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Northeast Fishing Report 5/15/26
Hello Compleat Angler Friends! Despite the cool temperatures and rain, fishing remains top notch, and should continue to improve with next week’s warm weather. Trout stocking is nearing its final push of spring, but holdovers and wild fish are starting to liven up with increased hatches and better flows. Striper fishing in the sound is also on an upswing, with fresh fish filling the Western Sound each day. We are even getting reports of anglers catching bass as far east as the Pawcatuck River in RI. The predominant bait remains to be herring, silversides, and some squid. There are a few reports of spring sandeels in the mix.
Read on for more…
Connecticut
Local Rivers
Flows are back down again, with the Saugatuck flowing at 26 CFS. Hendricksons are starting to phase out, with caddis becoming the predominant hatch. Both the lower and the fly-only section of the river have been stocked within the last two weeks, so there are plenty of fish to go around. The Mianus, Mill, Housatonic, Naugatuck, and Hammonasset rivers have all been stocked again in the last two weeks, and fish are still willing to take dry flies on warmer days, but streamers, midges, and nymphs have been the play. With the upcoming warm weather, hopefully the bite continues.
Dry Fly Hatches:
Nymphs:
General Mayfly Attractor 14-18
Streamers:
Krystal Bugger (Black, Chartreuse, Brown, Olive, White, Burnt Orange) 6-12
Naugatuck River
The Naugatuck is at a comfortable 407 CFS. The East Branch, Mid Sections, and Lower Section of the Naugatuck have recently been stocked. With warmer weather next week as well as the recent rain, streamers and dry flies should start to pull in some nice fish. Try targeting pools and pocket water along the banks, as well as deeper water at the end of riffles or shallower runs.
Farmington River
Hatches are definitely in transition right now, with Hendricksons ending in the Permanent TMA/C&R, and others about to start up. By the end of the month we will have a real diversity of bugs hatching, and we are seeing hints of that now. Caddis have become the dominant hatch, with a tan Caddis in #16-18 being the main bug. There are also #20-22 black Caddis and some small gray/brown ones. The Caddis have been hatching between mid morning and mid afternoon. Subsurface with pupa & wet flies/soft hackles is a good choice for the Caddis when they are hatching, and if you find them feeding on the surface you can pick out the bigger trout and target them. General rule of thumb: Caddis usually hatch earlier in the day, and come back and egg-lay in the evenings in riffles. #18-20 Olives are hatching on cloudy afternoons like today, usually in gentle riffles & pools.
If the river is crowded, and it often is, remember that there are miles of trout-filled water both above and below the 6.2 mile Permanent TMA/Catch & Release (C&R). Don’t limit yourself to only fishing that section, that’s a mistake. There are 4 miles of TMA above that up to the dam, and another 10 miles of TMA below that down to the Rt. 177 Unionville bridge, and it’s all great water with lots of trout: stocked, holdover & wild. There is a decent amount of trout below that into the town of Farmington, and even trout all the way down to Tariffville Gorge. The lower river is good until the water gets too warm, usually around mid to late June, and then it picks up again in September when things cool down.
The Permanent TMA/C&R this morning is medium-low at 227cfs. Riverton from the dam to the Rt 20 bridge (Hitchcock/Riverton Self Storage) is 137cfs, and a little below that the Still River is adding in 90cfs. Riverton water temp is 44.5 degrees this morning, it peaked yesterday at 46.5. Behind UpCountry it is 49.5 degrees this morning, it peaked Wednesday afternoon at 51 degrees. Unionville USGS gauge is reading 343cs, making the lower river very fishable & wadeable.
Dry Fly Hatches:
Nymphs:
General Mayfly Attractor 14-18
Streamers:
Krystal Bugger (Black, Brown, Olive, White, Burnt Orange) 6-12
Larger Articulated Streamers on a sinking/sink tip line
Housatonic River
The Housatonic at Falls Village is reading at 803 CFS, which is a decent amount lower than last week. Fish have been rising to Hendrickson’s, which are now starting to transition to caddis. Sexy Walts, Big Prince Nymphs and streamers have been working well. They just stocked the river again, so there are plenty of trout around. The Shepaug is in perfect condition, however, steep rock does have the ability to limit those sections of the river near the Washington Rod and Gun Club. The Caddis hatch should continue to gain intensity as weather warms and water levels stay consistent. We’ve heard good things about the sections of the river near the Bulls Bridge, up to Kent, and portions of the river near Cornwall. For those smallmouth enthusiasts, we are starting to see more anglers in the shop gearing up to fish for bronzebacks, so if you are like me, don’t turn your nose up at the opportunity! Smallmouth fight like hell, take a variety of flies, and are a godsend in the summer months when high temps and low water push trout low.
Dry Fly Hatches:
Nymphs:
General Mayfly Attractor 14-18
Streamers:
Krystal Bugger (Black, Brown, Olive, White, Burnt Orange) 6-12
Larger Articulated Streamers on a sinking/sink tip line
New York
Salmon River
Anglers had a slow day on the run this week, with a low guest density. This morning saw one steelhead connected with but lost prior to landing, and a few smallmouth. Thursday afternoon, one of the guests connected with 3 steelhead in the 20-25” range on a squirmy worm under a float, fishing in the middle section.
The current dam release is 750 CFS through 9:00pm this evening; at that time, it’s scheduled to bump down to 350 cfs through 11:59pm tomorrow evening. The Pineville Gauge is at 936 CFS.
Catskills
Both Cannonsville and Pepacton Reservoirs are now spilling. The release from Cannonsville is 902 cfs with 248 cfs coming over the top. The rivers are in good shape but running high. Clarity is fine. We’re on a warming trend without much rain in the forecast so hopefully things will settle down this coming week. The best wade spots will be on the Beaverkill and Willowemoc. We’re still seeing Hendricksons on some sections along with caddis and Hendrickson spinners. Dark Brachycentrus, Gray Fox, and March Browns are out on other river sections. Blue quills are even hanging on in some parts of the river.
Today will be 60 degrees with clouds and a slight chance of a rain shower. Total rainfall should be .1″. Wind will be 10 – 15 mph from the North.
CT Saltwater
Striped bass fishing remains strong, with fresh fish showing up with each passing day. Things might slow for a bit after yesterday’s push of colder weather and rain, but warmer temps are on the way. River herring and silversides remain the predominant bait, but Bunker should start to arrive soon. The end of May into June can be an amazing time to connect with a trophy sized migratory striper, so keep working those river mouths and back bays for your shot at a monster.