Hello Compleat Angler friends! As the weather gets colder, we’ve slimmed down our fishing report to relevant areas with winter fishing potential. Winter will have its own unique challenges when trout fishing in Connecticut. Fish will be more lethargic and tend to favor the deeper slower pools and runs. They may become more active during the afternoon, and when water temperatures are warmest some will forage in the faster part of the run. Water temperatures will also be coldest during the early morning, so we recommend waiting until the late morning into the afternoon when trout will become more active. You may find small Blue Winged Olives and some Midges hatching; however, they may be diminished. Fishing slowly and methodically in likely holding areas will be the key to success, and there can be a bite window on some days in which trout activity is at its highest. Overall, flows are below average on our local freestones, as well as the Housatonic and Farmington Rivers. Small nymphs and jig streamers will be working best this time of year. On the Salmon River in New York, flows were cut which means Steelhead are now in their holding lies spread throughout the river. Focusing on the deeper pools is a good start. Anglers are finding a few fish each day, as well as some nice Brown Trout.

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Hello Compleat Angler friends! The weather is getting chillier, and with that trout are starting their winter behavior. Metabolism will slow, and they will move into deeper and slower pools. Subsurface techniques will be more effective, as they will be less willing to expend energy. Our freestones across Connecticut are clear and wadable with below average flows. Persistent anglers have been catching fish primarily nymphing, and a few more aggressive fish have been taking streamers. Flows are also below average on the Naugatuck River, and more Atlantic Salmon were stocked recently. Flows are slightly below average on both the Farmington and Housatonic Rivers, which will have good clarity and easy wading this weekend. While water temperatures will result in diminished hatches, you may see some Blue Winged Olives hatching during the late afternoon and into the evening. Brown Trout have mostly finished spawning and are aggressive towards streamers; however, there are a few stragglers paired up so you will want to avoid fishing to them and stepping on their Redds. As a result of spawning, egg flies will also be working well. Flows have dropped a bit on the Salmon River in New York, creating ideal conditions for Steelhead fishing. Anglers are finding both Brown Trout and Steelhead spread throughout the entire river. Both swinging flies and nymphing will be effective methods.

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Hello Compleat Angler friends! This week our Connecticut freestones have seen an increase in flows but are still below average, a slight improvement from last week. Anglers are still finding trout from Fall stockings. Now that water temperatures have dropped lower, winter techniques will start becoming more effective. This means methodically searching the deeper pools, using a low and slow approach drifting nymphs. Egg flies will also be working now that Brown Trout are completing their spawning. On the Farmington and Housatonic Rivers, which all have fishable flows for this weekend, will also be seeing some small Blue Winged Olives emerging towards the late afternoon. On the Salmon River in New York, Steelhead fishing is alive and well with fish being spread throughout the entire river. Flows have dropped, and now most sections will have easier wading, but the river is still high. As a result, search a variety of water types, as there will be Steelhead both holding and traveling, and you may find some nice Brown Trout as a bonus. On the saltwater, the Long Island Sound has winded down, with schoolies still blitzing on occasion. Areas to focus on include the mouth of river, coves, and harbors. Late morning can result in finding some Stripers hitting Peanut Bunker on the surface. Holdover Stripers are now staging and moving upriver into their respective winter spots. Rhode Island is experiencing similar circumstances, meanwhile the South Shore of Long Island and New Jersey still has good numbers of migratory fish.

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