Hello Compleat Angler friends! The cold winter weather continues, and with that cold water temperatures and sluggish trout. This week brings no momentous changes in terms of fishing, however with the colder water you will want to adapt your techniques and approaches. Focusing on sections of the runs that have slower flows will help since trout are more lethargic. Slower metabolism in cold weather means they will feed or move to a fly less often, so it helps to have a methodical approach. Spending more time picking apart an area means there’s a better chance your fly will appropriately present itself to fish. All local rivers and streams have good clarity and easy wading since flows are below average. The Housatonic River is also back down to fishable levels, and the Farmington has average flows. While hatches are diminished you may find some Winter Caddis hatching during the morning, followed by Midges in the afternoon. The best techniques are currently subsurface, either nymphing or fishing jig streamers. The Salmon River in New York has cold conditions for Steelhead fishing, with slush being an issue in the lower stretches of river. Altmar to Pineville is still fishable with below average flows. Anglers are finding a few fish each day, however, catch rates have been slower. Your best techniques are nymphing with Egg Flies or Stoneflies, and swinging streamers.

Read on for more…

Connecticut

Local Rivers

Flows on our local rivers and streams have dropped back down below average throughout the past week. For instance, the Saugatuck has dropped and is holding around 58.9 CFS. Water conditions will be cold, clear, and low for this weekend, and snow may be expected for Saturday. Trout will be lethargic due to our bout of cold weather, so any surface activity will be diminished. If deciding to brave the cold, look to fish during the sunnier afternoons when water temperatures will be at their warmest. Air temperatures will reach a high in the mid to high 30s this weekend, but the good news is that there will be minimal wind to contend with. Planning your fishing around the warmer mornings into the afternoon can result in finding some dry fly fishing, including Winter Caddis hatching in sizes 18-24 during the morning. Towards the afternoon you can expect small Blue Winged Olives or Midges emerging in sizes 20-26. If fish are refusing a Blue Winged Olive Dry Fly, try switching over to an emerger. No matter the day, nymphing will be the most effective method during cold Winter conditions. Since flows are back down, we recommend switching back a more imitative and smaller selection of nymphs. Drab-colored nymphs will be working well such as Pheasant Tails, Prince Nymphs, Caddis Larvae, Waltz Worms, and Perdigones in sizes 14-20, as well as Zebra Midges in sizes 18-20. In addition, smaller Woolly Buggers will be working well in Black, Olive, Brown, White, and Purple. Vary the retrieve to see what the fish prefer, and sometime a slow swing can entice the more lethargic fish. Jig streamers either dead drifted or animated with a jigging action from the rod tip will also work well as they offer a slower and enticing motion. Overall, a slower and more methodical approach when fishing through runs will help during winter as trout are less willing to expend energy. The Mainus River is fishing well, and anglers are finding fish both subsurface and on Blue Winged Olive Emergers. Other rivers to consider include the Mill and Saugatuck within Fairfield County.

Naugatuck River

Flows on the Naugatuck are also back down below average and are currently 194 CFS at Beacon Falls. Atlantic Salmon were stocked this winter, so they will concentrate in the larger deeper pools during these low flows. For targeting Atlantic Salmon, swinging and/or stripping streamers and traditional hairwing flies, Woolly Buggers, and different color intruders will work well. Change flies after swinging through a pool, as sometimes Salmon will be triggered by a particular color or fly that has some added flash. Focusing on the entire run and fishing all sections methodically will be a good strategy to hunt them down. You may find them sunning on the brighter and warmer days in the tailouts. If you’re using a floating line, having a few polyleaders will aid in controlling your fly depth in different runs and scenarios, which can make the difference of getting your fly in front of these fish to entice a strike. Morning conditions will be cold so look for an increase in fish activity as the sun warms the water. There are still some trout to be found after this past Fall stocking, and there are still some Small Blue Winged Olives, Midges, and Tan Caddis hatching from late morning into the afternoon. For nymphing the usual suspects will work well, Caddis Larvae, Pheasant Tails, Prince Nymphs, Waltz Worms and Perdigones in sizes 16-18. Also consider bringing Zebra Midges in sizes 18-24, Mop Flies, Egg Flies, and Squirmies. Nymphing will be the most productive method, especially in the morning with trout being more lethargic due to water temperatures. The Naugatuck and Shetucket are good alternatives for areas with more crowds/pressure.

Farmington River

Flows on the West Branch were increased at the dam for this past week and are currently reading 162 CFS. Water temperatures have been fluctuating in the low to mid 30s, the trend is water temperatures have been cooling down over the past few days. The Still River Gauge is frozen over and not providing reading, however the Still River is below average. Overall flows and clarity are ideal for fishing. With water temperatures so cold, hatches and trout activity will be diminished. There is the occasion of finding a Winter Caddis Hatch during the morning in sizes 18-20, or Midges hatching during the afternoon in sizes 20-24. Subsurface is going to be the most effective technique and focus on the slower sections of runs now that trout are in their winter lies. Look for strikes to be subtle as trout are more lethargic. For nymphs we recommend Pheasant Tails and Prince Nymphs in sizes 12-20, Caddis Larva 14-18, Perdigones 12-20, Hare’s Ears 14-18, Waltz Worms in 14-18, Black Stoneflies in sizes 12-18, and Zebra Midges in 18-24. In general, smaller subsurface insects will be working best this time of year. Anglers are finding some nice holdover Rainbow and Brown Trout primarily on nymphs and jig streamers. Even though Brown Trout have finished spawning, Egg Flies will still be working well. Streamers will fool an additional fish or two, namely those that are fished low and slow. Jigging Streamers can be an effective way to streamer fish during Winter because it simulates a slower and more enticing opportunity for lethargic fish. In addition, a slowly swung streamer will work with either single hand or Trout Spey rods. Overall, Winter fishing can prove difficult with trout activity and catch rates slowing down. Persistence and patience in the cold weather can be rewarded if you happen to find the bite window when fish become most active. Remember to not high or low hole anyone. Let’s be respectful to other anglers. Good luck! Keep in mind: Please report any suspicious activity and poaching to DEEP by calling 1-860-424-4357.

Housatonic River

Flows on the Housatonic have gradually dropped back down to wadable levels and are currently 674 CFS at Falls Village. Water temperatures are cold, which means trout will be in their winter lies so focusing on the slower sections will be your best bet. Hatches will be diminished in this colder weather; however, you may encounter some Winter Caddis hatching in sizes 18-24 during the morning, along with some Midges in sizes 20-24. Subsurface fishing will be the best tactic, primarily nymphing with smaller and more imitative patterns from Caddis, Scuds, Pheasant Tails, ect. in sizes 16-20, along with Zebra Midges in sizes 20-24. Egg patterns will still be working well, and with nymphing low and slow will be the name of the game as well as anticipating subtle strikes. Although less consistent, streamer fishing will still be working. During the winter a slower retrieve, swing, or jigging action will help entice more lethargic trout. Overall, winter fishing can be tricky, however there are plenty of fish in the Housatonic from Fall stocking. You may encounter a bite window during the afternoon in which the fishing will pick up when water temperatures are their warmest.

New York

Salmon River

Flows were increased a bit this past week on the Salmon River and are currently 843 CFS at Pineville which is still below average. Snow is expected throughout the week, with air temperatures reaching the 20-30s. Slush has been an issue, especially during the morning, on some sections of the river. Overall Steelhead fishing has slowed with the cold weather, with few anglers braving the elements and fewer bringing fish to hand. Not many reports from the lower river since slush has arrived, however the upper portions of the river from Altmar to Pineville are clear of slush. Catch rates have been lower, however some lucky anglers fishing in these sections have found a fish each day. Nymphing is the most effective technique now, and smaller egg patterns around 8-6mm are working with the current conditions. Using fluorocarbon leaders will aid in abrasion resistance and strength in smaller diameters. We recommend using 9’ leaders in 1-3X, and having a barrel swivel connecting your leader to tippet will help for faster rerigging during breakoffs, as well as offer a point where your split shot can’t slide down to your fly. Popular Egg colors include Chartreuse, Orange, Pink, Cheese, and Blue. Estaz Eggs, Glo-Bugs, Sucker Spawn, Stoneflies, and Squirmy Worms are all flies to consider bringing. Where allowed, pegging beads offer a realistic egg imitation in a variety of colors from mottled Tangerine to Chartreuse. Anglers swinging flies can opt for Woolly Buggers in a variety of colors, Egg Sucking Leeches, or PNW style Intruder Flies. These can be swung with a single hand or spey rods in conjunction with a sink tip. During these higher flows fishing Skagit heads will be an effective method as you can use more aggressive sink tips. Fish are going to be hunkered down during these cold conditions, so it will help to fish a run slow and methodically. Make sure to bring plenty of warm layers if deciding to fish.