CT Freshwater Report as of 6/28/2025

 CT Freshwater Report as of 6/28/2025

The Farmington River has received a bump in flow but is still very fishable.  The West Branch Farmington in Riverton is 350 cfs with an additional 41cfs from the Still River and currently on the rise today. This bump in flow is most likely an attempt to keep temperatures lower with this heat we have received. With that being said please make sure to temp the water before you fish it and try to avoid fishing water above 68 degrees(F). When fishing other rivers in CT, be mindful of temprature as well. The Farmington is a tail water and the temps stay cooler longer than most freestones will. If you don’t have a thermometer we have some in the shop and it’s a great tool to use when temps are this hot. It does look like we will get some rain this weekend however. For the most part it looks like rain only in the early morning or evening. Only about half an inch from Thursday – Sunday. With that rain we will see a drop in temperatures next week.

Hatch wise we are seeing mostly sulphurs (~#16) and vitreus (~#14) on the water. In the mornings – mid-mornings caddis have been active (#16-18), look to fish the pupas in the morning. We have started to see Isos on the lower portion of the river (#12-14). Isos typically hatch sporadically through the day in faster water. Don’t be afraid to prospect with a dry. Big fish LOVE Isos so now is a good time to start using them. Larger stoneflies have also been on the menu, look to the banks to see some shuks and try imitate the size that are active. Pheasant tails size 12-18 will do a good job of imitating a lot of the bugs in the drift right now. I’ve had good luck with caddis pupas(#16-18). Smaller pheasant tails will be working great right now especially with something like a pat’s rubber leg. Sulphur nymphs have been killer too especially when fished a few hours before they start hatching. Iso nymphs will be working well in the faster water as well. The nymphs are active swimmers so don’t be afraid to give the nymph a little movement as well.

Like mentioned earlier, Isos are hatching on the Farmington and they’re about a size 12-14. We are all stocked up on dry’s and nymphs to imitate them. Sulphurs (Invaria) that are hatching are around a size 16. Fishing sulphur patterns as nymphs as well as caddis pupas should be effective right now, especially a few hours before the hatch starts. Sulphurs don’t start hatching until later in the afternoon so don’t leave too early stick around and wait for something to happen. Spinner falls usually happen right at dark as well. Spinners are on the larger side, around #12-16. Something to give a shot is throwing a mouse fly when you give up on trying to seeing a dry fly in the dark. Every now and again you will catch a nice brown on a mouse walking back to the car.

Bugs off the Farmington are a little different. 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. Bugs that could be active are Isos and other larger mayflies as well as assorted caddis (#14-18). Also think terrestrials. We are in that time now where trout will eat ants, beetles, caterpillars, ETC. as they fall in the river. Small streamers like woolly buggers and zonkers can be effective as well. But again, be mindful during these warm temps and make sure you are not fishing in water above 68 degrees (F). Fish become stressed out above this threshold.

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. It looks like stockings are done for the most part, there are still trout to be found in a lot of rivers, just have to be mindful of the river temp. But don’t be afraid to try some different species. Smallmouth can be very fun to catch and are found in rivers and similar places as trout. Streamers are usually the ticket for these fish. If you want to fish ponds and lakes now is a great time as well. Bass are very active in the shallow water. We just got some bass poppers in the store too. Catching a bass on a popper is a blast and if you’re looking for something new it’s worth giving a shot.

Some TMA’s to check out if you aren’t convinced on the bass fishing are the Pequabuck TMA (43 cfs and right by the shop and recently stocked), Housatonic River (Upper TMA) (578 cfs at falls village), and the Naugatuck TMA (62 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 want to try for some smallies, look to fish rivers that open into the Connecticut river. The Farmington River in Windsor, Mattabesset River in Middletown, and the Housatonic River are some popular spots to try.

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. Be sure to stop by the shop and pick up some cool flies!