More ducks and some fog

Rather than going shopping on Black Friday I decided to try my hand at some ducks again. It was a good choice! I took along 18 bluebill decoys and 4 bufflehead and set up in the morning. Not even 10 minutes went by when 4 buffleheads streaked in. I dropped the last drake in the bunch and I was off to a great morning. Total for the morning was 3 buffleheads. I could have tagged a limit but I decided not to because I was waiting on an old squaw and I missed when my chance came. I also pulled a merg from the sky. I will be back next week after the old squaw because I noticed an area where I can pass shoot them

The Merganser

     

 Yesterday I had the day off and decided the only sensible way to blow the morning was to go Duck hunting.  I woke up to no wind, unlimited ceiling conditions, and 42 degrees.  Not the weather for saltwater duck hunting.  But I had to push on anyway.

Opening Day Ducks

Today was opening day of duck season. Not a great hunt but a great day on the water. I shot a buffle head right away and my friend shot a merganser. We did have several brant land in our decoys but they don't open till next week. I did see a few flocks of sea ducks zipping around out there but none came in. I was just happy to get out there.

Two Storms in Two Weeks

   Sandy delivered a devastating blow to Southern Connecticut a little over a week ago.  During these storms my job, a waste water treatment plant operator, takes me away from home for days.  The night Sandy hit I witnessed some of the most destructive winds and flooding i hope i will ever see.  Luckily, I was safe behind my city's  system of Hurricane Barriers, and the plant stayed operational during the whole storm with no problems.  I did see a stop sign, sheet of ply wood, and various other junk blowing around during the peak hours of the storm.  Our beaches got banged up and the marinas and ramps were destroyed.  Thousands of homes were also lost.  During the aftermath people from New York and New Jersey descended on Greenwich, Stamford, and Norwalk for Gas.  Luckily I was able to take the bus to work so the fuel issue did not effect me, but friends of mine waited in line for hours to fuel up their vehicles, and or generators.  It is going to be a long time before life gets back to normal here in  South Western Connecticut.
   Thursday, Before Hurricane Sandy pounded us I was able to get the boat out with Jan D, and we enjoyed one of the best days of schoolie fishing of the year.  We caught so many of these guys we lost count.  The fish hit everything from flies to rubber baits and they kept hitting.  It was unreal.  I guess the fish knew something was up too.  If that trip wraps up the fishing season then it was on a good note.

     Today, the years first Nor' Easter "Athena" is rolling up the coast dumping snow!  Yeah Snow!   Earlier today I was cleaning the gutters at my moms house when it started to snow, and it has not changed to rain.   I will be honest my City of  Stamford does not normally see snow until the end of the month, but right now outside there is at least 2 inches on the grass.   Combined with the stiff, cold north east wind it makes for a ugly night. I am very thankful to be sitting here at the computer and not working tonight.  My game plan is to enjoy the night inside and cook a chicken that i got on sale for 6 dollars.

    What will these two massive storms do to the saltwater fishing?  Well, it will certainly get the fish moving at a very fast pace and they may be out of here in the next week or two.  I have to investigate to ramp situation so at least i can get my boat in to shoot some ducks in a couple of weeks.  I hope everyone was able to stay safe during these weather events and your homes are safe.