Hello Compleat Angler friends! More improvements have happened on the freshwater scene this past week despite the lower-than-average flows. Local rivers and streams received some stockings, including the Mill River, Mianus, Housatonic, and Farmington. These stocked fish will be forgiving in terms of fly selection, so it’s time to break out the Wooly Buggers, Mops, and Squirmies until fish start to key in on naturals. In terms of hatches, you can expect Isonychia, Blue Winged Olives, and Light Cahills, however hatch activity can be a slower this time of year. Nymphing is going to be the best producer if no fish are rising, just be sure to use a stealthy approach to not spook fish during low and clear flows, and a longer leader will help when presenting dries and dry/dropper rigs. On the Delaware River fishing is starting to improve, both in the form of dry fly fishing and streamers, and smaller streamers are doing the trick during these low and clear flows. The Salmon run in Pulaski continues to be consistent on the Salmon River with fish slowly moving into and up the system but look for a bigger push in Salmon during the next higher water event. On the saltwater, we are still waiting for the Fall run to be epic, currently Albies have been difficult, and we’re not seeing large numbers yet. Some Bonito are in the Western Sound and into the beachfronts along Rhode Island, however they’re starting to taper off. Striper fishing in our end of the sound has been mainly some schoolie action, and can be found in their usual resident spots, meanwhile Bluefish have been the predominant topwater bite.

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Hello Compleat Angler Friends! We have some improvements on our freshwater fishing this week, as the state of Connecticut stocks more rivers for the Fall season. This week the Mianus and Salmon Rivers were both stocked, while the Naugatuck received fish last week. Water temperatures have also improved on all our rivers, thanks to the cooler evenings, so all we need are some improvements in flows to bump water levels closer to average. Stocked fish will be forgiving in terms of fly selection, and you will want to use a stealthy approach during these low flows. Both the Farmington and Housatonic still have below average flows. There has been a small improvement on the Salmon River in terms of flows, which will trigger more Kings and Cohos to push up from the estuary. Now is a good opportunity for a dry/dropper setup or small streamers. Bluefish continue to keep anglers busy on the saltwater with topwater feeds on Peanut Bunker, Small Silversides, and Bay Anchovies. Some anglers have been finding Bonto, Stripers, and some Albies on the mix. Overall, the Albie fishing has been a hit or miss, but anglers hunting down birds diving on bait have been successful. Out East, it’s been a slow start for Albies, however anglers are finding a few schools along the Rhode Island shoreline. Striper, Bluefish, and Bonito have been plentiful however.
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Hello Compleat Angler Friends! This week brings no major changes to freshwater fishing in our Connecticut Rivers and Streams. While the Farmington River has lower flows and warmer temperatures during the afternoon, the morning hours have been productive since Fall stocking. While the stocked fish will hit a variety of flies, look to fish more imitative selections for your more educated holdovers. On our local streams, no stocking has occurred. However, water temperatures have been viable to fish during the morning hours, and some anglers are finding fish holding over from Spring Stocking. On the Housatonic, water temperatures have also improved to the point that anglers are starting to find trout outside of the thermal refuges, all the while some Smallmouth Bass are still being caught, however the Housatonic will benefit with more water. In upstate New York, Kings and Cohos continue to trickle in with the below average water, and they are holding in all sections of the river now. Our saltwater fishery has seen the most improvement this week with the arrival of some Albies. While fishing for them is still spotty you may find them blitzing on Peanut Bunker along with some nice Bluefish. Look for improvements in the migratory Striper fishing as Fall progresses.
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