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Northeast Fishing Report 5/9/2025
Hello Compleat Angler friends! This past week’s rain has filled up our local rivers and streams, and while flows are on the drop now, we are still at above average levels. Flows will continue to fluctuate over the next few days with more rain expected. Some anglers are opting to wait until flows approach average for more hatch activity, while others are taking advantage of the high water and fishing subsurface. Streamer fishing will be improved during these higher flows, and you will be able to get away with fishing larger and gaudier nymphs and streamers. The good news is that reservoirs are receiving some much-needed water, so this will help flow and water temperatures throughout the summer. Most of our rivers have improved clarity, and some rivers are fishing better than others which is a factor of pressure and poaching. On the Farmington River, flows are ideal above the Still River. If you’re fishing below the Still, streamers will be a good option since flows are high but dropping. On the saltwater Striper fishing has seen improvements on our side of the sound with more fish congregating around the coves, harbor, and shoreline chasing Silversides. In addition Bunker are starting to push in with larger migratory fish hot on their trail, while some Stripers are at the mouths of rivers chasing Herring.
Read on for more…
Connecticut
Local Rivers
This past week’s rain has resulted in high flows on all our local rivers and streams. For instance, the Saugatuck is flowing at 404 CFS, while the mean flow is 164 CFS. While flows are high, they are now dropping, and some options have improved clarity. High flows will diminish dry fly activity; however, it can create good streamer fishing. For this weekend you will want to bring some larger Woolly Buggers, as well as some flashy streamers to draw attention in high flows, such as a Kreelex Fly. With higher flows you can opt for streamers fished on a sinking line or sink tip. Subsurface will be your most productive techniques leading into the weekend. When flows approach more average levels we can expect to see Caddis, Blue Winged Olives, Midges, and Hendricksons. It will also be a good idea to bring some terrestrials, namely Ant Patterns. Despite the high flows anglers are catching fish, and some good rivers to focus on include the Saugatuck, Mill, Norwalk, and Mianus Rivers. Some of these rivers will have lower catch rates now as they are susceptible to pressure or poaching. 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
Naugatuck River
The Naugatuck River is also running high, reading 2360 CFS at Beacon Falls. We would recommend waiting until flows drop to more reasonable levels to start fishing again. All sections of the Naugatuck and Shetucket have been stocked for Spring, so fishing will be good on a variety of techniques once flows drop. Trout have been in the system long enough to be keyed in on the natural forage, so you can expect improved dry fly fishing. 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. As flows drop you will want to consider streamer fishing while they’re still above average.
Farmington River
Flows have dropped back towards average on the West Branch, which is currently flowing at 201 CFS, while the Still is well above average at 603 CFS but gradually dropping now. Fishing downriver of the confluence you will experience high water with some stain that is clearing up. Meanwhile, fishing above the Still will have ideal flows. More rain is expected for Saturday so keep an eye on the flow because things will likely change. All areas of the Farmington River have been stocked twice so there are plenty of fish. Subsurface techniques will be your most productive methods with high water which will slow surface activity, and if you’re fishing downriver of the Still River streamer fishing will be a viable option with both weighted flies and/or sinking lines. For nymphs, you can get away with using larger and flashier patterns, either nymphs with hotspots, flashback, or Mop Flies and Squirmies. When flows approach average, you can expect good hatches of Hendricksons, as well as Blue Winged Olives, Tan Caddis, Midges. Expect Hendrickson hatches during the afternoons and in the evenings, while you can expect Blue Winged Olives during overcast afternoons. 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 (Good 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 increased from this past week’s rain, and currently most sections are too high to wade. The Falls Village Gauge is reading 3380 CFS, and we recommend waiting until flows drop below 1000 CFS. 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
Saltwater
Fishing has made more improvements this week along the Connecticut coastline. Anglers are finding that schoolies and Stripers up to 35” are blitzing on small Silversides during the morning when the tide is moving. The shoreline, coves, harbors, and mouths of rivers from Southport to Darien are fishing well, as well as areas along the Norwalk Islands. We’re also seeing more migratory fish pushing onto deeper water ledges with the arrival of Bunker. 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. 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. At the mouth on the Connecticut River anglers are finding Stripers chasing Herring. You may also find some fish on shallower mud flats as those tend to warm up quickly. Topwater action has seen improvements this past week, since water temperatures in the sound are approaching 55 degrees.
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.
Catskills
Big flow increases on the Delaware River this past week, and currently the Mainstem at Lordville is flowing at 8930 CFS. The West Branch at Hale Eddy is 4950, and the East Branch at Fishs Eddy is 3320 CFS; both are also well above average. Anglers that plan on a float trip this weekend will want to bring some articulated streamer, and nymphing will also be a good option. Hatch activity will be spare under high flows, but expect to see Apple and Tan Caddis, Hendricksons, Blue Quills, Red Quills, and a few March Browns. The water temperature has dropped and is now fluctuating in the low to mid 50s since the rain. The smaller streams and tailwater are still settling down, and we expect them to be fishable in the next few days.
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
New York Saltwater
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. Stripers and Bluefish are chasing around Bunker pods on the ocean side. Things are also starting to improve in the Western portion of Long Island Sound. Along the Northshore of Long Island anglers are also finding some schoolies in the harbors and coves, and larger migratory fish are starting to show up in deeper water. 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 and Deceivers, anything to imitate small Silversides. 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.
Rhode Island Saltwater
Holdover fishing has been good around Providence to Newport, with most of the action happening in coves, salt ponds, rivers, and harbors. The latest development is that migratory fish showing up along the coastline up to 40” in these areas including Narragansett Bay. These larger fish are feeding primarily on Bunker and Squid. In and around the salt ponds and coves, smaller flies will be working, namely Clousers and Deceivers in White, Olive, Chartreuse, and Tan. In addition, there are some early Bluefish showing up, however their numbers are currently sparse.