Hello Compleat Angler Friends! The heat from the last two weeks seems to be winding down, and we've heard some solid reports out of the Farmington for trout and the Housatonic for smallmouth. The Sound is split between an East and a West bite, with the Eastern Sound producing considerably more bait, quality fish, and general life. The Western Sound is by no means dead, but the bite is limited primarily to reefs and deeper water. Temperature seems to be the demarcator for finding quality and quantity, with the Eastern Sound around Fishers Island, Block and Montauk hovering between 68-72 degrees. The Western sound is considerably warmer, between 71-75 degrees. While not astronomical, its clear that those few degrees are making a difference. Things should start to heat up in the Western Sound as fall approaches, but in the meantime, don't be afraid to take a drive.
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Hello Compleat Angler Friends! While the summer doldrums are definitely here to stay, fishing remains consistent for striped bass out East and on the reefs in the Sound. Smaller fish are being spotted between Montauk and Newport, which is a great sign given the state of the striper fishery. Trout fishing has slowed in most rivers with the exception of the Farmington, which, thanks to being fed by cold water, is producing a solid bite.
Hello Compleat Angler Friends! That midweek "nor'easter" wasn't as disruptive as originally forecasted, and in fact, lit up a pretty solid striper bite in addition to the full moon. While some rivers are certainly still blown out, flows should start to return to more manageable levels by the end of this weekend, and with cooler temperatures and drier air on the way, heat- and angler-pressured trout will get a well-deserved respite. A reminder: although trout may always be the goal, giving them a much-needed break is a good idea. Heat-tolerant species such as largemouth, smallmouth, and carp can be an amazingly fun substitution during summer months. So tie on a craw pattern, hit a creek or a local pond, and enjoy!