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Hello Compleat Angler friends! While this spring was a slow start for trout and saltwater fishing, Connecticut is seeing some improvements this week. For freshwater the noticeable improvement is the arrival of the Hendrickson Hatch, and trout are now keying in on the emergers and spinners, which marks an exciting time for our dry fly anglers. Flows are below average on most of our Connecticut options, however, keep your eyes on the gauges as we will expect rain throughout this weekend and into next week. In addition, streamer fishing has been tough with the lower flows but nymphing continues to produce fish when trout are not rising. Since most rivers are stocked, anglers are reporting bringing good numbers of trout to hand, with some finding larger holdover fish on some select rivers. On the saltwater, we’ve seen improvement in the harbors, coves, and salt ponds. Stripers have been actively feeding on Silversides and a variety of other smaller baitfish while some pods of migratory fish are blasting Herring on the surface moving along our coastline. In addition, New York is seeing the arrival of larger Stripers with Bluefish being right being right behind them on Bunker, signaling good things to come for our saltwater season.
Read on for more…
Connecticut
Our Connecticut Rivers and Streams are currently low, clear and easy for wading, for instance the Saugatuck River is 52.8 CFS. We could use some more water on our local rivers and streams. The good news is that we have rain expected for this weekend and into next week. Our warmer afternoons have brought more hatch activity, mainly in the form of some Black Stoneflies, Caddis, Blue Winged Olives, Midges, and more recently some Hendricksons. Hatches will depend on the weather, and what system you’re fishing. It will also be a good idea to bring some Ant patterns. With low clear flows expect fish to rise this weekend, so it will also help to have some emergers on hand. Streamer fishing is still working, most notably during the morning when there are no hatches, and during higher water events. Look to fish small Woolly Buggers in a variety of colors. Nymphing will also be very effective when there is no hatch activity. Anglers are finding trout fishing has improved, with good numbers of fish. Some good rivers to focus on include the Saugatuck, Mill, Norwalk, and Mianus Rivers. Many lakes and ponds were also stocked, which is a great opportunity to take the kids fishing.
Dry Fly Hatches:
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
All sections of the Naugatuck River and Shetucket have been stocked this Spring, so fishing is currently great for a variety of techniques. Flows have dropped back down after last week’s rain and are currently reading 393 CFS at the Beacon Falls Gauge. You can expect hatches like our local rivers: Midges, Caddis, Blue Winged Olives, and Hendrickson. Also consider bringing nymphs that are listed under our “Local Rivers” section. Nymphing will be the most productive method, especially in the morning when hatch activity is lowest. 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 are on the low side for streamer fishing, but this is still an option during the morning. 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 154 CFS while the Still is adding 125 CFS. Water temperatures at the West Branch gauge are fluctuating in the mid-40s to low 50s, and temperatures have improved for hatches. 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 with easy wading. Hatches are starting to improve, you may see Blue Winged Olives, Tan Caddis, Midges, and more recently Hendricksons in the afternoon and evenings. The Hendrickson hatches have dramatically improved, with anglers finding nice fish rising to emergers and spinners during the afternoon. 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:
Blue Winged Olives (overcast days) 18-24
Blue Winged Olive Emerger 18-20
Hendrickson 12-14 (Sparse Hatches Still)
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 have increased from this past week’s rain, and currently most sections are too high to wade. The Falls Village Gauge is reading 1220 CFS, and we recommend waiting until flows drop below 1000 CFS (were very close to good wading flows). For hatches you will encounter Blue Winged Olives on the overcast afternoons, some Tan Caddis, Midges, and we are expecting Hendricksons any day now. Now that water temperatures have warmed a bit, and flows are lower, we can expect some good hatch activity. Nymphing and Streamer fishing are both producing fish, especially during the morning. All sections of the Housatonic River have been recently stocked, so expect some good fishing once flows improve for wading.
Dry Fly Hatches:
Blue Winged Olives (overcast days) 18-24
Blue Winged Olive Emerger 18-20
Hendrickson 12-14 (Sparse Hatches Still)
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 deeper water fishing until water temperatures improve, however you may start to find some smaller migratory fish pushing Herring along the shoreline. On the Housatonic River, some anglers have been finding drop back Stripers fishing the mouth, and the fishing has recently improved. While every day is different, some anglers are finding double digit number per outing. Resident Schoolies are becoming more active in coves and harbors, so keep your eyes peeled for birds diving and surface feeding. In addition, the salt ponds are starting to heat up, with Silversides and Stripers becoming more prevalent. Good areas to focus on include Holly Pond and Old Mill Beach. Fishing will keep improving by the week. Clousers, Deceivers, and larger Herring patterns have been working. You may also find some fish on shallower mud flats as those tend to warm up quickly.
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.
Report on the Salmon River have been overall positive with more Steelhead dropping downriver, so the lower sections of river have seen an increase in activity, with most being post-spawn fish. Flows are currently above average, currently reading 1620 CFS at the Pineville Gauge. Fish are 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. Covering ground will aid in your success. Anglers are also finding some nice Smallmouth Bass in the lower sections of the river. 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. For two handed rods, both Skagit and Skandi heads will work this time of year.
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 1990 CFS which is below average. The East Branch at Fishes Eddy is 1070 CFS and the West Branch at Hale Eddy is 511 CFS. Overall, flows are lower than average on all sections and are gradually dropping. You may see some Blue Winged Olives, Quill Gordons, and Blue Quills hatching; typically, you will find Blue Winged Olives during the overcast afternoons. In addition, Apple Caddis are hatching in waves with a few Hendricksons being spotted. While there has been a ton of Caddis hatching, it’s a hit-or-miss for fish rising to them, so sometimes it’s more effective to use a Caddis Pupa. 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 ideal, fluctuating in the mid to high 50s.
Dry Fly Hatches:
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
Anglers are seeing improved Striper fishing for migratory fish in the Southwestern portion of Long Island along the coast to New Jersey, where the topwater bite has been great. Things are also starting to improve in the Wester portion of Long Island Sound. Along the Northshore of Long Island anglers are also finding some schoolies in the harbors and coves. For the migratory fish the prevalent bait is Adult Bunker and there are still a few Herring. For schoolies action along the Northshore you will want to use smaller flies, Clousers, Deceivers, and Shrimp patterns. The Jamaica Bay bite is going strong since groups of larger fish have been pushing in as they travel along the South Shore, along with some Bluefish just starting to arrive.
Holdover fishing has been good around Providence to Newport, with most of the action happening in coves, salt ponds, rivers, and harbors. There are a few migratory fish showing up along the coastline up to 34”, however their numbers are still sparse as we wait for more Bunker to show up. Smaller flies will be working, namely Clousers in White, Olive, Chartreuse, and Tan until larger bait shows up in numbers.
