Hello Compleat Angler friends! This week flows are still below average on all of our local rivers and streams, so we have similar conditions when compared to last week. Flows are low and clear with air temperatures around the mid-30s. While hatches are diminished during cold conditions, you may find some Winter Caddis hatching in the morning followed by Midges. In addition, flows were cut on the West Branch of the Farmington, and the Housatonic is below average. Some areas have shelf ice, or the slower pools are frozen over. Generally, above Riverton on the Farmington has been clear of ice. On the Salmon River in New York, flows were dropped to below average, but previous high flows have pushed more Steelhead into the system that are now holding in the river.  The lower river, when clear of slush, has been producing a few fish for anglers each day with some being lucky enough to find double digit numbers. Both swinging flies and nymphing have been productive. Upriver, conditions are clear and easy for wading, and with fish spread throughout the system, anglers are finding a fish or two each day from Pineville to Altmar.

Read on for more...

Connecticut

Local Rivers

Flows on our local rivers and streams have held steady below average throughout the past week. For instance, the Saugatuck is currently flowing at 33.3 CFS. Water conditions will be cold, clear, and low this weekend. Air temperatures will be in the mid-30s this upcoming weekend with snow expected for Sunday. 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. 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 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 Emergers. Other rivers to consider include the Mill and Saugatuck within Fairfield County.

Naugatuck River

Flows on the Naugatuck are also holding below average and are currently 149 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 were lowered at the dam on the West Branch of the Farmington River this past week, and flows are currently reading 85 CFS with water temperatures fluctuating in the low to mid 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 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. 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 397 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 were dropped to below average levels on the Salmon River this past week and are currently reading 482 CFS at the Pineville Gauge. Weather for this weekend will be partly sunny with air temperatures in the mid-20s. In the lower section of the river, slush has been an issue during the morning hours after a cold evening, however when temperatures warm up during the afternoon anglers have been finding fish, with some catching one or two fish while others are finding more success. Warmer afternoons will be prime days to fish the lower river because the river will be clear of ice and slush, and a small increase in water temperatures can trigger fish. Fish will now be holding in deeper lies and pools during below average flows. Overall, Steelhead fishing will be slow, however persistence and a methodical approach. Altmar to Pineville is clear of slush, and anglers are finding a fish each day at the least. 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 deciding to fish.