Hello Compleat Angler friends! This week flows are still below average on all of our local rivers and streams, so we have similar conditions when compared to last week. Flows are low and clear with air temperatures around the mid-30s. While hatches are diminished during cold conditions, you may find some Winter Caddis hatching in the morning followed by Midges. In addition, flows were cut on the West Branch of the Farmington, and the Housatonic is below average. Some areas have shelf ice, or the slower pools are frozen over. Generally, above Riverton on the Farmington has been clear of ice. On the Salmon River in New York, flows were dropped to below average, but previous high flows have pushed more Steelhead into the system that are now holding in the river. The lower river, when clear of slush, has been producing a few fish for anglers each day with some being lucky enough to find double digit numbers. Both swinging flies and nymphing have been productive. Upriver, conditions are clear and easy for wading, and with fish spread throughout the system, anglers are finding a fish or two each day from Pineville to Altmar.
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Hello Compleat Angler friends! We don’t have any groundbreaking improvements for this week on our local rivers and streams. Because flows are cold and below average, ice or slush have been an issue on some sections, causing some anglers to turn to fly tying to stock their boxes for warmer days ahead. To avoid the ice on the Farmington River, anglers are fishing upriver of Riverton which is clear. We have a few warm days for this upcoming week, reaching into the low 40s. Timing your fishing around these afternoons can be the most productive opportunity for winter fishing. The Housatonic River is also experiencing shelf ice and slush. On the Salmon River in New York, flows were raised to above average which has improved catch rates a bit on the lower sections of the river when they’re not iced over. We have a cold weekend ahead with some warmer days during the upcoming week. Anglers are consistently finding a Steelhead or two each day from Pineville to Altmar. Persistence and a warm layering system will help you be more successful out there.
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Hello Compleat Angler friends! For those brave souls venturing out during these conditions we hope you all have managed to stay warm. There are no significant changes this week in terms of flows, and with the continuation of low water and cold weather, slush and ice have been an issue on some rivers. For instance, on some of the slower pools of the Farmington River, shelf ice and/or slush has been prevalent until the sunnier afternoon. Hatches will be diminished, but on occasion Winter Caddis and Midges will be hatching. Nymphing has been the most productive option. However, on average catch rates will be lower during winter. Persistence, covering water slowly and methodically, and planning your outings during the warmer days will help in your success. On the Salmon River in New York, smatterings of snow will be expected throughout the week with air temperatures ranging from the 20s to 30s. When the lower river isn’t slushed up, anglers putting in their time have been finding a fish each day. It’s a similar story upriver, however slush isn’t as much of an issue at the moment.
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