CT Freshwater Report as of 5/30/2025

 CT Freshwater Report as of 5/30/2025 

All rivers are a go and the fishing is good. Light rain is in the forecast but no more than an inch or so through Saturday morning then things will clear up. Weather temps are going to be getting warmer, high 60’s to mid 70’s for the highs through Saturday and then we will be creeping into the 80’s next week. West Branch Farmington river out of the dam is 173 cfs. The Still river is coming in 96 cfs for a combined flow that is extremely wadeable and fishable cfs. Flows will probally bump a little with the rain but will still be great for fishing. 

Fishing has been good, especially with larger mayflies and pupas. Larger stoneflies have also been on the menu. Pheasant tails size 12-18 will do a good job of imitating a lot of the bugs in the drift right now. You also definitely don’t want to be out right now without a pupa. Something like a sexy waltz or small mop will work great. We have a good selection in the shop if you need to pick some up. A size 10-12 Pat’s is another great option for right about now. 

Vitreus have started hatching on the Farmington and they’re about a size 14-16 and look like Sulphurs except they have a little orange or pink in their bodies. We have a cool dry fly pattern in the shop to imitate them. Sulphurs have also started hatching and are arond a size 16. March Browns are also hatching size 12-14. Look to fish their nymphs in the faster water as they are clingers.  

Bugs off the Farmington are looking pretty similar. Lots of caddis with some larger mayflies mixed in. On smaller freestone rivers there aren’t as many bugs as there are on the Farmington so fish feed more opportunistically. Don’t be afraid to go a little bigger in fly choice on the smaller rivers.  

If you want to get away from the Farmington don’t be afraid to explore. There are a ton of rivers that are fun to fish. Some recently stocked rivers are Roaring Brook in Glastonbury, the Muddy River in Wallingford, and the Mill River in Sleeping Giant State Park. Exploring new rivers can be fun and a change of scenery away from the crowds is refreshing.  

Some other TMA’s to check out are the Pequabuck TMA (98 cfs and right by the shop), Housatonic River (Upper TMA) (875 cfs at falls village), and the Naugatuck TMA (157 cfs at Thomaston). When fishing a TMA make sure you have purchased a trout and salmon stamp in addition to your fishing license.  

If you go out and have any questions feel free to stop by the shop, we are more than happy to help you with whatever you need. We have a good selection of pupas right now that could help you right now with the caddis hatch. Tight Lines! 

Location:139 Center St, Bristol CT, 06010 

Number: (203) 343-0775 

Hours:  

Monday – Tuesday           8AM – 5PM 

Wednesday                         8AM – 8PM 

Thursday                               8AM – 5PM 

Friday – Saturday              7AM – 6PM 

Sunday                                  7AM – 5PM