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Northeast Fishing Report 5/1/26
Hello Compleat Angler Friends! We had a wonderful time with all who attended last Saturday’s Spring Slam. The music was rockin’, the beer flowin’, and the vibes were high! With that out of the way, we are excited to get everyone outfitted for the arrival of May, which historically brings fantastic fishing to the region.
We have had folks in the shop all week showing off photos from local trips. Whether it's striped bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, or trout, everything is biting. The weather has been a bit cooler than we would hope for this time of year, but the ample cloud cover and rain is a godsend for our pressured native trout and migratory striped bass, which thrive on overcast days. The increased flows should also help spread more stocked trout throughout recently stocked river systems, as well as kick off better hatches once the temps rise in the coming weeks.
Read on for more…
Connecticut
Local Rivers
While flows are still a bit low, they are much better than where they were two weeks ago. The Saugatuck is flowing at 52 CFS, with Hendricksons and Emergers being the preferred presentation. We should start to see a few BWO hatches in the next week or two, so plan accordingly on warmer days. Stoneflies, which have been the key to success in April, are starting to phase out, but keep one or two in the box just in case. As always, small conehead streamers in darker brown or tan can be effective in higher water, with trout taking them on the pause when stripping upstream, imitating a struggling baitfish. The Mianus, Mill, Housatonic, Naugatuck, and Hammonasset rivers have all been stocked in the last month, and fish are still willing to take dry flies on warmer days, but midges and nymphs have been the play.
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 at a comfortable 455 CFS. The East Branch, Mid Sections, and Lower Section of the Naugatuck have recently been stocked. With more seasonally appropriate/cooler weather this weekend, I would suggest nymphs and Emerger patterns, including small conehead streamers. 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
The Hendrickson hatch continues, and is steadily working its way upriver. New Hartford up to just below the Still River is where you want to be to catch the afternoon hatch, but you can still see spinner falls well downstream of that. The entire Permanent TMA/Catch and Release is seeing a good hatch and spinner fall, with the peak of the hatch near Church Pool to upper the TMA Campground. This may be the last weekend to catch the hatch in the Permanent TMA/C&R, it will be moving upriver into Riverton soon. Mild sunny days are seeing the best hatches, with cooler cloudy days seeing lighter bugs. There were a lot of spinners in the air yesterday evening. When they fall, it can bring large wild brown trout to the surface. Spinner falls require mild air temps, minimal wind, and no rain. Make sure you have Hendrickson nymphs, emergers/cripples, duns (light and dark), and spinners.
Anglers are reporting large holdover browns being caught throughout the TMA section, but they require a decent amount of effort to find. Get ready to walk a bit!
The 80 CFS flow cut they made Monday morning should only help the dry fly fishing. Lower flows usually means more rising fish. Highs through Sunday will be about 55-60. All things being equal, mild and sunny is optimal for the Hendrickson hatch. Current total flow Thursday morning is 303 CFS. Riverton from the dam to the Rt. 20 bridge is 165 CFS, and the Still River is adding in 138 CFS.
Hendrickson #12-14, females tend to be slightly bigger and lighter in color (tannish), and males are smaller and more brownish. Spinners are rusty brown, and the females have prominent bright yellow egg sacks at the end of their abdomen. The spinners mate in the air over the riffles and pocket water. The nymphs get active subsurface 2-3 hours before the main event, and can give you some great nymphing in the faster water
Regardless of hatching activity and rising fish, good nymphers have been whacking fish. Don’t sleep on Junk Flies (Mops, Squirmies, Eggs), at moments it’s been lights out when the trout aren’t responding to traditional or imitative nymphs. Also there are lots of smaller bugs in the river, so things like #18-20 Pheasant Tails and smaller Hare’s Ears and Walt’s Worms can be very productive.
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
The Housatonic at Falls Village is reading at 926 CFS, which is much better than where it was this Sunday, which was looking nearly blown out. Sexy Walts, Big Prince Nymphs and streamers have been working well. They just stocked the river again, so there are plenty of trout around. The Shepaug is in perfect condition, however, steep rock does have the ability to limit those sections of the river near the Washington Rod and Gun Club. The Hendricksons should be hatching by this weekend. We’ve heard good things about the sections of the river near the Bulls Bridge, up to Kent, and portions of the river near Cornwall. For those smallmouth enthusiasts, we are starting to see more anglers in the shop gearing up to fish for bronzebacks, so if you are like me, don’t turn your nose up at the opportunity! Smallmouth fight like hell, take a variety of flies, and are a godsend in the summer months when high temps and low water push trout low.
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 angler density was moderate on the river this past week with moderate angling success. Most anglers used fly casting tackle, and a variety of flies, egg sacks, beads, and crankbaits were all used successfully. The predominant species brought to hand were Smallmouth Bass, with a smattering of Steelhead. Some of the anglers roamed the entire run, however most of the anglers were in the center to lower parts of the run. The current dam release is 350 CFS; it’s scheduled to stay at that flow until last night at 11:59 PM on 04/30/2026. The gauge at Pineville was at 482 CFS as of 4:00 PM.
Catskills
All of the river flows are rising this morning from last night’s rain. The rain is over, so most rivers should peak and begin to drop today. The spill may increase on the West Branch in the next 12 – 24 hours. The release from Cannonsville is 902 CFS and there is 218 CFS spilling. If you’re wading choose your spots carefully. We’re still seeing Hendricksons, some blue quills, olives, and a lot of caddis. Some river sections may see some March Browns and Gray Fox soon. The hatches are a bit jumbled right now so there is a chance of just about anything. Our very own Bob had a banner day on the East branch, with a slew of browns landed on a variety of dry flies and Emergers. Hendricksons as well.
CT Saltwater
Stripers are scattered throughout the river mouths, bays, and estuaries across the state. We are still seeing that a majority of landed fish are holdovers, but fresh fish are certainly on their way, if not already here thanks to last night’s full moon. Matt and Scott hit Southport Harbor on Wednesday, and found a nice pod of under slot fish feeding heavily on bait across the surface of the water. Deceiver flies and Hollows were the key. As the migration picks up steam, don’t be afraid to venture further east. The CT River, Thames, and Pawcatuck River in RI should all start seeing nice bass as we slide into May.