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Northeast Fishing Report 4/3/26
Hello Compleat Angler Friends! April started offhot with a tremendous run of Grayling on the Saugatuck! Just kidding, but we have heard great news from our regulars about increased trout and largemouth activity from across the state. As temperatures continue to rise, hatches will start popping off with more frequency, but for now, small black stoneflies have been dominating the late afternoons and early evenings on the local rivers. Just keep an eye on the forecast and aim for warm, overcast days with little wind.
We should start to get a push of fresh schoolie stripers toward the end of the month, so keep your eyes peeled when walking the estuaries or brackish river systems as April continues.
Read on for more…
Connecticut
Local Rivers
Flows are back down to fishable levels in our freestone rivers, but with more rain in the forecast for this weekend, we might see a spike by Monday. As always, be cautious with the increased water levels. The Saugatuck is currently flowing at 94.3 CFS. We’ve heard conflicting reports from the fly fishing only section, with some anglers seeing success, and others not even glimpsing a fish after hours on the river. This portion of the river gets hammered hard and early once stocking is complete, so while it might not be totally fished out, the remaining trout might be more selective and cautious. Consider subtle patterns that match local hatches, or pairing down your presentation. A dry/dropper rig is an effective searching technique, and 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
The Naugatuck is back down to 748 CFS. The Beacon Falls section of the river was just recently stocked last week, so fresh fish should be hungry and willing to take a variety of flies as they spread out and acclimate to the water. I would suggest a variety of nymphs and stonefly patterns, including small conehead streamers. Water levels and clarity might suffer from the weekend rain, but flows have been manageable so far. When searching for stocked trout, they will typically hold close to stocking sites, which are available on the DEEP website. Try targeting pools and pocket water along the banks, as well as deeper water at the end of riffles or shallower runs. Targeting structure this time of year is key.
Farmington River
Total flow is 565 CFS and rising, in the Permanent TMA/Catch and Release section. Riverton from the dam to the Rt. 20 bridge/Riverton Self Storage (Hitchcock) is 283 CFS, and a little below that the Still River is adding in 282 CFS and rising.
Unionville USGS is 1160 CFS and rising. Wading anglers will want a flow there of 1,000 CFS or lower. The normal/median flow for Unionville would be 1,170 CFS for today.
The rising water temps have finally picked the fishing up, especially where they recently stocked. You still have to work hard for the bigger holdover and wild browns. The recent stockers are mostly Rainbows that average about 13-15”, with some 16” and pushing the two pound mark. The holdovers and wilds have been a large average size (16-19”, with some in the 20” plus range). You should start seeing the early season Baetis/Blue Winged Olives (BWO’s) any day now. Early Black Stoneflies are the afternoon glamour hatch, but they have not brought many trout to the surface, it’s been a nymphing deal with them.
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 picked up, with the Falls Village Gauge reading 2403 CFS. We haven’t heard much from the housy this week, but we would treat it like any other river this time of year. Keep a variety of nymphs and dries handy, as well as a few choice streamers. The TMA section near Bull’s bridge was stocked in the fall and should have a few hold overs as well as some native fish in the mix. Keep moving and focus on warming water and outflows from feeder streams.
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 scheduled water release for the Salmon River from Lighthouse Hill Dam exceeds 2,000 cubic feet per second (CFS). As a precaution, Douglaston Salmon Run will be closed to fishing until the dam’s release recedes below the 2,000 CFS threshold.