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Hello Compleat Angler friends! Compared to last week, we are coming into the weekend with similar flows at below average levels. This means that clarity will be good and easy wading, however the consensus is that we could use more rain. Anglers are finding some good numbers of fish now that many rivers are stocked, especially when trout are keying in on Small Black Stoneflies. If there is no hatch activity, then using subsurface nymphing and streamer techniques will work well since stocked fish will be taking a variety of offerings. On the Farmington River, anglers are finding a good variety of holdovers and stocked fish. We’re seeing the same Black Stonefly hatch with the Blue Winged Olive hatches upcoming as Spring progresses. The Housatonic is gradually making improvements, and we’re almost at safe levels for wading. While both the Housatonic and Naugatuck Rivers have yet to be stocked, they will have holdover trout from the last Fall stocking. Our saltwater season is not yet in full swing for Striper fishing, as the bulk of fish are still staged upriver. Look for improvements into mid-April. Flows on the Delaware River are lower compared to last week, but the streamer fishing will still be working well. Anglers are also finding fish on nymphs until the sunnier afternoons when you may find a Black Stonefly Hatch. On the Salmon River in New York, flows are still above average but have dropped to safe levels to fish the lower river. We can expect some Steelhead to be dropping back with the above average flows.
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We had a small increase in flows from this past week’s rain, however levels are still below average, and we could use more rain. For instance, the Saugatuck River is flowing at 90.4 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 and occasionally size 14, 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 is the only section that has been stocked so far for this spring, so there are some stocked and holdover trout to catch. Flows have dropped back down to 485 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 are a touch higher compared to last week, but flows are still below average reading 178 CFS in Riverton. The Still River has also been dropping since last rainfall and is currently adding 119 CFS and dropping. 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. The next hatch developing will be Blue Winged Olives in sizes 18-24, and you may start to see them hatching during overcast days. Most sections of the Farmington were stocked, so anglers are finding a variety of stocked fish and holdovers in good quantity. 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. Nymphing will be the most productive technique, especially when there is no hatch activity. 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 River has been gradually dropping and is almost at comfortable flows for wading in most sections, and flows are currently 1180 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 dropped down to 1940 CFS at Pineville and are still above average. The good news is that the lower river is back open for fishing, although some spots may be tricky for wading. The air temperature this weekend will be in the mid-40s with a chance of scattered precipitation. Currently fish are fairly spread throughout the river, with some fish starting to drop back during this higher water so the lower sections of river may start to pick up. Anglers are still finding some fish in their typical winter holding lies upriver and the tributaries have been fishing well. Focusing on the slower and deeper sections will be a good approach but don’t overlook the faster traveling water this time of year. Anglers are also finding some nice Brown 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.
On the Delaware River flows have continued to gradually drop and are currently below average on the Mainstem with the Lordville gauge reading 1490 CFS. The West Branch also continued to drop to 320 CFS at Hale Eddy, and the East Branch is also below average, reading 888 CFS at Fishes Eddy. Water temperatures are fluctuating in the low 40s. Overall conditions are clear and low, good for wading but tricky for floating besides the mainstem. Despite flows being below low, 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. But during low flows we recommend fishing 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 nymphing is the best strategy for these cooler conditions, however air temperatures will warm a bit for the weekend so it will be worth bringing some dry flies for the afternoon. 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.
