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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