Fishing: Warm weather leads to big catches on Opening Day

Warm temperatures and level waters led to a plentiful afternoon of trout fishing on Opening Day Saturday.

"Most of the fish that I heard that were caught were good-sized fish," said Robert LaTulipe Jr., owner of Trip's Bait and Tackle in Torrington. "I know there was a 10-pound trout brought in here and a seven and 5 1/2 -pounder."

Numbers were reportedly good throughout the state on a partly cloudy day that had temperatures reaching the 70s. Popular spots, such as the Salmon River State Forest, were consistent.

"Everybody had a good day," said Ralph Graziola, owner of Ralph's Bait Shop in Ashford. "The weather was great."

At the 62nd Annual Riverton Fishing Derby, Steve Scanlon saw some surprising results.

"More fish were checked in this year than have been in a long time," Scanlon said. "Probably at least twice, if not three times as much as last year."

This year's winner was Pat MacNamara of Meriden, who caught a last-minute 25-inch rainbow trout that weighed 9 pounds, 14 ounces.

"A kid had the lead until about the last 45 minutes," Scanlon said.

MacNamara will take home the traditional derby prize, a rocking chair from Still River Antiques.