'Turnback Tuesday' highlights Housatonic River

Turnback Tuesday looks at the Housatonic River (or Ousatonic in its original spelling.) Named by the Paugussett Tribe as Potatuck which means “River with Falls” or “great river," the Housatonic starts near Pittsfield, Mass. and runs for 148 miles to the Long Island Sound.

In the early 1800s, factories were built along the river in Birmingham that harnessed the water to power their turbines and water wheels. 

A covered bridge was built in 1839 to connect Shelton to Derby, and the Ousatonic Dam was dedicated in 1870. Dikes were installed along parts of the river after the flood of 1955.

Not all use of the river was for commercial purposes. Recreational boating and fishing were very common. The Yale University boat crews used the river to practice and race. 

This postcard is a recent donation to the Library.

Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

Learn to fish in program at O'Sullivan's Island in Derby

 

Register to learn about fishing in free 2-day program in Ansonia

 

Recuperation journey: FB memory from this date in 2020

Photo taken on a lovely day during the pandemic. 

My husband said I caught this little guy 'social distancing' as he was fishing at Pickett's Pond at Osbornedale State Park in Derby.  

DEEP to host fishing event Thursday at Colony Pond in Ansonia

 

DEEP to host fishing event at Pickett's Pond in Osbornedale State Park in Derby

 

Cassetti reminds residents Abe Stone Park, Colony Pond in Ansonia are open

This is shared from a post today on the City of Ansonia Facebook page:

ANSONIA - With warmer weather upon us, a reminder from Mayor David S. Cassetti that Abe Stone Park and Colony Pond are open for fishing and boating (kayaks, canoes, row boats).

Boating requires a permit available at the Town Clerk’s office ($2 for 2 years), while fishing license is required for over 16 years of age. New to the pond this year will be catfish, being stocked in May by the DEEP.

Other park offerings that will soon be available include volleyball, soccer fields, full court basketball, marked hiking trails, children’s play scape, picnic grounds with grills, and on occasion the Colony Snack Shack.

Cassetti had many of the park’s amenities significantly upgraded in 2019 through corporate donations, his office said.

DEEP offers free fishing, gear, expert help in April, May throughout state

This is shared from the City of Ansonia Facebook page:

"Fish with the DEEP Fisheries. April and May locations and dates listed. For additional information and special events, follow this link. 

"Also note the Ansonia date of 5/23/21 at Colony Pond."

Derby Neck Library to host virtual winter fishing tourney

Tweens and teens! Join us on your Nintendo Switch for the Winter Animal Crossing: New Horizons Fishing Tourney!

Playing with friends means no entry fee AND you get double the points per participant! We'll also get to visit each other's islands and shops and play hide-and-seek games!

There's always some fun surprises waiting at Derby Neck Island as well...
Library’s Switch Friend Code: 2215-9086-7325
Discord: DBNeck #3627

A Zoom meeting link will also be provided for those who do not have a Discord account--please call or send us a message here to register for the Zoom link.
Please note you do need a Nintendo Online subscription to participate!


This is shared from a Facebook event page.

Recuperation journey: Serene Sunday

Fishing fun at Pickett's Pond at Osbornedale State Park in Derby. 

Ansonia mayor urges community to enjoy Colony Park

Shared from a City of Ansonia Facebook post on Thursday: 

"Mayor [David] Cassetti invites residents to visit beautiful Coe Pond at Colony (aka Abe Stone) Park. Bring your fishing pole and take a stroll around the pond and enjoy nature on this great summer day. 
"Don’t forget to grab a blanket and bring the family for a perfect picnic! Location is Colony Road, off of Route 115 (North Main heading towards Seymour)."

Seymour Land Conservation Trust to hold beautification of Legion Pool park

Visit Derby Town Clerk to obtain fishing, hunting licenses

Opening day for trout and all fresh water fishing is April 14 

Sharing from Derby Town/City Clerk Marc Garofalo's Facebook page:

"You can get a Fishing or Hunting License at the Derby Town Clerk's Office or directly online. Here is a link: - https://www.derbyct.gov/fishing-and-hunting-licenses."

The licenses are free for senior citizens. 
Derby City Hall is at 1 Elizabeth St.

Fourth-graders help stock Colony Pond in Ansonia

Fishing instructor Dave Connelly of Ansonia helps students stock Colony Pond.

ANSONIA - Colony Pond received a second stocking of trout this month when the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection added nearly 150 delectable trout to the city pond at Abe Stone Park. 

Earlier this month, the DEEP had initially stocked the pond with 200 trout.
The stocking is in preparation for the Bill Stokes Memorial Fishing Derby at the pond May 6, from 9 a.m.-noon.

Forty fourth-grade students from Mead and Prendergast Schools participated in stocking the pond by emptying pails of trout.

An osprey was spotted on two occasions attempting to pluck dinner from Colony Pond without much luck while Mayor David S. Cassetti showcased his pond-stocking talents on one occasion.

A DEEP attendant on site indicated that typically most of the stocked trout, raised at Burlington Nursery in Connecticut, will likely end up on dinner tables this spring and summer.

Mayor David S. Cassetti joins students Monday at the pond stocking.


*Note: Photos from City of Ansonia.

Fishing class slated at Ansonia Armory

Ansonia to host fishing derby at Colony Pond

Ansonia Parks & Rec to sponsor free fishing program

*Note: Click on post to enlarge

Ansonia students stock pond, learn about fish from state biologist

DEEP biologist Tom Bourret shows students a taxidermy display of freshwater fish in Connecticut.

ANSONIA - Thirty-five students from Mead and Prendergast elementary schools Tuesday helped stock Colony Pond. 

Ansonia students learn about pond stocking.

They put in 200 trout (Brown, Brook, and Rainbow) to stock the pond with a total of 400 trout this year.
Mayor David S. Cassetti and Director of Constituent Services Richard Dziekan also stopped by to participate in the program.


*Sharing this information from the City of Ansonia Facebook page.

Fishing class slated in April at Ansonia Armory

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Parks & Recreation Department is sponsoring the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection C.A.R.E. (Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education) Program Family Fishing Class in Ansonia.

This is an opportunity for interested people of all ages to learn about:

*Connecticut Waters * Fish Identification * How & Where Fish Live *

* Fishing Tackle & Techniques * Fishing Laws & Regulations * How to Tie A Strong Knot *

* How to Clean & Cook Your Catch * Sportsmanship & Safety 

* How to Cast * Where to Catch Fish *

The two-day program will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. April 7 at the Ansonia Armory on State Street. Parking is available on North Cliff Street behind the Armory.

A fishing trip will be held on opening day, April 9, at Abe Stone Park where lessons learned in the class will be put into practice at Colony Pond between 8 a.m. and noon.   

All equipment will be provided.  

Adults over the age of 16 are required to have a fishing license to participate in the fishing event.

The free program is taught by Certified DEEP C.A.R.E. Instructors and is open to all children and adults 7 years old and up.

Students completing the class receive a certificate from the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection.  Students under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

To pre-register or for more information call the chief instructor, Dave Connelly, 203-231-0946.

Colony Pond will be stocked with trout opening day by the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection. Special emphasis will be put on catching trout during the class.

This is shared from an online community calendar sponsored by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and The New Haven Independent.

Ansonia Parks & Recreation to sponsor fishing class