Hello Compleat Angler friends! On our local rivers we have had an improvement in both water temperatures, thanks to the cooler evenings, and reduced flows. You will still want to check your stream temperatures to make sure you’re fishing below 68 degrees. The best options are still the Farmington River and the Catskills this time of year. On the Farmington dry flies and nymphing will be your best techniques, especially during the morning and evening hours when hatches will be at their peak. Flows are now back down to below average after water was released from the dam. On the Delaware River flows are still higher than average, and our anglers reported that this has made for some great streamer fishing. Hatches are still occurring with Sulphur, Caddis, and Blue Winged Olives being the usual suspects. On the saltwater side anglers are still finding Stripers during the mornings and evenings around the rocky shorelines and deeper ledges, with some Bluefish in the mix. The primary Bait is Adult Silversides, Peanut Bunker, and Sand Eels. Out east there has been more consistent action with all these species from the Gut out the Cape, with some Bonito mixed in along the Rhode Island shoreline. Albies aren’t too far off!

Read on for more…

Connecticut

Local Rivers

Cooler evenings this past week have helped drop water temperatures a bit, but make sure to check temperatures when deciding to fish this time of year. Water levels have gradually dropped to near average levels, for example the Saugatuck is reading 37.4 CFS. You can expect ideal water clarity. You can expect the normal hatches for this time of year, including Blue Winged Olives (especially on overcast days) in sizes 18-20, Ant Patterns, Sulphurs and Light Cahills in 12-18, Tan Caddis in 16-20, and Midges in 18-24. As a bonus, all these patterns will work for panfish. Some of our favorite nymph 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. If you decide to streamer fish, using small Woolly Buggers in White, Chartreuse, Black, Olive, Grey, and Brown will all do the trick. Streamer fishing will be more successful in the early mornings and especially during higher water events (for average and low flows stick to nymphing). Panfish and Bass are also a viable option this time of year, and they will take all these flies as well. Trout fishing will be trickier since there are fewer trout in the system, and they are keyed in on natural forage. Make sure to bring a selection of smaller and more imitative flies.

Naugatuck River

The Naugatuck River has also dropped to near average levels and is currently flowing 389 CFS at Beacon Falls. Check your stream temperatures as they will still approach 68 degrees and over during the afternoon. Temperatures below this threshold will give you the green light to fish without stressing trout. Your ideal time to fish will be during the morning after these cool evenings. The main hatches will be 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 commonly during the evening hours 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. Streamer fishing will be good during higher flows and as water temperatures drop in the Fall. All sections of the Naugatuck were stocked and there are still some fish left from Spring Stocking. The Naugatuck is a good alternative for areas with more crowds/pressure. Be mindful of stream temperatures and keep most of your fishing to the morning hours when water temperatures are at their coolest.

Farmington River

After flow cuts this past week the West Branch of the Farmington River is back down to 159 CFS at Riverton. The Still River has also dropped back down to near average levels and adding 93.3 CFS to total flows downriver of the confluence. Overcast and rainy conditions are expected for this weekend. Water temperatures are still ideal and fluctuating in the mid to high 50s. For the time being, with the lower water levels and overcast days hatches will be good, especially Blue Winged Olives in sizes 18-20. During the morning and evening hours you may also encounter hatches of Sulphurs in sizes 16-18, Little Dark Hendricksons in size 20 and smaller, Tan Caddis in sizes 18-20, Isonychia in sizes 10-12, Light Cahill in sizes 14-18, Midges in sizes 20-24, and Terrestrials (Ants and Beetles). Trout will be very selective this time of year, so it helps to bring a variety of sizes and offerings. Most of the Sulphur hatches are occurring upriver, and more recently Tricos have started downriver in size 24. During reduced and normal flows with good clarity, we recommend using long leaders in 5x-7x for dry flies since trout can be picky this time of year. Swinging wet flies, such as a Caddis Pupae, can be an effective technique when Caddis hatch in the mornings and afternoons. 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. With that said anglers are finding some quality fish, especially some big stocked rainbows, 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, Golden Stoneflies in sizes 8-10, and Zebra Midges in 18-24. Since stocked trout have been in the system for a while, 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 Wolly 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

We currently have high flows on the Housatonic River, reading 1260 CFS at Falls Village. Wading will be tough during these conditions so we recommend waiting to fish until flows drop below 1000 CFS. Water temperatures are warm, so most of the trout have moved into thermal refuges, which are off limits to fishing. The good news is that there has been some fantastic Smallmouth Bass fishing. Large articulated streamers and Woolly Buggers have been working well recently for the larger fish, try switching colors from Black, Chartreuse, Yellow, and Orange, to see what they prefer. Poppers are another great option as the topwater eats will get your heart pounding. For Smallmouth we recommend a short and stout leader to turn over the larger flies such as a 6” 12-20 leader. The Rio Big Nasty Leaders are a great option. Pike are another fun option for this time of year, focus on slower sections of water, coves, and weed beds. For rods and rigging, we like to use 8-10wts rigged with a sinking line, big flies (such as a Flashtail Whistler), and wire leader. The Housatonic also has some big Carp and the opportunity for sight fishing that will satisfy even the most discerning flats fisherman. For these fish, Mulberry Flies, Damselfly Nymphs, Crayfish, and your standard Trout Nymphs will fool these fish. We prefer 6-8wt rods paired with a floating line, such as a Bonefish Taper, rigged with an 8lb fluorocarbon leader.

Saltwater

Striper fishing has slowed over the past few weeks, and fish are now in their typical summertime behavior. Most of the fish nearshore are now resident that have decided to hang around rocky structure. This means that most of the action, especially topwater, will be during the mornings and evenings. The deeper ledges are still holding fish which is good news for our boat anglers. The primary forage this time of year includes Adult Bunker, Sand Eels, and Baby Butterfish. Larger 6-8” wide profile patterns will imitate the Adult Bunker well, while the smaller 2-4” patterns (such as EP Peanut Butters) will imitate the Baby Peanut Bunker. As always you will want to bring some Clousers and more specific Sand Eel immitations. Anglers occasionally find some Bluefish on the Bunker pods out in the middle of the sound this time of year. For our wade anglers the beaches around Westport, Southport, with emphasis on Penfield Reef, are seeing schoolie Stripers and small Bluefish chasing Sand Eels. Again, your best bet is the mornings and evenings, however night fishing has also improved. Further towards Stonington and towards the CT River there has been some action, however spotty at times. Fish are migrating and spread out, so it helps to cover ground until you find the birds active on bait. This time of year you may find Stripers cruising the flats early in the morning before the heat of the sun. 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. Overall anglers have been working hard for their fish, as this time of year every morning is different. 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 have dropped but are still above average. On the West Branch, flows are 905 CFS at Hale Eddy. On the Mainstem in Lordville flows are currently 3370 CFS. On the East Branch flows are currently 1640 CFS at Fishes Eddy. Water temperatures are now ideal on all sections of the Delaware. This week air temperatures will be in the low to mid 70s with rain expected. Since the water is high streamer fishing has been great. Most dry fly fishing will be best on the upper sections of the river, especially during the evenings. Overcast days coupled with cooler nighttime temperatures will result in better hatch activity. Hatches you may encounter include Tan Caddis in sizes 16-18, along with Sulphurs in sizes 16-18, Light Cahill in size 14, Isonychia in sizes 10-12, and Blue Winged Olives in sizes 18-24. Bringing a variety of these insects is crucial as they will key in on any stage of these hatches. Fish are still rising despite the higher-than-average flows. Presentation is also crucial for the more educated fish, and you will want a downstream presentation so fish will see your fly first. During the overcast days Blue Winged Olives are more prolific. 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. For nymphs we recommend bringing Prince Nymphs, Pheasant Tails, Caddis Larvae, Perdigones, Waltz Worms, etc... In sizes #12-#20. Nymphing during the sunnier afternoons and mornings 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. Larger articulated streamers on sinking lines have been working well, especially during lower light conditions.

New York Saltwater

This past week a large number of Bluefish have moved into New York Waters and have picked up where the Stripers left off. They can be found crashing bait from The Gut out into Montauk. There are still Stripers to be had around Eaton’s Neck, but the action has been hit or miss. The south shore will have similar fishing with some larger Bluefish in the mix. Your best option will be fishing during low light hours to find them on top. The primary bait has been Adult Silversides and some Peanut Bunker, with Sand Eels being more predominant the further east you fish. The salt ponds, coves, and flats have been a hit or miss with some shots at solo cruising fish. For the back bays you will want to bring some smaller sparse 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. Resident fish are still holding in some of the bays, coves and rivers in New York, fishing bays with cooler water temperatures will yield better results. In addition, Bonito are showing up around the south shore although in spotty numbers, but they will show with more frequency in the next few weeks. We have stormy conditions in store for Saturday, with improvements expected on Sunday and into the upcoming week, as always make sure to keep an eye on the weather before heading out.

Rhode Island Saltwater

Everyday has been different along the Rhode Island coast for Stripers, however the consensus is the fishing has been steady. In Point Judith Stripers and Blues are crashing bait on top some mornings. The Bonito have been showing up with more consistency around the bays, currently the largest concentration is in Cape Cod, but you have a good chance at seeing them along the coastline into Watch Hill. Newport and along the Vineyard are seeing some great Striper action which is where a majority of the larger fish are residing, and anglers are finding some good topwater action most. The Block Island Striper bite has slowed compared to the past few weeks; however, you have a good chance at finding Bonito this time of year. Over the next few weeks things will start to pick up as fish transition into their Fall Behavior. No reports of False Albacore yet, but they shouldn’t be too far off!