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Hello Compleat Angler friends! Flows are low, cold, and many areas are frozen or slushed on our local rivers and streams. However, temperatures will improve a bit for this upcoming week and will reach a high of 48 degrees. This will help hatches a bit, and the most significant improvement for this week is the start of the Small Black Stonefly hatches which will only continue top improve as we get closer to Spring. Nymphing is still the most productive method, and anglers that are fishing hard have been rewarded with a few quality fish on the Farmington River. In upstate New York on the Salmon River, anglers fishing for Steelhead have been experiencing cold weather and high winds. As a result, the DSR is closed until windchill ceases. During the warmer days, persistence anglers have been finding a fish or two each day on the upper portions of river, from Pineville to Altmar, which is currently clear of shelf ice and slush. Again, nymphing will be the most effective method with lower-than-average water, and focus on the deeper and slower pools will yield the most success.
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Hello Compleat Angler friends! This week flows are still below average on all of our local rivers and streams, so we have similar conditions when compared to last week. Flows are low and clear with air temperatures around the mid-30s. While hatches are diminished during cold conditions, you may find some Winter Caddis hatching in the morning followed by Midges. In addition, flows were cut on the West Branch of the Farmington, and the Housatonic is below average. Some areas have shelf ice, or the slower pools are frozen over. Generally, above Riverton on the Farmington has been clear of ice. On the Salmon River in New York, flows were dropped to below average, but previous high flows have pushed more Steelhead into the system that are now holding in the river. The lower river, when clear of slush, has been producing a few fish for anglers each day with some being lucky enough to find double digit numbers. Both swinging flies and nymphing have been productive. Upriver, conditions are clear and easy for wading, and with fish spread throughout the system, anglers are finding a fish or two each day from Pineville to Altmar.
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Hello Compleat Angler friends! We don’t have any groundbreaking improvements for this week on our local rivers and streams. Because flows are cold and below average, ice or slush have been an issue on some sections, causing some anglers to turn to fly tying to stock their boxes for warmer days ahead. To avoid the ice on the Farmington River, anglers are fishing upriver of Riverton which is clear. We have a few warm days for this upcoming week, reaching into the low 40s. Timing your fishing around these afternoons can be the most productive opportunity for winter fishing. The Housatonic River is also experiencing shelf ice and slush. On the Salmon River in New York, flows were raised to above average which has improved catch rates a bit on the lower sections of the river when they’re not iced over. We have a cold weekend ahead with some warmer days during the upcoming week. Anglers are consistently finding a Steelhead or two each day from Pineville to Altmar. Persistence and a warm layering system will help you be more successful out there.
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Hello Compleat Angler friends! For those brave souls venturing out during these conditions we hope you all have managed to stay warm. There are no significant changes this week in terms of flows, and with the continuation of low water and cold weather, slush and ice have been an issue on some rivers. For instance, on some of the slower pools of the Farmington River, shelf ice and/or slush has been prevalent until the sunnier afternoon. Hatches will be diminished, but on occasion Winter Caddis and Midges will be hatching. Nymphing has been the most productive option. However, on average catch rates will be lower during winter. Persistence, covering water slowly and methodically, and planning your outings during the warmer days will help in your success. On the Salmon River in New York, smatterings of snow will be expected throughout the week with air temperatures ranging from the 20s to 30s. When the lower river isn’t slushed up, anglers putting in their time have been finding a fish each day. It’s a similar story upriver, however slush isn’t as much of an issue at the moment.
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Hello Compleat Angler friends! No momentous changes this week in terms of flows and weather. However, planning your winter fishing around the warmer and sunnier days can result in finding some Winter Caddis hatches in the morning followed by Midges. Anglers having the most success, however, are fishing subsurface with nymphs and jigged streamers. For nymphing, generally small imitative flies will work, especially your Midge patterns. It is still worth bringing some egg patterns and Mop Flies, as those can entice additional fish. Trout fishing can be slow during the winter, but you can find a bite window in which the fishing improves, which is generally when water temperatures are at their warmest in the afternoon. With that said local temperatures will be in the teens for this upcoming week, so bring some warm layers if deciding to fish. On the Salmon River in New York, Steelhead conditions are of a similar tune; temperatures will be in the teens with snow throughout the week. On the colder mornings slush is prevalent on the lower sections of river, while areas from Pineville to Altmar are still clear. Anglers that have been grinding are finding a fish or two each day.
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Hello Compleat Angler friends! The cold winter weather continues, and with that cold water temperatures and sluggish trout. This week brings no momentous changes in terms of fishing, however with the colder water you will want to adapt your techniques and approaches. Focusing on sections of the runs that have slower flows will help since trout are more lethargic. Slower metabolism in cold weather means they will feed or move to a fly less often, so it helps to have a methodical approach. Spending more time picking apart an area means there’s a better chance your fly will appropriately present itself to fish. All local rivers and streams have good clarity and easy wading since flows are below average. The Housatonic River is also back down to fishable levels, and the Farmington has average flows. While hatches are diminished you may find some Winter Caddis hatching during the morning, followed by Midges in the afternoon. The best techniques are currently subsurface, either nymphing or fishing jig streamers. The Salmon River in New York has cold conditions for Steelhead fishing, with slush being an issue in the lower stretches of river. Altmar to Pineville is still fishable with below average flows. Anglers are finding a few fish each day, however, catch rates have been slower. Your best techniques are nymphing with Egg Flies or Stoneflies, and swinging streamers.
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Hello Compleat Angler friends, we hope some of you were able to take advantage of the warmer weather last week, and congratulations to all those anglers that have found their first fish of 2025! Temperatures are colder this week, but the sunnier days are helping warm temperatures just enough during the afternoon to create a bite window when trout are most active. Most anglers sre having good results when nymphing, however you may encounter some morning Winter Caddis hatches or fish willing to rise to Midges throughout the day. Anglers that are fishing local are finding fish holding from Fall stockings, namely on the Mianus, Saugatuck, and Mill Rivers. Putting in the time and fishing slow and methodically are key ingredients for winter fishing since Trout are more lethargic. Anglers fishing the Farmington have been finding some nice quality fish on small nymphs and streamers fished slowly or jigged. For our Steelhead Anglers, the cold, wind, and snow are elements you will have to battle this weekend and into next week. If deciding to fish a good layering system is a must. Flows are above average on the Salmon River, which means that fish will be traveling and pushing into the system. Anglers braving the elements and putting in their time are being rewarded with a few fish each day. Fish are spread throughout the entire river from the DSR into Altmar. Stay warm out there!
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Hello Compleat Angler friends! While air and water temperatures have been frigid this past week, we will see a warmer stretch of weather starting Sunday and lasting until Wednesday. This will help warm water temperatures a bit during the afternoon, and hopefully jumpstart some Winter Caddis or Midge hatches. Overall, winter fishing can be tricky, however flows and clarity are all good on our local rivers and streams. Anglers braving the elements are being rewarded with trout left from the Fall stocking. In addition, anglers are still finding holdover trout on the Farmington River. With hatches diminished during the Winter, subsurface will be the most effective method, and during cold temperatures trout are now preferring their winter leis, which consist of slower deeper pools. Low and slow is the name of the game for nymphing, and you can expect strikes to be subtle. The Housatonic River currently has below average flows and easy wading, with plenty of fish from Fall stocking. On the Salmon River in New York, flows were dropped but are still above average. These higher flows have pushed more Steelhead into the system, which is making for some great fishing, especially in the lower sections of the river.
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Hello Compleat Angler friends! This upcoming weekend we have a taste of colder weather fishing so now is the time to layer up. If you’re fishing locally this weekend, air temperatures will reach a high in the low 30s, but local options are great in terms of flows and clarity. Anglers are also finding some fish willing to cooperate both subsurface and on emergers. For hatches you can expect some Winter Caddis and small Blue Winged Olives. With flows slightly increased streamer fishing will be a viable option. The most effective technique will be nymphing since water temperatures have caused trout to become more lethargic, especially during the morning. Flows are also ideal on the Farmington River, and anglers are finding some nice holdover trout. Meanwhile the Housatonic River is above average at 1460 CFS, so look for an improvement in wading when flows drop below 1000 CFS. On the Salmon River in New York flows are above average which means that more fish will be pushing in and traveling. With cold weather in the teens this weekend, slush may become an issue in certain sections during the morning. Anglers have been finding a few Steelhead each day with persistence, and fish are spread throughout the entire river.
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Hello Compleat Angler friends! This past week’s rain has conditions higher than average on most rivers and streams for once. This will help spread out trout that were previously concentrated in the deeper pools. Currently the Housatonic River is too high to fish so look for an improvement in clarity and wading once flows drop below 1000 CFS. On the Farmington River, conditions are ideal, and more water is being retained at the dam which will help keeps flows up for a few weeks. Streamer fishing is currently improved, while nymphing remains the most effective method with trout being more lethargic in the colder weather. Bite windows will be short during the winter, so your best times to fish are generally from the late morning to early evening when water temperatures are at their highest. Anglers are finding some nice holdover Brown Trout and Rainbows. Thanks to the flow increase, we should see improved fishing on our smaller rivers and streams, and if conditions are still off color you may consider larger flashback nymphs or flashier and larger streamers. On the Salmon River in New York, flows have increased enough to trigger more Steelhead and Brown Trout to enter the system, so look for an improvement in numbers of fish. Both swinging streamers and nymphing will work well.
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Hello Compleat Angler friends! This week we have slimmed down the report to relevant fisheries for the winter to include Steelhead and Trout fishing. Saltwater anglers locally are still finding some holdover schoolies, namely on the Housatonic River. The South Shore of Long Island and into the beachfronts in New Jersey, anglers are still finding Stripers, however this should continue to taper off. On the freshwater scene chilly weather has reached the Salmon River in New York, with snow in the forecast. Make sure you wear a good layering system and dress warm when deciding to fish. Water has been below average on the Salmon River which has slowed fish entering the estuary and the river, however anglers that are persistent and putting in their time are able to find a few fish trickling into the lower river. In the middle and upper sections of the river Steelhead are holding in the deeper pools, so focus on these sections of water. A variety of techniques are still working, whether your drifting nymphs and egg patterns or swinging flies. The Farmington River flows were increase thanks to the most recent rain and snow, and flows are improved for the weekend. Water temperatures are still good, averaging in the low to high 40s, so you may still see some small Blue Winged Olives hatching during the afternoon. Nymphing will be your most productive option, while streamer fishing is holding up as well. The Housatonic River is still fishing well despite low flows, and techniques/hatches will be of a similar tune. Our smaller local rivers and streams have been tricky because of the below average flows; however, anglers are still finding some Trout from Fall stocking. In addition, Naugatuck was very recently stocked with more Atlantic Salmon.
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Hello Compleat Angler friends! Water levels have shot up a bit from recent rain, but they are still below average on all our local rivers and streams, so low water tactics are back in play. As a result, small nymphs are working well, and you can expect the most trout and insect activity during the afternoon when water temperatures are at their highest. The most prevalent insect will be Blue Winged Olives in sizes 20-26 both in the adult form and emergers. You may also consider bringing Tan Caddis and Midges. The Housatonic is also below average but fishing well from the Fall stocking, and the Farmington River is holding steady with wadable flows. Streamer fishing will still be in play as Brown Trout look for high calorie meals since most have completed their spawning. On the Salmon River in New York Steelhead fishing has seen an uptick in the lower sections of the river since there was a small increase in flows. This has triggered more fish to push into the river. The tributaries are also fishing well for Steelhead and Brown Trout. Local saltwater fishing has been spotty, but schoolies can still be found on Peanut Bunker along the shoreline, as well as around coves and the mouths of rivers. The mouth of the Housatonic River is seeing Stripers return to winter over upriver, and anglers are catching fish from the mouth to the I-95 bridge. The Striper action continues strong along the South Shore of Long Island down into New Jersey as large rafts of fish crash Bunker and Sand Eels. Meanwhile, Rhode Island is still seeing some schoolie action near the salt ponds and the mouth of the Providence River, however the bite has been tapering off.
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