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Northeast Fishing Report 7/11/2025
Hello Compleat Angler friends, this week on our local rivers and streams water levels are well below average and warm. We would advise waiting for things to improve before Trout fishing again, as fish are more susceptible to stress when stream temperatures reach 70 degrees or above. The Housatonic River is also low and hot, so we recommend waiting or fishing for alternative species such as Carp, Smallmouth, or Pike. The Farmington River has average flows and good temperatures, and the hatches have transitioned to smaller insects, besides Isonychia. You may encounter Blue Winged Olives, Midges, Light Cahills, Sulphurs, and Olive/Tan Caddis. Our dry fly anglers have reported tricky fishing on the Delaware River with hatches being far and few this week. Nymphing will continue to produce fish, just be mindful of stream temperatures, while the Mainstem and small streams nearby are too warm, the East and West Branches are cooler. Saltwater fishing has been a hit or miss in Connecticut, with the steadier fishing being from Old Saybrook to Fisher’s Island. Nearshore Stripers are now in their summer haunts so you may find a few fish working rocky coastline or fishing the deeper water ledges. Rhode Island and along the Northshore of Long Island continue to see steady numbers of bigger Stripers with Bluefish mixed in.
Read on for more…
Connecticut
Local Rivers
Flows are low and warm on our local rivers and streams, which has resulted in some tougher fishing. If you do decide to fish, keep an eye on your stream temperatures, as temperatures 70 degrees and over will be too stressful on Trout to fish ethically. For example, the Saugatuck River is flowing at 29.8 CFS, when the average flows are almost double this number. Stick to the mornings if you decide to fish, as those will be your coolest water temperatures, and the general recommendation is to fish small flies. If you do see insects hatching, they will most likely be small Sulphurs, Caddis, or Light Cahills. Terrestrials, such as ant and beetles will also be working. Streamer fishing will be difficult during low flows, and most trout will be hunkered in the deepest pools. When choosing nymphs to fish, consider using drab colors in sizes 16-20.
Dry Fly Hatches:
Blue Winged Olives (Overcast Days) 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 flowing slightly above average, with the Beacon Falls reading 280 CFS. The Naugatuck has been stocked a few times since this Spring, so you will find some decent fishing, just make sure to keep an eye on stream temperatures. You will encounter similar hatches that were outlined on our local rivers and streams Nymphing will also be effective when there is no hatch activity, and using patterns suggested in our local rivers and streams report will work well. The Naugatuck is a good alternative to beat crowds.
Farmington River
Flows are currently average on the Farmington River, with the West Branch reading 225 CFS at Riverton, and the Still River adding 137 CFS. Water temperatures in Riverton are fluctuating between the mid to high 50s. Overall the Sulphur hatches have been best further up towards the dam, while most of the river is seeing Tan/Olive Caddis, Isonychia in the evenings, Blue Winged Olives, Light Cahills, and Midges. Since most of the insects are small this time of year, we recommend using nymphs in sizes 16-20. Nymphing will be best throughout the afternoon, when hatch activity tends to slow down. During the morning hours streamer fishing can also be an effective technique. For dry fly fishing with smaller flies we recommend a 9-12’ leader in 6x. We can expect a small amount of precipitation on Saturday.
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 River is currently low and hot, with the Falls Village Gauge reading 309 CFS. Temperatures will be too high to Trout fish, however you may consider other options such as Carp, Smallmouth, and Pike.
Dry Fly Hatches:
Blue Winged Olives (overcast days) 18-24
Blue Winged Olive Emerger 18-20
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
While the Striper fishing hasn’t been stellar nearshore, anglers have been finding some schoolies both on foot and by boat. The prevalent bait along the beaches and coves have been Sand Eels, and you may find Stripers sipping them on the surface during the morning hours with tide movement. Westport beaches, Norwalk, Stamford, and Greenwich have been seeing a few fish. Further out boat anglers are finding some action towards Stratford Shoals, and further East off Old Saybrook to the Race. There are also some nice Bluefish in the mix. The most prevalent bait is Bunker and Butterfish. While there are some larger Stripers 40” and over, they have been tougher to come by. Your best luck will come during low light hours and covering ground.
Hot Flies for Summer:
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
Flows on all sections of the Delaware River are slightly below average. On the Mainstem at Lordeville flows are currently 1410 CFS with water temperatures fluctuating in the high 60s to low 70s, making temperatures too high to fish. Temperatures on the East and West Branches, however, are cool enough to Trout fish. The East Branch is currently flowing at 505 CFS at Fishes Eddy, while the West Branch is reading 627 CFS at Hale Eddy. Hatches have been hit-or-miss, with more days being lackluster. For hatches you can expect Blue Winged Olives on overcast days, Light Cahill, Sulphurs, Tan Caddis, and Isonychia. Nymphing will be the most effective method when there are no hatches, while streamer fishing may be a little tougher. Sticking to streamer fishing during the morning with floating lines will pick up a few aggressive Trout. With current water temperatures Trout are spread out into a variety of different water types, so don’t overlook the faster riffles, especially using an Isonychia as a searching pattern towards the evening.
Dry Fly Hatches:
Blue Winged Olives (overcast days) 18-24
Blue Winged Olive Emerger 18-20
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
Along the Northshore of Long Island there are still some larger Stripers holding in deeper water structure with an increase in the number of Adult Bunker, with some Bluefish also in the mix. Finding fish blitzing on top has been a hit or miss, so bringing some sinking lines will work when there is no surface action. Working the nearshore by boat you may also find fish around the 30” range that are eating Sand Eels along the beachfronts. Along the South Shore things have been more hit or miss along the beachfronts, with some days seeing a push of fish migrating through chasing Bunker. It’s a similar story in Montauk, and while there are some larger Stripers holding in rocky structures, surface feeds have been sporadic and quick. At the heads of some of the rips you may find some Bluefish chasing bait on the surface.
Rhode Island Saltwater
While Striper fishing in the Providence Bay has held up, big fish are now in their summer holding lies, so focusing on the deeper rocky structures during low light hours can result in some good topwater fishing. You may also get lucky finding fish along the beachfronts and rocky coves. Most of the Stripers are on Adult Bunker, and you may find some Bluefish in the mix, however their numbers are not great. Also noteworthy is the Striper fishing around the rips in Newport, and there are still some large fish to be had in Block Island.