Hello Compleat Angler friends! We hope you all have been finding ways to keep cool this week. Unfortunately, this is not the case for our local rivers and streams, combined with the air temperatures and low flows water temperatures have approached an unsafe level to fish. Doing so would put additional stress on trout causing a significant increase in mortality rate. Currently our fishable option is the Farmington which has cooler water temperatures from dam release, or heading north to the West Branch of the Delaware. Alternative options are available such as Smallmouth Bass and Carp fishing on the Housatonic and Naugatuck Rivers. Local saltwater fishing continues to impress with more variety this week thanks to increasing numbers of Bluefish, however the Stripers are still Blitzing on Adult Bunker. The trend is that the Striper fishing has spread out along the coast, from the mouth of the Connecticut River through Greenwich as fish are on the move. Read on for more…

Connecticut

Local Rivers

Unfortunately with this weeks hot weather and low flows conditions are too warm to trout fish on our local rivers and streams. For instance the Saugatuck is flowing at 31.4 CFS. This will push temperatures into the 70 degree plus range, which will stress fish towards exhaustion.

Naugatuck River

We’re experiencing the same conditions on the Naugatuck as our local options, and currently trout fishing is out of the question with water temperatures. Flows are 103 CFS at Beacon Falls, with that said clarity should be ideal for carp fishing, and there are plenty of Smallmouth Bass fishing options to keep you entertained.

Farmington River

Farmington River flows are currently 204 CFS on the West Branch in Riverton, while the Still River is adding a meager 28.5 CFS. Flows and clarity are ideal for wading, and water temperatures in Riverton are fluctuating in the high 40s to low 50s. Water temperatures are great for hatch activity, and you will encounter Tan Caddis in sizes 14-18, along with Blue Winged Olives in 18-20, and Midges in 20-24. March Browns have been hatching in sizes 10-12, and Sulphurs and Light Cahills are now hatching on most of the river in sizes 14-16. It will also be worth bringing Ants, Beetles, and Hoppers. Hatches have certainly improved, especially with Sulphurs, and larger fish are being caught on the surface. During reduced and normal flows, we recommend using 9’ or greater leaders in 5x-6x. Swinging wet flies, such as a Caddis Pupae, can be effective since Caddis are currently the most active, and this can be an effective afternoon searching technique. The holdovers and wild fish are going to be more difficult but persistence and a more natural selection of flies will help even the odds. With that said anglers are finding some quality fish and are having good success. Nymphing is going to be the most productive method during the morning before most of the hatches start. For nymphing, you will want to bring Pheasant Tails and Prince Nymphs in sizes 12-20, Caddis Larva 14-18, Perdigones 12-20, Hare’s Ears 14-18, Waltz Worms in 14-18, and Zebra Midges in 18-24. Since stocked trout have been in the system for a while, and flows are lower we recommend using smaller and more imitative nymphs that match their wild forage. In terms of rigging, look to use 5x-6x Fluorocarbon when nymphing. Smaller nymphs in sizes 18-20 will pair well on a dry/dropper rig. For Streamer fishing you’ll want to bring some Wolly Buggers and jig style streamers in sizes 8-10 in a variety of colors: Olive, Black, White, and Brown. Fishing articulated flies on a sinking/sink tip line can be another useful tool to include in your arsenal. Weighted Sculpin patterns are another consideration and can be fished on a floating line. Now is a good time for our Trout Spey anglers to use Scandi heads and polyleaders during these average flows. Try swinging some wet flies on less aggressive sinking tips, as insects will become more active during the afternoon. Remember to not high or low hole anyone. Let’s be respectful to other anglers. Good luck! Keep in mind: Please report any suspicious activity and poaching to DEEP by calling 800-842-4357.

Housatonic River

The Housatonic is also experiencing hot temperatures and low flows that are unethical for trout fishing. However, the two fishing options on the Housatonic are currently targeting Smallmouth Bass and Carp. For Smallmouth an assortment of smaller drab colored Wooly Buggers will do the trick with either a floating line or sink tip option depending on your depth. For this fishing we prefer 6wt and 7wt rods paired with a short 7.5” 10lb leader. For Carp fishing a variety of egg patterns and nymphs will do the trick paired with a longer 9-10” leader with 8lb fluorocarbon.

Saltwater

Striper action is holding steady while Bluefish are showing up with more frequency. The most prevalent bait is currently Silversides and larger Bunker pods, and fish can be found on top when you find the birds and bait in low light conditions. The average size of the class of migratory fish are 30-35” while the larger fish 40” plus fish are here but tougher to come by. The fish have also spread into areas further East in Connecticut along the shorelines and ledges into Old Saybrook and Middleground. The mouth of the Connecticut River is improving with the arrival of more Bunker. Focus your search on areas around the Norwalk Islands, the beaches off Westport, the coves and mouths of Rivers, as well as marking fish in deeper water structure. Bluefish are being seen finning with more frequency in the middle of the sound. For our saltwater fishery we recommend using a 9 or 10wt rod paired with an intermediate sinking line. For your leader a shorter 7.5ft section of 20-30lb will turn over easily when paired with a Clouser or other larger wind resistant flies. For colors consider bringing Olive and White on clear sunny days. If the water is stained, bringing brighter colors such as Chartreuse and White will help stand out in dirty water. For our boat anglers bringing larger Bunker to juvenile Silverside Patterns will be key as there is a variety of bait and sizes. Some of the salt ponds, such as Holly Pond and Old Mill, are seeing steady Striper fishing, with Silversides being the predominant forage. Focusing on rocky structures and points when fishing from a boat is crucial and wait until the flats warm during the afternoons and into the evening to see more Striper activity in these spots. The deeper water ledges are receiving more fish, and sometimes they may be on top crashing bait. If there’s no surface activity, marking fish with sonar and using full sinking lines will also work. For this fishing we recommend a 4-6” Deceiver in Olive/White. Please be safe out there and respectful to other boaters!

Hot Flies:

Deceivers in various colors

Clousers

Peanut Bunker Patterns

Custom Tied Baby Bunker (Super Realistic!)

Medium Sized Bunker Flies

Bob’s Banger (Stripers and Bluefish)

Larger Herring Flies

Good Fly Lines For Spring/Summer:

SA Full Intermediate

Rio Outbound Short (Good for big flies and big winds)

Rio Striper (Good all-rounder)

Airflo Universal Cold Salt

Leaders:

Rio Striped Bass Leader

New York

The Catskills

Flows on the Delaware River are lower than average on all sections. Currently the Mainstem at Lordville is 1360 CFS, the West Branch is flowing 547 CFS at Hale Eddy, while the East is 412 CFS at Fishes Eddy. With the hotter air temperatures your best bet is going to be the West Branch which has been fluctuating in the mid-40s to low 60s. Dry fly fishing has been a hit or miss, and with the warmer and sunnier afternoons timing your fishing around overcast days has been best for surface activity. Look to bring Tan Caddis in sizes 14-18, along with Sulphurs in sizes 16-18, and Isonychia in size 10. During the overcast days Blue Winged Olives are more prolific in sizes 16-24. You can expect to encounter Sulphurs in the evening, so it is worth staying until dark. Fishing Isonychia during the evenings in faster water can be effective at times. Streamer fishing will be tricky during these flows, but swinging soft hackles and emergers, as well as nymphing and dry/dropper rigs. For nymphs we recommend bringing Prince Nymphs, Pheasant Tails, Caddis Larvae, Perdigones, Waltz Worms, etc... In sizes #12-#20. Nymphing during the sunnier afternoons has been the most productive. If trout are on Caddis, try fishing some emergers just below the surface film if they’re refusing the adult. Anglers have been finding some good size Brown Trout around 20” and there are more Rainbow Trout being brought to hand. Other options besides the tailwaters are going to be too hot to fish, hopefully temperatures drop with rain in the forecast.

New York Saltwater

Eaton’s Neck and other areas along the North Shore have been fishing well with Migratory and resident Stripers chasing Sand Eels and Bunker along the shorelines. Anglers are also doing well further West into Rye, and further East into Plum Gut and The Race. Striper fishing in the harbors continues to be good as Striper are eating smaller Sand Eel offerings. Along the South Shore beaches and into Montauk Stripers have been in the surf and holding in deeper water structure, when they’re blitzing on top they’re either on Sand Eels or Adult Bunker. Squid patterns are also working into the rips. The salt ponds, coves, and flats are also fishing well so there’s plenty of options and fish in different scenarios. For the back bays you will want to bring some smaller Clousers in #2 and a variety of colors, small Deceivers, Sand Eel patterns and Crabs. Fishing poppers early mornings on a floating line can be a blast, such as Bob’s Bangers and Gurglers. Most of the holdovers you will find are in the 20-30” size with a few high 30” in the mix. If searching for migratory fish, bring some larger flies to imitate adult Bunker paired with a sinking line to cut below the schools. Look for signs of nervous and faster moving bait as Stripers will be pushing below them. Bluefish numbers have increased with fish up to 15lbs which can be a blast on big poppers. Depending on your tide, night fishing has been great. Smithtown has also seen an increase in action with Stripers chasing both Bunker and Sand Eels. There are tons of great options now!

Rhode Island Saltwater

More large migratory fish have filtering in this week around the beachfronts and bays that are crashing on Adult Bunker pods. Narragansett Bay, Providence, and Newport have improved with topwater action. The worm hatch in the salt ponds also continues to be consistent towards the evenings. While far and few, some Bluefish are also being caught. Both the flats and bays around Cape Cod are seeing an improvement as well, and our anglers are catching some larger fish on Adult Bunker pods. Both Watch Hill and Point Judith is also seeing more migratory fish with the largest being up to 40”. Buzzards Bay, Providence, and Newport are fishing consistent with Stripers blitzing early mornings. The salt ponds are seeing some great Cinder Worm hatches with Stripers gorging on them. Rhode Island has heated up in terms of size and numbers of Stripers, so there’s tons of great options available.