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Northeast Fishing Report 2/13/26
Hello Compleat Angler Friends! Do you feel that? It’skind ofwarm out! We’ve finally slipped out from under winter’s icy grip, and our local rivers are slowly, but surely, thawing out. Now is the time to head into the shop and pick out your favorite spring flies or any tying materials you need, as longer, warmer days are just around the corner. As always, we are hungry for any intel or photos from your time on the water, so if you head out this weekend, remember to send proof to@compleat_angler_ct.
A regular who came into the shop yesterday said the Farmington River has been producing well, as has the Swift River in MA, so there are definitely opportunities available to nail a trout if you are willing to brave the chilly conditions. Drifting nymphs with or without indicators have been the ticket.
Read on for more…
Connecticut
Local Rivers
Flows are still cold and clear, with the chance for a slight uptick in flow thanks to the snow melt. The recent thaw has opened some holes across rivers like the Saugatuck, which is currently flowing a bit lower than last week at 15.8 CFS. Some of those open holes will hold fish, and we recommend using nymphs or heavier streamers to target deep water where trout might be hiding. Consider white, purple, olive, black, and brown. Basically any color that will help stand out. Jigging streamers near the bottom is an effective tactic when targeting larger, lethargic trout. I am in the camp that believes larger fish will make a calculated risk for a calorically dense meal than smaller fare, but that’s just me. A dry/dropper rig is also an effective searching technique when fishing low water events. Having a double nymph rig will give trout options in size and pattern, as well as improve your sink rate when using nymphs with bead heads.
Dry Fly Hatches:
Nymphs:
General Mayfly Attractor 14-18
Streamers:
Krystal Bugger (Black, Chartreuse, Brown, Olive, White, Burnt Orange) 6-12
Naugatuck River
Due to ice build up on the Naugutuck, CFS data isn’t available this week, but the river is currently reading at 1.53 ft at Beacon falls. The hope is that the ice will continue to clear out over the weekend, so keep an eye out for patches of open water near pools or beneath the dam. Atlantic Salmon are still in the river. 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 your fly, will entice a grab. You may also find some trout, and similar bug activity to our local rivers and streams report. Nymphing will be effective when there is no hatch activity. The Shetucket River was also stocked with Atlantic Salmon and Trout this Fall.
Farmington River
The flow gauge on the Still River is still frozen. The dam is reading 104 CFS at the Rt. 20 bridge, that’s a low but fishable level for the upper river (historical normal flow would be 193 CFS). I’d guess the Still River is around 60 CFS, which puts the total flow below that in the Permanent TMA/Catch & Release about 165 CFS. Above the Still River in Riverton from the Rt 20 bridge to the dam it will remain open and fishable no matter how cold it gets, and is fishable as far downstream as Whittemore. Below that there was substantial ice, slush and anchor ice. Highs in the 30’s will help open things up as the week progresses. Unionville USGS streamflow gauge is frozen. I’d recommend focusing on late morning through mid afternoon when water temps bump up a degree or two. 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. Nymphing will be best for most of the day, but bites have been extremely subtle. With temperatures being cold in the early morning, look to start fishing when water temperature warms. During winter fishing there will be a narrow bite window throughout the day, usually when water temperatures are at their warmest, so look for an increase in trout activity during the afternoon. Trout are mostly hunkered down in the deeper pools now as water temperatures are cold, so it is worth fishing the deeper pools methodically with nymphs.
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 on the Housatonic River have decreased again, with the Falls Village Gauge reading 513 CFS. Ice and slushy banks are possible, so we suggest using a wading staff, wader belt, and wear studs if walking slick access trails. There are some midge hatches on the warmer days, typically starting midday and going until early evening. The river is reported to be generally clear to stained depending on releases. When clear, fish are sensitive, so aim for small tippets (4–6X for midges).Trout have been stocked on two occasions this Fall and are now acclimated and keyed in on the natural forage. Since water temperatures have cooled, they will be more lethargic and holding in the deeper and slower sections. Mop Flies, Squirmy Worms, egg flies, and a variety of streamers will be effective; however, you will want to bring smaller and more imitative nymphs as well. More educated and larger holdover trout that have been in the system longer are keying in these smaller insects.
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
New York
Salmon River
The current dam release is at 300 CFS, while the gauge at Pineville is ice affected. Some anglers reported having slow success on Steelhead, and a few brown trout were caught in the middle section of the river. With cold temperatures, swinging flies won’t be as successful as in the Fall, but you may find one fish aggressive enough to chase flies. There is still a chance of catching a few Brown Trout. With colder air temperatures, water temperatures will stay low for this weekend, so you will want to fish slowly and methodically. For Steelhead, we recommend using a 9’ 3x 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 different colored intruders such as Pink, Blue, Black, Purple, and Chartreuse swung on single and two-hand rods. Egg sucking leeches, Woolly Buggers, Glo Bugs, Squirmy Worms, Stoneflies, and Estaz Eggs in a variety of colors will work well throughout the whole river.