Hello Compleat Angler friends, we hope some of you were able to take advantage of the warmer weather last week, and congratulations to all those anglers that have found their first fish of 2025! Temperatures are colder this week, but the sunnier days are helping warm temperatures just enough during the afternoon to create a bite window when trout are most active. Most anglers sre having good results when nymphing, however you may encounter some morning Winter Caddis hatches or fish willing to rise to Midges throughout the day. Anglers that are fishing local are finding fish holding from Fall stockings, namely on the Mianus, Saugatuck, and Mill Rivers. Putting in the time and fishing slow and methodically are key ingredients for winter fishing since Trout are more lethargic. Anglers fishing the Farmington have been finding some nice quality fish on small nymphs and streamers fished slowly or jigged. For our Steelhead Anglers, the cold, wind, and snow are elements you will have to battle this weekend and into next week. If deciding to fish a good layering system is a must. Flows are above average on the Salmon River, which means that fish will be traveling and pushing into the system. Anglers braving the elements and putting in their time are being rewarded with a few fish each day. Fish are spread throughout the entire river from the DSR into Altmar. Stay warm out there!

Read on for more…

Connecticut

Local Rivers

Rain from this past week has helped keep our local streams and rivers in good shape, flows are a little below average going into this weekend. For instance, the Saugatuck River is currently 130 CFS and dropping. All rivers and streams have good flows and clarity for fishing. No rain is expected in the forecast, but there is the potential for snow on Monday since temperatures have dropped after our warm front. 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 still above average, but conditions have settled, and clarity is improved for fishing. Flows are currently 793 CFS at Beacon Falls and dropping. 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 were dropped on the West Branch of the Farmington River and are currently 152 CFS at Riverton, while the Still is adding 320 CFS, which is above average from this past week’s rain. Water temperatures are fluctuating in the mid to high 30s. Overall conditions are good for wading and clarity. With air temperatures dropping again, we can expect some snow but not much in terms of accumulation. hatches, there will not be a ton of activity, however you may encounter some Winter Caddis hatching in sizes 18-20 during the morning, along with Midges in sizes 20-24. Nymphing has been the most productive method since trout are more lethargic, especially in the slower and deeper pools which are their Winter lies. 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

High flows on the Housatonic currently have conditions too high to fish. The Falls Village gauge is reading 2180 CFS, where 1000 CFS and below will make for safe wading in most areas. We recommend waiting until the flows drop to fish. When fishing resumes, water temperatures will be cold, and trout are now staged in their winter lies which are the deeper and slower sections of water. 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.

New York

Salmon River

Flows are above average on the Salmon River, reading 1230 CFS at the Pineville Gauge. Despite raised flows, water clarity is still intact. We can expect a fair amount of snow and cold weather this week, with daytime temperatures dipping below 20 degrees with the possibility of lake effect snow accumulating 2-3 feet. If deciding to fish, bring plenty of warm layers and gloves. Anglers that are fishing the lower sections of the river are finding a few Steelhead each day in a variety of sizes from 4lbs to 10lbs and over. High water conditions will help push more Steelhead into the system, as well as push existing fish further upriver. Fish are spread throughout the entire river from the DSR into Altmar, so it helps to cover water to locate fish. 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 helps to fish a run slow and methodically.