Little Tunny/Bonito Bonanza!

Little Tunny (false albacore) and bonito have been thick as thieves in and around Watch Hill Point and all the way west to The Race, and as I am now hearing, beyond that to Bluff Point, Avery Point and all the way into the western end of Long Island Sound. Lots of boats out after these speedsters, and unfortunately, not all of them practice good on-the-water etiquette, so have patience if you can or find less crowded waters (though perhaps less fishy) if you cannot. These fish have been feeding on quarter-sized baby bunker and/or butterfish in the Watch Hill area, so have some flies of this nature. Small to medium sized Deadly Dick's are hard to beat if you are spin casting. The fish are getting increasingly picky and skittish as time goes on but to high boat traffic and heavy pressure.

Dave at River & Rip Tide Angler in Coventry tells me the water level of the Wood River is actually a bit lower than ideal, and that because of this the fish are bunched up and a bit skittish; proceed with caution along the banks and when in the water. Terrestrials remain your best bet, though occasional caddis flies are on the water. Trout Unlimited will be doing another float stocking soon, and hopefully a bit of rainfall will boost water levels.