Hello Compleat Angler friends! This week for our freshwater fisheries we have another week of lower-than-average flows, however there is still an abundance of trout and anglers are persevering. Dry fly action has been fantastic, however make sure to check water temperatures during this upcoming week as we will have some hotter days in store. Anglers are catching fish on a variety of techniques, however in the evenings many fish have been rising to a variety of bugs, whether they’re on Sulphurs, Midges, or Cahills. Blue Winged Olives and Caddis hatches have been steady in the late mornings and afternoons. Since flows are lower and clear, trout are on their A game as they are familiar with the natural forage, so using smaller and more imitative nymphs with 5-6x tippet is a good strategy. The Farmington is also seeing some fantastic dry fly action with quality fish being brought to hand. On the Delaware hatches have been hit or miss, so it helps to plan to fish on your overcast days if you’re looking for more dry fly action. On the saltwater side, Striper fishing continues to be steady whether you’re looking to target the flats, coves, beaches, or deeper water structures. Bluefish are also arriving with more frequency, so it helps to have some bite wire on your trips. So many great options are available this month. Read on for more…

Connecticut

Local Rivers

Currently we have low flows on our local streams, for instance the Saugatuck is flowing at 41.3 CFS. This will heat things up a bit so make sure to check your water temperatures, though cooler evenings have been helping things. Stream temperatures are crucial so make sure you’re not fishing near 70 degree water which will stress fish quicker, especially since we have some warmer days this upcoming week. You will see rising fish during the afternoons and evenings, however some of these fish have gotten picky. Small Midge patterns and Tan Caddis will do the trick, and try using a longer leader with 5-6x tippet. You may also encounter Blue Winged Olives (especially on overcast days) in sizes 18-20 and Ant Patterns. Sulphurs and Light Cahills are hatching with more frequency in sizes 12-18. If you’re fishing near low hanging trees, trout will be keying in on green inch worms. Having a drag free drift is especially important now that fish have seen a fair number of flies. If you get a rejection, it’s either the fly or your presentation. Nymphing will be most productive in the morning, and it will help having a variety of different bead sizes (in brass and tungsten) or split shot, as it will help using lighter weight in the slower pools. Some of our favorite patterns include Pheasant Tails, Prince Nymphs, Caddis Larvae, Waltz Worms, and Perdigones in sizes 14-18, as well as Zebra Midges in sizes 18-20. Streamer fishing is holding up very well, and many anglers are finding fish using Wooly Buggers and other small streamers. The hot colors are currently White, Chartreuse, Black, Olive, and Grey. Streamer fishing can prove a little trickier in lower flows, so stick to smaller sizes. That said, sometimes throwing larger articulated patterns that they haven’t seen can pull additional fish, especially early in the morning. During the afternoons and into the evenings fishing emergers and swinging soft hackles can be an effective technique. Areas to consider are the Saugatuck, the Mill River in Fairfield, the Aspetuck River, and the Norwalk River. Plenty of ponds and lakes were also stocked, which is a good opportunity to take the kids fishing.

Naugatuck River

The Naugatuck River is also lower than average which makes conditions clear and easier for wading. Flows are currently 159 CFS at Beacon Falls. As a result, dry fly fishing has improved with the main hatches being Tan Caddis in sizes 16-18, Blue Winged Olives (especially on overcast days) in sizes 18-20, Midges in sizes 20-24, and Ant Patterns. Sulphurs and Light Cahills are hatching with more frequency in sizes 16-18. 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, and Squirmies. All sections of the Naugatuck were stocked, and the TMAs have received their second round of stocking already. Now that the fish have been in the system for a couple weeks they are keying in on more naturals as well, and coupled with lower flows, they will be rising with more frequency. The Naugatuck is a good alternative for areas with more crowds/pressure.

Farmington River

Flows on the Farmington River are great for clarity and wading with the West Branch in Riverton reading 206 CFS with water temperatures fluctuating in the high 50s to low 60s. The Still River is adding 47.6 CFS to total flows. Water temperatures are great for hatch activity, and you will encounter Tan Caddis in sizes 14-18, along with Blue Winged Olives in 18-20 and Midges in 20-24. March Browns have been hatching in sizes 10-12, and Sulphurs and Light Cahills are now hatching on most of the river in sizes 14-16. It will also be worth bringing Ants, Beetles, and Hoppers. Hatches have certainly improved, especially with Sulphurs, and larger fish are being caught on the surface. During reduced and normal flows, we recommend using 9’ or greater leaders in 5x-6x. Swinging wet flies, such as a Caddis Pupae, can be effective since Caddis are currently the most active, and this can be an effective afternoon searching technique. The holdovers and wild fish are going to be more difficult but persistence and a more natural selection of flies will help even the odds. That said, anglers are finding some quality fish and are having good success. Nymphing is going to be the most productive method during the morning before most of the hatches start. For nymphing, you will want to bring 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, and Zebra Midges in 18-24. Since stocked trout have been in the system for a while, and flows are lower we recommend using smaller and more imitative nymphs that match their wild forage. In terms of rigging, look to use 5x-6x Fluorocarbon when nymphing. Smaller nymphs in sizes 18-20 will pair well on a dry/dropper rig. For Streamer fishing you’ll want to bring some Wooly Buggers and jig style streamers in sizes 8-10 in a variety of colors: Olive, Black, White, and Brown. Fishing articulated flies on a sinking/sink tip line can be another useful tool to include in your arsenal. Weighted Sculpin patterns are another consideration and can be fished on a floating line. Now is a good time for our Trout Spey anglers to use Scandi heads and polyleaders during these average flows. Try swinging some wet flies on less aggressive sinking tips, as insects will become more active during the afternoon.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 currently below average, reading 429 CFS at Falls Village. Therefore, clarity and flows will be great for fishing this weekend. Since water temperatures are still cool enough for trout the fishing has been great, with anglers finding good hatches and catching fish with a variety of techniques. The most recent development is that the Alder Fly hatch has started up, along with the usual Tan Caddis in sizes 14-18 which are in abundance. Other considerations are Blue Winged Olives in sizes 18-24 (on your overcast days), March Browns in size 14, Sulphurs in sizes 14-16, and Light Cahills in sizes 12-18. Look for most of your hatch activity and spinners in the evening. During the mornings and afternoons fishing streamers and nymphs has been the most productive, and there is a high density of fish thanks to Spring Stockings. For nymphing, consider bringing Pheasant Tails, Prince Nymphs, Caddis Larvae, Scud patterns, 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 under most conditions. Streamer fishing can also be a fun and productive technique. If you are fishing articulated neutrally buoyant streamers (Mini Dungeons, Drunk and Disorderly, Circus Peanuts, etc.), you will want to pair these with a sinking line and a short 5’ leader tapered from 20lb to 10lb. For our floating line streamer anglers, consider drab colored Conehead Woolly Buggers paired with a 9ft 2x leader. Some anglers are also finding some nice smallmouth fishing streamers. 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 the Oros Stike Indicators), a 9ft tapered fluorocarbon leader in 5x-6x is recommended. Anglers that have been fishing the Housatonic have been doing great and bringing double digit numbers to hand.

Saltwater

Striper action is holding steady while Bluefish are showing up with more frequency. The most prevalent bait are currently Silversides, Sand Eels and larger Bunker pods, and fish can be found on top when you find the birds and bait in low light conditions. The average size of the class of migratory fish are 30-35” while the larger fish have been tougher to come by. The fish have also spread into areas further East in Connecticut along the shorelines and ledges into Old Saybrook. Focus your search on areas around the Norwalk Islands, the beaches off Westport (sand Eels), and the coves and mouths of Rivers. So many options are fishing well that it helps to cover ground until you find the birds active on bait. For our saltwater fishery we recommend using a 9 or 10wt rod paired with an intermediate sinking line. For your leader a shorter 7.5ft section of 20-30lb will turn over easily when paired with a Clouser or other larger wind resistant flies. For colors consider bringing Olive and White on clear sunny days. If the water is stained, bringing brighter colors such as Chartreuse and White will help stand out in dirty water. For our boat anglers bringing larger Bunker to juvenile Silverside Patterns and Sand Eels will be key as there is a variety of bait and sizes. Some of the salt ponds, such as Holly Pond and Old Mill, are seeing steady Striper fishing, with Silversides being the predominant forage. Focusing on rocky structures and points when fishing from a boat is crucial and wait until the flats warm during the afternoons and into the evening to see more Striper activity in these spots. The deeper water ledges are receiving more fish, and sometimes they may be on top crashing bait. If there’s no surface activity, marking fish with sonar and using full sinking lines will also work. For this fishing we recommend a 4-6” Deceiver in Olive/White. Please be safe out there and respectful to other boaters!

Hot Flies:

Deceivers in various colors

Clousers

Peanut Bunker Patterns

Custom Tied Baby Bunker (Super Realistic!)

Medium Sized Bunker Flies

Bob’s Banger (Stripers and Bluefish)

Larger Herring Flies

Good Fly Lines For Spring/Summer:

SA Full Intermediate

Rio Outbound Short (Good for big flies and big winds)

Rio Striper (Good all-rounder)

Airflo Universal Cold Salt

Leaders:

Rio Striped Bass Leader

New York

The Catskills

Flows on the Delaware River are lower than average on all sections. Currently the Mainstem at Lordville is 1200 CFS, the West Branch is flowing 547 CFS at Hale Eddy, while the East is 495 CFS at Fish’s Eddy. With the cooler evenings the Mainstem water temperatures have decreased into the low 60s which is back down to fishable temperatures. Dry fly fishing has been hit or miss, and with the warmer and sunnier afternoons timing your fishing around overcast days has been best for surface activity. Look to bring Tan Caddis in sizes 16-18, along with some March Browns in sizes 10-12, Sulphurs in sizes 16-18, Isonychia in size 10, a few Green Drakes in size 8, and Grey Fox in size 12. During the overcast days Blue Winged Olives are more prolific in sizes 16-24. You can expect to encounter Sulphurs in the evening, so it is worth staying until dark. Fishing Isonychia during the evenings in faster water can be effective at times. Streamer fishing will be tricky during these flows, but swinging soft hackles and emergers, as well as nymphing and dry/dropper rigs can still be productive. For nymphs we recommend bringing Prince Nymphs, Pheasant Tails, Caddis Larvae, Perdigones, Waltz Worms, etc., all in sizes #12-#20. Nymphing during the sunnier afternoons has been the most productive. If trout are on Caddis, try fishing some emergers just below the surface film if they’re refusing the adult. Anglers have been finding some good size Brown Trout around 20” and there are more Rainbow Trout being brought to hand. Both the Beaverkill and Willowemoc and in good shape for wading are giving up some impressive fish as well.

New York Saltwater

Eaton’s Neck and other areas along the North Shore have been fishing well with Migratory and resident Stripers chasing Sand Eels and Bunker along the shorelines. Anglers are also doing well further West into Rye, and further East into Plum Gut and The Race. Striper fishing in the harbors continues to be good as Stripers are eating smaller Sand Eel offerings. Along the South Shore beaches and into Montauk Stripers have been in the surf and holding in deeper water structure, when they’re blitzing on top they’re either on Bay Anchovies, Butterfish, or Adult Bunker. Squid patterns are also working into the rips. The salt ponds, coves, and flats are also fishing well so there’s plenty of options and fish in different scenarios. For the back bays you will want to bring some smaller Clousers in #2 and a variety of colors, small Deceivers, Sand Eel patterns and Crabs. Fishing poppers early mornings on a floating line can be a blast, such as Bob’s Bangers and Gurglers. Most of the holdovers you will find are in the 20-30” size with a few high 30” in the mix. If searching for migratory fish, bring some larger flies to imitate adult Bunker paired with a sinking line to cut below the schools. Look for signs of nervous and faster moving bait as Stripers will be pushing below them. Bluefish numbers have increased with fish up to 15lbs which can be a blast on big poppers. Depending on your tide, night fishing has been great. Smithtown has also seen an increase in action with Stripers chasing both Bunker and Sand Eels. There are tons of great options now!

Rhode Island Saltwater

More large migratory fish have been filtering in this week around the beachfronts and bays that are crashing on Adult Bunker pods. Narragansett Bay, Providence, and Newport have seen improved topwater action. The worm hatch in the salt ponds also continues to be consistent towards the evenings. While still few and far between, some Bluefish are also being caught. Both the flats and bays around Cape Cod are seeing an improvement as well, and our anglers are catching some fish in the mid 30”. Both Watch Hill and Point Judith are also seeing more migratory fish with the largest being up to 40”. Buzzards Bay, Providence, and Newport are fishing well with Stripers blitzing early mornings. The salt ponds are seeing some great Cinder Worm hatches with Stripers gorging on them. Rhode Island has heated up in terms of size and numbers of Stripers, so there are tons of great options available.