Hello Compleat Angler friends! The weather is getting chillier, and with that trout are starting their winter behavior. Metabolism will slow, and they will move into deeper and slower pools. Subsurface techniques will be more effective, as they will be less willing to expend energy. Our freestones across Connecticut are clear and wadable with below average flows. Persistent anglers have been catching fish primarily nymphing, and a few more aggressive fish have been taking streamers. Flows are also below average on the Naugatuck River, and more Atlantic Salmon were stocked recently. Flows are slightly below average on both the Farmington and Housatonic Rivers, which will have good clarity and easy wading this weekend. While water temperatures will result in diminished hatches, you may see some Blue Winged Olives hatching during the late afternoon and into the evening. Brown Trout have mostly finished spawning and are aggressive towards streamers; however, there are a few stragglers paired up so you will want to avoid fishing to them and stepping on their Redds. As a result of spawning, egg flies will also be working well. Flows have dropped a bit on the Salmon River in New York, creating ideal conditions for Steelhead fishing. Anglers are finding both Brown Trout and Steelhead spread throughout the entire river. Both swinging flies and nymphing will be effective methods.

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Hello Compleat Angler friends! This week our Connecticut freestones have seen an increase in flows but are still below average, a slight improvement from last week. Anglers are still finding trout from Fall stockings. Now that water temperatures have dropped lower, winter techniques will start becoming more effective. This means methodically searching the deeper pools, using a low and slow approach drifting nymphs. Egg flies will also be working now that Brown Trout are completing their spawning. On the Farmington and Housatonic Rivers, which all have fishable flows for this weekend, will also be seeing some small Blue Winged Olives emerging towards the late afternoon. On the Salmon River in New York, Steelhead fishing is alive and well with fish being spread throughout the entire river. Flows have dropped, and now most sections will have easier wading, but the river is still high. As a result, search a variety of water types, as there will be Steelhead both holding and traveling, and you may find some nice Brown Trout as a bonus. On the saltwater, the Long Island Sound has winded down, with schoolies still blitzing on occasion. Areas to focus on include the mouth of river, coves, and harbors. Late morning can result in finding some Stripers hitting Peanut Bunker on the surface. Holdover Stripers are now staging and moving upriver into their respective winter spots. Rhode Island is experiencing similar circumstances, meanwhile the South Shore of Long Island and New Jersey still has good numbers of migratory fish.

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Hello Compleat Angler friends! This week we have no significant changes to our Connecticut trout fishing, and all of our freestones have been holding below average flows. Hatches have been slowing down, but the main insects you will see include Tan Caddis, Midges, and Blue Winged Olives during the afternoon. Subsurface has been the best option, both nymphing and streamer fishing. On the Farmington River, you will want to bring your smaller nymphs as well as some egg patterns now that Brown Trout are spawning. The Housatonic River will be similar, and flows will be ideal for fishing and wading this weekend. Anglers are finding trout on all techniques, including dry flies when there are hatches of small Blue Winged Olives. On the Salmon River in New York, Steelhead have moved throughout the entire river now, and they’re still entering the estuary. Flows are high so we should see a nice push of fish into the river as a result. On the saltwater, there are some schoolies on some Peanut Bunker near the coves and harbors, and one will find them blitzing during the later morning with tide movement. The best action is still along the Southshore down to the Jersey Coastline, which is holding larger migratory Stripers. The most prevalent bait is Bunker and Sand Eels.

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