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Northeast Fishing Report 7/18/2025
Hello Compleat Angler friends! This week our local rivers and streams have seen slight improvements in flows from rain, however most options will be too warm to fish as they are approaching temperatures 70 degrees and over. If you do decide to fish, check your stream temperatures in the morning when they are at their coolest. It’s a similar story on the Housatonic, however there are alternative species such as Carp, Smallmouth, and Pike to target. On both the Farmington and the Delaware Rivers hatches have been sparse, however you may find fish on Sulphurs, Light Cahills, small Blue Winged Olives, and Isonychia towards the evenings. Both rivers are near average levels and are comfortable for wading. On the Delaware River, stick to the East and West branches where temperatures are safe to Trout fish. On the saltwater there are a few Stripers holding in their summer lies along the Connecticut beachfronts, we recommend targeting rocky coves and structure around islands. If you’re fishing by boat, some of the deeper water structures are still holding some nice sized Stripers and Bluefish. Your best shot at topwater action is lowlight before temperatures warm up by the afternoon. Further east will you will encounter more consistent fishing such as Plum Gut, Fisher’s Island, all the way to Block Island.
Read on for more…
Connecticut
Local Rivers
Flows jumped up from this past week’s rain but are now gradually dropping and are slightly above average. For example, the Saugatuck River is flowing at 41.6 CFS, a slight improvement compared to last week. Be mindful of stream temperatures on our local rivers and streams, as most options are currently too warm to fish, temperatures over 70 degrees will put additional stress on trout and increase mortality rate. Some rivers and streams will be fishable during the morning when temperatures are at their lowest. Our general recommendation is small flies for this time of year, and drab colors when flows are near average. If you do see insects hatching, they will most likely be small Sulphurs, Caddis, or Light Cahills. Terrestrials, such as ants and beetles will also be working. Streamer fishing will be difficult during these flows, and most trout will be hunkered in the deepest pools, with the exception being well oxygenated faster water with some depth. 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 back to slightly below average after a quick spike from the rain, and currently the Beacon Falls Gauge is reading 204 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 near average on the Farmington River, with the West Branch reading 225 CFS at Riverton, and the Still River adding 66.1 CFS. Water temperatures in Riverton are fluctuating between the mid to high 50s. Keep an eye on stream temperatures if you decide to fish further downriver, as they may reach 70 or above during the afternoon. 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 and smaller. Hatches have been lackluster this season, but we recommend also bringing some ant and beetle patterns. 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.
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 402 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
Nearshore we are seeing more bait around islands and structure, namely the Norwalk Islands. A few fish have settled locally around these areas, so it is worth fishing in the morning hours when water temperatures are at their coolest. 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. Night fishing is also a viable option for this time of year. Overall, there’s still Stripers and Bluefish to be had before Sound temperatures heat up more and slow the bite down.
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 the East and West branches on the Delaware River are slightly above average, while the Mainstem is slightly below. On the East Branch flows are 728 CFS at Fishes Eddy, while the West Branch at Hale Eddy is flowing at 632 CFS. The Mainstem at Lordville is flowing at 1900 CFS with a water temperatures fluctuating in the high 60s to low 70s which is currently too warm to fish. If fishing this weekend, we recommend sticking to the East and West branches, which have cool water and are currently wadable. 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. Often, fish will be keyed in on very small Blue Winged Olives (Pseudos in size 24-28) or Sulphurs during the afternoon. It will also be worth bringing a few ant patterns. 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
On the Northshore is Long Island Striper fishing has been better further East as Sound temperatures warm up, and Plum Gut to Montauk is seeing topwater action with plenty of birds and bait. Stripers are a mixed size from schoolies to 30lb fish, and there are some Bluefish mixed in. 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 Stripers chasing Bunker and Sand Eels. 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. There are also a few Bonito and Bluefish that are keyed in on small bait.