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Northeast Fishing Report 10/24/2025
Hello Compleat Angler friends! This week we have had a small improvement in flows from the past week’s rain, as well as additional stocking on our local freestones. As a result, trout fishing will be improved on these rivers, and fly selection is temporarily forgiving. We recommend bringing some attractor nymphs and streamers. The Housatonic River, while below average, has also increased and anglers are finding fish keyed in on Blue Winged Olives, as well as some Smallmouth Bass still. Blue Winged Olive hatches are the primary for the Delaware River, which has near average flows. Anglers on the Salmon River in New York are finding salmon spread throughout the whole river, and better numbers of Steelhead entering the system, as well as a few big Brown Trout. On the saltwater, Stripers have become more active in the Long Island Sound, and they can be found during the mornings blitzing on Peanut Bunker. The same can be said further east, with pods of Albies and Bonito still scattered in, however, Stripers are starting to take over as the primary species. The South Shore of Long Island is seeing good numbers of larger migratory fish pushing along the shoreline. There are plenty of options whether you’re fishing fresh or saltwater this Fall!
Read on for more…
Connecticut
Local Rivers
We had a very small increase in flows from this past week’s rain, but water levels are still low and have started dropping. For instance, the Saugatuck River is reading 23.9 CFS. The good news is that most options have been stocked, with the Saugatuck being stocked this past week. Many options have improved for fishing as a result, and trout will be forgiving in terms of fly selection. You can expect hatches of Caddis, Blue Wingd Olives, Light Cahill, Isonychia, and some Midges. It will be worth bringing streamers as stocked trout can be aggressive. A dry/dropper rig is also an effective searching technique when fishing below average flows. Stocked trout will be taking a variety of gaudy and larger flashier nymphs until the key into the natural forage.
Dry Fly Hatches:
Blue Winged Olives (Overcast Days) 18-24
Adams Parachute (Attractor) 16-20
Nymphs:
General Mayfly Attractor 14-18
Streamers:
Krystal Bugger (Black, Chartreuse, Brown, Olive, White, Burnt Orange) 6-12
Naugatuck River
Flows are also low on the Naugatuck River, despite the small increase with the recent rain, and have dropped to 137 CFS at Beacon Falls. The good news is that the state has stocked Atlantic Salmon in both the lower and upper sections, which will be hunkered in deeper pools during low flows. A variety of streamers will work, from Woolly Buggers to more traditional Atlantic Salmon Flies. Try swinging your fly through the pools, and sometimes varying your presentation, such as stripping you fly, will entice a grab. You may also find some trout, and similar bug activity to out local rivers and streams report. Nymphing will be effective when there is no hatch activity. The Shetucket River was also stocked with Atlantic Salmon and Trout this Fall.
Farmington River
Flows on the West Branch of the Farmington River will be at below average levels for the weekend. At Riverton, the West Branch Gauge is reading 74.2 CFS, while the Still is adding 96.5 CFS. Water will be clear and easy for wading this weekend. Water temperatures on the West Branch are in the high 50s to low 60s, and temperatures will be ideal in all sections of the river. Hatches haven’t been exceptional; however, you may find some Tan/Olive Caddis, larger October Caddis, Blue Winged Olives (overcast rainy days), Light Cahill, Midges, and Isonychia during the evenings. The insects will be small this time of year, so you will want to bring small dries and an assortment of small nymphs, especially during average and below-average flows. Also, a consideration is terrestrials, such as ants and beetles. Nymphing will be best throughout the afternoon, when hatch activity tends to slow down. Trout are now spread into the well oxygenated faster water and all water types. During the morning hours streamer fishing can also be an effective technique, especially for the more recently stocked trout that are most aggressive, and. For dry fly fishing with smaller flies, we recommend a 9-12’ leader in 6x. As a reminder, Brown Trout will begin their spawning soon, so you will want to avoid fishing to paired up spawners and avoid stepping on Redds.
Dry Fly Hatches:
Nymphs:
General Mayfly Attractor 14-18
Streamers:
Krystal Bugger (Black, Brown, Olive, White, Burnt Orange) 6-12
Larger Articulated Streamers on a sinking/sink tip line
Housatonic River
Flows have improved on the Housatonic River, which is still below average but have jumped up to 491 CFS at Falls Village. This will improve Trout fishing for the weekend, as stocked fish will have a little more water to spread out. Trout have been recently stocked on two occasions, and these fish will be forgiving in terms of fly selection. This means Mop Flies, Squirmy Worms, and a variety of streamers will be effective. Anglers are also still finding some Smallmouth Bass. More educated trout that have been in the system longer are keying in on small Blue Winged Olives and some Isonychia during the evening. For Smallmouth, we recommend streamers such as Wolly Buggers, Crayfish Patterns, and popper flies.
Dry Fly Hatches:
Blue Winged Olives (overcast days) 18-24
Blue Winged Olive Emerger 18-20
Nymphs:
General Mayfly Attractor 14-18
Streamers:
Krystal Bugger (Black, Brown, Olive, White, Burnt Orange) 6-12
Larger Articulated Streamers on a sinking/sink tip line
Saltwater
The Western Sound has seen more action from migratory Stripers which will keep impoving in the next few weeks, as well as some resident fish preparing to hold over. Focusing on rocky coves, shallow water, and the mouths of rivers you may find fish blitzing on Peanut Bunker. The Eastern Sound is also seeing some action from the mouth of the Housatonic to Fisher’s Island and the mouth of the Connecticut River. You may find Stripers and some larger Bluefish, as Albies and Bonito are more scattered when compared to their numbers pre storm. The most prevalent bait is Bay Anchovies and Peanut Bunker. There will also be some action around the deeper water structures as fish migrate through the area, most notably Stratford Shoals. There are a wide range of Striper Sizes in the Sound, from schoolies to fish around 20lbs.
Hot Flies for Summer/Fall:
Custom Tied Baby Bunker (Super Realistic!)
Bob’s Banger (Stripers and Bluefish)
Surf Candies for Bonito and Albies
Good Fly Lines for Fall:
Rio Outbound Short (Good for big flies and big winds)
Rio Striper (Good all-rounder)
Leaders:
9' 16lb Fluorocarbon Leader for Bonito and Albies
Please report any poaching to the DEEP by calling 800-842-4357.
New York
Salmon River
This past week flows have increased on the Salmon River, but are still low, with the Pineville Gauge reading 491 CFS. This should help push more salmon into the system, and currently they’re spread throughout the river. Kings, Steelhead, Coho, and some nice Brown Trout are entering the river with the occasional Atlantic Salmon. For Kings and Cohos, we recommend using a 16-20 tapered leader with split shot rigged above a micro swivel to avoid having your split shot slide down to your fly. For flies, more aggressive fish in the lower sections will grab larger and bright colored intruders from Pink to Blue and Chartreuse swung on single and two-hand rods. Egg sucking leeches, Woolly Buggers, Glo Bugs, and Estaz Eggs in a variety of colors will work well. Kings are now spawning in a variety of location throughout the river, and are now into the smaller tributaries.
Catskills
Flows on the Mainstem of the Delaware River are near average with the Lordville Gauge reading 1830 CFS. Water temperatures on the Mainstem are now in the low to mid 50s, and flows will be clear and still fishable by drift boat while a little high for wading on the Main and West Branch. The East Branch flows are low, 357 CFS at Fishes Eddy, while the West Branch is above average reading 1330 CFS at Hale Eddy. Overall flows are improved compared to last week. Hatches have been improving, and some days have been producing great Blue Winged Olive hatches. On brighter sunny days you can expect the hatches to be best during the evening. For hatches you can expect Blue Winged Olives on overcast days, Light Cahill, Tan Caddis, and Isonychia. Often, fish will be keyed in on very small Blue Winged Olives (Pseudos in size 20-28) during the afternoon. It will also be worth bringing a few ant patterns. Nymphing will be the most effective method when there are no hatches, while streamer fishing may be a little tougher. Sticking to streamer fishing during the morning with floating lines will pick up a few aggressive Trout during these below average flows. We can expect streamer fishing to improve with Brown Trout getting ready to spawn. With current water temperatures Trout are spread out into a variety of different water types, so don’t overlook the faster riffles, especially using an Isonychia as a searching pattern towards the evening. The smaller rivers around the area still have fishable temperatures, especially during the morning. Hatch sizes will be small and trickier to fish this time of year, and we recommend a leader at least 12’ long in 6x.
Dry Fly Hatches:
Blue Winged Olives (overcast days) 18-24
Blue Winged Olive Emerger 18-20
Nymphs:
General Mayfly Attractor 14-18
Streamers:
Krystal Bugger (Black, Brown, Olive, White, Burnt Orange) 6-12
Larger Articulated Streamers on a sinking/sink tip line
New York Saltwater
Things are still settling post storm in New York and Long Island, and the most significant improvement is an uptick in Striper action along the South Shore, especially further West. Fish up to 45 inches have been chasing bait on top. Albies have been scattered, since the blow, and are not as concentrated as they were before the storm. You will still find some scattered pods along the Northshore with Bonito, as well as some improved Striper fishing. We can expect Striper fishing to improve in Montauk with the cooler weather. There are also some Bluefish along the Northshore. The fishing has just started to bounce back as the weather settles, and the notable trend is Striper fishing picking up where Albies have left off.
Rhode Island Saltwater
It’s a similar story in Rhode Island, and anglers are still finding some scattered schools of Albies and Bonito on the south shore on small Bay Anchovies and sometimes Peanut Bunker, as the hardtail season tapers off. Bass fishing has remained consistent for topwater, and anglers are still finding good action in the Providence River. There are some Stripers around Newport, which has been best during low light hours. Block Island is seeing good numbers of Stripers and more sizeable Bluefish with some Stripers holding in the deeper water ledges as they migrate through. Watch Hill and Point Judith are still seeing Striper blitzes along the beach, with some scattered pods of Albies and Bonito. Thankfully there is still plenty of Fall run action post storm for Stripers and Bluefish.