Hello Compleat Angler friends! Unfortunately, the weather for this weekend looks cold and wet, with a high of 38 degrees on Saturday and a high chance for precipitation (snow, rain, sleet) across most of the state. That doesn’t mean you won’t find trout, but you might be a bit soggy if you try! Per usual, low and slow is the name of the game. Some anglers are still finding stocked Tiger Trout in the Mianus, which are taking nymphs and streamers bounced along the bottom. Again, on a warmer day you may see some Caddis and Midges hatching from late morning into the afternoon. Both the Housatonic and Farmington Rivers are at clear and wadable levels for this weekend. For the short-term, slush and shelf ice aren’t an issue thanks to the recent increase in air temperatures. On the Salmon River in New York, flows have increased, but they are looking down the barrel of a potential winter storm. You will find Steelhead spread throughout the system, especially holding in the deeper and slower pools.

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Hello Compleat Angler friends! The good news for our winter anglers this weekend is warmer air temperatures will continue into the latter part of next week. On our freestones that were stocked during Fall, anglers are still finding a few trout each day, with some Tiger Trout mixed in. The fishing has been primarily sub-surface with small nymphs with jig streamers also working. During these warmer days, however, you may see some Caddis and Midges hatching from the late morning into the afternoon. Both the Housatonic and Farmington Rivers are at clear and wadable levels for this weekend. For the short-term, slush and shelf ice isn’t an issue thanks to the increase in air temperatures. On the Salmon River in New York, flows have increased from snow melting but are still fishable on all sections of the river. You will find Steelhead spread throughout the system, especially holding in the deeper and slower pools.

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Hello Compleat Angler friends! Our weekend weather forecast in Connecticut is expected to be cold, so if oy decide to venture out we recommend bringing a good layering system. Our smaller freestones have remained low and clear, and there are still some trout from Fall stocking. Catch rates will be diminished as well as hatches, so we recommend fishing with an assortment of small nymphs in the deeper slower pools. Flows increased on the Farmington River, and levels are now close to average. There are also flow improvements on the Housatonic River, and most sections will still have easy wading. Streamer fishing can also be a good option since Brown Trout have finished spawning and looking to regain weight. Both streamers stripped slowly, swung, or jigged through a run will entice fish with their slower action. On the Salmon River in New York, temperatures are cold with quite a bit of snow received. Flows have increased to above average levels. Slush will be an issue in the morning on lower sections of the river, however there are still a few Steelhead entering the system. Further upriver fish will concentrate in the slower and deeper pools, and it will be worth fishing these areas methodically. Winter fishing will have diminished catch rates; however, there will be a small bite window which is usually when water temperatures are at their peak for the day. As a result, trout activity will be at its peak during this time.

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