Limestone Blog

Strategies&Techniques for Stillwaters

The website, Ask About Fly Fishing, has many interesting podcasts and live Q&A sessions with world famous fly fishermen, women and other industry experts. In the inventory of over 300 broadcasts, this 1 1/2 hour long rebroadcast on stillwater fishing is hosted by Roger Maves and features Denny Rickards. Anglers submitted questions before the broadcast for the expert, Mr. Rickards.

Mr Rickards has spent over 40 years as a guide, author, teacher and fly pattern developer.

Denny Rickard’s knowledge and abiliity to teach others were a prerequisite to establishing his fly fishing schools/clinics which have become a priority for anglers seeking the ultimate form their stillwater angling experiences.

For more information on Denny’s flies, materials, books, videos, gear and guided trips visit his web site at www.flyfishingstillwaters.com.

CT DEEP 2021

March 2021 – CT Fishing Season is OPEN!

Gov Lamont has issued an executive order to open trout season effective March 4th, 2021 across the state. Trout Management Areas have been open for catch and release already, but this opens all waters.

No license is needed for fishing at Limestone Trout Club.

2021 Sportsmen licenses for Connecticut or out of state anglers and hunters are now available. As a member or guest at Limestone, licences are NOT needed to fish on our private property. Fishing licences are required to fish in freshwater as well as saltwater for all adults over 16 years old (Seniors can obtain a free license, but must purchase a Trout and Salmon stamp). Combination fresh and saltwater licences are available.

The CT DEEP has implemented an Online Sportsmen Licensing website which can be used to purchase fishing, hunting or trapping licences and other outdoor activity items.

Download the 2021 CT Fishing Guide that covers both fresh and saltwater rules.

Note: New for 2021, circle hooks are required when bait fishing for striped bass. This is in reaction of declines of striped bass where 90% of fish mortality is due to recreational fishing. See more info from the American Saltwater Guides Association website.

Stocking October 2020

The Fisheries committee organized a fall stocking that took place on Friday, October 30th. One of our two trout suppliers brought 450 trout – 350 rainbows and 100 tigers – which were distributed across our ponds. This effort was led by the chairman, Owen Mitchell, who worked with our supplier to get the required CT DEEP permits and make all the logistic calls.

Rainbow    Tiger     Pond
     90             30          Birch
     80             40          Cedar
     90             30          Pine
     17                0           Club
     23               0           Rock
     50               0           Spruce

Pine Pond stocking

Firepits at LTC

Limestone has purchased and received a donated firepit that are now available for use by members and guests.  One firepit is located on the lawn in front of the cottage at Cedar.  The other firepit is located near at Birch pond near the road.

While the Birch pond pit is available on a first come first served basis, the Cedar pond pit is available primarily for guests staying at the cottage. If no one is currently using the Cedar cottage, the firepit may be used on a first come, first served basis.

Follow safety rules when using the firepits as YOU are responsible.  Please check the current State of Connecticut “Forest Fire Danger” website for the risk level.  High Danger levels along with windy conditions(>10mph) can lead to an out of control situation in a hurry. Use common sense.

Generally:

  • Clear the area of flammables other than the wood you will use
  • At the end of your use, make sure to drown all embers
  • Leftover ashes should be placed in the provided metal buckets

Connecticut has restrictions on bringing out of state cut wood into the state.  See this link. One reason is to limit the possible importation of the Emerald Ash borer, which has been found in CT.  Ideally, locally sourced firewood should be used.  This DOES NOT include firewood that is seasoned under the LTC pole barn.  If you cannot source wood locally, please bring your own wood. The local Stop & Shop has firewood for sale(may be seasonal).

Fire-Pit-GuideDownload

LTC Sweepstakes

On Saturday, May 2nd 2020, LTC will hold a sweepstakes drawing for one 2021 Annual Membership. Tickets are $50 each, with no purchase limit. The winning ticket will entitle one Limestone member (in good standing) to a fully paid membership for the 2021 season. You do not have to be present to win.
Sign In and under Club Docs/Misc Column, find the link for the Sweepstakes Entry form.
Checks must be received by Thursday, April 30th

Mail to: Glenn Ratcliffe
92 Fields Rock Rd Southport, CT 06890

Please make your checks payable to: LTC

This event is a special fundraiser that we hope our members will appreciate and participate in. Please take a chance(s) and support Limestone!

Photo Basics and Fish Handling

When it comes to handling fish that we plan to release, a few basic practices will go a long way. Same goes for capturing that moment in photographs. Here are a few simple things to consider the next time a fish comes to hand and the camera comes out.

  1. Make sure your camera is ready to go!
  2. “Three, two, one, lift, and click!”
  3. It might be safer to not take a photo.

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Catch and Release Survival

Fish look best when wet, with their colors and markings even more stunning than imagined. Better still, they have a far better chance of survival after their release.

Every time a fish is hooked it experiences some level of stress until released. By following three simple principles you can reduce stress and improve the odds for survival.

  • Minimize air exposure – for a fish to recover it needs to be in the water to breathe and pump oxygen throughout its system and allow its muscles to recover. If you take a fish out of water, hold your breath. If you can’t breathe, neither can the fish.
  • Eliminate contact with dry surfaces – fish have a protective mucus which protects them from diseases and other foreign elements. Contact with any dry surface will remove this protective layer and make fish more susceptible to disease. Make sure to keep the fish away from any dry or hard surfaces.
  • Reduce handling – the less you handle a fish the better off it will be. Prepare in advance by fishing barbless, using a net, and have forceps ready.

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