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Northeast Fishing Report 8/1/2025
Hello Compleat Angler friends! This week we’ve had a small amount of rain in the Fairfield County area, but it’s not enough to raise flows over average. Water temperatures are still hot with below average flows. Further north received more water on the Naugatuck and Housatonic Rivers which has cooled water temperatures, but flows will be stained temporarily. Fishing during the morning will yield your coolest temperatures, and streamers will be effective with water levels raised. Smallmouth fishing on the Housatonic has also been a great option. The Farmington River has good temperatures for trout fishing; however, hatches have been hit-or-miss. Flows are slightly above average and wadable on the upper section; below the still there will be some stain to the water from the influx of rain. Nymphing with small flies will be the most effective technique when there are no hatches, and there are plenty of trout spread into the faster more oxygenated water. On the Delaware River you will encounter Blue Winged Olives, Sulphurs, Light Cahill, and Isonychia. Most of the hatches will come towards the late afternoon and evening during the sunnier days. On the saltwater things have slowed in the Long Island Sound, some anglers are finding a few Stripers along the North Shore of Long Island and towards Fisher’s Island, however areas further West have slowed with small Bluefish being the primary option.
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 21.3 CFS. We didn’t receive a large amount of rain in Fairfield County to raise levels significantly. 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 796 CFS. Flows will be high and stained from rain, and the good news is that water temperatures have cooled a bit. You will still want to stick to the morning when temperatures are at their coolest. 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. Streamer fishing is another good option now that flows are high. The Naugatuck is a good alternative to beat crowds.
Farmington River
Flows are currently slightly above average on the Farmington River, with the West Branch reading 279 CFS in Riverton, and the Still River has jumped to 371 CFS. Downriver of the Still River will be temporarily stained from rain. Water temperatures in Riverton are fluctuating between the high 50s to low 60s. 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. Trout are now spread into the well oxygenated faster water. 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 now high for this time of year, with the Falls Village Gauge reading 1150 CFS. This has helped cool water temperatures for trout, but flows will be temporarily stained so you may want to bring streamers and upsize flies. 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. Overall, Striper fishing has been slow, and anglers are mainly finding small Bluefish. 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 in these areas. The most prevalent bait is Bunker, Butterfish, and Sand Eels. 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, things have been tough with sound temperatures seeing 70 degrees and over.
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 still below average but have seen an increase due to rain, the Lordville gauge is reading 1570 CFS. Water temperatures are cooling into the mid-60s, however the East and West Branches have the coolest water. The East Branch flows are low, 741 CFS at Fishes Eddy, while the West Branch flows are above average, 612 CFS at Hale Eddy. Both are now above average but are still wadable. 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. The smaller rivers around the area still have fishable temperatures, especially during the morning.
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. There’s still some action at Eaton’s Neck, however things have slowed relatively for topwater. 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 and around coves/bays. 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. The bay has been best during low light hours, mornings and evenings. 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. The flats are also seeing some nice Stripers keyed in on crab patterns.