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Northeast Fishing Report 9/19/2025
Hello Compleat Angler friends! This week the Farmington remains the most consistent river, with stocking yet to occur on the Freestones. Flows are below average with good clarity and easy wading for the weekend. Hatches haven’t been great, so nymphing with small flies is getting the job done; however, you will want to bring some flying ant patterns for the weekend. On the Housatonic, flows are well below average but water temperatures have cooled enough to trout fish, and anglers are finding both Trout and Smallmouth Bass. The Salmon River in New York is now seeing Kings and Cohos spread throughout the entire river, with the most consistent action being in the lower sections. Fish will be more active before high sunlight, when they will hunker down in the deeper pools and holding lies. Saltwater fishing has seen improvements, especially in the Sound and along the Rhode Island Coastline. Anglers are finding great numbers of Albies from Watch Hill to Point Judith, and near Fisher’s Island and Plum Gut. They have also pushed into the Sound, and you may find some pods towards Middleground. Stripers are being found in these areas as well, and the Connecticut River is starting to improve.
Read on for more…
Connecticut
Local Rivers
Flows are holding below average from the lack of rain, and we can expect no changes in flows for the weekend. For instance, the Saugatuck River is reading 20.4 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 this past summer’s 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 late September and October, which is when Fall stocking is expected. Stocking has just begun, however the freestones haven’t been hit yet. 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 Tricos, Caddis, Blue Winged Olives, Isonychia, and Light Cahill. 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 Beacon Falls reading 80.8 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 will be tricky during these lower flows. The Naugatuck is a good alternative to beat crowds.
Farmington River
The Farmington River was most recently stocked at the end of August, most sections received fish so they will be susceptible to a lot of different patterns, including streamers. Flows of the West Branch were raised a bit but are still below average, currently reading 111 CFS in Riverton. The Still River is adding a meagre 13.3 CFS. Water temperatures on the West Branch are in the low to high 60s, and temperatures will be ideal on all sections of the river. Hatches haven’t been exceptional; 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 and all water types. During the morning hours streamer fishing can also be an effective technique, especially for the more recently stocked trout that are most aggressive. 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
Flows on the Housatonic River are still well below average, reading 118 CFS at Falls Village. The good news is that water temperatures are now conducive for trout fishing, and anglers are finding both a mix of Smallmouth Bass and trout. Trout are keying in on flying ants, Sulphurs, Blue Winged Olives, and some Isonychia during the evening. For Smallmouth, we recommend streamers such as Wolly Buggers, Crayfish Patterns, and popper flies. Anglers are also opting for Carp or Pike fishing.
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
The Eastern Sound has been seeing consistent action from Bridgeport to Fisher’s Island, especially during lowlight hours and we’re starting to see more Peanut Bunker, Bay Anchovies, and Silversides. Stripers and Bluefish have been chasing them on the surface, and there are a few Bonito and an arrival of more Albies. Most activity is in the Eastern Sound, and towards Middleground and Fisher’s Island where you may find Albies and Bonito chasing Peanut Bunker. Larger Stripers are also showing up with sporadic topwater action, especially around the Connecticut River. The shoreline fishing along the Western portion of the sound: Westport, Norwalk, Greenwich, has improved with Stripers and Bluefish blitzing of Peanut Bunker. Boat anglers are finding a few Albies scattered further West. Around the Norwalk Islands, Compo Beach, Old Mill Pond, and the beaches off Fairfield are seeing more action during the morning. The most prevalent bait is Peanut Bunker in 3”and Silversides. There are still Stripers holding in the deeper water ledges; however, surface action has been inconsistent. Overall, Albies have entered the Sound in larger numbers and have scattered throughout the area.
Hot Flies for Summer/Fall:
Custom Tied Baby Bunker (Super Realistic!)
Bob’s Banger (Stripers and Bluefish)
Surf Candies for Bonito and Albies
Good Fly Lines for Fall:
Rio Outbound Short (Good for big flies and big winds)
Rio Striper (Good all-rounder)
Leaders:
9' 16lb Fluorocarbon Leader for Bonito and Albies
Please report any poaching to the DEEP by calling 800-842-4357.
New York
Salmon River
Salmon season has started up on the Salmon River in Pulaski, with pods of Kings and Cohos entering the river each day, most of the activity is in the lower half of the system, since the run has just started up. With low water the run has been slow so far, however some anglers are having success first thing in the morning. Fish are spread out in deeper pools throughout the lower river. Currently flows are below average and are reading 195 CFS at the Pineville Gauge, so any fish entering the system are doing so slowly until flows rise. There are a few Salmon that are starting to push into the middle and upper sections of the river. For Kings and Cohos, we recommend using a 16-20 tapered leader with split shot rigged above a micro swivel to avoid having your split shot slide down to your fly. For flies, more aggressive fish in the lower sections will grab larger and bright colored intruders from Pink to Blue and Chartreuse swung on single and two-hand rods. Egg sucking leeches, Woolly Buggers, Glo Bugs, and Estaz Eggs in a variety of colors will work well.
Catskills
Flows on the Mainstem of the Delaware River are below average with the Lordville Gauge reading 1100 CFS. Water temperatures on the Mainstem are now in the low to mid-60s, so temperatures have improved for fishing, and flows will be ideal for wading this weekend. Cooler evening temperatures have improved water temperatures in all sections, including the freestones, which currently have low flows. The East Branch flows are low, 200 CFS at Fishes Eddy, while the West Branch is above average reading 901 CFS at Hale Eddy. Hatches have been improving, and some days have been producing great Blue Winged Olive hatches. On brighter sunny days you can expect the hatches to be best during the evening. For hatches you can expect Blue Winged Olives on overcast days, Light Cahill, Tan Caddis, and Isonychia. Often, fish will be keyed in on very small Blue Winged Olives (Pseudos in size 20-28) during the afternoon. It will also be worth bringing a few ant patterns, which has been the biggest improvement this past week. 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 which has been improving. There will be Bluefish in the mix and a few Bonito, with pods of Albies more recently showing up. Anglers have been finding Albies a bit further East with more consistency near Plum Gut. The most prevalent bait is now Bay Anchovies, with Silvsides and Peanut Bunker in the mix. On the South Shore of Long Island, Albies are scattered nearshore to Montauk Point. Stripers are a mixed size from schoolies to 30lb fish, and there are some sizable Bluefish mixed in on the deeper ledges. Surface action has been hit-or-miss. There is still some Bonito around the rips, and the Albies fishing has heated up this past week. When searching for Stripers, lowlight hours have been best coupled with tide movement on likely structure.
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 great Albie action materializing this past week. Point Judith, Watch Hill, and Narragansett have been seeing improved numbers. 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 with some Stripers holding in the deeper water ledges. Albies cruising through the area is now a more regular occurrence. The most prevalent bait has been Peanut Bunker and Bay Anchovies depending on where you are fishing. Striper fishing has also picked up in Providence Bay, so there are currently tons of great options along the Rhode Island Coastline.