Fishing Reports

Hello Compleat Angler friends! This week we received our much-needed rain! As a result, the most significant changes have happened to our local rivers and streams which are now flowing above average. This will spread Trout into a variety of water types and open anglers to improved streamer fishing. Nymphing will also be an effective technique, and hatches may be diminished with the higher water. On the Housatonic River, flows are still below average but are gradually increasing, and despite the below-average levels angers are finding great fishing. Small Blue Winged Olives make up most of the hatches, with the possibility of a few Midges and Tan Caddis throughout the day. Our overcast and rainy weather will help jump start the Blue Winged Olive hatches. The Farmington River is fishing well with subsurface tactics, and the West Branch flows are a little below average as water is being held at the dam. The Still River has increased from the rain. On the Salmon River in New York, flows are still below average but have jumped which is enough to trigger more Steelhead to enter the system. Anglers putting in their time are catching a few Steelhead and Brown Trout, as fish are now spread into all sections of the river. On the Saltwater, local fishing has been very spotty with fish blitzing on Peanut Bunker near coves and the mouths of rivers. Fish will be starting to stage near the mouth of the Housatonic, which is good news for our shore-based anglers. The best boat action is still in New York and New Jersey. Anglers are still catching a few late run False Albacore in Montauk, along with Stripers which are traveling off the beach fronts along the South Shore to New Jersey. Rhode Island is seeing decent topwater action near Narragansett as fish are concentrated in and around the mouths of rivers. The salt ponds have also seen an increase in Striper activity.

Hello Compleat Angler Friends! Still no improvements in the rain forecast for our local rivers, however anglers that have been fishing the Housatonic and Farmington Rivers are finding good success subsurface and on small Blue Winged Olives during the late morning into the afternoon. These rising fish will be very picky in terms of fly size, so the smaller the better. Anglers fishing on our small local rivers and streams are finding fish, however they haven’t been very cooperative with the low water. Small nymphs on a dry/dropper rig will still be your best and most stealthy approach. Water levels have lowered on the Salmon River in New York, which has slowed the numbers of Steelhead entering the system. Steelhead are now spread throughout the entire river, and persistent anglers are finding a few fish each day. On the Delaware River, the West and Mainstem flows have increased so it will be worth bringing some streamers to your next outing. Our local saltwater fishing has been spotty, with some anglers finding short lived blitzes both by boat and along the shorelines. Fish are also starting to stage near the mouth of the Housatonic River this time of year in preparation for winter over. Meanwhile, Rhode Island has seen a quality over quantity scenario for Striper fishing. Along the South Shore of Long Island into New York anglers are finding great Striper action, with blitzes on Sand Eels along the beachfront. An interesting development to note is a late season push of False Albies near Montauk Point to Shinnecock. Anglers are finding Stripers mixed in with them as well. The only tough part of the equation for fishing out East has been the weather window.

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Hello Compleat Angler Friends! Despite the continuation of our Fall drought, some of our rivers have still been holding up for Trout fishing. The Housatonic and Farmington Rivers are fishing well, and despite the low water streamer fishing has been working during low light hours thanks to an increase in Brown Trout aggression. The most prevalent hatch on these rivers is small Blue Winged Olives in sizes 18-24, and if fish are refusing your fly opting for a smaller offering can be the secret ingredient, along with a good presentation and drift. You may also find Isonychia and Light Cahill hatching during the evening hours. Our small stream options have proven difficult in low water, and the deepest pools will be holding most of the fish. Small nymphs will be getting their attention unless they are rising. The Naugatuck River also received another round of Atlantic Salmon stocking, which makes for a total of 3 stockings this Fall, so now is a good time to swing flies for a unique fish. On the Salmon River in New York, the runs has transitioned to Steelhead, and while the numbers of fish pushing in are not huge, anglers are still finding a few each day with some nice Brown Trout being brought to hand. Steelhead are now spread into all sections of the river. On the Saltwater, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island are all seeing some great Striper fishing with large numbers of fish blitzing on Peanut Bunker, Sand Eels, and Bay Anchovies. We’re also seeing some incremental improvements further west in the Long Island Sound, with schoolies blitzing on Peanut Bunker more consistently from Westport to Darien. Anglers are catching fish both by foot and by boat during the morning hours with tide movement.

Hello Compleat Angler Friends! We received a little rain this week which has bumped flows slightly on our local rivers and streams, however the increase was marginal, and they are still running below average. As a result, the fish have been finnicky and concentrated in the deeper pools. For instance, on the Housatonic, you may see plenty of fish rising, however they are picky and eating small flies. The usual hatch will be small Blue Winged Olives in sizes 20-24, with some Isonychia and Light Cahill hatching throughout the day and into the evenings. The streamer fishing has been holding up on the Farmington, Housatonic, and in the Catskills despite the low flows. Since Brown Trout have started spawning make sure to avoid these actively spawning fish and trampling on their Redds. It will also be worth adding some egg patterns in conjunction with smaller more imitative nymphs in sizes 14-20. The Salmon River in New York is also has low water, but anglers are finding a few Kings left but mainly Steelhead. On the Saltwater, if you’re fishing by foot in Connecticut this weekend the beachfronts have seen more Striper activity. During the morning hours you can find them pushing Peanut Bunker into the shallows. Our boat anglers have been finding some Bluefish, however they are far and few. The best bet when fishing by boat is to focus on the coves and mouths of the rivers, and searching for birds. New York, Rhode Island, and New Jersey currently have the bulk of the Striper migration, and these areas further East of us are fishing great. The most prevalent bait will be Sand Eels and Peanut Bunker.

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Hello Compleat Angler friends! This week the low flows continue throughout Connecticut, which is making the local small streams difficult for fishing. Many of the stocked fish in the Mianus, Saugatuck, Mill, etcetera, have yet to spread out into other lies besides the deepest of pools. When fishing these areas use a stealthy approach because conditions are clear, and most of the rises you will see are on small Blue Winged Olive Emergers around size 20. Nymphing with small flies is recommended, but you may also substitute your Egg Flies, Mops, and Squirmies which will get additional hits. Streamer fishing is tough during these flows. Areas where fishing will be better include the Naugatuck, Farmington, and Housatonic, where there are a larger variety of holding lies and deeper pools despite lower than average flows. Blue Winged Olives are also the main hatches on these rivers in addition to Isonychia, Light Cahills, and some Tan Caddis. On the Salmon River in upstate New York, anglers are seeing Steelhead pushing upriver which Kings continue to trickle in and are spread about the whole system and their respective tributaries. Brown Trout are starting to be caught in the lower system, however they’re far and few. Our saltwater anglers are finding some Stripers around the coves, harbors, and mouths of rivers. Bluefish and Bonito are still slashing small Peanut Bunker and Bay Anchovies in deeper water. If searching for them by boat check around Middleground and further east. For our wade anglers, we’re seeing improved Striper fishing along the Westport beaches and the mouth of the Housatonic. Further east along Rhode Island and Long Island Striper fishing has improved with large rafts of fishing pushing bait to the surface during the morning hours.

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Hello Compleat Angler friends! Many of our freshwater anglers are catching good numbers of Trout thanks to most local rivers and streams being stocked. Since water is low concentrating on the deeper pools will yield your best numbers until flows increase and spread fish out. Subsurface techniques have been the most effective, and a variety of nymphs and streamers are catching stocked fish. Another consideration is bringing Blue Winged Olive, Isonychia, and Tan Caddis dry flies. Fish will most likely be on Blue Winged Olives during the morning and afternoon, especially on the Housatonic River. Most of our rivers have seen an uptick in streamers fishing now that Brown trout are in their pre-spawn phase and will be more aggressive, just make sure to avoid fishing to spawning fish. There are a lot of great options now since many areas were stocked. In the saltwater we’re seeing improvements in Striper fishing this week both out east and in the Western Long Island Sound. The prevalent forage out east is Sand Eels, Bay Anchovies, and larger Peanut Bunker (4”-6”). In the Western Sound, we’re seeing similar forage with smaller Peanut Bunker (3”). The mouth of the Housatonic River, Weston and Fairfield Beaches, and the Norwalk Islands are seeing more busting schools during the morning hours. Some Albies and a few straggling Bonito are around Middleground to the Northshore of Long Island, and fishing for them has been a hit or miss in terms of finding cooperative schools.

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Hello Compleat Angler friends! Fall is underway with cooler air temperatures which means all rivers and streams have reached fishable temperatures no matter the time of day. All we are looking for now is more water, which will improve freshwater fishing. Regardless, the state Fall Stocking is underway, and so for the Mianus, Mill, Saugatuck, Housatonic, Naugatuck, Shetucket, Farmington, and many others were stocked with Trout. In addition, Atlantic Salmon were stocked on the Shetucket and look for future Atlantic stockings on the Naugatuck as well. Anglers are reporting good fishing once fish have settled after being thrown into the river, and they’re readily taking a variety of patterns. Woolly Buggers, Squirmies, Mop Flies, and your natural patterns will all be working. As fish settle and key in on natural forage/receive pressure we recommend switching over to your smaller and more imitative selections. These flies will be useful during these low flows as well, and a dry/dropper rig will come in handy. Hatches aren’t spectacular this time of year, but at any given time you may encounter fish rising on Blue Winged Olives, Caddis, Light Cahill, and Isonychia. We have some improvements on the Saltwater this week, as the Striper Migration is starting up out East, and we’re seeing schoolies in the Western Sound. Albies and Bonito have been a hit-or-miss, and some days anglers are finding schools up around Middleground and the South Shore of Long Island. It’s a similar tune out East, and many of the hardtails are still further offshore. We hope everyone has a great weekend, and good luck to our anglers participating in the Tighlined Slam!

Hello Compleat Angler friends! More improvements have happened on the freshwater scene this past week despite the lower-than-average flows. Local rivers and streams received some stockings, including the Mill River, Mianus, Housatonic, and Farmington. These stocked fish will be forgiving in terms of fly selection, so it’s time to break out the Wooly Buggers, Mops, and Squirmies until fish start to key in on naturals. In terms of hatches, you can expect Isonychia, Blue Winged Olives, and Light Cahills, however hatch activity can be a slower this time of year. Nymphing is going to be the best producer if no fish are rising, just be sure to use a stealthy approach to not spook fish during low and clear flows, and a longer leader will help when presenting dries and dry/dropper rigs. On the Delaware River fishing is starting to improve, both in the form of dry fly fishing and streamers, and smaller streamers are doing the trick during these low and clear flows. The Salmon run in Pulaski continues to be consistent on the Salmon River with fish slowly moving into and up the system but look for a bigger push in Salmon during the next higher water event. On the saltwater, we are still waiting for the Fall run to be epic, currently Albies have been difficult, and we’re not seeing large numbers yet. Some Bonito are in the Western Sound and into the beachfronts along Rhode Island, however they’re starting to taper off. Striper fishing in our end of the sound has been mainly some schoolie action, and can be found in their usual resident spots, meanwhile Bluefish have been the predominant topwater bite.

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Hello Compleat Angler Friends! We have some improvements on our freshwater fishing this week, as the state of Connecticut stocks more rivers for the Fall season. This week the Mianus and Salmon Rivers were both stocked, while the Naugatuck received fish last week. Water temperatures have also improved on all our rivers, thanks to the cooler evenings, so all we need are some improvements in flows to bump water levels closer to average. Stocked fish will be forgiving in terms of fly selection, and you will want to use a stealthy approach during these low flows. Both the Farmington and Housatonic still have below average flows. There has been a small improvement on the Salmon River in terms of flows, which will trigger more Kings and Cohos to push up from the estuary. Now is a good opportunity for a dry/dropper setup or small streamers. Bluefish continue to keep anglers busy on the saltwater with topwater feeds on Peanut Bunker, Small Silversides, and Bay Anchovies. Some anglers have been finding Bonto, Stripers, and some Albies on the mix. Overall, the Albie fishing has been a hit or miss, but anglers hunting down birds diving on bait have been successful. Out East, it’s been a slow start for Albies, however anglers are finding a few schools along the Rhode Island shoreline. Striper, Bluefish, and Bonito have been plentiful however.
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Hello Compleat Angler Friends! This week brings no major changes to freshwater fishing in our Connecticut Rivers and Streams. While the Farmington River has lower flows and warmer temperatures during the afternoon, the morning hours have been productive since Fall stocking. While the stocked fish will hit a variety of flies, look to fish more imitative selections for your more educated holdovers. On our local streams, no stocking has occurred. However, water temperatures have been viable to fish during the morning hours, and some anglers are finding fish holding over from Spring Stocking. On the Housatonic, water temperatures have also improved to the point that anglers are starting to find trout outside of the thermal refuges, all the while some Smallmouth Bass are still being caught, however the Housatonic will benefit with more water. In upstate New York, Kings and Cohos continue to trickle in with the below average water, and they are holding in all sections of the river now. Our saltwater fishery has seen the most improvement this week with the arrival of some Albies. While fishing for them is still spotty you may find them blitzing on Peanut Bunker along with some nice Bluefish. Look for improvements in the migratory Striper fishing as Fall progresses.
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Hello Compleat Angler Friends! Flows have returned to normal on the Farmington River now that the state has concluded electroshocking, and there has been decent bug activity. Your main hatches will be Tricos, Light Cahill, Blue Winged Olives, Yellow Sallies, and Caddis. Streamer fishing will start to pick up later into the Fall, and when flows increase, which are currently below average and clear. Our local rivers have yet to be stocked, however the state has started their Fall Stocking Program, so things should improve. One note worth mentioning is that the river restoration project is underway on the Mianus, and due to stream dredging the water is stained. We recommend waiting until the project is finished and clarity is back to normal. On the Delaware, not much has changed in terms of hatch activity, and the predominant insects are small Blue Winged Olive, with a few Flying Ants scattered in the mix. On the saltwater, we’ve seen small improvements in the Striper fishing this week as they started to find the large number of Peanut Bunker, along with some larger Bluefish being caught. The Albies have yet to arrive, but they’re showing up in steady numbers along Long Island and the Rhode Island Coast with Bonito mixed in. On the Salmon River in upstate New York, Kings continue to trickle into the system with some Cohos mixed in, however most of the fish are staged in the estuary due to below average flows. The largest concentration on Salmon are in the lower and middle river.
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Hello Compleat Angler Friends! We’re just on the brink of the transition to Fall weather, which has been marked with cooler evening and morning air temperatures. With that said, most of our local options are below average, so if you decide to Trout fish look to fish during the morning hours before water temperatures heat up. On the Farmington, flows have been cut for state electroshocking, however, look for an improvement this weekend when they will release more water. In good news, the state has started their Fall Trout stocking program, kicking it off with the Farmington receiving the first round of fish. On the Delaware River, the East and Mainstem received some water to bring flows above average, while water temperatures improved recently for Trout Fishing. Small Blue Winged Olives have been the dominant hatch. Flows are very low on the Housatonic, which is good for sight fishing Carp, while the Smallmouth action has slowed down. Trout fishing should be back in play in a few weeks. Local saltwater fishing has seen some improvement, and while Albies aren’t in the Sound yet, anglers have been finding Bluefish and Stripers Blitzing on small bait. Out East things continue to improve, and Bonito are just starting to arrive on the Cape and areas East in Rhode Island while the Bonito, Striper, and Bluefish bite continues strong.

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