Fishing Report, August 1st

Greetings Compleat Anglers!  Here is your fishing report for August 1st!

Well, I'll begin by saying that I hoped to post a pic of a Tigerfish from my African trip - I had four hours last Saturday morning to get the job done, but I couldn't close the deal. We were on Lake Jozini in Pongola, South Africa - but there were just no fish around!  However, as compensation, I'm posting two pics of some other inhabitants of the Lake that accompanied us on the float - a herd of Hippos and some African Crocodiles....so cool and different to fish along side of these. And the game, the scenery, the people, the country were truly amazing!

Now onto more local happenings!  In the Catskills, the Delaware system is just about back to normal after some high, colored water and some good streamer fishing. Best bets at the moment are the Upper West Branch and Upper East Branch - both nicely cold and in the 40s and 50s. On the West Branch, there are Sulphurs and Olives in the daytime, along with some Cahills and Isos. There are also some green Caddis and tan Caddis as well in sizes #16-#18. The Olives are #16-#22, and the Sulphurs as well are #16-#22. In the daytime, nymphs are also very effective in the riffs and faster water, or swing a soft hackle or wet in the riffles as well. Small nymphs such as Pheasant Tails, Princes, Copper Johns, Flashbacks, Zebras and others in sizes #18-22 are very effective, and in the bigger riffs you can take a shot with a big Stonefly (#6-#12) as well. And since its August, keep an eye out for the Tricosin the morning!

Catskill Water levels are as follows:

Delaware West Branch at hale Eddy:    611cfs at 48 degrees;

Delaware East Branch at Fishs Eddy:   712cfs at 62 degrees;

Main Stem at Lordville:     1600cfs at 64 degrees;

Beaverkill at Cooks Falls:   200cfs in the mid 60s.

On the lower East Branch and the Main Stem, be sure to check afternoon water temperatures, as on warmer days they will get into the high 60s - then its a best bet to leave them alone as the trout are very stressed in that temperature range.

Here in Connecticut, the West Branch of the Farmington is low but still nicely chilly and there are some nice trout to be found. Best dry fly bets are Olives (#22-#24), Cahills (#12-14), Isos (#10-#14), and summer Caddis. Also, have some Rusty Spinners (#16-#20) and some ants and beetles in your box as well - especially for those bank sippers!  In the upper river near Riverton, there are also some Sulphurs (#16-#18). In the daytime, when the surface action is slow, try nymphing with Caddis Pupa (#14-#18), Pheasant Tails (#14-#22), Zebras (#18-#22), BWO nymphs (#16-#20), and Iso nymphs (#10-#14).  Also, in the deeper runs and riffs a big Stonefly (#8-#12) would work as well.

On the Housatonic, the AM water temperatures have been in the high 60s.  Remember, thermal refuge regulations have been in effect since June 15th, and will stay in effect until September 15th.  Fishing is prohibited within 100 feet of the mouths of tributaries marked with the black and white notices. There are Smallmouths and some trout in the riffles and faster water. The Smallies will crush small streamers, Zonkers, and Wooly Buggers, as well as Mop flies. For the trout, nymphs such as Caddis Pupa, BH Hare's Ear, BH Prince and Stoneflies should turn some heads, or try swinging small wets and soft hackles. And with August here, keep your eyes open for the big White Fly hatch that happens around this timje every year!

Connecticut Water Flows are as follows:

West Branch Farmington at Riverton:   269cfs at 57 degrees;

Still River at Robertsville:   17 cfs;

West Branch Farmington through the TMA:   286cfs  in the mid-50s;

Housatonic River at Falls Village:   270cfs in the mid-high 60s;

In Long Island Sound, there has been some big Bluefish crushing topwater baits and flies way offshore. The front that moved through in the past few days slowed that down a bit, but the Blues are still around.  There are still some schoolie bass around the reefs, and morning and evenings in and around the harbors. As usual, Clousers, Deceivers and other baitfish streamers are the most effective, along with Crease flies and topwater poppers.  If you're hitting the beaches, before daylight and after dark are always your best bets.

Photo Above: Jack fishing about an hour and a half before the high tide (rising tide) - off of a rocky point in Darien.

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Tight Lines!