Hello Compleat Angler Friends! Water levels are back up on our rivers and streams after Thursday’s rain. So most spots will be high and a bit stained. Conditions will improve earlier this upcoming week, and before the expected rain on Wednesday- Friday. Your high-water tactics will still pull a few fish: getting down aggressively with larger streamers and heavier nymphs. Saltwater fishing continues to improve for holdover at the mouth of rivers, near coves, and in bays. Clousers and Deceivers will be your best flies. It’s the same story in New York and Rhode Island, which means that migratory Stripers have yet to show up. In upstate New York on the Salmon River dropback Steelhead fishing continues to be good, with Smallmouth showing up in more numbers in the lower sections. Higher water on the Delaware from this week’s rain means that drifting the river is going to be your best bet, but the dry fly activity has improved and were seeing more Hendricksons, Blue Quills, Blue Winged Olives, and Small Black Stoneflies.

Read on for more…

Connecticut

Local Rivers

Flows have shot up from this past week’s rain, for instance the Saugatuck is reading 876 CFS, so high water tactics are in play. Nonetheless, on sunny and warm days there will be an increase in bug activity. You can expect a fair amount of Caddis and Small Black Stoneflies in sizes 14-16. The next prevalent insect will be Blue Winged Olives in sizes 18-20, as well as some midges in similar size. Since water levels are high this will decrease trout surface activity, however blind fishing dries could result in a few more active fish. Many anglers are starting off with nymphing during the mornings and are having good success. Some of our favorite patterns include: Pheasant Tails, Prince Nymphs, Caddis Larvae, Waltz Worms, and Perdigones in sizes 14-18, as well as Zebra Midges in sizes 18-20. Many of this Spring’s stocked trout are keying in on the river’s natural forage, however some are still being fooled on Mops and Squirmies. Swinging soft hackles can be a good method for fish keying in on emergers, and your standard CDC or Partridge flies in 14-18 will work. For most of our nymphing and dry fly scenarios we prefer 5x-6x, and in areas with tight brush a 7.5ft leader will work well, such as the Rio Powerflex in 7.5ft. During mornings and overcast days fish will be more willing to chase streamers from Wooly Bugger in 4-10 to larger articulated flies. Both can be paired with a floating line or sinking/sink tip option. Some good colors to bring include Olive, Black, White, Yellow, and Tan. Areas to consider are the Saugatuck, the Mill River in Fairfield, the Aspetuck River, and the Norwalk River. Plenty of ponds and lakes were also stocked, which is a good opportunity to take the kids fishing.

Naugatuck River

The Naugatuck River has also increased quickly and is currently reading 3340 CFS at the Beacon Falls Gauge. High water fishing tactics, or waiting until flows drop are going to be your best bets. The lower and middle sections of the river were stocked recently, the fishing and fly selection will be more forgiving in these areas, so try using some Mop Flies, Squirmies, and bright flashy streamers. Look to fish Small Black Stoneflies, Midges, Caddis, and Blue Winged Olives as your main hatches. In respect to other insects, having a range of sizes from 12-24 in nymphs/dries will have you covered. Bring similar patterns to the local rivers and streams report above. The Naugatuck is a good alternative for areas with more crowds/pressure.

Farmington River

Flows at the dam were raised then lowered in expectation for this past week’s rain. Water levels are rising and are currently 692 CFS in Riverton, while the Still River has shot up to 1630 CFS. Conditions are high, especially downriver of the confluence and the Still will add some stain and debris to the mix. Large fluctuations in flows can also make fishing difficult as trout like stability, and often must acclimate as the flows change. Water temperatures are improving, fluctuating between the low to mid 40s, and during the warm and sunny afternoons you will see an increase in insect activity depending on where you’re fishing. Most of the river is experiencing Blue Winged Olives in sizes 18-20, Tan Caddis in 16-20, Small Black Stoneflies in 14-16, and Midges in size 20. Since water temperatures are warming there have been some reports of Hendricksons being seen downriver, however it is relatively early. Trout surface activity is going to be limited as flows increase but look for an improvement when conditions average out again. Nymphing is going to be the most productive method and will catch a variety of stocked fish as well as the holdovers. The holdovers are going to be more difficult but persistence and a more natural selection of flies will help even the odds. For nymphing, you will want to bring Stoneflies in sizes 8-12. One technique is to use these larger flies as your point nymph paired with a smaller dropper nymph: Pheasant Tails in sizes 12-20, Caddis Larva 14-18, Perdigones 12-20, Hare’s Ears 14-18, Waltz Worms in 14-18, and Zebra Midges in 18-24. In terms of rigging, look to use 5x-6x Fluorocarbon when nymphing. Smaller nymphs in sizes 18-20 will pair well on a dry/dropper rig. For Streamer fishing you’ll want to bring some Wolly Buggers and jig style streamers in sizes 8-10 in a variety of colors: Olive, Black, White, and Brown. Fishing articulated flies on a sinking/sink tip line can be another useful tool to include in your arsenal. Weighted Sculpin patterns are another consideration and can be fished on a floating line. Now is a good time for our Trout Spey anglers to break out the Scandi heads to try swinging some wet flies, as insects will become more active during the afternoon. Fishing a wet fly swung on a less aggressive sinking tip when flows improvecan pull additional fish during afternoon when insects will be emerging. Otherwise, getting down to the fish with a Skagit head and Tungsten Tips will be useful during higher flows. Remember to not high or low hole anyone. Let’s be respectful to other anglers. Good luck! Keep in mind: Please report any suspicious activity and poaching to DEEP by calling 800-842-4357.

Housatonic River

The Housatonic River is seeing increased flows from the rain, currently at 3000 CFS and rising. These flows are too high and stained for wading, so we advise fishing during safer flows, which are 1000 CFS and under. It seems like we can’t get a break to get out there this Spring. When flows return to normal, you may encounter some Midges in sizes 18-24, Small Black Stoneflies in sizes 14-18, and Blue Winged Olives in sizes 18-20. Streamer fishing and nymphing are going to be the most productive techniques until water temperatures warm a bit to increase hatch activity. Anglers that have been streamer fishing are swinging flies on a floating or sink tip line with either single handers or trout spey rods. If you are fishing articulated neutrally buoyant streamers (Mini Dungeons, Drunk and Disorderly, Circus Peanuts, ect), you will want to pair these with a sinking line and a short 5’ leader tapered from 20lb to 10lb. For our floating line Streamer Anglers, consider drab colored Conehead Woolly Buggers paired with a 9ft 2x leader. Now is also a good time for our Trout Spey anglers to consider throwing larger patterns during the afternoon in combination with swinging soft hackles in the mornings and evenings. Trout Spey is a good way to cover and search water, especially in the wider stretches. During the mornings nymphing still remains the most effective method. For nymphing with an indicator (we’ve had great feedback on the Oros Stike Indicators), a 9ft tapered fluorocarbon leader in 5x-6x is recommended. Nymphs to consider bringing include Pheasant Tails, Caddis Larvae, Prince Nymphs, Hare’s Ears, Waltz Worms, Perdigones, and Yellow/Golden Stoneflies in sizes 12-18. For smaller nymphs, Zebra Midges in 18-24, will fool fish under most conditions.

Saltwater

Anglers are starting to catch their first Stripers of the season at the mouth of the Housatonic River. Stripers are starting to drop back down with more regularity and have been ranging from schoolie sized into the mid 30 inches. For this fishery we recommend using a 9 or 10wt rod paired with an intermediate sinking line. For your leader a shorter 7.5ft section of 20-30lb will turn over easily when paired with a Clouser. For colors consider bringing Olive and White on clear sunny days. With the amount of rain we’ve had, water will be stained so bringing brighter colors such as Chartreuse and White will help stand out in dirty water. Larger Herring Patterns are also a consideration this time of year for our boat anglers fishing near the rivers. There have been some Stripers filtering in around the coves, harbor and around the mouth of rivers. Focusing on rocky structures and points when fishing from boat is crucial and wait until the flats warm during the afternoons and into the evening to see more Striper activity in these spots. The Housatonic River Striper Fishing will pick up throughout the lower sections as April progresses.

New York

Salmon River

Flows have been holding steadily below average, which means that there is good clarity and easy wading. Currently the flows are reading 464 CFS in Pineville, and lower flows such as these should prolong the dropback season as fish are more eager to be holding during these flows. Steelhead are spread throughout the entire river, with anglers catching a few fish with more consistency in the lower section, and Smallmouth Bass are more prevalent. Therefore, covering water and moving around to different sections will aid in your success. Where you catch one fish you will find more, as the Spring dropbacks tend to pod up and concentrate. many different techniques will be working, whether you are swinging flies with sinking tips or nymphing. For nymphs consider Stoneflies in sizes 6-12, as well as Pheasant Tails, Hare’s Ears, and Squirmy Worms. A variety of egg patterns will be working from Estaz Eggs, Glo Bugs, and Sucker Spawn to 6-8mm beads. Switching files, sizes, and techniques will help you identify what the Steelhead are keying in on during that day. Many anglers are still finding fish at the heads and tails of runs, which are prime traveling lies for fish moving downriver, so don’t overlook the sections where flows increase in speed. Anglers from Altmar to Pineville will still be seeing the largest concentration of fish, and in the Upper Fly Zone now that this section of river is open. When Nymphing, having a micro barrel swivel incorporated into your leader will help avoid splitshot sliding down your leader, as well as aid in quicker rerigging during breakoffs and snags. For our two handed anglers, Skagit and Scandi techniques have been working, and we like Rio’s Skagit Max Power head combined with either a mono or coated running line. Have a variety of MOW Tips and Versileaders so you can fine tune the depth of your fly based on flows, depth, and current speed, to aid in your success. For tippet, we like using Maxima Ultragreen in 10lb when swinging flies on Skagit. For Scandi a 12-15ft leader tapered down to 3x is key. Having a variety of colors to rotate between is the name of the game: Brown, Olive, Black, Blue, Purple, and Pink are all good considerations. Rain is expected this weekend and a few days this upcoming week so expect flows to increase.

The Catskills

Flows have increased on the Delaware River due to rain, which means wading is going to be tricky. You will probably want to stick to floating the main river unless fishing the feeder creeks. The mainstem is currently flowing 7290 CFS at Lordville, and water temperatures have been fluctuating in the mid to high 40s. The West Branch is 2850 CFS at Hale Eddy while the East is 5140 CFS at Fishes Eddy. You will still find Small Black Stoneflies hatching in sizes 16-18, as well as Blue Winged Olives in sizes 16-20 and some Black and Tan Caddis in 16-18. Most notable is an improvement in Hendricksons in sizes 12-14, as well as Blue Quills in 16-18. Most anglers are fishing streamers during the high water and are bringing a few fish to hand, so bring some articulated streamers paired with a sinking line while flows are dropping. Some colors to consider are White, Yellow, Chartreuse, Black, Olive, and Brown. For nymphing, consider Prince Nymphs, Pheasant Tails, Caddis Larvae, Perdigones, Waltz Worms, etc... In sizes #14-#20. During the warmer afternoons you may have luck swinging soft hackles. During the colder mornings stick to your subsurface patterns, until the afternoon when you may see some fish rising in the slower pools.

New York Saltwater

Holdover Striper fishing has seen and improvement while anglers are still waiting for migratory fish to show up in more numbers. Focusing on the bays and salt ponds is going to be your best bet. For this fishing you will want to bring some smaller Clousers in #2 and a variety of colors, small Deceivers, Sand Eel patterns and Grass Shrimp. Fishing poppers early mornings on a floating line can be a blast, such as Bob’s Bangers and Gurglers. Most of the holdovers you will find are in the 20-30” size with a few high 30” in the mix.

Rhode Island Saltwater

Again, sticking to the salt ponds and bays is going to be the most productive for holdover Stripers, and don’t overlook the beach front near these areas as Stripers filter out with the tide. There aren’t any signs of migratory stripers yet.