Hello Compleat Angler Friends! The most significant change this week is happening on the freshwater side of things, as bug activity is starting to ramp up. This is especially true on the Delaware River, which is seeing a lot of Hendricksons, Apple Caddis, and Blue Quills. Striper fishing continues to be consistent, a lot of schoolies, but there are some larger fish over 30” in the mix as well. They are hanging around Norwalk, Westport, Stamford, as well as the Housatonic which gives our boat and wade anglers a lot of options for targeting them. If looking for some dry fly options on our local streams, it is important to choose sunnier afternoons, otherwise nymphs and streamers continue to catch fish. The Farmington, although clear, is seeing some high water which will keep the dry fly action subdued. This is a good time to focus on your streamer and nymphing techniques. As an overall trend, because water temperatures are warming, you will find Trout in a variety of water types, so it pays to be methodical with your approach and spend more time fishing the faster runs. Read on for more…

Connecticut

Local Rivers

Stonefly season has started winding down, and while fish will still be rising to them, they will be hatching in fewer numbers. As they wind down, look to fish midges in sizes 16-24 as well as caddis in the same sizes. On certain rivers Blue Winged Olives will also be prevalent. A variety of nymphs will continue to work, and try using more imitative and smaller flies since the fish have become more educated after stocking. After a spike from the rain, the Saugatuck has dropped back down to 95.7cfs and has cleared up. Water clarity is good for all our local options now. When fishing this weekend, start off with nymphs or streamers in the morning and be mindful of trout sipping midge emergers. By the afternoon look for some stoneflies skittering on the surface, as well as midges or caddis. Griffith’s Gnats, CDC Stoneflies, and small Tan and Black Caddis should be options in your box this upcoming week. In addition, Ant Patterns will also start working as they are becoming more active. You can always pair a nymph with a dry fly for a dry dropper rig when surface activity is sporadic. For nymphs a variety will work: Zebra Midges, Caddis larvae and Pupa, Perdigones, Pheasant Tails, Prince Nymphs, and Waltz Worms. The most common sizes are 14-20. Our anglers have caught some great fish this season, suggesting larger fish were stocked during some of the second stockings. In fact, all of our rivers should be fishing well, and most were stocked twice. Trout Parks are also a great option to take the kids fishing as they have been stocked more recently. Areas to consider are the Mianus, Saugatuck, Mill, and Norwalk Rivers.

Naugatuck River

All sections of the Naugatuck around the TMAs will be fishing well and look to fish similar offerings we are using on our local streams: Stoneflies, Caddis, Midges, Blue Winged Olives, and Terrestrials. A range of sizes from 16-24 in nymphs/dries will have you covered. The Naugatuck is a good alternative for areas with more crowds/pressure. Flows are back down to 689cfs at Beacon Falls, making for some improved wading and good water clarity. Since stockings occurred a month ago, use more imitative flies as trout have become more acclimated to their natural forage. With the increase in water temperature now is a good time to throw streamers during the mornings and evenings.

Farmington River

A lot of sections on the Farmington are now holding fish. The West Branch flows are currently 867cfs from dam release, with the Still River adding 275cfs from recent rain. Water levels are high but dropping. Good tactics during high water are nymphing and streamer fishing, and the dry fly action will be slower during these flows. The West Branch water temperature is slightly above 44F, with warmer temperatures downriver. These are ideal temperatures for trout and bug activity. Trout are spreading out in different water types, so now is the time to target the faster pocket water. During the afternoons look to fish Blue Winged Olives in sizes 16-20, and Hendricksons in 12-14. Hendricksons are starting to hatch further upriver as water temperatures increase. During sunny warmer days, it is best to stay into the late afternoon and evening if you’re timing the Hendrickson hatch, as they will be most prevalent during these times. Bringing smaller midges in sizes 18-24, and Winter Caddis in the same sizes should also be considered for morning hatches. Anglers that are looking to target larger holdover fish will have increased odds by streamer fishing during these high-water events. In terms of fishing techniques, look to nymphs/streamer fish in the morning before most of the hatches start. Generally, 5-6x leaders and tippet will improve your odds for success. For our Trout Spey Anglers, look to fish larger streamers or intruders paired with a faster sinking tip in the morning. Once the afternoon hatches hit, fishing a wet fly swung on a less aggressive sinking tip can pull additional fish. The same can be said for those nymphing with single handers: swinging nymphs at the end of your drift can simulate an emerging insect. For fly selection, stocked fish will take a variety of junk flies (Squirmies, Mops, larger nymphs with hotspots). Other considerations should be larger Stoneflies (can be paired with a smaller offering to help get your rig down) as well as Zebra Midges, Pheasant Tails, Perdigones, Caddis Larvae, Hare’s Ears, and Waltz Worms. Look for Blue Winged Olives to be the most prevalent hatch this time of year. For streamer fishing, trout aggression will increase with warmer water temperatures, so try fishing articulated flies paired with sinking lines. Vary retrieves, start fast and then slow down to see what the trout prefer. 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

Flows have increased again to 1720cfs on the Housatonic at Falls Village. While the flows are gradually dropping, use caution when wading. The Housatonic was also stocked this past week along with the Shepaug and the TMA by Bull’s Bridge should be fishing well. Bring a variety of small nymphs: Caddis larvae and Pupae, Stoneflies, Zebra Midges, Pheasant Tails, as well as junk flies (mops and squirmies). The larger junk flies will perform well during high water and on stocked fish. The main hatches will be Blue Winged Olives, Stoneflies, and Caddis. Bringing a variety of Black Stonefly and Caddis patterns in sizes 12-20, and 16-24 BWOs, will have you covered on warmer afternoons which is when you can expect the hatches. With the increase in water temperatures Hendricksons have just started to hatch. For nymphs, having different sizes of Pheasant tails, Prince Nymphs, and Hare’s Ears (#12-18) will imitate Stoneflies and Hendrickson Nymphs well. Focusing on areas by the park and TMAs, especially if you’re looking for rising trout, should result in some fish during warmer afternoons. Other considerations will be Midges and Winter Caddis, and I would bring a variety of sizes in the adults and emergers as trout have been sipping on emerging BWOs frequently. Focusing on your small sizes 18-24 should result in some success. Presentation is still key, with longer leaders, stepping down to 6x tippet, and getting a drag free drift all critical to success. With water temperatures on the rise, fish are starting to spread out in the river and feed in different water types. A good strategy is to focus on nymphing and streamer fishing during the mornings before any hatches, and then look for rising fish in the afternoon and into the evening. For streamer fishing, having a sinking line or sink tip is the key to success. Trout are starting to become more active with the increasing water temperatures, so don’t overlook the faster water. During high water events, the fish will be pushed closer to the bank, which is a good opportunity to fish larger streamers. There are plenty of fish in the river with a combination of stocked fish and holdover fish from the last stocking during Fall. Smallmouth and carp are also starting to become more active in the larger and slower sections of the river.

Saltwater

The Housatonic River is continuing to produce holdover Stripers and these fish are getting ready to drop back into Long Island Sound. Striper activity has certainly increased on the lower part of the river. Our anglers indicate that fish are spread all over the river, above the I-95 bridge all the way down to the mouth. Stripers are also starting to become active at night, so planning around an ideal evening tide could result in some great fishing. The most productive technique this time of year will be fishing with different colored Clousers paired with an intermediate sinking line (1.2-2ips sink rate). Bringing brighter and flashier offerings, switching up your retrieve speed, and pausing between strips should result in fish once you find the pace the fish prefer. Bringing some unweighted larger patterns, such as Deceivers, is a good choice to imitate larger Herring. For this fishery we prefer 20-30lb fluorocarbon leaders around 7’ in length. Having a shorter leader will help sink your fly when fishing an intermediate line because it will reduce leader hinge, especially with unweighted flies. This rig will also be easier to cast in windier conditions. A lot of schoolies are being brought to hand, with some fish 30” and over in the mix. Westport will start to see an increase in Striper activity near the beaches, as well as Cove Harbor, and the outflow of Holly Pond. The Norwalk Harbor is also seeing some striper action up into the river, and fishing near structure will improve your odds. Having a full sinking line will be ideal, but letting an Intermediate line sink before your retrieve will suffice. Herring in the 4” range have also made an appearance, and there are plenty of Grass Shrimp nearshore. If fishing the coves by boat, bringing some EP Peanut Butters, Deceivers, Clousers, and Half and Halfs in the 4” range will be the most effective. Bring a variety of colors in Chartreuse, White, Olive, Blue, and Black for the evenings. Targeting shallow areas with darker mud bottoms will prove useful, as these areas will warm up quicker during the morning hours. With a lot of options available via wading or boat, now is the time to get out there! Please report any poaching to the DEEP by calling 800-842-4357.

New York

Salmon River

Dropback Steelhead are now spread throughout the river, and there has been an increase in fish brought to hand in the lower sections of the river. We’ve had even more Steelhead and Smallmouth activity reported for this week. On average, the water temperature has been in the high 40s, which is increasing fish activity and improving the odds of catching fish swinging intruders and streamers. For dropback fish one consideration is fishing some of the faster water and the heads of runs. With warmer water temperatures Steelhead will be suspended further off the bottom (compared to winter). If swinging flies, consider Brown, Olive, Chartreuse, White, and Black flies. An ideal setup for swinging flies will be bringing a variety of sink tips or fishing a sinking line. Flows are currently 673cfs at Pineville which is lower than average. If nymphing, egg flies will continue to work with Chartreuse and Cheese being popular colors this time of year. Other considerations are Pink Squirmies and Black Stonefly patterns paired with a red hotspot. Stoneflies in sizes 12-14 are hatching all over the system on warmer afternoons. Scattered rain is expected for this weekend and into this week, with warmer weather starting in the low 50s and into the high 60s. There is still some fish to be had in the tributaries, and some anglers are finding Brown Trout in the mix. The morning hours during first light are generally the most productive, especially if there is a sunny afternoon ahead. Otherwise, the overcast days have the most Steelhead activity reported throughout the day.

Catskills

Overall, river conditions are slightly below average which will open some sections for easier wading. Water temperatures will start in the mid 40s during the morning and increase into the low 50 during the afternoon on the mainstem. The mainstem at Lordville is reading 4390cfs. The East Branch at Fish’s Eddy is 2080cfs, while the West Branch at Hale Eddy is flowing at 1430cfs. Overall this is a slight drop in water levels compared to last week’s flows and it is holding steady. The dry fly season is upon is, with a lot of hatches occurring during the afternoons and into the evenings. The most prevalent hatches are Hendricksons, Blue Winged Olives, and Apple Caddis. The trout seem to be mostly keyed in on the Hendricksons in sizes 12-14. Other considerations are Blue Quills size 16-18, Red Quills size 14, and Apple Caddis in sizes 16-18. March Browns will start up soon so it’s best to have some in your box. When dry fly fishing, present the fly downstream, so the trout will see your fly first as opposed to the leader, which will improve your odds. Adding a reach cast can also be an effective way to get a better and longer drift, coupled with a longer 10-14” 5x leader. Streamer fishing also continues to be good, with sinking lines, and Chartreuse and White colors. The Willowemoc and Neversink are clear and fishable, while the Beaverkill is still high so use caution wading.

Rhode Island

While things are relatively quiet around the Rhode Island Coast, the most noticeable change is an increase in holdover Striper action and size. More Stripers are also starting to show up around the beaches, but again it is relatively early. The good news is that squid have started to show up as well, and their numbers will increase as water temperatures continue to warm. Fishing the tidal estuaries and salt ponds will still be the most productive option, and using smaller baitfish imitations (such as Peanut Bunker and Silversides) should work well until most of the Herring run arrives. Pretty soon it will be worth fishing squid patterns with sinking lines near structure and the rips. Using Clousers and flies that imitate Alewives are another option when heading out there.