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Fishing Report, August 17th
Greetings Compleat Anglers! Here is your fishing report for August 17th:
Catskill and Connecticut rivers are all in deep summer conditions. For the most part, at this time of year, summer bugs are pretty similar across all rivers.
In the Catskills, daytime dry fly fishing on the Delaware West Branch and East Branch is better on the upper sections of both rivers - above Hale Eddy on the WB and above Harvard on the EB (obviously this is where you'll find the coldest water.) If you're fishing nymphs on the West Branch, its best to stay below Hale Eddy as the algae drift above Hale Eddy is bothersome to say the least. Above Hale Eddy the predominant flies are Sulphurs and Olives. Best flies overall are Iso (#12), Sulphurs (#16-#2), Light Cahill (#14), BWO (#18-#24), Tricos (#22-#26), White Flies (#12), Green and Tan Caddis (#14-#22). For nymphing on the lower stretches best flies are small nymphs (#18-#22) - Flashbacks, Copper Johns, Zebras, Pheasant Tails - all are good fishing in the riffs and deeper glides.
Current weather is forecasting rain tonight and tomorrow for the Catskill rivers - hopefully enough to cool and freshen the water!
Catskill flows are as follows:
Delaware West Branch Hale Eddy: 556cfs @ 50 degrees
Delaware East Branch at Fish's Eddy: 525cfs @ 65 degrees
Delaware Main Stem at Lordville: 1320cfs @ 65 degrees
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls: 256cfs @ 65 degrees
Remember, these temperatures are morning readings - on hot days these numbers will go up so keep an eye on the water!
In Connecticut, Tricos are beginning to show up on the Farmington! (They've been seen as far up as the Pipeline.) The are still some Sulphurs (#18) but up in Riverton only. Other key flies are Summer/Winter Caddis (#18-#24), Iso (#10-#14). BWO (#18-#26). Cahill (#14). Best nymphs are Stoneflies (golden and brown) (#6-#12), Iso Nymph (#10-#14), Caddis Pupa & Larva (#14-#18), and most importantly, smaller nymphs (#18-#22) such as flashbacks, copper johns, zebras, princes, etc.
On the Housatonic, the White Fly hatch is on! There is good Smalllmouth fishing in the riffs as well as deeper runs - use nymphs and streamers in the morning and early afternoon, and poppers in the PM. Streamers such as Zonkers, Wooly Buggers and Conehead Muddlers can be very effective as well. Take advantage of the good Smallmouth fishing - you can wait on trout until the water begins to cool off in the fall. Remember, most feeder streams are designated as Thermal Refuge for trout - no fishing within 100 feet of the marked signs.
Connecticut flows are as follows:
Farmington WB at Riverton: 229cfs in the high 50s to mid 60s.
Still River at Robertsville: 22 cfs
Farmington through the TMA: 251 cfs in the low 60s to mid 60s
Housatonic at Falls Village: 402cfs in the mid-upper 60s
In Long Island Sound, fishing has slowed a bit with the Sound temps at there peak -hopefully 73. There are occasional bunker schools getting crashed at first light, by big fish. Look for best activity during low light conditions, AM & PM. First local blue fish blitzes this past weekend, which should improve as we move into August. Keep an eye out for Bonita as the sound is full of Silverisdes and the fish will key in these tiny baits. In general, key times are early AM before first light, and PM after dusk.
Don't forget to drop into the shop for all your angling needs. We carry all major brands on rods, reels, lines, wagers, boots, accessories, flies, clothing, luggage - you name it we got it! We sell Scott, Sage, Loomis, Winston, Reddington, Abel, Hatch, Nautilus, Ross, Hardy, Lamson,Tibor- and carry a complete selection of lines. If its information you're looking for, we're happy to offer suggestions as to best fishing, guides, current flies, casting instruction, river conditions - we're here to assist you!
Tight Lines!