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Hello Compleat Angler friends! We’ve had a little more consistency in warmer weather this past week, and flows are back down to below average levels on our local rivers and streams. As a result of both factors, there is more consistency in the Small Black Stonefly hatches, and trout are now keying in on them with more frequency. Some rivers may have more prolific hatches, and when prevalent, both skating and dead drifting a dry fly will work. In addition, stocked fish are being caught on a variety of methods from streamers to nymphs, until they start to key in on the natural forage. There are plenty of great options right now throughout Connecticut, and things will continue to improve. It is important to note that the Housatonic River is currently high and will be safe for wading once flows drop below 1000 CFS. For the saltwater, the Herring are just starting to show up, and most of the Striper activity is still concentrated upriver on the Housatonic. We should start to see improvements towards the mouth of the river midway through April. We have started our New York Catskills report for Spring, and the Delaware River currently has some good streamer fishing with the potential for trout rising to Black Stoneflies during the sunny afternoons. Flows are currently below average on all options except the East Branch. On the Salmon River in New York, flows are high from snowmelt, so we recommend waiting until flows decrease a bit. However, this could trigger some Steelhead to start dropping back.
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Over the past week our local rivers and streams have been dropping, and are currently clear, easy for wading, and below average flows. For instance, the Saugatuck River is flowing at 110 CFS. The most notable improvement for this week is the frequency of the Small Black Stonefly Hatch during the sunnier afternoons. Fish are now keying in on them in sizes 16-18, so the dry fly fishing has improved. Switch up your presentation, as both dead drifting and skating dries will be working. Anglers are reporting good fishing on the Mianus, Saugatuck, and Mill River. Some other rivers and streams have been recently stocked, so there are many options throughout the state. During the morning, and before the Stonefly Hatch, you may see some Caddis or Midges in sizes 18-20. If insect activity is lackluster, we recommend using subsurface techniques, either streamer or nymph fishing. Stocked trout will hit a variety of streamers, from small Woolly Buggers to articulated flies in the 3” size range. Vary your streamer colors and retrieve until you figure out what the fish are preferring. Jigged streamers will also be effective as they offer slower and more enticing action if trout are lethargic, as well as slowly swinging you fly through the current. Nymphing will also be another effective technique when dry fly activity is slow. For nymphs, a variety of patterns will be working including Mop flies, Squirmies, Pheasant Tails, Prince Nymphs, Perdigones, Waltz Worms, Caddis Larvae, and Zebra Midges. Sizes 12-20 will work well in these patterns. Overall trout and hatch activity has improved this past week and will continue to do so as water temperatures warm. This weekend will yield cloudy skies with low winds, and air temperatures in the 50s. In addition, some ponds and lakes were stocked which presents a good opportunity to take the kids fishing.
The Naugatuck River TMA was recently stocked, so there are a variety of stocked and holdover trout to catch. Flows have dropped back down to 684 CFS, which is below average but comfortable flows for fishing as well as wading. Hatches will be like our local rivers: there are still some Midges, and Tan Caddis hatching from late morning into the afternoon, and more recently Small Black Stoneflies. 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. Nymphing will be the most productive method, especially in the morning with trout being more lethargic due to cold water temperatures. Stocked fish will be forgiving in terms of fly selection, so bringing some streamers can be an exciting way to take advantage of their aggressive nature. Currently flows will provide streamer fishing as a viable option. The Naugatuck and Shetucket are good alternatives for areas with more crowds/pressure.
Flows on the West Branch of the Farmington River have gradually dropped throughout this past week, and flows are currently below average reading 165 CFS in Riverton. The Still River has also been dropping since the last rainfall and is currently adding 233 CFS. Overall, water clarity and flows are good for fishing this weekend. Water temperatures in Riverton are fluctuating in the high 30s to low 40s. You may see some Black Stoneflies hatching in sizes 14-18 during the sunnier afternoons, and potentially some Caddis and Midges during the morning in sizes 18-20. Most sections of the Farmington were stocked, so anglers are finding a variety of stocked fish and holdovers. Most of the holdover fish are fooled with a variety of smaller and more imitative nymphs. The stocked fish will hit a variety of flies until they get more pressured and start to key in on the natural forage. You can expect to see fish rising during these flows, and when water temperatures are at their warmest during the afternoon. For nymphs you will want to bring Mop Flies, Squirmy Worms, 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. For streamers, a lot of options will be working from Small Woolly Buggers to articulated flies fished on sinking lines. You may also want to bring some jig streamers as a slower retrieve or jigging motion can entice the more lethargic fish. 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.
The Housatonic is now gradually dropping after an influx of water from this past week, and flows are currently 2360 CFS. Once flows reach below 1000 CFS the Housatonic will be wadable for fishing. When flows are good again for wading you may find some prolific numbers of Small Black Stoneflies hatching in sizes 16-18 during the afternoon to evening, Winter Caddis hatching in sizes 18-24 during the morning, along with some Midges in sizes 20-24. Subsurface fishing will be the best tactic still, primarily nymphing with smaller and more imitative patterns from Caddis, Scuds, Pheasant Tails, ect. in sizes 16-20, along with Zebra Midges in sizes 20-24. Egg patterns will still be working well, and with nymphing low and slow will be the name of the game as well as anticipating subtle strikes. Although less consistent, streamer fishing will still be working. During the colder water conditions a slower retrieve, swing, or jigging action will help entice more lethargic trout. Overall, fishing will start improving as average water temperatures increase, and there are still trout that wintered over from last Fall’s stocking. The Housatonic has yet to be stocked for this Spring.
Flows on the Salmon River are high due to snow melt, and as a result the DSR is closed until flows drop below 2000 CFS. Currently flows are reading 3070 CFS at the Pineville Gauge, which may make some spots tricky for wading. The air temperature this upcoming week and weekend will be in the mid-30s to low 40s. Before flows exceeded above 2000 CFS fishing was slow in the lower river with some anglers bringing one Steelhead to hand each day. However, this spike in flows could trigger some Steelhead to drop back down in the system. Currently fish are fairly spread throughout the river, with anglers still finding fish in their typical winter holding lies upriver. Focusing on the slower and deeper sections will be a good approach with water temperatures still being cold. Anglers are also finding some nice Brow Trout. Nymphing has been the most effective technique, and there are plenty of Black Stoneflies hatching during the afternoon which warrants bringing an assortment of imitations. In conjunction with Stonefly Nymphs, 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 breakoffs, as well as offer a point where your split shot 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 higher flows fishing Skagit heads will be an effective method as you can use more aggressive sink tips. During the current flows both Skagit and Scandi techniques are in play. Even with our current water temperatures, there will still be fish willing to take a swung fly, especially when using a slower swing. Make sure to bring plenty of warm layers if you decide to fish.
Spring fishing is underway on the Delaware River, and flows are currently below average on the Mainstem with the Lordville gauge reading 3220 CFS. The West Branch is also back down to below average with flows of 590 CFS at Hale Eddy, while the East Branch is above average reading 1920 CFS at Fishes Eddy. Water temperatures are fluctuating in low to high 40s, which has triggered fish to become more active. Despite flows being below average, trout are readily chasing streamers since they’re putting on the feedbag after a long winter. You can opt for articulated flies paired with sinking lines, such as Drunk and Disorderly, Galloup’s Dungeons, Strolis’ Masked Avengers, ect. in yellow, white, chartreuse, olive, brown, or black. You may also opt to fish weighted streamers on floating lines, such as Conehead Wolly Buggers, or Headbanger Sculpin. Streamer fishing will be productive for most of the day with an emphasis on late mornings or overcast afternoons. For Trout Spey fishing, you may opt for some larger intruders and streamers pair with a Skagit head and MOW Tips. For hatches you may expect Small Black Stoneflies in sizes 16-18 during the sunny afternoons, and fish are rising to them with more frequency. While the Stonefly hatch is the most prevalent insect activity this time of year, you may find some Midges in sizes 20-24, and some sporadic Blue Winged Olive hatches in sizes 18-24. Overall conditions and insect activity will continue to improve as Spring progresses, however anglers are finding some great streamer fishing. For nymphing options consider bringing some Caddis Pupae and Larva, as well as Pheasant Tails, Prince Nymphs, Waltz Worms, Copper Johns, ect in sizes 12-18. You may also opt to bring some smaller nymphs, such as Zebra Midges, in sizes 18-24. Which will pair well as a dropper fly with as a dry/dropper or double nymph rig. Air temperatures this weekend will be in the low to high 40s, with overcast and a potential for a wintery mix on Saturday.
