Hello Compleat Angler friends! It should be no surprise that flows are high from all our rain this week. We would advise waiting until conditions improve for safe wading and improved clarity. Fortunately, most of our local streams and rivers recover quickly, so keep an eye on flows. New York was no exception, as flows are also high in the Catskills and on the Salmon River. If you’re anxious to fish soon, flows on the West Branch of the Farmington River above the confluence with the Still are currently average. We’re expecting more rain Saturday evening both locally and in upstate NY. When flows do improve, a select number of rivers and lakes have been stocked recently, so a variety of flies should work, and there is still good holdover fishing in areas that haven’t been stocked yet. Many anglers are continuing to have a great Steelhead season on the Salmon River, and there are a good number of fish that have made their way to the upper sections. Read on for more…

Connecticut

Local Rivers

Flows are currently high from all the rain we have experienced this week, and we advise waiting until the clarity improves and the flows drop to fishable levels. Flows are currently 1430 CFS on the Saugatuck (the mean this time of year is 377 CFS). That said, anglers will still have luck in high and slightly off-color water, so when flows drop a bit more be prepared with streamers and nymphs. And once flows drop to average levels look for an improvement in dry fly fishing, especially with small Black Stoneflies in sizes 16-18. Fish are rising with more frequency even in areas that haven’t been hit by the stocking truck yet. Other considerations are Winter Caddis in similar sizes and Midges in sizes 18-14. In the meantime, a variety of subsurface patterns will work. In areas that were stocked, consider bringing some Squirmy Worms, Mop Flies, as well as your standard assortment of nymphs in sizes 12-18: Pheasant Tails, Prince Nymphs, Caddis Larvae, and Perdigones. For smaller flies, mix in some size 18-24 Zebra Midges. Stocked fish will aggressively chase streamers from Wooly Buggers in 4-10 to larger articulated flies. Both can be paired with a floating line or sinking/sink tip option.When nymphing and dry fly fishing in our smaller rivers and streams we like having a shorter leader, such as theRio Powerflex in 7.5ft. Both 5x and 6x will have you covered for most dry fly and nymphing scenarios. In addition, at the end of your dead-drift let your nymphs swing to the bank as this will imitate an emerging insect. Where you catch one fish you will catch more as stocked trout tend to pod up before moving into different water types. Areas to consider are the Saugatuck, Hammonasset River, Mill River in Hamden, and the Mianus for holdover fish. More lakes and reservoirs were stocked this week so look for updates once the flows approach more average levels and stocking can continue.

Naugatuck River

Atlantic Salmon fishing has proven tough, most likely due to the fluctuation in flows since they’ve been stocked, as they will often travel downriver during high water events. Flows are currently 3890 CFS and conditions are too high and stained to consider fishing this weekend. Since trout have not been stocked yet for Spring, any fish you catch will be holdovers. In addition, subsurface will be the most effective, and use similar patterns and sizes in our local rivers report once flows improve. As the water continues to drop, larger Stoneflies, Mops, and Squirmies will stand out in dirty and high water. Once flows approach normal levels, look for hatches such as Caddis, small Black Stoneflies, and Midges. With respect to other insects, having a range of sizes from 12-24 in nymphs/dries will have you covered. The Naugatuck is a good alternative for areas with more crowds/pressure. When targeting Salmon, your traditional Atlantic Flies and hairwing streamers will work: Grey Ghosts, Blue Charms and Mickey Finns. Don’t be afraid to throw some larger intruders and flashy streamers in Pink, Black, Blue, and Purple, especially after they’ve just finished stocking. Try swinging these streamers slowly as you first fish the pool, and if you don’t get any takes, switch to a faster retrieve/swing. The fish will let you know what they prefer.

Farmington River

The most recent news on the Farmington River is that the state has stocked the West Branch in Riverton up to the dam, as well as Route 219 to Lower Collinsville. For recently stocked trout a wider variety of flies will work, from smaller nymphs to larger gaudy flies (Mops, Squirmies, Streamers). Holdover trout will be more keyed in on the natural hatches, Midges in sizes 20-24, Winter Caddis in sizes 18-20, and small Black Stoneflies in sizes 18-20. Flows are back near average on the West Branch in Riverton, reading 210 CFS (after a 400 CFS release), while the Still is shot up to 1250 CFS from all the rain. Conditions should improve quickly downriver of the still as flows are on the drop. Clarity and wading will be best above the confluence. Average water temperatures are rising with consistency in the low 40s in Riverton, so Trout will start to actively rise with more frequency. For nymphing, you will want to bring Stoneflies in sizes 8-12. One technique is to use these larger flies as your point nymph paired with a smaller dropper nymph: Pheasant Tails in sizes 12-20, Caddis Larva 14-18, Perdigones 12-20, Hare’s Ears 14-18, and Zebra Midges in 18-24. In terms of rigging, look to use 5x-6xFluorocarbon when nymphing. Streamer fishing will start to pick up, and you’ll want to bring some Wooly Buggers and jig style streamers in sizes 8-10 in a variety of colors, especially Olive, Black, White, and Brown. Fishing articulated flies on a sinking/sink tip line can be another useful tool to include in your arsenal. Now is a good time for our Trout Spey anglers to break out theSkagit Heads andT Tips which will turn over larger intruders and streamers. Fishing a wet fly swung on aless aggressive sinking tip can pull additional fish during the afternoon when insects will be emerging. Strikes will still be subtle as average water temperatures are still cold. 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 800-842-4357.

Housatonic River

The Housatonic River flows are high and are continuing to rise from this past week’s rain. Currently flows are too high for wading, reading 4870 CFS at Falls Village. We recommend waiting until flows drop below 1000 CFS as current levels are dangerous and unproductive for fishing. When flows do return to normal, you may encounter some Midges in sizes 18-24 and Small Black Stoneflies in sizes 14-18, however the dry fly action will be slow this time of year with water temperatures still low. Streamer fishing and nymphing are going to be the most productive approaches. Anglers that have been streamer fishing are swinging flies on a floating or sink tip line with either single handers or trout spey rods. If you are fishing articulated neutrally buoyant streamers (Mini Dungeons, Drunk and Disorderly, Circus Peanuts, etc), you will want to pair these with asinking line and a short 5’ leader tapered from20lb to 10lb. For our floating line Streamer Anglers, consider drab colored Conehead Woolly Buggers paired with a 9ft 2x leader. Now is also a good time for our Trout Spey anglers to consider throwing larger patterns during the afternoon in combination with swinging soft hackles in the mornings and evenings. Trout Spey is a good way to cover and search water, especially in the wider stretches. During the mornings nymphing still remains the most effective method. For nymphing with an indicator (we’ve had great feedback on theOros Strike Indicators), a 9ft taperedfluorocarbon leader in 5x-6x is recommended. Nymphs to consider bringing include Pheasant Tails, Caddis Larvae, Prince Nymphs, Hare’s Ears, Waltz Worms, Perdigones, and Yellow/Golden Stoneflies in sizes 12-18. For smaller nymphs, Zebra Midges in 18-24, will fool fish all throughout Winter.

New York

Salmon River

Flows have increased and are currently reading 1620 CFS in Pineville. There will still be some fish traveling up the estuary and into the lower part of the river, however the fishing is still best from Pineville to Altmar where there is a higher density of fish. Anglers agree it has been a great season with good return numbers, and some are catching double digit numbers in the upper sections. And fishing has been especially hot when flows drop into the 500-700 CFS range. In the lower section anglers are reporting a mix of fresh fish and a few spawned out Steelhead.  As temperatures get warmer more fish will begin to spawn and drop back down to the lake. In the meantime, all the tributaries are also holding Steelhead and Brown Trout. Anglers fishing lower in the system have found a fish or two each day. While swinging flies will still attract the most aggressive fish, the most productive method in the cold weather will be nymphing. Low and slow is the name of the game, as fish will be less willing to expend energy, and often the strikes will be subtle. Focusing on the deeper and slower pools will be a good start as these sections are typical Steelhead Winter holding areas. However, during high water events don’t overlook the faster water as Steelhead will feel more comfortable in travel lanes and moving upriver. Estaz Eggs, Glo Bugs, Squirmy Worms, Stoneflies, Steelhead Slammers, and Sucker Spawn will all take fish. Having a variety of colors and sizes, as well as switching flies often will help you determine what they are keying in on. It will be worth bringing some smaller trout sized Stonefly patterns.Beads in different colors will also work well (such as Chartreuse and Mottled Tangerine), so switching up flies/colors and techniques will be the key to success. As a bonus, these flies will also work on Brown Trout. Having amicro barrel swivel incorporated into your leader will help avoid splitshot sliding down your leader, as well as aid in quicker rerigging during breakoffs and snags. For our two handed anglers, Skagit has been the most productive method, and we like Rio’sSkagit Max Power head combined with either amono orcoated running line. Having a variety ofMOW Tips so you can fine tune the depth of your fly based on flows and current speed will aid in your success. For tippet, we like usingMaxima Ultragreen in 10lb when swinging flies. Having a variety of colors to rotate between is the name of the game: Brown, Olive, Black, Blue, Purple, and Pink are all good considerations. Now that the weather is cold, it will be beneficial to bring a goodlayering system as well as a pair of warmfingerless gloves.

The Catskills

Now is the time to start thinking about booking your trips for the 2024 Spring and Summer season! Anglers that have been making early trips have been catching fish on streamers and nymphs. While you may see some Midges (#20-24) and small Black Stoneflies (#16-18) this time of year, the fish haven’t been rising with frequency yet. Flows are above average on all sections, registering 10400 CFS on the Mainstem at Lordville, while the West is 1870 CFS at Hale Eddy. Flows are currently reading 5990 CFS on the East at Fish’s Eddy. Overall, these flows are difficult for wading, so it is advised to wait until flows approach more average levels. Higher flows bring good streamer fishing, so bring some articulated streamers paired with a sinking line while flows are dropping. Water temperatures on the mainstem are improving and are fluctuating in the mid to low 40s depending on the afternoon air temperatures. During the warmer afternoons you may have luck swinging soft hackles. You may also start to encounter Black Stoneflies hatching in sizes 14-18 and Blue Winged Olives in sizes 18-20. Hatches to expect soon include Quill Gordons and Blue Quills. For nymphing, consider Prince Nymphs, Pheasant Tails, Caddis Larvae, Perdigones, Waltz Worms, etc., all in sizes #14-#20. Streamer Colors to try include Chartreuse, White, Olive, Yellow, Black, and Olive. Using articulated Streamers with a sinking/sink tip line will get the attention of more active fish.