Hello Compleat Angler Friends! We are in for a blustery weekend that might make the Sound hard to hit, especially from a boat, but trout fishing has been great throughout the state as rivers continue to be stocked. Stripers can be found from New London to Greenwich, and the key to success has been finding bait (surprise surprise). The primary bait right now seems to be a mix of silver sides, peanut bunker, and adult bunker, so carrying the necessary patterns to match the hatch will help. I have heard that bait and switch has been very effective, as stripers this time of year are always looking up. Popper flies are in business!
As for trout, the bite has been good in rivers such as the Housy and Farmington for wild and holdover fish, especially with the cooler temperatures and sustained flows. Stocking will continue for another week or two, so there is no shortage of opportunity to hook up.
Read on for more…
Connecticut
Local Rivers
The rain has brought the Saugatuck up to 109 CFS, and we heard from a trusted source the bite has been a bit tough in the fly only section. The river is stocked, but the fish have been a bit shy, especially on bright sunny days, so going with cloud cover or low light conditions might be the key. Hatches are the fall staples: BWO's, Iso, and Caddis.
The Naugatuck is now at 502 CFS, which is higher than usual. Caution is key, so if you go, just make sure the river isn't too swollen. Since our last report, the entirety of the river has been stocked, including the trophy trout areas. BWO's Caddis, and Terrestrials will be effective.
Farmington River
The total flow in the Permanent TMA/Catch & Release (C&R) is 207cfs. Riverton USGS gauge is reading 148cfs two miles below the dam, and the Still River is adding 59cfs just below that. River water temp is 60.5 degrees in Riverton this morning. The entire river from Riverton to Unionville is very fishable, so don't limit yourself. Its now the time of year when due to cooler air temps, shorter days, and longer nights, water temps are usually warmest near the dam and cooler as you move downriver.
Big streamers can be a very good fall fly choice, but smaller streamers and Wooly Buggers will bring a lot of trout to the net in the coming weeks as well. If you favor quantity over just chasing big trout, smaller offerings will produce more fish overall and still catch the monsters, but to a lesser degree. Big trout consider them less of a threat and put up less of a chase.
One technique for catching trout on streamers is to work upstream, making long casts to the bank, followed by a rapid stripping retrieve. Look for current breaks such as rocks, and features that protect trout from birds like overhanging branches, big rocks, undercut banks, and logs to cast around. Keep moving slowly upstream on foot, making just enough casts to cover an area thoroughly. Most of your strikes will come on the first couple of presentations, so don't spend too much time in one spot. Use polarized glasses to help see your streamer underwater and to see any trout chasing them down. If a trout chases but doesn't commit, immediately follow up with another cast. If that doesn't work and the fish is big enough, consider changing your streamer to get another chance.
When fishing streamers its important to cover lots of water and get your offering in front of as many trout as possible. Use heavy tippet for this method such as 0x-2x (depending upon fly size) - the trout are looking at your fly, not at the tippet you use and you want to be able to set the hook HARD, using a hybrid of a strip-set and an angled sideways lift.
Bigger Stonefly nymphs #8-10 can be a good choice, especially in the mornings, but they can pull above average fish later in the day too. Also an excellent choice after a flow bump like this. Trico Spinners #22-26 are still on the water, but have moved to late morning following the cold overnights we have had recently. Isonychia #12-14, have been out in the afternoons, but their hatching has been light so far this month. Blue Winged Olives (BWO's) #18-24 & Hebe's/Yellow Quills #16-18 are hatching in the afternoon & evening. Tan/brown Caddis #16-18 & big October Caddis are increasing in numbers and are producing trout throughout the day, particularly in fast water. Still seeing some big #12-14 Summer Steno's/Light Cahills in the eves, along with #14-16 Yellow Sallies.
Nymphing remains a consistent producer when the trout aren't rising. A lot of the best fishing currently is in riffly water with a bit of current and some chop to it, whether you are fishing nymphs or dry flies- water temps are still mainly in the upper 50's to low 60's. Many bugs live and hatch in faster water, and the evening egg-laying/spinner falls occurs where the riffles are. Smaller, heavy jig streamers fished slow & deep are a great fly to fish after you are done nymphing a run, often producing a bonus fish or two or three. Junk Flies (Mops, Eggs, Worms) are also good "clean up batter" flies. Don't be afraid to try some gaudy flies in October, due to the impending spawn trout often react well to funky colors. Could be a bright hot-spot, a fluorescent tag/tail, or a colorful bead.
Fall often means using smaller nymphs in the #18-22 range, especially in low to medium flows- this can be the difference between a very slow outing and a banner day. Most nymphs are small this time of year. A good strategy at our current flows is to use a weighted #14-18 nymph at the bottom of your rig to get your flies down, and a smaller lighter pattern on a dropper 18-24" above. On your top dropper, you can even use an unweighted fly, a brass bead nymph, or a soft hackle/wet fly if your anchor fly on point is heavy enough to get your rig down.
The Housatonic River at Falls Village is reading 379 CFS and falling, but dirty/high water might make conditions unfavorable. The section below Bull's Bridge has just been stocked, as well as above the covered bridge in Cornwall. Browns are starting to flood the river as the temps drop, and they are taking a variety of offerings from large streamers to dry flies and nymphs. Reports from customers have been very positive, with browns being the major catch. Early mornings and evenings have been best, and locating deeper holes during high points of the day can lead to some nice fish. With the cooler temperatures and increased stocking, things are looking good for fall fishing on the housy!
The current dam release is 185 CFSThe water temperature was 62 Degrees Fahrenheit as of 9:00 AM this morning.
UPPER SECTION
Angling success was described as “moderate”. No anglers were present in the uppermost part of this section. The fish species reported were Chinook (King) Salmon, Coho Salmon, Steelhead, and Brown Trout. The fish were both moving upriver and holding in pools. Guest volume was “moderate” in the middle and lower parts of this section.
MIDDLE SECTION
Angling success was described as “good to moderate”. The fish species reported were Chinook (King) and Coho Salmon, along with Steelhead in all parts of this section with Brown Trout in the middle part of this section. The fish were actively moving upriver throughout the section, as well as holding in pools throughout the entire section. Angler density in this section was described as “moderate”.
LOWER SECTION
Angling success was described as “slow” in the estuary and “good” just upriver. The fish species reported were Chinook (King) Salmon, Coho Salmon and Steelhead throughout this section. The fish present were both moving upriver and holding pools. Angler density in this section is “low”.
Catskills
The release from Cannonsville is 200 cfs. The release will remain low while the runoff makes it’s way downriver meeting the Montague flow target. Check the Stilesville gauge link below for the most up to date information. The flow at Hale Eddy is 298 cfs. There was light rain when we woke up but total rainfall should only be .34″. The couds are a nice change too. We’re mainly fishing small olives. Nymphing and streamers are putting some fish in the net early with the hatches coming in the afternoon / early evening. There are some Isonychias and caddis around – plus a few hebes.
Today will be 70 degrees with light rain in the morning and potential thunderstorms in the afternoon. Total rainfall should be .34″. Wind will be 5 – 10 mph from the South.
This weekend's stormy conditions might throw a wrench in the fishing for the next few days, and very well may be the kiss of death for hardtails. The good news is that the season is far from over. If sunny, calmer conditions prevail for the next few weeks, fall fishing could last well into November. The Sound is full of bass at the moment, and people have had good luck near the islands on changing tides. Finding bait is key. They are zeroed in on peanut and adult bunker, as well as silver sides. I would suggest bringing hollow flies, deceivers, and clousers or eopxy flies. One tactic that has produced some nice bass is the bait and switch, where an angler with a spin rod or large, hookless popping fly takes a cast, charges up the fish, and another angler casts in the wake of the first angler's retrieve. Fall run bass are angry and hungry, so they will rarely turn up a top water offering. With the hard wind on Saturday, use your best judgement if you choose to get out on a boat. Sunday looks a lot calmer, although some fish might temporarily move deep if things get too shaken up tonight and tomorrow.
