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Northeast Fishing Report 10/3/2025
Hello Compleat Angler friends! This week we have low water, but the most significant improvement is that the Housatonic River was stocked with trout, while the Naugatuck River received a round of Atlantic Salmon stocking. These fish will readily take a variety of flies, and for the Atlantic Salmon we recommend either a 7 or 8wt rod for swinging streamers. Fly choice will vary from Woolly Buggers to more traditional Atlantic Salmon patterns, such as a Grey Ghost. Flows are below average on the Farmington River; however, anglers are finding trout in a variety of water types on small nymphs when there is no hatch activity. On the local freestones, we will need some rain to help raise river levels which will signal more trout stocking. Despite low flows on the Salmon River in New York, Kings and Cohos are now spread throughout the river, with more pods of salmon entering the system each day. Focusing on the deeper pools, where they are staging, and during the morning hours before bright sunlight will result in the most action. This past week on the saltwater Anglers are finding more pods of Albies and Bonito off Niantic and into Middleground, with the best action for Albies being further East in Watch Hill and Long Island. In the Western portion of the Long Island Sound there are schools of smaller Bluefish and Stripers along the beaches, coves, and islands. Things should continue to improve as Sound temperatures cool down.
Read on for more…
Connecticut
Local Rivers
Flows have dropped over the past few days and are now well below average on our freestones across Connecticut. For instance, the Saugatuck River is reading 14.5 CFS. As a result, most rivers and streams haven’t been stocked yet, and the consensus is that we need more rain. Until then, fishing is tough, as most trout stocked during spring did not make it through the heat of the summer. When things improve, you can expect hatches of Caddis, Blue Wingd Olives, Light Cahill, Isonychia, and some Midges. Streamer fishing is difficult during these below average flows, and most trout will be hunkered in the deepest pools, with the exception being well oxygenated faster water with some depth. A dry/dropper rig is also an effective searching technique.
Dry Fly Hatches:
Blue Winged Olives (Overcast Days) 18-24
Adams Parachute (Attractor) 16-20
Nymphs:
General Mayfly Attractor 14-18
Streamers:
Krystal Bugger (Black, Chartreuse, Brown, Olive, White, Burnt Orange) 6-12
Naugatuck River
Flows also dropped on the Naugatuck River and are now down to 73.4 CFS at Beacon Falls. The good news is that the state has stocked Atlantic Salmon in both the lower and upper sections, which will be hunkered in deeper pools during low flows. A variety of streamers will work, from Woolly Buggers to more traditional Atlantic Salmon Flies. Try swinging your fly through the pools, and sometimes varying your presentation, such as stripping you fly, will entice a grab. You may also find some trout, and similar bug activity to out local rivers and streams report. Nymphing will be effective when there is no hatch activity.
Farmington River
The Farmington River was most recently stocked at the end of August, most sections received fish so they will be susceptible to a lot of different patterns, including streamers. Flows on the West Branch are holding below average at 104 CFS in Riverton. The Still River is adding 78 CFS, and overall both are slightly below average. Water temperatures on the West Branch are in the low to mid 60s, and temperatures will be ideal on all sections of the river. Hatches haven’t been exceptional; however, you may find some Tan/Olive Caddis, Blue Winged Olives (overcast rainy days), Light Cahill, Midges, and Isonychia during the evenings. The insects will be small this time of year, so you will want to bring small dries and an assortment of small nymphs, especially during average and below-average flows. Also, a consideration is terrestrials, such as ants and beetles. Nymphing will be best throughout the afternoon, when hatch activity tends to slow down. Trout are now spread into the well oxygenated faster water and all water types. During the morning hours streamer fishing can also be an effective technique, especially for the more recently stocked trout that are most aggressive. For dry fly fishing with smaller flies, we recommend a 9-12’ leader in 6x.
Dry Fly Hatches:
Nymphs:
General Mayfly Attractor 14-18
Streamers:
Krystal Bugger (Black, Brown, Olive, White, Burnt Orange) 6-12
Larger Articulated Streamers on a sinking/sink tip line
Housatonic River
Flows have gradually dropped on the Housatonic and are currently below average, reading 178 CFS at Falls Village. The good news is that trout have been recently stocked, and these fish will be forgiving in terms of fly selection. This means Mop Flies, Squirmy Worms, and a variety of streamers will be effective. Anglers are also still finding some Smallmouth Bass. More educated trout that have been in the system longer are keying in on flying ants, Sulphurs, Blue Winged Olives, and some Isonychia during the evening. For Smallmouth, we recommend streamers such as Wolly Buggers, Crayfish Patterns, and popper flies. Anglers are also opting for Carp or Pike fishing. Woolly Buggers will be an effective option for both.
Dry Fly Hatches:
Blue Winged Olives (overcast days) 18-24
Blue Winged Olive Emerger 18-20
Nymphs:
General Mayfly Attractor 14-18
Streamers:
Krystal Bugger (Black, Brown, Olive, White, Burnt Orange) 6-12
Larger Articulated Streamers on a sinking/sink tip line
Saltwater
The Eastern Sound has been seeing consistent action from Bridgeport to Fisher’s Island, especially during lowlight hours and we’re starting to see more Peanut Bunker, Bay Anchovies, and Silversides. Stripers and Bluefish have been chasing them on the surface, and there are a few Bonito and an arrival of more Albies. Most activity is in the Eastern Sound, Niantic, Middleground and Fisher’s Island where you may find Albies and Bonito chasing Peanut Bunker. The schools are small and scattered, so covering ground to search for them is going to be the most effective. Larger Stripers are also showing up with sporadic topwater action, especially around the Connecticut River. The shoreline fishing along the Western portion of the sound: Westport, Norwalk, Greenwich, has improved with Stripers and Bluefish blitzing of Peanut Bunker. Boat anglers are finding a few Albies scattered further West. Around the Norwalk Islands, Compo Beach, Old Mill Pond, and the beaches off Fairfield are seeing more action during the morning. The most prevalent bait is Peanut Bunker in 3”and Silversides. There are still Stripers holding in the deeper water ledges; however, surface action has been inconsistent. Overall, Albies have entered the Sound in larger numbers and have scattered throughout the area.
Hot Flies for Summer/Fall:
Custom Tied Baby Bunker (Super Realistic!)
Bob’s Banger (Stripers and Bluefish)
Surf Candies for Bonito and Albies
Good Fly Lines for Fall:
Rio Outbound Short (Good for big flies and big winds)
Rio Striper (Good all-rounder)
Leaders:
9' 16lb Fluorocarbon Leader for Bonito and Albies
Please report any poaching to the DEEP by calling 800-842-4357.
New York
Salmon River
Salmon season is underway up on the Salmon River in Pulaski, with pods of Kings and Cohos entering the river each day, most of the activity is in the lower half of the system, since the run has just started up. With low water the run has been slow so far, however some anglers are having success first thing in the morning. Fish are spread out in deeper pools throughout the lower river. Currently flows are low, reading 195 CFS at the Pineville Gauge, so any fish entering the system is doing so slowly until flows raise more. There are a few Salmon that are starting to push into the middle and upper sections of the river. For Kings and Cohos, we recommend using a 16-20 tapered leader with split shot rigged above a micro swivel to avoid having your split shot slide down to your fly. For flies, more aggressive fish in the lower sections will grab larger and bright colored intruders from Pink to Blue and Chartreuse swung on single and two-hand rods. Egg sucking leeches, Woolly Buggers, Glo Bugs, and Estaz Eggs in a variety of colors will work well.
Catskills
Flows on the Mainstem of the Delaware River are below average with the Lordville Gauge reading 1430 CFS. Water temperatures on the Mainstem are now in the high 50s to low 60s, and flows will be clear ideal for wading this weekend. Cooler evening temperatures have improved water temperatures in all sections, including the freestones, which currently have low flows. The East Branch flows are low, 212 CFS at Fishes Eddy, while the West Branch is above average reading 1140 CFS at Hale Eddy. Hatches have been improving, and some days have been producing great Blue Winged Olive hatches. On brighter sunny days you can expect the hatches to be best during the evening. For hatches you can expect Blue Winged Olives on overcast days, Light Cahill, Tan Caddis, and Isonychia. Often, fish will be keyed in on very small Blue Winged Olives (Pseudos in size 20-28) during the afternoon. It will also be worth bringing a few ant patterns. Nymphing will be the most effective method when there are no hatches, while streamer fishing may be a little tougher. Sticking to streamer fishing during the morning with floating lines will pick up a few aggressive Trout during these below average flows. With current water temperatures Trout are spread out into a variety of different water types, so don’t overlook the faster riffles, especially using an Isonychia as a searching pattern towards the evening. The smaller rivers around the area still have fishable temperatures, especially during the morning. Hatch sizes will be small and trickier to fish this time of year, and we recommend a leader at least 12’ long in 6x.
Dry Fly Hatches:
Blue Winged Olives (overcast days) 18-24
Blue Winged Olive Emerger 18-20
Nymphs:
General Mayfly Attractor 14-18
Streamers:
Krystal Bugger (Black, Brown, Olive, White, Burnt Orange) 6-12
Larger Articulated Streamers on a sinking/sink tip line
New York Saltwater
On the Northshore of Long Island anglers are still finding Stripers holding in deeper water ledges from Eaton’s Neck to Plum Gut, with some surface activity during lowlight which has been improving. There will be Bluefish in the mix and a few Bonito, with pods of Albies more recently showing up. Anglers have been finding Albies a bit further East with more consistency near Plum Gut. The most prevalent bait is now Bay Anchovies, with Silversides and Peanut Bunker in the mix. On the South Shore of Long Island, Albies are scattered nearshore to Montauk Point. Stripers are a mixed size from schoolies to 30lb fish, and there are some sizable Bluefish mixed in on the deeper ledges. Surface action has been hit-or-miss. There is still some Bonito around the rips, and the Albie fishing has been consistent. Some days will be tougher than others, especially with bright sunlight and when they’re on small Bay Anchovies. When searching for Stripers, lowlight hours have been best coupled with tide movement on likely structure.
Rhode Island Saltwater
Striper fishing has seen an uptick this week with more topwater action on nearshore Peanut Bunker. Searching for birds diving will give away their location in the surf. There are also plenty of small Bluefish and Bonito to keep anglers occupied, with great Albie action materializing nearshore. Anglers are finding all species during their outings. Point Judith, Watch Hill, and Narragansett have been seeing improved numbers. There are some Stripers around Newport, which has been best during low light hours. Block Island is seeing good numbers of Bonito and more sizeable Bluefish with some Stripers holding in the deeper water ledges. Albies cruising through the area is now a more regular occurrence. The most prevalent bait has been Peanut Bunker and Bay Anchovies depending on where you are fishing. Striper fishing has also picked up in Providence Bay, so there are currently tons of great options along the Rhode Island Coastline.