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Northeast Fishing Report 7/31/26
Hello Compleat Angler Friends! That midweek "nor'easter" wasn't as disruptive as originally forecasted, and in fact, lit up a pretty solid striper bite in addition to the full moon. While some rivers are certainly still blown out, flows should start to return to more manageable levels by the end of this weekend, and with cooler temperatures and drier air on the way, heat- and angler-pressured trout will get a well-deserved respite. A reminder: although trout may always be the goal, giving them a much-needed break is a good idea. Heat-tolerant species such as largemouth, smallmouth, and carp can be an amazingly fun substitution during summer months. So tie on a craw pattern, hit a creek or a local pond, and enjoy!
Stripers are still being caught across the sound, with more action to the East and North. Travelling is a good idea to find better quality/quantity.
Read on for more…
Connecticut
Local Rivers
Flows on the Saugatuck have skyrocketed and are now dropping to 316CFS. A typical high reading is just above 110. Please exercise extreme caution if fishing solo. Bring a wading staff and be sure to stay clear of water above knee or even ankle height. Giving the river a few days to settle down would be wise. With no rain in the forecast, things should even out nicely. As for bite and hatches, same as always. Caddis, BWO's. Streamers for larger fish holding deep.
Dry Fly Hatches:
Nymphs:
General Mayfly Attractor 14-18
Streamers:
Krystal Bugger (Black, Chartreuse, Brown, Olive, White, Burnt Orange) 6-12
Naugatuck River
The Naugatuck has also jumped considerably and is now at 720 CFS. Again, exercise caution or find an alternative fishery. Things are looking quite swollen, and giving things a few days to settle would be a wise idea. Fish will be low and slow with high water. Finding breaks in current and throwing heavier streamers or nymphs with some split shot might be the ticket.
Farmington River
The state did a small flow cut of about 20 CFS at the dam Wednesday morning, which came as a surprise given that we’ve had a good amount of rain in July. We only got 1/3” Tuesday, but we are at 3.5” for the month, which puts us slightly ahead for the month. And they got 1.5” above Colebrook Reservoir up in Otis on Tuesday, and about 4.5” for July. They are being conservative because they want to maintain a bank of cold water to get us through August & September, even if there is a drought. The flow cut drops Riverton from 120+ CFS down to 100 CFS, with the Still River adding in 27 CFS, giving the river a total flow of 127 CFS below that and in the Permanent TMA/Catch & Release (C&R). Historically, the normal/median total flow in years withtypical rainfall would be about 225-250 CFS in late July. The water coming out of the dam is reading 46.5 at the Route 20 bridge (River Self Storage/Hitchcock), it peaked yesterday at 53 degrees.After cooler nights, you can easily fish in the mornings down in New Hartford and even Canton, but you may need to move upriver at least a few miles as you get toward lunchtimeand into the afternoon. Ideally, try to stay in water below 65 for the best fishing. Make sure you have a thermometer, and use it!
Still getting some good to excellent dry fly reports, especially from those fishing in the evenings, so don’t leave too early! Later in the day look for Isonychia (Iso’s) #10-12, small Blue Winged Olives #20-24, Rusty Spinners in the same sizes, Cahills/Summer Steno’s #12-16, Attenuata #18-20 (Riverton only), and egg-laying Caddis #18-22 (tan, black). Sulfurs are basically done in the Permanent TMA/C&R, but you will probably continue to see some hatching in Riverton above the Still River. Morning bugs include Summer/Winter Caddis #18-24, Needhami duns & spinners #22-26, and tan Caddis #18. Ants & Beetles are good dries to fish between late morning and early evening when there aren’t too many bugs hatching. FYI, you can blind fish Isonychia dries in riffle water, even when no fish are rising. Also they are a good fly to do Dry/Dropper with.
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 at Falls Village is reading 3090 CFS, which is a tad up from 250 on the 28th. Streamers have been working well with smallmouth in white and pink, and craw patterns are also performing. Pike should be starting to shift into gear in the deeper sections of the river, so if you are after toothy critters, think longer, slower sections further south. Certain sections of the river have been pressured and subjected to warm water, so hiking on foot between Cornwall and Kent is not a bad idea, although the low humidity and increased flows might help shake things up. Trout are hard to come by due to the warm weather, but sightcasting to big bronzebacks is an amazing way to switch up your approach during summer months, and helps give pressured trout a much-deserved break. Craw flies, poppers, hoppers, and streamers will all be effective, and might even scare up a nice brown.
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
New York
Salmon River
DSR had one angler fish the run today with slow angling success. He was able to land a few Smallmouth Bass ranging from 8-10 inches.
Catskills
The release from Cannonsville is 500 cfs. The air temps will be in the 80’s for the next few days but the nighttime temos are staying surprisingly cool. The West Branch is at a good level for floating and wading. The daytime sulphurs are hatching in Deposit mixed with some olives and a few Isonychias. Smaller seems to be better. Stick to the lower West if you want to nymph. The algae has been bad up top making it a dry fly only game.
Today will be 82 degrees and sunny. Wind will be light and variable.
What’s Hatching:
Dark Blue Wing Olive – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Sulphur – 16 – 20 – Ephemerella dorothea
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydrosyche sp
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, Ephemerella invaria, Stenacron spp.
Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
CT Saltwater
Nothing new to report, some sporadic success found deep and during low light times of day (morning/evening). Standard procedure through the next few weeks of the summer doldrums: try to find pods of fish in the Sound, and try targeting fish from shore during the evening or at night. Bunker and sand eel are the primary forage, and most anglers have had success by throwing larger flies on sinking line in deeper water. For now, try to enjoy the lower humidity and calmer weather, and hopefully we should see the bite turn on as we approach next week's full moon.