Greetings Compleat Anglers, and from all the staff here at the shop, we wish you a Happy Holiday Weekend! Here is the fishing report for 4th of July Weekend! Our rivers, lakes and ponds are in full summer conditions, so it pays to check ahead to ascertain water levels, temperatures and hatching activity. Rivers in the Catskills are a mixed bag. The lower Delaware East Branch and Main Stem are too low and warm to fish – both recording temperatures in the high 60’s which stresses the trout. However, the lower Main Stem has some great Smallmouth Bass fishing now, so this is a great time to take advantage of these hard-fighting fish which can be caught on surface poppers as well as a variety of underwater baits and streamer flies. The upper East Branch is still nicely cool, but low, so early mornings and evenings are the best bet for hunting trout. The West Branch is still experiencing a release from Cannonsville of 500cfs, and water temperatures are cold, so the West Branch is the ticket at the moment. It has been seeing hatches of Sulphurs, Olives, Cahills, Isos, and also a few Golden Drakes as well. Mornings and evenings are best for dry fly fishing, with nymphing the riffs being productive during the day. Even with a good, cold flow and insect activity, the fish are still super picky, so practice up on your reach casts and try not to get too close to them! The Beaverkill is currently low and very warm, so keep a thermometer on hand as you fish.
Here in Connecticut, the West Branch of the Farmington has been fishing well with good activity on the upper river. Hatches of Olives, Sulphurs, and Cahills have kept the fish busy on top, while nymphing with #16 Olives, #8 Stoneflies, and #14 Caddis have produced in the riffles. Flow is steady at 259cfs through the TMA area and temperature through the TMA is around 60 degrees, but running colder up at Riverton at around 50 degrees. Bob Reichert reported this week that he had fished the lower river and there were a lot of fish rising, but no discernible flies on the water! They took some nice fish on Olives, spinners, Cahills, Sulphurs, and ant patterns.
The Housatonic is running 242cfs at Falls Village but is much too warm to fish for trout, so again, the Farmington is the best bet for trout.
Fishing in L.I. Sound continues to be good, with water temperatures hovering in the high 60s. There is still plenty of bait in our local waters (Bunker, Silversides, etc.) , and in mid-Sound as well, with some large fish (both bass and blues) being taken out in deeper water. There have been Sand Eels, and some good action off Fairfield beaches as well as Penfield Reef. Also, beaches in Westport and Norwalk have had some bass activity but most of it before daylight – (from 4:00 to sunup) so if you’re arriving after daylight, you’re missing most of the action. Also, river and creek entrances in the early morning hours continue to see activity.
And don’t forget, stop by the shop and pay us visit to see the newest gear for both fresh and saltwater – rods by Scott, Sage, Winston, Loomis, Clutch and others, as well as reels by Tibor, Nautilus, Ross, Hatch, Sage, Abel, Lamson and so many more! And look for our upcoming e-mail blast with information on our great Summer Sale!
‘Till next time, Tight Lines!
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