Hello Compleat Angler Friends! Flows across the state are perfect, the weather is comfortable, and water temps are starting to drop in our local rivers. If I didn't know any better, I would say that we are on fall's doorstep, and with September a few days away, fishing across the state should start to get a second wind. Rivers such as the Housatonic and the Farmington are producing well, with reports of nice smallies and even some larger browns on the Housy, and solid wild trout on the Farmington.
The Sound is starting to break out of its summer slump, with more and more bait filling the bays and estuaries each day. Schoolies are starting to migrate into the backwater to gorge on silversides and peanut bunker, with some reporting bass in waters as far inland as Holly Pond.
Read on for more…
Connecticut
Local Rivers
Flows on the Saugatuck have settled down to a comfortable 62 CFS. After a long, quiet summer, we've finally heard some reports of people finding trout in the Saugatuck, mostly during the early mornings and late evenings. While water temps are improving, be conscious of targeting trout on warmer days.
The Naugatuck is now at 208 CFS. No reports lately of trout, but smallmouth and other species are being found in deeper water and on top during the evenings and early mornings. As we approach fall, stocking will recommence on certain sections of the river, so keep an eye on the DEEP website for more info.
Farmington River
The West Branch of the Farmington is reading at 209 CFS, with the gauge at Unionville reading 256 CFS. We haven't heard much specific information from the Farmington, but we know people are catching on a variety of offerings, but mostly nymphs and dries. Water temps remain low despite the heat thanks to the outflow of the dams, so finding cooler, quicker water will be the key.
Below is the most recent update from our friends at UpCountry, from the end of July:
Getting 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 #10-12, small Blue Winged Olives #20-24, Rusty Spinners in the same sizes, Cahills/Summer Steno’s #12-16, Attenuata #18-20, and egg-laying Caddis #18-22 (tan, black). Sulfurs are basically done in the Permanent TMA/C&R, we continue to see some hatching in Riverton. Morning bugs include Summer/Winter Caddis #18-24, Needhami Duns #22-26, Needhami 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. Dry/Dropper combinations are working well for many anglers. Try combining an Isonychia Comparadun and a tiny nymph like #18-20 Baetis or a Zebra Midge to catch trout in fast water.
The Housatonic River at Falls Village is reading 256 CFS. We have heard some great reports that the smallmouth fishing has been lights out, with streamers and poppers being effective during the early mornings and evenings. Some large brown trout are also starting to move throughout the river, and if the weather remains cool and the water continues to stay up, we should see more and more trout settle into their fall locations within the next few weeks. BWO's are hatching consistently, and the recent rain has made terrestrials a popular offering.
This week angler density was moderate. Angling success ranged from moderate to good. People were spread evenly throughout the run, predominantly focusing on the middle section. Some nice browns have been caught on green eggs.
The flow from the dam is currently at 185 CFS. The Pineville gauge is currently at 252 CFS.
Catskills
The release from Cannonsville is 549 cfs. We had some pretty brief but violent thunderstorms push through yesterday evening. The West Branch came through just fine. The flow is up slightly to 679 cfs at Hale Eddy so we’re still at a good level for floating and wading. The river is clear in front of us. Olives and flying ants are putting some fish in the net along with blind casting Isonychias and Cahills. There are some hebes and olives mixed in plus a few Isonychias and Cahills. Stick to the lower West if you want to nymph. The algae has been bad up top making it a dry fly only game.
Each day brings us closer to the fall run, and things are poised nicely. Baitfish continue to fill the backwater, with peanuts, silversides, and other small offerings making up the bulk. No word yet on Albies, but reports should be in any day. Bonita have been spotted further east. Stripers are keyed in on a variety of bait, from larger bunker to tiny rain bait. With the cooler temperatures and upcoming moon, things should start to kick off in the next few weeks out East. The Western Sound is still warm, so hopefully water temps should come down quickly. Movement has been the name of the game, with most success coming from trying new spots.
