Hello Compleat Angler friends! This week we’ve had a small amount of rain in the Fairfield County area, but it’s not enough to raise flows over average. Water temperatures are still hot with below average flows. Further north received more water on the Naugatuck and Housatonic Rivers which has cooled water temperatures, but flows will be stained temporarily. Fishing during the morning will yield your coolest temperatures, and streamers will be effective with water levels raised. Smallmouth fishing on the Housatonic has also been a great option. The Farmington River has good temperatures for trout fishing; however, hatches have been hit-or-miss. Flows are slightly above average and wadable on the upper section; below the still there will be some stain to the water from the influx of rain. Nymphing with small flies will be the most effective technique when there are no hatches, and there are plenty of trout spread into the faster more oxygenated water. On the Delaware River you will encounter Blue Winged Olives, Sulphurs, Light Cahill, and Isonychia. Most of the hatches will come towards the late afternoon and evening during the sunnier days. On the saltwater things have slowed in the Long Island Sound, some anglers are finding a few Stripers along the North Shore of Long Island and towards Fisher’s Island, however areas further West have slowed with small Bluefish being the primary option.

Read on for more…

Hello Compleat Angler friends! We’re officially into the dog days of summer. What that means is our local rivers and streams around Fairfield County are currently too warm and low to trout fish ethically. Some of our local anglers are switched over to target Smallmouth and Carp in lieu of fishing the tailwaters for trout. The Housatonic is warm and low but is currently a great option for Smallmouth fishing. The Farmington River has ideal temperatures for trout and wading. The hatches have been sporadic, but you may come across some Sulphurs upriver, Light Cahill, Caddis, Needhami, Isonychia, and soon Tricos. Many of the insects are small, so small nymphs are also getting the job done. The East and West Branches of the Delaware River has good temperatures and some hatches of Sulphurs (especially upriver on the West Branch), as well as Light Cahill, and Isonychia. Most of the hatch activity is throughout the evening unless conditions are overcast when you will find small Blue Winged Olives hatching. On the saltwater wade fishing has been difficult along the Connecticut coastline as water temperatures approach over 70 degrees. Boat anglers have been finding more fish around the islands and coves during the morning hours, with some still finding larger fish chasing bait to the surface on the deeper water ledges.

Read on for more…

Hello Compleat Angler friends! This week our local rivers and streams have seen slight improvements in flows from rain, however most options will be too warm to fish as they are approaching temperatures 70 degrees and over. If you do decide to fish, check your stream temperatures in the morning when they are at their coolest. It’s a similar story on the Housatonic, however there are alternative species such as Carp, Smallmouth, and Pike to target. On both the Farmington and the Delaware Rivers hatches have been sparse, however you may find fish on Sulphurs, Light Cahills, small Blue Winged Olives, and Isonychia towards the evenings. Both rivers are near average levels and are comfortable for wading. On the Delaware River, stick to the East and West branches where temperatures are safe to Trout fish. On the saltwater there are a few Stripers holding in their summer lies along the Connecticut beachfronts, we recommend targeting rocky coves and structure around islands. If you’re fishing by boat, some of the deeper water structures are still holding some nice sized Stripers and Bluefish. Your best shot at topwater action is lowlight before temperatures warm up by the afternoon. Further east will you will encounter more consistent fishing such as Plum Gut, Fisher’s Island, all the way to Block Island.

Read on for more…