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Northeast Fishing Report 7/25/2025
Hello Compleat Angler friends! We’re officially into the dog days of summer. What that means is our local rivers and streams around Fairfield County are currently too warm and low to trout fish ethically. Some of our local anglers are switched over to target Smallmouth and Carp in lieu of fishing the tailwaters for trout. The Housatonic is warm and low but is currently a great option for Smallmouth fishing. The Farmington River has ideal temperatures for trout and wading. The hatches have been sporadic, but you may come across some Sulphurs upriver, Light Cahill, Caddis, Needhami, Isonychia, and soon Tricos. Many of the insects are small, so small nymphs are also getting the job done. The East and West Branches of the Delaware River has good temperatures and some hatches of Sulphurs (especially upriver on the West Branch), as well as Light Cahill, and Isonychia. Most of the hatch activity is throughout the evening unless conditions are overcast when you will find small Blue Winged Olives hatching. On the saltwater wade fishing has been difficult along the Connecticut coastline as water temperatures approach over 70 degrees. Boat anglers have been finding more fish around the islands and coves during the morning hours, with some still finding larger fish chasing bait to the surface on the deeper water ledges.
Read on for more…
Connecticut
Local Rivers
Flows are currently too hot and low to fish for trout on our local options in Fairfield County. For example, the Saugatuck River is flowing at 18 CFS. Water temperatures are reaching above 70 degrees as a result, which stresses trout and increases mortality for catch and release. Insects that are hatching will most likely be small Sulphurs, Caddis, or Light Cahills. Terrestrials, such as ants and beetles will also be falling into the water. Streamer fishing is 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.
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 also too hot and low to trout fish, with the Beacon Falls Gauge reading 128 CFS. 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 holding at 237 CFS in Riverton, and the Still River has dropped to 25.9 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, Midges, and Needhami Mayflies. 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. Smallmouth fishing will be good this time of year, and we recommend streamers such as Wolly Buggers, and popper flies
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, however shore angling has been tough. 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 Mainstem of the Delaware River are well below average and are reading 1490 CFS at Lordville. Water temperatures are reaching over 70 degrees so you will want to stick to fishing on the East and West Branches. The East Branch flows are low, 446 CFS at Fishes Eddy, while the West Branch flows are above average, 727 CFS at Hale Eddy. Hatches have been hit-or-miss, with more days being lackluster. On brighter sunny days you can expect the hatches to improve during the evening. For hatches you can expect Blue Winged Olives on overcast days, Tricos, 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. There are still fish along the deeper water ledges further West, however topwater action is spotty. Working the nearshore by boat you may also find fish around the 30” range that are eating Sand Eels along the beachfronts as well. 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. Most of the reefs along the Rhode Island coast are holding Stripers. You may also get lucky finding fish along the beachfronts and rocky coves. Most of the Stripers are on Adult Bunker and Sand Eels, 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.