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Hello Compleat Angler friends! While flows are still above average on most of our rivers and streams across Connecticut, they are dropping closer towards average levels, so most options will be clear and fishable. Before and between hatches, both streamer fishing and nymphing are working well with the high water. For hatches you can expect a few Hendricksons still, Blue Winged Olives, Olive/Tan Caddis, and soon we will start to see some Sulphurs. You may also consider bringing some ant patterns and beetles. Our anglers fishing the Delaware River are also seeing improved March Brown hatches. The Farmington River currently has ideal flows, meanwhile the Housatonic is too high to wade comfortably. On the saltwater we’re seeing improvements in bait and Striper activity. More migratory fish are pushing into the Long Island Sound, and the most prevalent bait is small Silversides and adult Bunker. There are currently some great wading and boat fishing options!
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Hello Compleat Angler friends! This past week’s rain has filled up our local rivers and streams, and while flows are on the drop now, we are still at above average levels. Flows will continue to fluctuate over the next few days with more rain expected. Some anglers are opting to wait until flows approach average for more hatch activity, while others are taking advantage of the high water and fishing subsurface. Streamer fishing will be improved during these higher flows, and you will be able to get away with fishing larger and gaudier nymphs and streamers. The good news is that reservoirs are receiving some much-needed water, so this will help flow and water temperatures throughout the summer. Most of our rivers have improved clarity, and some rivers are fishing better than others which is a factor of pressure and poaching. On the Farmington River, flows are ideal above the Still River. If you’re fishing below the Still, streamers will be a good option since flows are high but dropping. On the saltwater Striper fishing has seen improvements on our side of the sound with more fish congregating around the coves, harbor, and shoreline chasing Silversides. In addition Bunker are starting to push in with larger migratory fish hot on their trail, while some Stripers are at the mouths of rivers chasing Herring.
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Hello Compleat Angler friends! While this spring was a slow start for trout and saltwater fishing, Connecticut is seeing some improvements this week. For freshwater the noticeable improvement is the arrival of the Hendrickson Hatch, and trout are now keying in on the emergers and spinners, which marks an exciting time for our dry fly anglers. Flows are below average on most of our Connecticut options, however, keep your eyes on the gauges as we will expect rain throughout this weekend and into next week. In addition, streamer fishing has been tough with the lower flows but nymphing continues to produce fish when trout are not rising. Since most rivers are stocked, anglers are reporting bringing good numbers of trout to hand, with some finding larger holdover fish on some select rivers. On the saltwater, we’ve seen improvement in the harbors, coves, and salt ponds. Stripers have been actively feeding on Silversides and a variety of other smaller baitfish while some pods of migratory fish are blasting Herring on the surface moving along our coastline. In addition, New York is seeing the arrival of larger Stripers with Bluefish being right being right behind them on Bunker, signaling good things to come for our saltwater season.
Hello Compleat Angler friends, this weekend will be a little tricky for fishing in Connecticut, with Sunday having some higher winds. Saturday, however, will see calmer conditions being overcast with a chance of rain. Our dry fly anglers will want to bring some Blue Winged Olives with them, as these conditions are a recipe for an afternoon BWO hatch. All of our Connecticut options are at below average flows, which means good clarity and easy wading. The fishing has been good with plenty of options to consider after Spring Stocking. On the Farmington River anglers are finding both larger holdovers and stocked fish. Great news is that the Housatonic is at fishable levels, and so far one of the TMAs has been stocked. We’re starting to see the first of the Hendrickson hatches, which should improve in the coming weeks. On the saltwater anglers are finding good schoolie action around the mouths of rivers, harbors, and coves. You may see birds diving and fish working the surface. Most of the bait will be small besides Herring, and we’re still waiting on the arrival of the Bunker. Things are really starting to materialize!
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Hello Compleat Angler Friends! We’ve had some windy conditions this past week, however the good news is that temperatures have been consistently warmer which is helping warm water temperatures and improving hatch activity. Nymphing and Streamer fishing continue to produce, especially during the morning hours. Many options in Connecticut are fishing well now that most areas are stocked, and some good options relatively close to our shop include the Mainus, Saugatuck, Norwalk, and Mill Rivers. In addition, the Housatonic River was stocked, and anglers on the Farmington are finding a mix of stocked and holdover trout. For the main hatches, expect Blue Winged Olives, some small Black Stoneflies, Caddis, and Midges, with Hendricksons expected soon. On the Delaware River, flows are still below average but have seen an increase into the weekend. You can expect similar hatches with the addition of Blue Quills and Quill Gordons. Striper fishing has remained slow throughout Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York for migratory fish. We expect that to change as water temperatures increase in the coming weeks. As for holdovers, anglers are steadily finding a few as we wait for things to improve.
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Hello Compleat Angler friends! We have had a setback in our Spring fishing with colder weather, however anglers that are fishing subsurface are finding fish. Look for the warmer afternoons in the coming weeks when dry fly activity will improve. The Farmington River was stocked in multiple sections with some receiving their second round of stockings, so there is a mixed bag of stocked and some larger holdover fish being caught. On our local rivers and streams, flows are still below average with good clarity and easy wading. Meanwhile, the Housatonic River is still running a bit above 1000 CFS which makes some sections tricky for wading, and the state has yet to stock. The Naugatuck received rounds of stocking so fish will be taking a variety of flies. On the Delaware River, nymphing and streamer fishing are the most productive methods due to cold weather, however, look for an improvement in Small Black Stonefly Hatches and Blue Winged Olives as temperatures improve. On the Saltwater front, we are still early for the migratory Stripers, however anglers are finding some a few holdover fish.
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Hello Compleat Angler friends! Compared to last week, we are coming into the weekend with similar flows at below average levels. This means that clarity will be good and easy wading, however the consensus is that we could use more rain. Anglers are finding some good numbers of fish now that many rivers are stocked, especially when trout are keying in on Small Black Stoneflies. If there is no hatch activity, then using subsurface nymphing and streamer techniques will work well since stocked fish will be taking a variety of offerings. On the Farmington River, anglers are finding a good variety of holdovers and stocked fish. We’re seeing the same Black Stonefly hatch with the Blue Winged Olive hatches upcoming as Spring progresses. The Housatonic is gradually making improvements, and we’re almost at safe levels for wading. While both the Housatonic and Naugatuck Rivers have yet to be stocked, they will have holdover trout from the last Fall stocking. Our saltwater season is not yet in full swing for Striper fishing, as the bulk of fish are still staged upriver. Look for improvements into mid-April. Flows on the Delaware River are lower compared to last week, but the streamer fishing will still be working well. Anglers are also finding fish on nymphs until the sunnier afternoons when you may find a Black Stonefly Hatch. On the Salmon River in New York, flows are still above average but have dropped to safe levels to fish the lower river. We can expect some Steelhead to be dropping back with the above average flows.
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Hello Compleat Angler friends! Compared to last week, we are coming into the weekend with similar flows at below average levels. This means that clarity will be good and easy wading, however the consensus is that we could use more rain. Anglers are finding some good numbers of fish now that many rivers are stocked, especially when trout are keying in on Small Black Stoneflies. If there is no hatch activity, then using subsurface nymphing and streamer techniques will work well since stocked fish will be taking a variety of offerings. On the Farmington River, anglers are finding a good variety of holdovers and stocked fish. We’re seeing the same Black Stonefly hatch with the Blue Winged Olive hatches upcoming as Spring progresses. The Housatonic is gradually making improvements, and we’re almost at safe levels for wading. While both the Housatonic and Naugatuck Rivers have yet to be stocked, they will have holdover trout from the last Fall stocking. Our saltwater season is not yet in full swing for Striper fishing, as the bulk of fish are still staged upriver. Look for improvements into mid-April. Flows on the Delaware River are lower compared to last week, but the streamer fishing will still be working well. Anglers are also finding fish on nymphs until the sunnier afternoons when you may find a Black Stonefly Hatch. On the Salmon River in New York, flows are still above average but have dropped to safe levels to fish the lower river. We can expect some Steelhead to be dropping back with the above average flows.
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Hello Compleat Angler friends! We’ve had a little more consistency in warmer weather this past week, and flows are back down to below average levels on our local rivers and streams. As a result of both factors, there is more consistency in the Small Black Stonefly hatches, and trout are now keying in on them with more frequency. Some rivers may have more prolific hatches, and when prevalent, both skating and dead drifting a dry fly will work. In addition, stocked fish are being caught on a variety of methods from streamers to nymphs, until they start to key in on the natural forage. There are plenty of great options right now throughout Connecticut, and things will continue to improve. It is important to note that the Housatonic River is currently high and will be safe for wading once flows drop below 1000 CFS. For the saltwater, the Herring are just starting to show up, and most of the Striper activity is still concentrated upriver on the Housatonic. We should start to see improvements towards the mouth of the river midway through April. We have started our New York Catskills report for Spring, and the Delaware River currently has some good streamer fishing with the potential for trout rising to Black Stoneflies during the sunny afternoons. Flows are currently below average on all options except the East Branch. On the Salmon River in New York, flows are high from snowmelt, so we recommend waiting until flows decrease a bit. However, this could trigger some Steelhead to start dropping back.
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Hello Compleat Angler friends! The improvement this week comes in the form of reduced flows, and all our local options are either near or below average. This will make for some easier wading and improved dry fly opportunities, especially during the afternoons when you may see a prolific Small Black Stonefly Hatch. Other hatches to consider are Caddis during the morning and Midges throughout the day. This time of year is all about the Small Black Stoneflies, however, which will only continue to get better in the coming weeks as water temperatures warm a bit, and trout key in on them more often. For this weekend, a variety of techniques will be working, especially with trout recently stocked in some rivers and streams. From small Woolly Buggers to Mop flies and more natural nymphs, you will want to bring a variety with you. The Farmington has ideal clarity and flows for wading. Some anglers are finding good numbers of stocked fish while others are catching some quality holdovers, mainly on small imitative nymphs. Meanwhile, the Housatonic River is still high but shaping up for wading soon. Overall, there are some great options now, and they will only continue to improve with the weather. On the Salmon River in New York, anglers are finding Steelhead in their usually Wintertime haunts, so the slower deeper pools are still fishing well. In the coming weeks Steelhead will start to drop back down river. We can expect flows to be near or above average as there is still a fair amount of snow that has yet to melt. Anglers putting in their time are finding single digit numbers of Steelhead each day spread throughout the entire river, with an occasional Brown Trout. Both nymphing and swinging flies will be working.
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Hello Compleat Angler friends! Spring Trout Stocking is officially underway, the only tough news is the high water from this past week’s rain which has flows stained and above average. Flows should drop back towards average quickly, however, and we can expect some improved fishing as they approach average. While these flows decrease subsurface techniques will be the most effective and using some larger and flashier flies will help if flows are still stained during your outing. When flows are towards average you can expect Small Black Stoneflies to be the main hatch throughout the afternoon in sizes 16-18, which will become more prolific as temperatures warm. You may also encounter some Midges throughout the day as well as Caddis during the morning hours. There will be plenty of options and fish now, with trout holding over from Fall stockings as well as a supplement of Spring stockings occurring. As a reminder, Connecticut is catch-and-release statewide until the second Saturday in April. Steelhead fishing continues with Winter trends, as fish have not yet dropped back until consistent warmer temperatures. Anglers are still working hard for their fish; focus on the deeper slower pools and runs, and you may be rewarded with a fish or two each day.
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Hello Compleat Angler friends! This past week we’ve had a little taste of Spring, and with the moderate temperatures comes snow melt which has local flows above average. The most significant improvement is the arrival of the Small Black Stonefly hatch throughout most of our rivers. You will see them hatching in sizes 16-18 during the sunnier afternoons. Water temperatures are still cold so trout activity on these hatches is spotty, and subsurface will still be the most effective technique. Both jigged streamers and nymphs are catching some nice holdover fish. On the Salmon River, which has below average flows, some anglers are finding a Steelhead each day if they put in the work. Temperatures are still cold, with snow and rain expected in the forecast. Fish will still be in their winter lies until water temperatures improve, so focus on the slower and deeper pools and stretches of river.
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