On Saturday, September 21st, our chapter will meet in the back parking lot at Housatonic Meadows Park, located just north of Route 4 on US-7, in Cornwall Bridge for our annual September Fishing picnic. The day officially begins at 10 am and ends at 3 pm, volunteers are needed (30 min before and after) for setting up and clean up. Volunteer credit =2 hours)
The park has its own porta-potty out in front and we’ll bring ours as well. We’ll be in the rear, so once you’ve turned into the driveway off Route 7, ignore the parking lot on your left, turn right, and head through the woods to the parking lot in the back, on the river. There, you’ll find room for about 35 vehicles. If you come late you might have to park in front of or near the Commercial Takeout Lot.
Lunch should be around 12:30. Donations are accepted. Remember we are a 501 C3 non-profit organization and your contributions may be tax-deductible.
The Housatonic River at Meadows Park is very easy to wade, so bring your wading gear, a 4wt, 5wt, or 6wt rod, and rain gear (just in case). This area of the river is in the TMA so fly-fishing only. If you don’t already know how to fly fish, take our Fly Fishing Class (Held each Spring (click here for more info)) We’ll also have a demonstration in the parking lot.
As you can see from the hatch chart below, in September, hatches are all about Drakes of different colors, some midges, BWO’s and terrestrials. Under the surface, if it’s a hot day, you’ll want to be bouncing off the bottom. I like to toss anything relatively big into the Housatonic. Size 10-8, Bob Hart uses something he tied on a size #6 hook, affectionately known as the “Hart Clunker”. I’ll throw woolly buggers, anything with a bunny strip, anything with legs.
To fish, you will need to have a Connecticut Fishing License and Trout Stamp. The park and the river from the covered bridge in West Cornwall, to the Concrete Bridge over the river in Cornwall Bridge is ruled Fly-Fishing Only by the state. Here’s an updated 2021 Hatch Chart for the area of the Housatonic you’ll have access to. The confluence of Furnace Brook (a wild trout stream) is located less than 1/8th of a mile from where our cars will be parked.
The closest fishing store is Sportsmans Connection, 15 Main Street, in Kent. It is unknown if fishing licenses are available at this store, so use this link on our website if you plan on fishing and don’t already have a license/trout stamp.
If the (CFS) Cubic Feet Per Second level of the surface current is 800 or less, then all adults & some kids should be able to fish. CFS over 800 has been known to exhaust some anglers. CFS levels over 1000 can be downright dangerous! Check here for current CFS levels. If you don’t understand or are unfamiliar with CFS levels view our discussion here.