Spring fishing best in years, McMillan says

CORNWALL BRIDGE — Harold McMillan says this has been the best spring for fishing that he’s seen in 20 years. He should know. The owner of Housatonic River Outfitters, it’s his business to study conditions in area waterways, especially the Housatonic River , where his guides take clients out on drift boats and on foot (in waders) in search of trout, pike and small-mouth bass.

Overall, 2009 is starting out as a very good year for the outdoor outfitter. Sure, the economy is less than thriving, and clients are spending less money on purchases of lures, rods and other gear. But, he noted, people are making more visits to the store.

“We have a lot of traffic even if they’re not making large purchases,†he said. “They’re still buying the smaller-ticket items.â€

Fishermen might have more time on their hands as well, if they were downsized, he added. “The unemployed still fish.â€

And many part-time residents are choosing to spend the summer at their country home, instead of traveling abroad. “Instead of going to Europe or South America or whatever, they’re staying at their country home.â€

In addition to fishing and outdoor gear, the outfitter offers expeditions out on the water.

“We have guided trips in drift boats and wading trips for full and half days,†he said. “We do groups and individuals, one person to 45 people. The larger trips are usually wade-only, and are usually for corporate entities or a family reunion or a wedding.â€

About half of his business comes from local residents and half from out of towners. Everyone gets access to the best fishing spots.

“We tell everyone where the good spots are,†he said. “Our business model is based on access to information.â€

Drift boat fishers get a better crack at the river’s inhabitants, though.

“You get more fishing opportunities in a boat than you do wading,†he explained, “because of private property, river flows or the depth of the water.â€

Of course, in the end it’s all up to the skill with which the fishing line and lure are handled.

“There’s fishing and there’s catching,†McMillan said. “We only guarantee good fishing.â€

And this year the pickings are particularly fine. Interestingly, more rain isn’t necessarily good for fishing, even though it adds more water to the river.

“It’s not the height of the river that affects our business,†he said. “It’s the clarity of the water. When it’s muddy, that slows the traffic of the fishermen to the river.â€

This month’s rains were not a boon for business. The water has been dangerously high and fast. But the cool weather that has accompanied those rains has been good for anglers.

“It’s not the heat that matters to the fish, it’s the oxygen content of the water,†he clarified. “There’s more oxygen in cooler water. The fish come under stress in the heat but it’s not from the temperature, it’s from the lack of oxygen.â€

So far this year, McMillan said, “It’s been cooler than normal; we’ve only had four or five really hot days and we’ve had a multitude of cooler evenings. It’s 6 or 10 degrees below normal.â€

There also seem to be bigger fish in the water this year, in part because the state Department of Environmental Protection put larger trout in the water this spring when it stocked the water. McMillan also has a private group, the Friends of the Housatonic, that stocks the river with fish (and provides gear and training to children, through organizations such as the Boy Scouts and No Child Left Inside).

To learn more about why conditions on the river are so fine (or to take a guided tour of the Housatonic and see for yourself), call Housatonic River Outfitters at 860-672-1010. The shop is in Cornwall Bridge , across from Baird’s general store. Or go to dryflies.com.