Hello Compleat Angler friends! This week we have slimmed down the report to relevant fisheries for the winter to include Steelhead and Trout fishing. Saltwater anglers locally are still finding some holdover schoolies, namely on the Housatonic River. The South Shore of Long Island and into the beachfronts in New Jersey, anglers are still finding Stripers, however this should continue to taper off. On the freshwater scene chilly weather has reached the Salmon River in New York, with snow in the forecast. Make sure you wear a good layering system and dress warm when deciding to fish. Water has been below average on the Salmon River which has slowed fish entering the estuary and the river, however anglers that are persistent and putting in their time are able to find a few fish trickling into the lower river. In the middle and upper sections of the river Steelhead are holding in the deeper pools, so focus on these sections of water. A variety of techniques are still working, whether your drifting nymphs and egg patterns or swinging flies. The Farmington River flows were increase thanks to the most recent rain and snow, and flows are improved for the weekend. Water temperatures are still good, averaging in the low to high 40s, so you may still see some small Blue Winged Olives hatching during the afternoon. Nymphing will be your most productive option, while streamer fishing is holding up as well. The Housatonic River is still fishing well despite low flows, and techniques/hatches will be of a similar tune. Our smaller local rivers and streams have been tricky because of the below average flows; however, anglers are still finding some Trout from Fall stocking. In addition, Naugatuck was very recently stocked with more Atlantic Salmon.

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Hello Compleat Angler friends! Water levels have shot up a bit from recent rain, but they are still below average on all our local rivers and streams, so low water tactics are back in play. As a result, small nymphs are working well, and you can expect the most trout and insect activity during the afternoon when water temperatures are at their highest. The most prevalent insect will be Blue Winged Olives in sizes 20-26 both in the adult form and emergers. You may also consider bringing Tan Caddis and Midges. The Housatonic is also below average but fishing well from the Fall stocking, and the Farmington River is holding steady with wadable flows. Streamer fishing will still be in play as Brown Trout look for high calorie meals since most have completed their spawning. On the Salmon River in New York Steelhead fishing has seen an uptick in the lower sections of the river since there was a small increase in flows. This has triggered more fish to push into the river. The tributaries are also fishing well for Steelhead and Brown Trout. Local saltwater fishing has been spotty, but schoolies can still be found on Peanut Bunker along the shoreline, as well as around coves and the mouths of rivers. The mouth of the Housatonic River is seeing Stripers return to winter over upriver, and anglers are catching fish from the mouth to the I-95 bridge. The Striper action continues strong along the South Shore of Long Island down into New Jersey as large rafts of fish crash Bunker and Sand Eels. Meanwhile, Rhode Island is still seeing some schoolie action near the salt ponds and the mouth of the Providence River, however the bite has been tapering off.

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Hello Compleat Angler friends! This week we received our much-needed rain! As a result, the most significant changes have happened to our local rivers and streams which are now flowing above average. This will spread Trout into a variety of water types and open anglers to improved streamer fishing. Nymphing will also be an effective technique, and hatches may be diminished with the higher water. On the Housatonic River, flows are still below average but are gradually increasing, and despite the below-average levels angers are finding great fishing. Small Blue Winged Olives make up most of the hatches, with the possibility of a few Midges and Tan Caddis throughout the day. Our overcast and rainy weather will help jump start the Blue Winged Olive hatches. The Farmington River is fishing well with subsurface tactics, and the West Branch flows are a little below average as water is being held at the dam. The Still River has increased from the rain. On the Salmon River in New York, flows are still below average but have jumped which is enough to trigger more Steelhead to enter the system. Anglers putting in their time are catching a few Steelhead and Brown Trout, as fish are now spread into all sections of the river. On the Saltwater, local fishing has been very spotty with fish blitzing on Peanut Bunker near coves and the mouths of rivers. Fish will be starting to stage near the mouth of the Housatonic, which is good news for our shore-based anglers. The best boat action is still in New York and New Jersey. Anglers are still catching a few late run False Albacore in Montauk, along with Stripers which are traveling off the beach fronts along the South Shore to New Jersey. Rhode Island is seeing decent topwater action near Narragansett as fish are concentrated in and around the mouths of rivers. The salt ponds have also seen an increase in Striper activity.