Hello Compleat Angler friends! We have better news on the freshwater side of things, as colder evenings and mornings have pushed water temperatures down to more fishable levels, and there is plenty of water to set us up nicely for a good Fall season. However, no Fall stockings have occurred locally yet, so be sure to check back. In the next few weeks our trout fishing will see an improvement, especially in the streamer game as trout approach pre-spawn and look for larger meals to bulk up. Flows and clarity will be good for wading on all of our rivers with the exception being the Housatonic, which ideally has to drop below 1000 CFS. Saltwater has started to improve nicely around Connecticut, with some lucky anglers finding Albies mixed in with Bluefish, however the fall run is still relatively early in our area. Rhode Island continues to be the most consistent spot for Hardtails, with Long Island being a close second, however it has still been hit-or-miss. Keep an eye on forecasts for this weekend when the wind will increase Friday night and reach 20 mph on Saturday with rain. Read on for more…

Connecticut

Local Rivers

This week we experienced more rain, which currently has flows above average. The good news is that levels are on the drop so our local options have cleared up. Water temperatures are also cooling off and the trout fishing has been improving. Now is a good time to start throwing streamers, as Trout will be looking for a larger meal in preparation for winter. Flows on the Saugatuck are 70.4 CFS so conditions have improved for wading. We don’t have any updates for Fall stocking yet, however the amount of rain we are receiving will help both Spring and Fall holdover trout. Common insects that you may encounter include a variety of Caddis in Tan and Olive sizes 16-24, Isonychia in sizes 10-12, Blue Winged Olives in sizes 18-24, as well as Tricos in sizes 20-26. Terrestrials are still around with plenty of ants/flying ants. Areas to consider for the Fall include the Mianus, Saugatuck, Norwalk, and Mill Rivers.

Naugatuck River

Flows on the Naugatuck have certainly improved for wading, reading 593 CFS at Beacon Falls. Since water temperatures are dropping it is now time to start thinking about Trout fishing. Look to fish similar offerings we are using on our local streams: Sulphurs, Cahills, Caddis, Tricos, Blue Winged Olives, and Terrestrials. October Caddis should start arriving soon, so bring some Tan Caddis patterns in sizes 14-18. In respect to other insects, having a range of sizes from 12-24 in nymphs/dries will have you covered. Look to fish Isonychia in the evenings in size 10, and focus on the faster water where they will be more active. The Naugatuck is a good alternative for areas with more crowds/pressure. Flows are still above average so it will be a good time to throw streamers during the mornings and evenings. Some of our anglers are still finding Smallmouth so it will be a mixed bag depending on what sections you are fishing.

Farmington River

Farmington River flows were raised, currently registering 129 CFS on the West Branch at Riverton, while the Still is adding 104 CFS from our recent rain. The water temperatures in Riverton are 64 degrees in the morning and reaching a high of 68 degrees by the afternoon. Temperatures have improved since last week, which will open up most of the Farmington to ethical fishing, but make sure to keep checking water temperatures. Dusk and Dawn have been your best bet for dry fly activity, as most of the hatches are diminishing in the afternoon. Isonychia in sizes 10-12 are still prevalent, especially in the faster water during the evening. You’ll also find Blue Winged Olives in sizes 22-24, Tan/Olive caddis in sizes 16-20, and there are some light hatches of Tricos in sizes 22-26. Other considerations are Cahills in 12-20 during the evenings, as well as terrestrials such as Flying Ants and Beetles. Flying Ants can be productive in the afternoon if fish are rising. Midges are also a must for this time of year in sizes 20-24 both in the larval (Zebra Midge) and the adult forms. For Nymphing, considerations should be larger Stoneflies (which 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, Waltz Worms, Pheasant Tails, and Prince Nymphs. For strategy, look for rising fish in the morning and evenings. Once the afternoon hits the hatches will be diminished so nymphing in well-oxygenated water will pick up additional fish if the temperatures allow. Generally, 5-6x leaders and tippet will improve your odds for success for nymphing. If dry fly fishing, using a 5x-6x 12ft nylon leader will aid in a stealthy presentation and a more drag-free drift. Staying into the evening can result in some good spinner falls. With all the variety of bug activity, swinging wet flies can be a productive option as well. For Trout Spey Anglers, look to fish larger streamers or intruders paired with a faster sinking tip. 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. Twitching jigged streamers through a run can also be a deadly technique, and good colors to try include olive, black, tan, and white. Your odds will be better with streamers during the morning hours but will improve as Fall progresses. Vary retrieves, starting fast and then slowing 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 on the Housatonic River are currently 1260 CFS at Falls Village, which means another week with high water after our recent rain. These flows will prove difficult for wading and water clarity. Therefore, we would advise fishing once the flows drop below at least 1000 CFS. That said there has been tons of bug activity, especially Isonychia in sizes 10-12. Other hatches you may encounter include Blue Winged Olives in sizes 18-24, Tan/Olive Caddis in sizes 16-20, and Flying Ants are still prevalent. As we approach Fall, Trout will start to get into their pre-spawn phase, which means that they will be looking for higher calorie meals so bringing some larger streamers will prove useful. If you are fishing articulated neutrally buoyant streamers, you will want to pair these with a sinking line. Now is also a good time for Trout Spey anglers to consider throwing larger patterns during the afternoon in combination with swinging wet hackles in the mornings and evenings. Afternoon is still a good time to switch over to smallmouth fishing, so bring your Woolly Buggers in a variety of colors, as well as crayfish patterns. Targeting Carp can also be a fun and challenging endeavor. For Carp, we recommend 6-8 wt rods with a weight-forward floating line (a Bonefish Taper line works well) paired with a 9’ 8lb Fluorocarbon leader. Egg flies, small nymphs, crayfish patterns or hoppers can work depending on their feeding behavior. When targeting Pike, bite wire or a heavy fluorocarbon section is a must. While floating lines will work, it helps to get subsurface with a full sinking line. A variety of flies will work in 6-10” (a flashtail whistler is always a good option) in different colors. Rods in 8-10 wt are ideal for casting large flies and sinking lines. Look for slower sections of river, coves, ledges, and weed beds when hunting for Pike.

Saltwater

Striper and Blue fishing continue to heat up with the large amount of bait creating blitzes feeding on peanut bunker and smaller rain bait. Topwater is becoming more productive again which has signaled the start of Fall. There are some reports of Albies showing up off Bridgeport and Greenwich, however it is still relatively early for the Western Sound. Water temperatures are starting to cool off into the low 70s. Currently the furthest West Albies have been spotted with regularity is in Old Saybrook. Larger Bluefish can be found finning in the mornings in and around coves and beaches, as well as blitzing on bait in deep water structure. Our anglers have reported some impressive Bluefish being landed around 15lbs, and fishing poppers remains an effective and exciting way to get into the action. We recommend bringing wire leader in 20lb, and knottable wire is easy to work with when adding a section to your leader. Striper activity will remain most prominent during dusk and dawn. Deceivers, Clousers, Half n Halfs, and Gurglers continue to fool Stripers. Now is the time of year to bring smaller patterns, as Bay Anchovies and Silversides will be more prominent and will help fuel blitzes. For leaders we prefer 5-7’ of 16-30lb fluorocarbon if using sinking lines, and if using poppers, you may extend your leader by a couple more feet. Since water temperatures are still warm any surface action that’s happening will tend to slow down once the sun comes up and Stripers stay closer to the bottom for cooler water. Salt ponds continue to hold resident fish, as well as rocky points near the Norwalk Islands. Some anglers have been seeing blitzes nearshore walking the beach, and it’s all about being at the right place at the right time. For our local boat anglers, posting up near the mouths of rivers has proven successful. Mornings are typically best with a focus on the higher tide stages. Some areas to consider are Calf Pasture and the beaches off Westport, Penfield Reef, and Holly Pond. Towards New London the Striper and Bluefish action has been consistent and should only be getting better.

Hot Flies:
Deceivers in various colors
Clousers
Bay Anchovy Patterns
Peanut Bunker Patterns
Medium Sized Bunker Flies
Epoxy Sardine (Great Albie Fly)

Good Fly Lines For Fall:
SA Full Intermediate
Wulff Monoclear (For picky Albie days)
Rio Outbound Short (Good for big flies and big winds)
Rio Striper (Good all-rounder)

Please report any poaching to the DEEP by calling 800-842-4357.

New York

Salmon River

Flows on the Salmon River are currently near average at 447 CFS, and overall, the fishing has been moderate. Each day there have been Kings and Cohos moving up through the system, especially if there’s higher water which will have larger numbers of fish traveling up past the estuary. It’s all a matter of finding pods of fish that are staging and will cooperate. Fish have been spotted in the middle portion of the river, while the upper portion is starting to see fish though still in relatively low numbers. During these average flows look to target the deeper holes as fish will be staging and waiting for conditions to improve to continue up the system. Average water has the fish a little warier so consider using up to 16lb fluorocarbon. Some Steelhead and Brown Trout have been pushing into the system with the Salmon, however their numbers are few and far between at present. The most popular flies for Kings have been dead drifting egg sucking leeches and Woolly Buggers in various colors, and some anglers are having success swinging the lower parts of the estuary with large bright intruders in Pink, Black, Purple, and Blue/Chartreuse. Larger Glow Bugs in different colors will also take fish, so switching up flies/colors and techniques will be the key to success. Having a micro barrel swivel incorporated into your leader will help avoid splitshot sliding down your leader and aid in quicker re-rigging during breakoffs and snags.

Catskills

The Mainstem at Lordville on the Delaware River is currently 1780 CFS, while the West Branch at Hale Eddy is flowing at 659 CFS, and Flows at Fishes Eddy on the East are 776 CFS. Water clarity is good under these average flows, and temperatures are fluctuating between the high 50s to low 60s. While temperatures are ideal once again, we’re seeing few hatches until the evening. If you’re focused on dry fly fishing, bring Blue Winged Olives in sizes 18-22, Isonychia in sizes 12-14, Cahill in size 16, and Flying Ant patterns. Having a leader of at least 12’ of 5x will help when looking for a stealthier approach. Other patterns to consider are Tricos and Little Yellow Sallies. During the mornings and evenings look for surface activity, and by the afternoon it will be mainly a nymphing game. In a few weeks streamer fishing should improve as trout enter their pre-spawn phase and look for higher calorie meals. In addition, most of the river will start to see October Caddis with more regularity. Nymphing remains the most effective method of fishing a dry-dropper rig. Stoneflies, Pheasant Tails, Hare’s Ears, Caddis Pupa, Caddis Larvae, Waltz Worms, and jig style flies (like Perdigones) are all good considerations for subsurface. Overcast and rainy days will be your best bet for surface activity, and don’t overlook swinging wet flies and nymphs, such as an Isonychia, which should be the most active. For the Neversink, Willowemoc, and Beaverkill rivers bring similar patterns and add Light Cahills to your box.

Saltwater

While the Bonito bite has remained consistent since last weekend’s storm, the Albie fishing has been a hit or miss. Bluefishing also remains hot around some of the jetties and beaches. Now is the time to start thinking about smaller flies as the most prevalent bait will be Bay Anchovies. Shore fishing has been a hit-or-miss with most anglers finding Bluefish, and if they’re lucky, some Bonito. Striper Blitzes near shore have been prevalent with schoolies. When fishing by boat, focus on structure around the bays and look for birds/baitfish as Stripers, Albies, or Bluefish will be blitzing. This tends to be a low light scenario. Bringing some poppers, like a Bob’s Banger, will result in some Blue and Striper action during dusk and dawn. Night fishing has held steady for Stripers, especially around docks and lights, and anglers fishing from shore are finding large Stripers off the beaches. Looking for fish pushing bait to the surface in the rips which can result in some fish 30lbs and over. Tide movement is crucial when looking for fish, as this will stack bait into the rips which will make for an easy meal. If there is no surface action, you can use an aggressive sinking line paired with a larger Clouser to get deeper. Fishers Island and around Gardiners have also seen Bass crushing Bunker on the surface and Albies are starting to filter in nearshore. The back bays on the Northshore are still seeing plenty of Bluefish, and some Albies are starting to filter in, especially near Wading River. With the abundance of bait and different species you will encounter, we recommend bringing some Deceivers, Clousers, Sand Eel patterns, and Popovic’s Surf Candies to imitate Bay Anchovies.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island is seeing the most Albie and Bonito action so far, with most of the areas heating up around Watch Hill, Point Judith, Charlestown Breachway, and the West Wall. Covering water is the name of the game as some anglers are finding Albies in deeper water while others are finding them along the beaches. Every day has been different, so cover ground and look for signs of bait on the surface. There have been really small Bay Anchovies, in the 1.5” range so having some smaller Tan/White Clousers and Surf Candies will imitate these if the fish are picky. The ledges off Block Island are still fishing well, with large Stripers and Bluefish on Sand Eels in the rips. Look for fish on top during tide movements during dusk. Some of the flats are seeing slot size and over fish cruising in shallow, with the most effective patterns being crab flies. If you are struggling to find hardtails, the consistent Bluefish action on topwater can save the day, as they are still nearshore in bays and salt ponds. With Stripers being caught up to 40”, Bluefish to play with, and the potential for Albies/Bonito, the Fall run is on!