Hello Compleat Angler friends! Flows are low, cold, and many areas are frozen or slushed on our local rivers and streams. However, temperatures will improve a bit for this upcoming week and will reach a high of 48 degrees. This will help hatches a bit, and the most significant improvement for this week is the start of the Small Black Stonefly hatches which will only continue top improve as we get closer to Spring. Nymphing is still the most productive method, and anglers that are fishing hard have been rewarded with a few quality fish on the Farmington River. In upstate New York on the Salmon River, anglers fishing for Steelhead have been experiencing cold weather and high winds. As a result, the DSR is closed until windchill ceases. During the warmer days, persistence anglers have been finding a fish or two each day on the upper portions of river, from Pineville to Altmar, which is currently clear of shelf ice and slush. Again, nymphing will be the most effective method with lower-than-average water, and focus on the deeper and slower pools will yield the most success.

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Connecticut

Local Rivers

Flows on our local rivers and streams are low and cold, and in many instances, areas are frozen over or have shelf ice at the least. For example, the Saugatuck River is currently at 47.9 CFS. We recommend waiting until we have warmer temperatures. While the weekend is chilly, we have improvements in air temperatures this upcoming week, which will reach into the mid to high 40s. Trout will be lethargic due to cold water conditions, so any surface activity will be diminished. If you decide to brave the cold, look to fish during the sunnier afternoons when water temperatures will be at their warmest. 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. We are starting to see the first of the Small Black Stoneflies, which will ramp up even more as we approach Spring. Towards the afternoon you can expect Midges emerging in sizes 20-26. No matter the day, nymphing will be the most effective method during these conditions. Since flows are low 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 other contention is finding water that is clear of ice, and most are opting to wait until Spring temperatures start.

Naugatuck River

Flows on the Naugatuck are also holding below average and are currently 167 CFS at Beacon Falls. Atlantic Salmon were stocked this winter, so they will concentrate in the larger deeper pools during these low flows. Since these fish have been in the system for a while and have had the opportunity to travel downriver, finding them will be trickier. 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 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 cold water temperatures. The Naugatuck and Shetucket are good alternatives for areas with more crowds/pressure.

Farmington River

Flows are low on the West Branch of the Farmington River this past week from decreased dam release, and flows are currently reading 77.9 CFS with water temperatures fluctuating in the low to high 30s. The Still River gauge is frozen, but flows are currently below average. Overall flows are clear and easy for wading. Slush and pools freezing over will be an issue in some of the slower sections below Riverton, with cold air temperatures this weekend. However, temperatures will improve reaching into the high 40s this upcoming week. 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. Small Black Stoneflies will also be in the mix now with the most prevalent sizes being #16-20. 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 are also below average on the Housatonic River, reading 451 at Falls Village. Shelf ice and slush have been an issue on most of the river now. And while flows are clear and easy for wading, we need some warmer weather to break up the shelf ice. With cold water temperatures, this means trout will be in their winter lies so focusing on the slower sections will be your best bet if they are clear of ice. 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 on the Salmon River have dropped a bit and are now holding steady, reading 419 CFS at the Pineville Gauge. Cold weather has been consistent with a high in the low 30s for this weekend and most of next week with potential for a wintery mix most days. The DSR has been closed for the past few days due to extremely cold temperatures and windchill. Before the closures, anglers that were fishing hard were rewarded with a Steelhead or two each day (on days when air temperatures are in the high 30s and above), although these days are far and few. During the colder mornings slush and shelf ice will be an issue on the lower river. From Altmar to Pineville the river is clear of ice for fishing. Cold weather will have the fish hunkered down, so focus on fishing the deeper and slower pools. Overall, Steelhead fishing will be slow, however persistence and a methodical approach will reward anglers with a fish or two. Sometimes, all it takes is a few degrees to improve fishing and create a bite window. 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. Even with our current water temperatures, there will still be fish willing to take a swung fly, especially when using a slower swing. Make sure to bring plenty of warm layers if you decide to fish.