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Hello Compleat Angler friends! Spring Trout Stocking is officially underway, the only tough news is the high water from this past week’s rain which has flows stained and above average. Flows should drop back towards average quickly, however, and we can expect some improved fishing as they approach average. While these flows decrease subsurface techniques will be the most effective and using some larger and flashier flies will help if flows are still stained during your outing. When flows are towards average you can expect Small Black Stoneflies to be the main hatch throughout the afternoon in sizes 16-18, which will become more prolific as temperatures warm. You may also encounter some Midges throughout the day as well as Caddis during the morning hours. There will be plenty of options and fish now, with trout holding over from Fall stockings as well as a supplement of Spring stockings occurring. As a reminder, Connecticut is catch-and-release statewide until the second Saturday in April. Steelhead fishing continues with Winter trends, as fish have not yet dropped back until consistent warmer temperatures. Anglers are still working hard for their fish; focus on the deeper slower pools and runs, and you may be rewarded with a fish or two each day.
Read on for more…
Connecticut
It’s no surprise that flows are way up from our local downpour on Wednesday night. As a result, our local rivers are high and stained, and we suggest waiting until flows dop a bit more, which should not take long. Currently flows are already dropping, for example the Saugatuck River is above average at 368 CFS after reaching a high of 893 CFS. During dropping flows, streamer fishing can be a great tactic, and many options will work from dark articulated flies to smaller and flashy offerings. Since trout have been stocked so far in select TMAs, they will be very grabby as well and willing to hit a variety of flies. So far, the Saugatuck, Mill, and Mianus River TMAs were stocked in our area of the state, along with many others. While rivers are dropping back to average, nymphing will also be another effective technique while dry fly activity will be lackluster until we reach more normal flows. 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. During current flows, it will help to have some larger flies which will get noticed in off-color water. In addition, sizes 14-20 will also be working, and it will help to have these sizes when flows return to average. Jigged streamers will also be effective as they offer slower and more enticing action, especially during these flows. You may encounter some Small Black Stoneflies hatching in sizes 16-18, especially during the afternoon. Trout will be more willing for them as water temperatures will reach their peak. Other hatches to consider include Winter Caddis in sizes 16-18 during the morning, as well as Midges in sizes 18-20 during the afternoons. Now is the start of the Spring season, and moving forward there will be many great fishing options throughout the state.
Naugatuck River
Flows are way above average on the Naugatuck River, reading 2920 CFS at Beacon Falls. Right now, flows are too high to fish comfortably, so we recommend waiting until they decrease below 1000 CFS. Trout stocking has yet to occur on the Naugatuck River, however there are still some fish to be had from the last Fall stocking. 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. The Naugatuck and Shetucket are good alternatives for areas with more crowds/pressure.
Flows increased after this past week’s rain on the West Branch of the Farmington River and are now dropping and currently reading 129 CFS. Flows are a little below average with good clarity and average wading. Water temperatures have been fluctuating from the mid to high 30s throughout the day, and most of the river has cleared up and free of shelf ice. The Still River jumped up well above average from this past week’s rain, and we recommend fishing above the confluence, since flows are adding 686 CFS downriver. The good news is that some sections of the Farmington were stocked this past week, so a variety of flies and techniques will be working. Anglers have still been working for the holdover fish, and report some great quality fish, however they are less frequent than recently stocked fish. Having a selection of more natural and smaller nymphs will work on these fish. For the stocked fish, a variety of streamers and nymphs will work: Woolly Buggers, 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. Jigging Streamers can be an effective way to vary your streamer fishing because it simulates a slower and more enticing opportunity for lethargic fish. Hatches will improve as average water temperatures increase, however during the morning you may encounter Winter Caddis in sizes 16-18 followed by Small Black Stoneflies hatching in sizes 16-18 throughout the afternoon. You can also expect Midges throughout the day in sizes 18-20. Persistence and patience in the cold weather can be rewarded if you happen to find the bite window when fish become more 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.
Currently, flows on the Housatonic River are well above average and are still rising, the Falls Village gauge is reading 3890 CFS. We recommend waiting until flows decrease back below 1000 CFS, as they’re currently too dangerous for wading. Once flows subside you may find some good Small Black Stoneflies hatching in sizes 16-18, 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 winter 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. With current water temperatures, you may encounter a bite window during the afternoon in which the fishing will pick up when temperatures are their warmest.
Flows are currently dropping on the Salmon River and are slightly below average which previously increased from snow melting and runoff, reading 876 at the Pineville Gauge. Air temperatures this weekend will be in the 20-30s, which will be improving into the 40-50s this next week. Wind will taper off after the weekend making for more favorable fishing conditions. Some anglers are still finding a few chrome Steelhead in the lower sections of river, with the catch rate being ones or twos each day. On the upper end of the river anglers find a similar catch rate throughout the normal winter holding lies. Steelhead have yet to start dropping back, which will be triggered by more consistent warmer temperatures. Now they are spread throughout the river and focusing on the slower and deeper sections will be a good approach with water temperatures still being cold. 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.
