple of small groups of herring in the clear water. So, I'll declare it to be at least possible to fool a striper here, now. Unlikely; but possible. What do I have to say about this? The COVID-19 situation continues to worsen and prudent Social Distancing measures are gradually becoming more extreme. This was a pleasant way to spend a few hours while not threatening public health. But, I'm not too sure how much longer a session such as this will be possible; several states have prohibited fishing, and neighboring Rhode Island just escalated their stay-at-home measures to everything but bare essentials. But, Spring is finally (marginally) here (even though Winter was extraordinarily mild.) Forsithias are in bloom; Pinkletinks are singing on Martha's Vineyard; and at least one local Magnolia tree is festooned with its flowers. The eagles are still at the Mystic Lake dam, and there's at least half a dozen herring waiting to run upstream! Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways
1 Comment
5/4/2020 05:27:56 am
This river is definitely worthy of being called mystic. There is just something about this river that is different from everything else. Personally, I have no idea why other people would even consider this as weird. It is definitely unlike any other, but it is not bad. I was able to enjoy this river to a certain degree, or at least that is what I would love to believe. I hope that this river gets even more famous from now on.
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