07-25-2010, 09:27 PM
Governor [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22M.+Jodi+Rell%22"][#0066cc]M. Jodi Rell[/#0066cc][/url] announced last week that the state will be stepping up enforcement of laws against boating under the influence (BUI) this weekend as part of a regional effort known as "Operation Dry Water."
"With this summer's high heat and generally good weather, boaters are out in large numbers to relax and have fun -- and that's the way that it should be." Governor Rell said, "To ensure the safety of everyone, law enforcement officers will be conducting a special BUI focus on the Connecticut River and Candlewood Lake this weekend. Alcohol is a major factor in fatal recreational boating accidents on Connecticut waters and we will have zero tolerance for anyone found operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs."
Statistics don't lie. In the last two years 63 percent of fatal boating accidents in Connecticut involved alcohol.
"Our state has tough new laws to crack down on drunken boating -- and boaters caught operating while impaired this weekend can expect penalties to be severe," the Governor said. "The first of these new laws imposed harsher penalties for boaters convicted of killing someone while operating a vessel under the influence. The second improved the process for administering tests to determine a boater's blood-alcohol level. These laws are important -- but responsible boating is the best way to prevent tragedies."
"Operation Dry Water" is conducted by states belonging to the [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Northern+Association%22"][#0066cc]Northern Association[/#0066cc][/url] of Boating Administrators. Connecticut's [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Department+of+Environmental+Protection+Environmental+Conservation%22"][#0066cc]Department of Environmental Protection Environmental Conservation[/#0066cc][/url] (EnCon) Police will deploy increased patrols this weekend, assisted by [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22State+Police%22"][#0066cc]State Police[/#0066cc][/url] and the [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Chester+Police+Department%22"][#0066cc]Chester Police Department[/#0066cc][/url] to cover the Salmon River and targeted sections of the Connecticut River as well as Candlewood Lake.
An earlier "Operation Dry Water" was conducted on June 25-27. That effort resulted in four BUI arrests -- two on the lower Connecticut River and two on Candlewood Lake. The endeavor also resulted in nine citations for various other boating safety violations.
Operation Dry Water was launched in 2009 by the [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22National+Association%22"][#0066cc]National Association[/#0066cc][/url] of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) in partnership with the [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22United+States+Coast+Guard%22"][#0066cc]United States Coast Guard[/#0066cc][/url] and state boating law enforcement agencies such as the [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22DEP%22"][#0066cc]DEP[/#0066cc][/url].
This weekend the Northern Association of Boating Administrators (NABA), which is comprised of the cold water boating states from Maine to Delaware and west from South Dakota to Kansas, agreed to hold an additional regional event now that more boaters are out on the water.
Alcohol can impair a boater's judgment, balance, vision and reaction time. It can increase fatigue and susceptibility to the effects of cold-water immersion.
Sun, wind, noise, vibration and motion -- "stressors" common to the boating environment -- intensify the side effects of alcohol, drugs and some prescription medications. [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22U.S.+Coast+Guard%22"][#0066cc]U.S. Coast Guard[/#0066cc][/url] statistics from 2008 -- the latest available -- show 17 percent of all boat accident fatalities were a direct result of alcohol or drug use.
Clint Stafford was the big winner of the 2nd annual Fish Tales Bait and Tackle Fluke Tournament held Sun. July 11.
Stafford took both 1st and 3rd places overall. He won the tournament with a 6.97-pound fluke. His third place fish tipped the scales at 5.35 pounds.
Finishing in 2nd place was Steve Gore with a 6.97-pound fluke.
After the tournament, all the entrants enjoyed a barbeque at the Shippan Avenue store.
q
Weather was an important factor for fishermen again last week as a very strong thunderstorm with gusty winds and heavy rain buffeted the area Wednesday.
The bottom line is that only a few anglers tried their luck last week. Those who did fish did well.
I received this email from 17-year-old [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Michael+Beldotti%22"][#0066cc]Michael Beldotti[/#0066cc][/url] of North Stamford.
This past Friday I went fishing across the street from my house right on the border of North Stamford in a small pond. I have been fishing in this pond since I could walk and never caught anything over 3 pounds. So it was a big surprise when I reeled in a 21-inch, 9-pound largemouth bass. I was using a [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Gary+Yamamoto%22"][#0066cc]Gary Yamamoto[/#0066cc][/url] silver worm and it was about 1 o'clock in the afternoon."
I emailed Michael back telling him how jealous I am. I never caught a largemouth bass that big.
Last Wednesday afternoon Sean from Fish Tales Bait and Tackle called to say that Zig Nilsson and [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Marky+Raimondi%22"][#0066cc]Marky Raimondi[/#0066cc][/url], age 10, fished from the shore of Pratt Island and caught a couple of nice fish only a few hours before the heavy rains and winds hit the area. Zig caught a 29.3-pound striper and Marky landed a 16-pound striper. They were using bunker chunks for bait.
Randy Sala is still doing well fishing off Shippan Point. On one outing last week he caught eight linesiders, including a 38-incher, while paddling his kayak. Randy always uses sandworms.
[url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Fred+Bonilla%22"][#0066cc]Fred Bonilla[/#0066cc][/url] used fresh bunker to catch some nice stripers inside of Stamford Harbor last week. He caught and released several stripers including a 36-incher.
[url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Andy+Weil%22"][#0066cc]Andy Weil[/#0066cc][/url] and [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Paul+McFarland%22"][#0066cc]Paul McFarland[/#0066cc][/url] teamed up to catch 15 bass up to 31-inches last Tuesday. They were trolling inside Stamford Harbor using a tube and worm combo.
Fred Bova had a terrific day bottom fishing at the Stamford Cows last week. He caught 10 porgies measuring up to 14 inches and three fluke including one that measured 24 inches. Fred was using sandworms, squid and spearing.
Bluefish are feeding around Captains Island. Last week [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Frank+Mazzei%22"][#0066cc]Frank Mazzei[/#0066cc][/url], owner of Rudy's Tackle Barn, his cousin, [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Nick+Mazzei%22"][#0066cc]Nick Mazzei[/#0066cc][/url],, their friends [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Steve+Picelli%22"][#0066cc]Steve Picelli[/#0066cc][/url] Sr., and Steve Picelli Jr., caught 22 blues while chunking and chumming at Captains Island. Their largest chopper weighed 10 pounds. All but three of the fish were released.
Also doing well at Captains Island was Anthony Legatto and [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Joe+Bueti%22"][#0066cc]Joe Bueti[/#0066cc][/url]. While chunking and chumming they caught more than a dozen choppers weighing up to 10 pounds.
On July 13th, four members of the staff at Fish Tales Bait and Tackle took the day off do some tuna fishing off Montauk. Fishing at the "Dip" [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Sean+Elumba%22"][#0066cc]Sean Elumba[/#0066cc][/url], [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Billy+Wilder%22"][#0066cc]Billy Wilder[/#0066cc][/url], [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Scott+Denice%22"][#0066cc]Scott Denice[/#0066cc][/url] and [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Pete+Henderson%22"][#0066cc]Pete Henderson[/#0066cc][/url] boated seven yellowfin tuna weighing up to 65-pounds. All of the fish were taken using a spreader bar.
Andrew Paskevicz sailed to the "Dip" aboard the charter boat "Jamie's Toy" last week for some tuna fishing. Andrew returned home with very tired and sore arms. He caught 28 yellowfin including a 65-pounder. Most of the fish were released unharmed.
A couple of anglers known only as Warren and Tom fished the West Atlantis waters last week. They caught a white marlin and more mahi mahi than they could count. Several of the mahi mahi weighed 20 pounds.
Martin Armstrong is a member of the Fisheries Advisory Council, a lifetime member in Trout Unlimited and a member of the Outdoors Writers Association.
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"With this summer's high heat and generally good weather, boaters are out in large numbers to relax and have fun -- and that's the way that it should be." Governor Rell said, "To ensure the safety of everyone, law enforcement officers will be conducting a special BUI focus on the Connecticut River and Candlewood Lake this weekend. Alcohol is a major factor in fatal recreational boating accidents on Connecticut waters and we will have zero tolerance for anyone found operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs."
Statistics don't lie. In the last two years 63 percent of fatal boating accidents in Connecticut involved alcohol.
"Our state has tough new laws to crack down on drunken boating -- and boaters caught operating while impaired this weekend can expect penalties to be severe," the Governor said. "The first of these new laws imposed harsher penalties for boaters convicted of killing someone while operating a vessel under the influence. The second improved the process for administering tests to determine a boater's blood-alcohol level. These laws are important -- but responsible boating is the best way to prevent tragedies."
"Operation Dry Water" is conducted by states belonging to the [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Northern+Association%22"][#0066cc]Northern Association[/#0066cc][/url] of Boating Administrators. Connecticut's [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Department+of+Environmental+Protection+Environmental+Conservation%22"][#0066cc]Department of Environmental Protection Environmental Conservation[/#0066cc][/url] (EnCon) Police will deploy increased patrols this weekend, assisted by [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22State+Police%22"][#0066cc]State Police[/#0066cc][/url] and the [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Chester+Police+Department%22"][#0066cc]Chester Police Department[/#0066cc][/url] to cover the Salmon River and targeted sections of the Connecticut River as well as Candlewood Lake.
An earlier "Operation Dry Water" was conducted on June 25-27. That effort resulted in four BUI arrests -- two on the lower Connecticut River and two on Candlewood Lake. The endeavor also resulted in nine citations for various other boating safety violations.
Operation Dry Water was launched in 2009 by the [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22National+Association%22"][#0066cc]National Association[/#0066cc][/url] of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) in partnership with the [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22United+States+Coast+Guard%22"][#0066cc]United States Coast Guard[/#0066cc][/url] and state boating law enforcement agencies such as the [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22DEP%22"][#0066cc]DEP[/#0066cc][/url].
This weekend the Northern Association of Boating Administrators (NABA), which is comprised of the cold water boating states from Maine to Delaware and west from South Dakota to Kansas, agreed to hold an additional regional event now that more boaters are out on the water.
Alcohol can impair a boater's judgment, balance, vision and reaction time. It can increase fatigue and susceptibility to the effects of cold-water immersion.
Sun, wind, noise, vibration and motion -- "stressors" common to the boating environment -- intensify the side effects of alcohol, drugs and some prescription medications. [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22U.S.+Coast+Guard%22"][#0066cc]U.S. Coast Guard[/#0066cc][/url] statistics from 2008 -- the latest available -- show 17 percent of all boat accident fatalities were a direct result of alcohol or drug use.
Clint Stafford was the big winner of the 2nd annual Fish Tales Bait and Tackle Fluke Tournament held Sun. July 11.
Stafford took both 1st and 3rd places overall. He won the tournament with a 6.97-pound fluke. His third place fish tipped the scales at 5.35 pounds.
Finishing in 2nd place was Steve Gore with a 6.97-pound fluke.
After the tournament, all the entrants enjoyed a barbeque at the Shippan Avenue store.
q
Weather was an important factor for fishermen again last week as a very strong thunderstorm with gusty winds and heavy rain buffeted the area Wednesday.
The bottom line is that only a few anglers tried their luck last week. Those who did fish did well.
I received this email from 17-year-old [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Michael+Beldotti%22"][#0066cc]Michael Beldotti[/#0066cc][/url] of North Stamford.
This past Friday I went fishing across the street from my house right on the border of North Stamford in a small pond. I have been fishing in this pond since I could walk and never caught anything over 3 pounds. So it was a big surprise when I reeled in a 21-inch, 9-pound largemouth bass. I was using a [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Gary+Yamamoto%22"][#0066cc]Gary Yamamoto[/#0066cc][/url] silver worm and it was about 1 o'clock in the afternoon."
I emailed Michael back telling him how jealous I am. I never caught a largemouth bass that big.
Last Wednesday afternoon Sean from Fish Tales Bait and Tackle called to say that Zig Nilsson and [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Marky+Raimondi%22"][#0066cc]Marky Raimondi[/#0066cc][/url], age 10, fished from the shore of Pratt Island and caught a couple of nice fish only a few hours before the heavy rains and winds hit the area. Zig caught a 29.3-pound striper and Marky landed a 16-pound striper. They were using bunker chunks for bait.
Randy Sala is still doing well fishing off Shippan Point. On one outing last week he caught eight linesiders, including a 38-incher, while paddling his kayak. Randy always uses sandworms.
[url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Fred+Bonilla%22"][#0066cc]Fred Bonilla[/#0066cc][/url] used fresh bunker to catch some nice stripers inside of Stamford Harbor last week. He caught and released several stripers including a 36-incher.
[url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Andy+Weil%22"][#0066cc]Andy Weil[/#0066cc][/url] and [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Paul+McFarland%22"][#0066cc]Paul McFarland[/#0066cc][/url] teamed up to catch 15 bass up to 31-inches last Tuesday. They were trolling inside Stamford Harbor using a tube and worm combo.
Fred Bova had a terrific day bottom fishing at the Stamford Cows last week. He caught 10 porgies measuring up to 14 inches and three fluke including one that measured 24 inches. Fred was using sandworms, squid and spearing.
Bluefish are feeding around Captains Island. Last week [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Frank+Mazzei%22"][#0066cc]Frank Mazzei[/#0066cc][/url], owner of Rudy's Tackle Barn, his cousin, [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Nick+Mazzei%22"][#0066cc]Nick Mazzei[/#0066cc][/url],, their friends [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Steve+Picelli%22"][#0066cc]Steve Picelli[/#0066cc][/url] Sr., and Steve Picelli Jr., caught 22 blues while chunking and chumming at Captains Island. Their largest chopper weighed 10 pounds. All but three of the fish were released.
Also doing well at Captains Island was Anthony Legatto and [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Joe+Bueti%22"][#0066cc]Joe Bueti[/#0066cc][/url]. While chunking and chumming they caught more than a dozen choppers weighing up to 10 pounds.
On July 13th, four members of the staff at Fish Tales Bait and Tackle took the day off do some tuna fishing off Montauk. Fishing at the "Dip" [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Sean+Elumba%22"][#0066cc]Sean Elumba[/#0066cc][/url], [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Billy+Wilder%22"][#0066cc]Billy Wilder[/#0066cc][/url], [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Scott+Denice%22"][#0066cc]Scott Denice[/#0066cc][/url] and [url "http://www.cthuntingnshooting.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=othersports&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Pete+Henderson%22"][#0066cc]Pete Henderson[/#0066cc][/url] boated seven yellowfin tuna weighing up to 65-pounds. All of the fish were taken using a spreader bar.
Andrew Paskevicz sailed to the "Dip" aboard the charter boat "Jamie's Toy" last week for some tuna fishing. Andrew returned home with very tired and sore arms. He caught 28 yellowfin including a 65-pounder. Most of the fish were released unharmed.
A couple of anglers known only as Warren and Tom fished the West Atlantis waters last week. They caught a white marlin and more mahi mahi than they could count. Several of the mahi mahi weighed 20 pounds.
Martin Armstrong is a member of the Fisheries Advisory Council, a lifetime member in Trout Unlimited and a member of the Outdoors Writers Association.
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