Fishing Reports

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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Hello Compleat Angler Friends, despite a few warmer days this past week, things are starting to shape up for Fall trout fishing. Cooler evening temperatures have been improving water temperatures, and many trout anglers are anticipating Fall trout stocking. For now, you may still find some fish holding over from Spring, just make sure to check your water temperatures if deciding to fish. The Housatonic River is still warm for trout, however there is some fantastic Smallmouth fishing this Spring in terms of numbers and size of fish. Poppers and larger streamers have been working well. In addition, the flows are low and clear enough to visit your favorite Carp spots for some sight fishing. The Delaware River has seen an increase in temperatures on the East and Mainstem, however the West Branch has cool temperatures and good hatches. Blue Winged Olive, Isonychia, and Ant Patterns have been the most popular forage with a few Cahills for good measure. The Farmington River is in good shape for this weekend, with a noticeable uptick in Tricos, and persistent anglers have been finding some nice holdover Brown Trout. In upstate NY Salmon season is finally here, and previous high flows have triggered Kings and some early Cohos to start running. Currently flows are average so fish that have entered the system will be staging. Rhode Island continues to impress this week with most of the Bonito run scattered across the shoreline; the heaviest concentration of fish will be from Newport to Martha’s Vineyard, with Striper and Bluefish remaining steady. Meanwhile the Peanut Bunker are showing up in Connecticut in greater numbers, so were not far off from some great Fall fishing.

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Hello Compleat Angler friends! Our local rivers and streams that were affected from the flooding are now starting to approach average levels, but some are still running high. Meanwhile, the Housatonic and Farmington Rivers were largely unaffected. If you’re seeking out great Smallmouth Bass fishing the Housatonic is an ideal flow for wading and some larger fish to be caught. Both large streamers and poppers are working well. The Farmington River is currently the best option in Connecticut for Trout, while the Delaware River has also dropped to more average levels with good temperatures on all sections. Fall trends are starting to become evident, which is the signal that fishing is improving on the saltwater. Out east along Rhode Island has the best fishing into the Cape, with Stripers, Bluefish, and Bonito crashing bait during the morning hours. Most of the bait this year is going to be smaller, so having Sand Eel, Silverside, Peanut Bunker, and soon Bay Anchovy imitations will be your best flies.

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Hello Compleat Angler friends! On our local rivers we have had an improvement in both water temperatures, thanks to the cooler evenings, and reduced flows. You will still want to check your stream temperatures to make sure you’re fishing below 68 degrees. The best options are still the Farmington River and the Catskills this time of year. On the Farmington dry flies and nymphing will be your best techniques, especially during the morning and evening hours when hatches will be at their peak. Flows are now back down to below average after water was released from the dam. On the Delaware River flows are still higher than average, and our anglers reported that this has made for some great streamer fishing. Hatches are still occurring with Sulphur, Caddis, and Blue Winged Olives being the usual suspects. On the saltwater side anglers are still finding Stripers during the mornings and evenings around the rocky shorelines and deeper ledges, with some Bluefish in the mix. The primary Bait is Adult Silversides, Peanut Bunker, and Sand Eels. Out east there has been more consistent action with all these species from the Gut out the Cape, with some Bonito mixed in along the Rhode Island shoreline. Albies aren’t too far off!

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Hello Compleat Angler friends! We have some positive news for our freshwater fishing this week, thanks to the rain our local rivers and streams are currently above average. Rain coupled with cooler daytime and evening air temperatures are helping cool water temperatures down so things are shaping up quicker for Fall fishing. As always for this time of year, make sure to check your stream temperatures if you decide to Trout fish this weekend. The Farmington River also received some rain; however, the water is currently being held in the reservoir, so flows are still slightly below average. This should keep hatches steady into the weekend until flows are released at the dam. On the Delaware River flows are high on all sections, so it’s time to break out the streamers. Hatches have been decent at best, with some small Blue Winged Olives, Sulphurs, and Isonychia. Local saltwater fishing has been a hit or miss, there are some Stripers and Bluefish still residing in the deeper water structure. For our wade anglers Penfield Reef has seen some Schoolie Striper and Cocktail Bluefish action. The primary bait in our area is Adult Silversides and some Peanut Bunker. Out east Bonito are starting to show up along the Rhode Island Coastline, with the best concentration of Stripers being from Newport and into the Cape. Bluefish are plentiful along the Northshore of Long Island, with some larger fish being found along the Southshore.

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Hello Compleat Angler friends! Our coldest water options are still the Farmington River and the West Branch of the Delaware. On the Farmington River hatches continue with consistency, and your best timing is going to be the morning and evening hours. Sulphurs continue hatching upriver, while Isonychia, Caddis, Blue Winged Olives, and Little Dark Hendricksons are hatching on most sections. During the afternoon nymphing is going to be the best producer, and many of the larger fish are being fooled by small offerings. On the Delaware the coolest water will be on the West Branch, with Small Blue Winged Olive, Sulphurs, and Light Cahill being the most consistent hatches. The hot fly of the week is featured in the photo for our fishing report, with the Tan Thunderbug Caddis emerger fooling many, especially on the Farmington. Flows are ideal for wading on the Housatonic, which is seeing some great Smallmouth fishing with some big ones being brought to hand. On the saltwater, Striper fishing has slowed down locally, with some anglers getting lucky during the morning hours. Bluefish are occasionally being found under Adult Bunker schools. Most of the action has shifted out east, where Stripers are still consistent, and some areas are starting to see Bonito.

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Hello Compleat Angler friends! We’re quickly approaching August, and the summer doldrums have hit our local rivers and streams, water levels are currently low with warm temperatures. This means that it’s time to focus on Panfish and Bass, which can be a lot of fun with streamers and small poppers this time of year. Anglers are also focusing on Carp, Smallmouth, and Pike on the Housatonic River, and with flows below average now is the time to visit your favorite Carp flats for some sight fishing. With that said, if you’re still looking to get some trout fishing in, your best options are the Farmington River and the West Branch of the Delaware; both have cold water release from the dams which make temperatures ideal for hatches and trout. The dry fly fishing has been holding steady on the Farmington, with anglers finding a variety of hatches: Blue Winged Olives, Light Cahills, Caddis, Sulphurs, and Isonychia. Meanwhile hatches have been a hit or miss on the Delaware, and now with higher-than-average flows it’s time to break out the streamers. Both rivers have been fishing well with nymphs. On the saltwater scene things have slowed a bit this past week from Fairfield to Greenwich. Most of the Striper and Bluefish action has been mid-sound and into Stonington where the primary forage is Sand Eels and Adult Bunker. While July started out hot in Rhode Island and Long Island, things have slowed to a steady pick of Stripers and Bluefish each day, with anglers bringing single digit numbers to hand.

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