The lack of snow this winter in eastern Connecticut, compounded now by a scarcity of rain in the spring, has brought water levels in the Quinebaug River to extremely low levels. I have been checking on the Quinebaug in anticipation of Opening Day, April 21, and I have a hard time believing how low the water is. I have to double check the calendar, since the water is often this low in the middle of summer, but hardly ever at this time of year. What this means is that the best fishing for the early part of the season, at least until the next drenching storm comes through, will be in the various pools that exist in the river.
Let me guide you down the Quinebaug from the Plainfield Hatchery, where I typically put in my canoe. The initial stretch is very straight and lacks any pools, but as soon as you make a hard left turn, you will encounter the first in a series of promising pools where you can target trout, smallmouth bass, crappie and perch. This first pool is actually the deepest part of the Quinebaug in a section from the hatchery to the town ball field in Canterbury known as Manship Park, where I usually get my canoe out of the river. Even now, with the water down, it should be approximately eight or nine feet in depth in certain spots.
This pool spills out into a shallow down-slope, with the river split into two by a pebble-filled sandbar. Once you pass this region, you will find the second pool, which is very large and contains abundant structure such as boulders, downed trees and submerged logs - all making excellent hiding places for fish. Make certain to visit the point on the left where the Moosup River empties into the Quinebaug, as this is a haven for early season trout anglers. A longer stretch of boulder-strewn rapids awaits you at the end of this pond-like pool, but a path on the right hand riverbank allows you to take your canoe out of the water and walk it down to calmer waters if you wish to avoid the rocks. However, you will find several smaller pools in these rapids where smallmouth and trout will linger, making it worth your while to throw a few casts into each.
Once you clear the rapids, your next fishable pool will occur about one half mile downstream, where the river takes a dramatic turn to the right. The water will slow down after this, with the river making another left turn and another, much longer set of rapids awaits you. By carefully traversing these, you will learn the location of multiple large pools full of bass and white perch. Once you finish fishing these pools, you will paddle into calmer water, where a deep stretch exists with a downed tree right in its midst. This is prime territory for both smallmouth and largemouth bass. Stay to the far left when leaving this water, as a short but dangerous rocky stretch is ahead. Where this quick water bubbles into, stop and fish extensively, as it is always full of smallmouth.
Another turn to the right, followed by one to the left is ahead, with the area prior to the left turn deep enough to hold carp, bass, suckers and perch. Plenty of rocks are in the water upon departing this spot, but low water levels always allow me plenty of time to avoid them. A few pools that hold different species will be on your left as you make your way the remainder of the trip to Manship Park.
Source:
http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/fishing/anglers_guide/anguide.pdf Page 42
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