Your Cart is Empty
Northeast Fishing Report 8/22/2025
Hello Compleat Angler friends! This week we received some much-needed rain in a short amount of time. The rain, along with cooler evening temperatures, has helped drop water temperatures on some of our small rivers and streams around the state. These rivers and streams are dropping back towards low levels quickly, so bring a stream thermometer to check water temperatures if you’re fishing this weekend. There will be a few fish that have fared the hot and low temperatures from Spring Stocking, however trout fishing will be more consistent on the tailwaters. While hatches haven’t been great, the primary hatch has been Tricos is sizes 22-28 during the morning hours. The Delaware River is seeing better Sulphur hatches in certain sections compared to the Farmington. All options will be clear and easy for wading this weekend. On saltwater, the more consistent Striper and Bluefish action is towards the Eastern portion, from Bridgeport to Fisher’s Island. The Prevalent bait is Peanut Bunker in 3”, and further East into Rhode Island and New York you will find large schools of Sand Eels. More Bonito are arriving nearshore, with some entering the sound. Overall, this bodes well for this season’s Fall Run.
Read on for more…
Connecticut
Local Rivers
Flows on our local rivers and streams have shot up quickly from the rain this past week and are now dropping just as fast. For instance, the Saugatuck River is reading 37.8 CFS, and we can expect our rivers to drop below average again for the weekend. Rain, couple with our cooler evening temperatures, will have some rivers and streams at fishable temperatures again for the morning hours, just make sure to bring a stream thermometer to check. Catch rates won’t be great due to previous extended hot and low water, which also makes the stocked trout susceptible to predation. However, you may find a few trout that have fared through Spring Stocking and the heat of the summer. Afternoon air temperatures for this weekend will reach into the low 80s, and for more consistent fishing we recommend fishing tailwaters with colder water temperatures. Hatches haven’t been great, but you may find some Midges, a couple Sulphurs, small Caddis, and a few Light Cahills. Terrestrials, such as ants and beetles, will also be falling into the water. Streamer fishing is difficult during these below average flows, and most trout will be hunkered in the deepest pools, with the exception being well oxygenated faster water with some depth. A dry/dropper rig is also an effective searching technique.
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 dropping and is now slightly below average, with the Beacon Falls reading 204 CFS. This rain and cooler evening air temperatures have also cooled water temperatures a bit. 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
The West Branch of the Farmington River is slightly above average, reading 240 CFS at the Riverton Gauge. The Still River is also slightly above average flows at 69.6 CFS. Water levels will be clear and easy for wading this weekend. Water temperatures at the Riverton Gauge are fluctuating in the high 50s to low 60s, with warmer temperatures downriver. Hatches haven’t been exceptional; however, the main hatch is currently Tricos in sizes 22-26 during the morning. Upriver you may find a few Sulphurs still hatching, Tan/Olive Caddis, Blue Winged Olives, Light Cahill, Midges, and Isonychia during the evenings. The insects will be small this time of year, so you will want to bring small dries and an assortment of small nymphs. Also, a consideration is terrestrials, such as ants and beetles. 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 flows have slightly increased but are still well below average at 270 CFS. Water temperatures are still too warm for trout fishing, but Smallmouth fishing has been great. We recommend streamers such as Wolly Buggers, Crayfish Patterns, and popper flies. Anglers are also opting for Carp or Pike fishing.
Saltwater
The Eastern Sound has been seeing more consistent action, especially during lowlight hours and we’re starting to see more Peanut Bunker. Stripers and Bluefish have been chasing them on the surface, and there are a few Bonito. The shoreline fishing along the Western portion of the sound: Westport, Norwalk, Greenwich, has still been tough. There is more action from Bridgeport to Fisher’s Island. The most prevalent bait is Peanut Bunker in 3” as well as small Butterfish. There are still Stripers holding in the deeper water ledges; however, surface action has been inconsistent. Overall, boat anglers are having the most success now because they can cover ground. This week has been a slightly improvement over the past few, especially with the arrival of some Bonito, which we can expect to improve in the coming weeks. Night fishing is also a viable option this time of year.
Hot Flies for Summer/Fall:
Custom Tied Baby Bunker (Super Realistic!)
Bob’s Banger (Stripers and Bluefish)
Good Fly Lines for Summer/Fall:
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 below average with the Lordville Gauge reading 994 CFS. Water temperatures on the Mainstem are now in the low to mid 60s, so temperatures have improved for fishing. The East Branch flows are low, 292 CFS at Fishes Eddy, while the West Branch is slightly below average reading 754 CFS at Hale Eddy. Flows will make for easy wading this weekend. Hatches have been hit-or-miss, with more days being lackluster, however some days have been producing great Sulphur hatches. 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 during these below average flows. 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. Hatch sizes will be small and trickier to fish this time of year, and we recommend a leader at least 12’ long in 6x.
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 of Long Island anglers are still finding Stripers holding in deeper water ledges from Eaton’s Neck to Plum Gut, with some surface activity during lowlight hours. On the South Shore surf anglers are finding some Stripers along the beaches. Stripers are a mixed size from schoolies to 30lb fish, and there are some sizable Bluefish mixed in. Most of the bait consists of Peanut Bunker. Unfortunately, we have higher winds for this weekend, so it will be tough to get out fishing by boat. There have been some Bonito around the rips, and we can expect their numbers to increase in the coming weeks. When searching for Stripers, lowlight hours have been best coupled with tide movement.
Rhode Island Saltwater
Striper fishing has been difficult this past week, however there are plenty of small Bluefish and Bonito to keep anglers occupied. There are some Stripers around Newport, which has been best during low light hours. Block Island is seeing good numbers of Bonito and more sizeable Bluefish. The most prevalent bait has been Peanut Bunker and Sand Eels depending on where you are fishing. Striper fishing has slightly picked up in Providence Bay, which is a good sign for the upcoming Fall Run.