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Northeast Fishing Report 8/29/2025
Hello Compleat Angler friends! Going into this weekend we will have low flows on our local streams and rivers, so there are no improvements. We can expect improvements in Trout Fishing on the freestones to improve with more water and Fall stocking. The tailwaters will have the most consistent fishing now (the Farmington River) with anglers finding fish willing to rise to Tricos and small Blue Winged Olives. Other than these hatches surface activity hasn’t been phenomenal, however in the evening you can expect some Isonychia. Overall, anglers are finding the fishing has been decent, and slightly improved thanks to the cooler evening temperatures. Most sections on the Delaware River are low, however anglers are having the most success nymphing with a chance of Blue Winged Olives and Sulphurs hatching. If you’re into catching Smallmouth, the Housatonic River has been great for fishing streamers and poppers. On the saltwater, most of the action is still in the Eastern portion and towards Middleground in the Sound. Topwater action has been fueled by Peanut Bunker and Silversides, and their numbers are continuing to increase. Anglers are also finding a few Bonito scattered across the Sound. Further East, Striper fishing has seen improvements, and anglers are finding their first Albies starting to enter the Eastern most sections of Rhode Island among the Bonito frenzies.
Read on for more…
Connecticut
Local Rivers
Flows on our local rivers and streams are well below average which will warm water temperatures quickly during hot afternoons. For instance, the Saugatuck River is reading 15.8 CFS. 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. We can expect improvements on some rivers and streams in September and October, which is when Fall stocking is expected. Afternoon air temperatures for this weekend will reach into the high 70s, 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 well below average, with the Beacon Falls reading 86.4 CFS. 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 below average, reading 219 CFS at the Riverton Gauge. The Still River is well below average flows at 13.3 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, and overall temperatures have improved thanks to the colder evenings. Hatches haven’t been exceptional; however, the main hatch is currently Tricos in sizes 22-26 during the morning. Other hatches are light, however, you may find some 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 are still well below average at 136 CFS at the Falls Village Gauge. 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 and Silversides. Stripers and Bluefish have been chasing them on the surface, and there are a few Bonito. Most activity is in the Eastern Sound, and towards Middleground. 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”, Silversides, 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 for Stripers.
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 966 CFS. Water temperatures on the Mainstem are now in the low to mid 60s, so temperatures have improved for fishing, the missing part of the equation is more water. Cooler evening temperatures have improved water temperatures on all sections, including the freestones. The East Branch flows are low, 250 CFS at Fishes Eddy, while the West Branch is slightly above average reading 815 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. Things have also improved nearshore with the arrival of more Peanut Bunker. 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. 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 seen an uptick this week with more topwater action on nearshore Peanut Bunker. There are also plenty of small Bluefish and Bonito to keep anglers occupied, with the first Albies being seen/caught around the Eastern most portions signaling the start of their arrival. 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.