Fishing Reports

Hello Compleat Angler friends! This week we have below average flows on our freestones across Connecticut; however, water temperatures are improving so we should expect Fall Stocking soon. The Farmington River was stocked towards the end of August, and a variety of techniques will be working for these trout. You will also want to bring an assortment of small nymphs for the more educated fish. There are still some Tricos hatching, however hatches haven’t been phenomenal. Flows are below average, with good clarity and easy wading for this weekend. Low flows are also prevalent on the Delaware River, with the best dry fly action being Flying Ants. On the Salmon River in New York, Kings and Cohos are entering the lower river slowly due to low flows, however anglers are finding action during the morning hours. On the saltwater, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York have been seeing great improvements, with the most prevalent bait being Peanut Bunker, Silversides, and Bay Anchovies. Further East, anglers are finding some great Bonito and Albie action. To the West, Stripers and Bluefish have been more prevalent nearshore with topwater action happening during low light hours.

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Hello Compleat Angler friends! This week cooler evening temperatures have been helping drop water temperatures and improve insect activity. On our freestones across Connecticut, flows are still holding below average with no major improvements. The tailwaters are still the best options, with hatches of Tricos on the Farmington being most of the activity. Hatches have still been a hit or miss with Isonychia, Light Cahill, and Blue Winged Olives; however, there is more activity with Flying Ants. The Delaware River is also seeing good numbers of Flying Ants, and you may encounter hatches of Light Cahill, Blue Winged Olives, and Caddis depending on where you’re fishing. The Housatonic River is still well below average and fishing well for Smallmouth, however we can expect more Trout activity in the coming weeks with cooler water temperatures. Saltwater fishing has improved along the Connecticut coastline with the arrival of more Peanut Bunker, and there are Stripers and Bluefish blitzing along the coves, beaches, and islands in the Western portion of the Sound. Towards the eastern portion there are more Stripers, Bluefish, and you may encounter pods of Bonito, especially by boat. Further East in Rhode Island and New York we’re seeing the first good push of Albies, a good sign that the Fall Run has started up. In addition, our Salmon anglers will be glad to hear the run has started in the lower section of the Salmon River in upstate New York.

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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.

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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.

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While Striper fishing in the Providence Bay has held up, big fish are now in their summer holding lies, so focusing on the deeper rocky structures during low light hours can result in some good topwater fishing. The bay has been best during low light hours, mornings and evenings. Most of the reefs along the Rhode Island coast are holding Stripers. You may also get lucky finding fish along the beachfronts and rocky coves. Most of the Stripers are on Adult Bunker and Sand Eels, and you may find some Bluefish in the mix, however their numbers are not great. Also noteworthy is the Striper fishing around the rips in Newport, and there are still some large fish to be had in Block Island. There are also Bonito and Bluefish that are keyed in on small bait. The flats are also seeing some nice Stripers keyed in on crab patterns.

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Hello Compleat Angler friends! This week we’ve had a small amount of rain in the Fairfield County area, but it’s not enough to raise flows over average. Water temperatures are still hot with below average flows. Further north received more water on the Naugatuck and Housatonic Rivers which has cooled water temperatures, but flows will be stained temporarily. Fishing during the morning will yield your coolest temperatures, and streamers will be effective with water levels raised. Smallmouth fishing on the Housatonic has also been a great option. The Farmington River has good temperatures for trout fishing; however, hatches have been hit-or-miss. Flows are slightly above average and wadable on the upper section; below the still there will be some stain to the water from the influx of rain. Nymphing with small flies will be the most effective technique when there are no hatches, and there are plenty of trout spread into the faster more oxygenated water. On the Delaware River you will encounter Blue Winged Olives, Sulphurs, Light Cahill, and Isonychia. Most of the hatches will come towards the late afternoon and evening during the sunnier days. On the saltwater things have slowed in the Long Island Sound, some anglers are finding a few Stripers along the North Shore of Long Island and towards Fisher’s Island, however areas further West have slowed with small Bluefish being the primary option.

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Hello Compleat Angler friends! We’re officially into the dog days of summer. What that means is our local rivers and streams around Fairfield County are currently too warm and low to trout fish ethically. Some of our local anglers are switched over to target Smallmouth and Carp in lieu of fishing the tailwaters for trout. The Housatonic is warm and low but is currently a great option for Smallmouth fishing. The Farmington River has ideal temperatures for trout and wading. The hatches have been sporadic, but you may come across some Sulphurs upriver, Light Cahill, Caddis, Needhami, Isonychia, and soon Tricos. Many of the insects are small, so small nymphs are also getting the job done. The East and West Branches of the Delaware River has good temperatures and some hatches of Sulphurs (especially upriver on the West Branch), as well as Light Cahill, and Isonychia. Most of the hatch activity is throughout the evening unless conditions are overcast when you will find small Blue Winged Olives hatching. On the saltwater wade fishing has been difficult along the Connecticut coastline as water temperatures approach over 70 degrees. Boat anglers have been finding more fish around the islands and coves during the morning hours, with some still finding larger fish chasing bait to the surface on the deeper water ledges.

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Hello Compleat Angler friends! This week our local rivers and streams have seen slight improvements in flows from rain, however most options will be too warm to fish as they are approaching temperatures 70 degrees and over. If you do decide to fish, check your stream temperatures in the morning when they are at their coolest. It’s a similar story on the Housatonic, however there are alternative species such as Carp, Smallmouth, and Pike to target. On both the Farmington and the Delaware Rivers hatches have been sparse, however you may find fish on Sulphurs, Light Cahills, small Blue Winged Olives, and Isonychia towards the evenings. Both rivers are near average levels and are comfortable for wading. On the Delaware River, stick to the East and West branches where temperatures are safe to Trout fish. On the saltwater there are a few Stripers holding in their summer lies along the Connecticut beachfronts, we recommend targeting rocky coves and structure around islands. If you’re fishing by boat, some of the deeper water structures are still holding some nice sized Stripers and Bluefish. Your best shot at topwater action is lowlight before temperatures warm up by the afternoon. Further east will you will encounter more consistent fishing such as Plum Gut, Fisher’s Island, all the way to Block Island.

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Hello Compleat Angler friends, this week on our local rivers and streams water levels are well below average and warm. We would advise waiting for things to improve before Trout fishing again, as fish are more susceptible to stress when stream temperatures reach 70 degrees or above. The Housatonic River is also low and hot, so we recommend waiting or fishing for alternative species such as Carp, Smallmouth, or Pike. The Farmington River has average flows and good temperatures, and the hatches have transitioned to smaller insects, besides Isonychia. You may encounter Blue Winged Olives, Midges, Light Cahills, Sulphurs, and Olive/Tan Caddis. Our dry fly anglers have reported tricky fishing on the Delaware River with hatches being far and few this week. Nymphing will continue to produce fish, just be mindful of stream temperatures, while the Mainstem and small streams nearby are too warm, the East and West Branches are cooler. Saltwater fishing has been a hit or miss in Connecticut, with the steadier fishing being from Old Saybrook to Fisher’s Island. Nearshore Stripers are now in their summer haunts so you may find a few fish working rocky coastline or fishing the deeper water ledges. Rhode Island and along the Northshore of Long Island continue to see steady numbers of bigger Stripers with Bluefish mixed in.

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Greetings, Compleat Angler Friends! Unsettled weather moved in this week and we are seeing cooler temps for the holiday weekend. Heavy rain and cooler temps the last couple of days have brought down water temps in most cases. Flows will be on the drop after this evenings rain passes through. Anglers are finding some fish in the local rivers and streams, with a few rising to dries,  and should improve during the weekend. The Housatonic and Farmington have seen good dry fly activity with both receiving hatches of Sulphurs, Light Cahills, Caddis, and more recently a few Isonychia. The Delaware river has dropped significantly and is wadable,  but the mainstem is really too warm to fish. We recommend bringing an assortment of flies, as fish will change what they’re keying in on.

On the Saltwater, anglers are finding  Striper and Bluefishing a little spotty this week. Anglers near the shore are still finding schoolies along the beaches on Sand Eels. Get out by first light for your best chance of success. Boat anglers are finding larger fish around shallow and deep structure on Adult Bunker, Sand Eels, and some Mackerel. For our boat anglers, bringing some intermediate, sinking, and floating lines will have you ready for any scenario you encounter

Greetings, Compleat Angler Friends! Scorching temperatures throughout the past week have raised water temperatures in all of our rivers and Long Island Sound. A quick drop in temps the last couple of days should give fish a much-deserved break. Flows are on the drop, but we should have scattered thunderstorms with the weekend's bump in temps. Anglers are finding some fish in the local rivers and streams, with a few rising to dries, however, fishing remains slower when compared to earlier this spring. The Housatonic and Farmington have seen good dry fly activity with both receiving hatches of Sulphurs, Light Cahills, Caddis, and more recently a few Isonychia. The Delaware river has been making for some happy anglers on their float trips, who are finding some large trout willing to rise for dries. We recommend bringing an assortment of flies, as fish will change what they’re keying in on. On the Saltwater, anglers are finding some great Striper and Bluefishing in the Sound most days, while a few days have been trickier. Anglers near the shore are still finding schoolies along the beaches on Sand Eels, and there are Cinder Worms in the mix in the evening and early morning hours. Boat anglers are finding larger fish around shallow and deep structure on Adult Bunker, Sand Eels, and some Mackerel. For our boat anglers, bringing some intermediate, sinking, and floating lines will have you ready for any scenario you encounter.

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Hello Compleat Angler Friends! Scattered rain throughout the past week has flows holding slightly above average, however we can expect this to change as we have hot and dry weather coming into next week. Anglers are finding some fish in the local rivers and streams, with a few rising to dries, however, it has been slower when compared to earlier this spring. The Housatonic and Farmington have seen good dry fly activity with both receiving hatches of Sulphurs, Light Cahills, Caddis, and more recently a few Isonychia. The Delaware river is also making for some happy anglers on their float trips, who are finding some large trout willing to rise for dries. We recommend bringing an assortment of flies, as fish will change what they’re keying in on. On the Saltwater, anglers are finding some great Striper and Bluefishing in the Sound most days, while a few days have been trickier. Anglers near the shore are still finding schoolies along the beaches on Sand Eels, while boat anglers are finding larger fish around shallow and deep structure on Adult Bunker, Sand Eels, and some Mackerel. For our boat anglers, bringing some intermediate, sinking, and floating lines will have you ready for any scenario you encounter.

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