Hello Compleat Angler friends! The improvement this week comes in the form of reduced flows, and all our local options are either near or below average. This will make for some easier wading and improved dry fly opportunities, especially during the afternoons when you may see a prolific Small Black Stonefly Hatch. Other hatches to consider are Caddis during the morning and Midges throughout the day. This time of year is all about the Small Black Stoneflies, however, which will only continue to get better in the coming weeks as water temperatures warm a bit, and trout key in on them more often. For this weekend, a variety of techniques will be working, especially with trout recently stocked in some rivers and streams. From small Woolly Buggers to Mop flies and more natural nymphs, you will want to bring a variety with you. The Farmington has ideal clarity and flows for wading. Some anglers are finding good numbers of stocked fish while others are catching some quality holdovers, mainly on small imitative nymphs. Meanwhile, the Housatonic River is still high but shaping up for wading soon. Overall, there are some great options now, and they will only continue to improve with the weather. On the Salmon River in New York, anglers are finding Steelhead in their usually Wintertime haunts, so the slower deeper pools are still fishing well. In the coming weeks Steelhead will start to drop back down river. We can expect flows to be near or above average as there is still a fair amount of snow that has yet to melt. Anglers putting in their time are finding single digit numbers of Steelhead each day spread throughout the entire river, with an occasional Brown Trout. Both nymphing and swinging flies will be working.

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Hello Compleat Angler friends! Spring Trout Stocking is officially underway, the only tough news is the high water from this past week’s rain which has flows stained and above average. Flows should drop back towards average quickly, however, and we can expect some improved fishing as they approach average. While these flows decrease subsurface techniques will be the most effective and using some larger and flashier flies will help if flows are still stained during your outing. When flows are towards average you can expect Small Black Stoneflies to be the main hatch throughout the afternoon in sizes 16-18, which will become more prolific as temperatures warm. You may also encounter some Midges throughout the day as well as Caddis during the morning hours. There will be plenty of options and fish now, with trout holding over from Fall stockings as well as a supplement of Spring stockings occurring. As a reminder, Connecticut is catch-and-release statewide until the second Saturday in April. Steelhead fishing continues with Winter trends, as fish have not yet dropped back until consistent warmer temperatures. Anglers are still working hard for their fish; focus on the deeper slower pools and runs, and you may be rewarded with a fish or two each day.

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Hello Compleat Angler friends! This past week we’ve had a little taste of Spring, and with the moderate temperatures comes snow melt which has local flows above average. The most significant improvement is the arrival of the Small Black Stonefly hatch throughout most of our rivers. You will see them hatching in sizes 16-18 during the sunnier afternoons. Water temperatures are still cold so trout activity on these hatches is spotty, and subsurface will still be the most effective technique. Both jigged streamers and nymphs are catching some nice holdover fish. On the Salmon River, which has below average flows, some anglers are finding a Steelhead each day if they put in the work. Temperatures are still cold, with snow and rain expected in the forecast. Fish will still be in their winter lies until water temperatures improve, so focus on the slower and deeper pools and stretches of river.

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