Hello Compleat Angler friends! This past week’s rain has conditions higher than average on most rivers and streams for once. This will help spread out trout that were previously concentrated in the deeper pools. Currently the Housatonic River is too high to fish so look for an improvement in clarity and wading once flows drop below 1000 CFS. On the Farmington River, conditions are ideal, and more water is being retained at the dam which will help keeps flows up for a few weeks. Streamer fishing is currently improved, while nymphing remains the most effective method with trout being more lethargic in the colder weather. Bite windows will be short during the winter, so your best times to fish are generally from the late morning to early evening when water temperatures are at their highest. Anglers are finding some nice holdover Brown Trout and Rainbows. Thanks to the flow increase, we should see improved fishing on our smaller rivers and streams, and if conditions are still off color you may consider larger flashback nymphs or flashier and larger streamers. On the Salmon River in New York, flows have increased enough to trigger more Steelhead and Brown Trout to enter the system, so look for an improvement in numbers of fish. Both swinging streamers and nymphing will work well.

Read on for more…

Connecticut

Local Rivers

The rain from this past week increased flows quickly, and while we definitely need the water, some of our local rivers and streams may be off color until things settle. The Saugatuck is currently above average at 138 CFS and we can expect flows to drop quickly over the weekend until our next rain on Monday-Tuesday. While flows are high and off color we can now get away with larger and flashier nymphs and streamers. Dry fly fishing will be diminished during the high water however but you may still see some small Blue Winged Olives in sizes 20-26, Midges in sizes 18-24, and Tan Caddis in sizes 18-24. Subsurface will be your best option, especially nymphing at any given time. Drab-colored nymphs will be working well such as Pheasant Tails, Prince Nymphs, Caddis Larvae, Waltz Worms, and Perdigones in sizes 14-20, as well as Zebra Midges in sizes 18-20. During these higher flows you may also include Mop Flies, squirmies, as well as some size 12 flashback nymph. If flows are still stained while streamer fishing a Kreelex fly is flashy and will get some aggressive strikes. Other patterns to consider include a variety of Woolly Bugger colors and articulated flies paired with a sink tip or full sinking line. Jig streamers either dead drifted or animated with a jigging action from the rod tip will also work well as they offer a slower and enticing motion. Overall, a slower and more methodical approach when fishing through runs will help during winter as trout are less willing to expend energy.

Naugatuck River

Flows on the Naugatuck River have also jumped considerably and are reading 1230 CFS at Beacon Falls. Conditions will be high and stained, so we recommend holding off until flows subside a bit. The mornings have been cold, so trout and hatch activity will be highest during the afternoons. There are still some Small Blue Winged Olives, Midges, and Tan Caddis hatching from late morning into the afternoon, however hatch activity will be diminished during these current flows.. For nymphing the usual suspects will work well, Caddis Larvae, Pheasant Tails, Prince Nymphs, Waltz Worms and Perdigones in sizes 16-18. Also consider bringing Zebra Midges in sizes 18-24, Mop Flies, Egg Flies, and Squirmies. Since we had a high-water event, some of the Atlantic Salmon will have pushed downriver, however you may still find some holding in the deeper pools and slower runs. For targeting Atlantic Salmon, swinging and/or stripping streamers and traditional hairwing flies, Woolly Buggers, and different color intruders will work well. Change flies after swinging through a pool, as sometimes Salmon will be triggered by a particular color or fly that has some added flash. Focusing on the entire run and fishing all sections methodically will be a good strategy to hunt them down. The Naugatuck and Shetucket are good alternatives for areas with more crowds/pressure.

Farmington River

This week’s rain has improved conditions on the Farmington as there is now more water in the reservoir. Flows were dropped in anticipation of more water and are back up to 192 CFS on the West Branch while the Still River is adding 105 CFS from rain. Overall water levels are ideal now with good clarity. On the West Branch water temperatures are fluctuating in the low to mid 40s. Water temperatures will be coldest during the morning, so trout and hatch activity will be highest when water temperatures warm during the afternoon. In the morning you will still find some Tan Caddis hatching in sizes 18-24, which will switch over to Blue Winged Olives during the afternoon and into the evening in sizes 20-24. If you see trout rising slowly, it will be worth trying some Blue Winged Olive emergers. Nymphing will be the most productive technique throughout the day. Smaller nymphs have been working well in conjunction with egg patterns now that most of the Brown Trout have completed spawning. For nymphs we recommend Pheasant Tails and Prince Nymphs in sizes 12-20, Caddis Larva 14-18, Perdigones 12-20, Hare’s Ears 14-18, Waltz Worms in 14-18, Black Stoneflies in sizes 12-18, and Zebra Midges in 18-24. Anglers are finding some nice holdover Rainbow and Brown Trout primarily on nymphs. With flows higher, now is a good time to be using streamers some colors to consider include Yellow, Olive, Black, White, Chartreuse, and Brown. Larger articulated patterns will be working in conjunction with a sink tip or full sinking line, or weighted streamers on a floating line. Vary your retrieve to see what the trout are preferring. For our two-handed anglers it will be worth swinging some larger streamers with Skagit heads and more aggressive sink tips. Streamer fishing will best during low light hours in either the morning or evening. Bite windows will tend to be shorter when Winter fishing, as trout will not be as active. Remember to not high or low hole anyone. Let’s be respectful to other anglers. Good luck! Keep in mind: Please report any suspicious activity and poaching to DEEP by calling 1-860-424-4357.

Housatonic River

Flows are currently too high and off color to fish the Housatonic River. Currently Flows are 2800 CFS at the Falls Village gauge. Look to fish when the flows recede below 1000 CFS. On a positive note, these flows will help spread Trout throughout the system that were previously concentrated in the deeper pools. Streamer fishing will also be an effective technique while flows are high and on the drop. Larger articulated streamers on sink tip or sinking lines will work well, or weighted streamers on floating lines. Nymphing will also be good while dry fly fishing will be diminished until flows reach average. Good nymphs to include in your rotation this time of year include Caddis and Scud patterns, Waltz Worms, Perdigones, Prince Nymphs, and Pheasant Tails all in sizes 14-18. In addition, bring some Black Stoneflies in sizes 12-18, as well as some Zebra Midges in sizes 18-20. Egg patterns will still be effective in 6mm since Brown Trout are finishing spawning. Having a double nymph rig will give the fish multiple options, and well as cover different areas in the water column. Larger and flashback nymphs in size 12 will work well for high or stained water along with Mop flies and Squirmies. Since air and water temperatures are cold the bite window will be shorter, the best times to fish will be the late morning into the early evening when water temperatures are at their highest.

New York

Salmon River

Light winds and cold weather are in store for this weekend on the Salmon River, but no rain or snow until Tuesday-Friday. Make sure to bring a good layering system and dress warm if deciding to fish this weekend. Flows have increased with snow melt and rain, currently the Pineville Gauge is reading 1160 CFS which is above average. This increase in water will trigger more Steelhead to push into the system, so we can expect an improvement in the numbers of fish. This push will also trigger existing fish to continue moving upriver, so don’t overlook the heads and tails of runs, as those areas tend to be traveling lanes for Steelhead. Anglers are finding fish spread throughout the whole system from Altmar down to the DSR, and with persistence they’re finding a few Steelhead each day along with the occasional Brown Trout. Nymphing is the most effective technique now, and smaller egg patterns around 8-6mm are working with the current conditions. Using fluorocarbon leaders will aid in abrasion resistance and strength in smaller diameters. We recommend using 9’ leaders in 1-3X, and having a barrel swivel connecting your leader to tippet will help for faster rerigging during break-offs, as well as offer a point where your splitshot can’t slide down to your fly. Popular Egg colors include Chartreuse, Orange, Pink, Cheese, and Blue. Estaz Eggs, Glo-Bugs, Sucker Spawn, Stoneflies, and Squirmy Worms are all flies to consider bringing. Where allowed, pegging beads offer a realistic egg imitation in a variety of colors from mottled Tangerine to Chartreuse.  Anglers swinging flies can opt for Woolly Buggers in a variety of colors, Egg Sucking Leeches, or PNW style Intruder Flies. These can be swung with a single hand or spey rods in conjunction with a sink tip. During these higher flows fishing Skagit heads will be an effective method as you can use more aggressive sink tips.