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Hello Compleat Angler Friends! We’ve had some windy conditions this past week, however the good news is that temperatures have been consistently warmer which is helping warm water temperatures and improving hatch activity. Nymphing and Streamer fishing continue to produce, especially during the morning hours. Many options in Connecticut are fishing well now that most areas are stocked, and some good options relatively close to our shop include the Mainus, Saugatuck, Norwalk, and Mill Rivers. In addition, the Housatonic River was stocked, and anglers on the Farmington are finding a mix of stocked and holdover trout. For the main hatches, expect Blue Winged Olives, some small Black Stoneflies, Caddis, and Midges, with Hendricksons expected soon. On the Delaware River, flows are still below average but have seen an increase into the weekend. You can expect similar hatches with the addition of Blue Quills and Quill Gordons. Striper fishing has remained slow throughout Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York for migratory fish. We expect that to change as water temperatures increase in the coming weeks. As for holdovers, anglers are steadily finding a few as we wait for things to improve.
Read on for more…
Connecticut
Thanks to the warmer weather this past week we are seeing an increase in hatch activity. Anglers are also finding trout mainly nymphing and streamer fishing. And overall, the fishing has been good. There are decent numbers of fish since rivers were stocked, and areas to focus on include the Mill, Saugatuck, Mianus, Aspetuck, and Norwalk Rivers. Flows are currently below average, clear, and easy for wading; for example, the Saugatuck River is flowing at 80.5 CFS. We recommend a 5x leader for both nymphing and dry flies, and a 2x leader for streamers.
Dry Fly Hatches:
Small Black Stoneflies 14-18
Blue Winged Olives (sparse Hatch) 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
Most sections of the Naugatuck River have been stocked this Spring, so the fishing should be good for a variety of techniques. Flows are well below average with good clarity and easy wading, the Beacon Falls gauge is currently 468 CFS. You can expect hatches like our local rivers: Midges, Caddis, Blue Winged Olives, and the most prolific will be Small Black Stoneflies. 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. Stocked fish will be forgiving in terms of fly selection, so bringing some streamers can be an exciting way to take advantage of their aggressive nature. Currently flows will provide streamer fishing as a viable option. The Naugatuck and Shetucket are good alternatives for areas with more crowds/pressure.
Flows on the West Branch at Riverton are currently below average at 165 CFS while the Still is adding 135 CFS. Water temperatures at the West Branch gauge are fluctuating in the low to mid 40s. Many areas of the Farmington River are stocked with additional stockings occurring more recently. Overall, water clarity and flows are good for fishing this weekend. Hatches are starting to improve, you may see Small Black Stoneflies, Blue Winged Olives, Tan Caddis, and Midges. The mornings have been better for nymphing and streamer fishing, with a variety of patterns working on stocked fish. For the holdover fish, you will want to use smaller and more natural-colored nymphs. For dry fly leaders we prefer a 9-12’ 5x-6x, and for nymphing a 9’ 5x-6x. Streamer fishing depends on the line; for sinking lines a short 5’ section of 10-15lb will work well while floating lines will require a longer 7.5-9’ leader in 10lb.
Dry Fly Hatches:
Small Black Stoneflies 14-18 (sunny afternoons)
Blue Winged Olives (overcast days) 18-24
Blue Winged Olive Emerger 18-20
Hendrickson 12-16 (Starting Soon)
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
Flows on the Housatonic River are below average but a bit too high to wade in some sections comfortably. Currently the Falls Village gauge is reading 1400. During the upcoming warmer afternoons, you may find some Small Black Stoneflies hatching, and on the overcast days Blue Winged Olives with some Tan Caddis and Midges mixed in. Overall hatches have been spotty with colder temperatures but will continue to improve. Nymphing and Streamer fishing are both producing fish, especially during the morning. The Housatonic TMA ear Bulls Bridge was recently stocked, and there are a fair amount of holdover fish to keep one satisfied.
Dry Fly Hatches:
Small Black Stoneflies 14-18 (sunny afternoons)
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
Migratory Stripers are still in the process of moving up the coast, so it is still relatively early for Striper fishing until water temperatures improve. On the Housatonic River, some anglers have been finding drop back Stripers fishing the mouth, however most of the fish are still staged upriver. Our warmer weather will help improve sound temperatures in a few weeks.
Hot Flies for Spring:
Custom Tied Baby Bunker (Super Realistic!)
Bob’s Banger (Stripers and Bluefish)
Good Fly Lines for Spring:
Rio Outbound Short (Good for big flies and big winds)
Rio Striper (Good all-rounder)
Leaders:
Please report any poaching to the DEEP by calling 1-860-424-3333.
Flows have increased on the Salmon River, and the flows at the Pineville Gauge are currently 1410 CFS which is still below average making most sections wadable. In the lower section of the river anglers are finding a fish each day on average and activity will continue to heat up as Steelhead drop back to the lake. Generally, you will find pods of fish dropping back, so where you find one fish you will find more. Fishing should also improve as we have more stability in flows. Fish are still spread throughout the river with some traveling and others holding, so we recommend fishing both the deeper slower pools and faster tailouts and the head of the run. Both Swinging flies with a single or two-handed rod and nymphing are working. For nymphing 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.
Nymphs:
Glo Bugs in various colors/sizes
Streamers:
Intruders/Tube Flies in various colors (Pink, Black, Purple, Blue, Olive, Brown)
Woolly Buggers 6-10 (Brown, Olive, White)
On the Delaware River the flow on the Mainstem at Lordville is currently 2020 CFS which is below average. The East Branch at Fishes Eddy is 1160 CFS and the West Branch at Hale Eddy is 465 CFS. Overall, flows have improved on the Mainstem and East Branch compared to last week. Air temperatures are improving, and it will be in the low 60s for the weekend. You may see some Small Black Stoneflies, Blue Winged Olives, and Blue Quills hatching; typically, you will find Blue Winged Olives during the overcast afternoons. With flows below average you can opt to streamer fish during the morning with floating lines and weighted flies, and nymphing has been the most effective when there is no surface activity. Water temperatures are improving, fluctuating into the low 40s to low 50s.
Dry Fly Hatches:
Small Black Stoneflies 14-18 (sunny afternoons)
Blue Winged Olives (overcast days) 18-24
Blue Winged Olive Emerger 18-20
Blue Quills 16-18
Quill Gordon 12-14
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
Things are still relatively early for migratory fish; however, anglers are finding some schoolie action around the bays and salt ponds on the North Shore, and on occasion they are blitzing on small bait. Things should continue to improve as the weather warms up in the coming weeks. Fishing has been good in the Western portion of Long Island, and the Stripers will continue to move East in the coming weeks.
Rhode Island has a similar tune to New York, and many of the back bays and salt ponds that hold Stripers over the winter are fishing well. Smaller flies will be working, namely Clousers in White, Olive, Chartreuse, and Tan. Newport is seeing an increase in Striper activity.
