CT Freshwater Report as of 8/22/2025

CT Freshwater Report as of 8/22/2025

Pictured above is Jim DeCesare. We have some good flows right now.  The West Branch Farmington in Riverton is 234 cfs with an additional 62 cfs from the Still River at Robertsville (which is a bit of a bump but dropping), combining for 296 cfs. We have plenty of water in the reservoir and we should continue to have stable flows into the fall. Water temperatures are stable as well and with the cooler temps at night all water is safe. Water temps have generally been peaking around 63 F but that could be different depending on how far up or down you are on the river. The weather we have right now is very Fall like and its super refreshing. Weather should be nice and cool next week with highs just shy of 80 and lows getting into the high 50’s. Looks like a touch of rain Monday morning but nothing too bad. The only downside is it looks to be a windy week with average gusts around 16-17 mph. Overall, weather is good and it should be a great week to go out and catch some fish.

Hatches have been best in the mornings. Stoneflies (#8–12) are most active early and fish well nymphed. Tricos fall mid-morning depending on overnight temps, usually #20–24, so go small. Isos hatch sporadically through the day in faster water, and big fish love them, swinging the nymph at the end of the drift can trigger bites as the nymphs are active swimmers. Pheasant tails and other slim flies (#18–22) cover a lot of what’s in the drift right now since smaller bugs are everywhere. Small patterns are the main ticket, but rotating in some larger flies can move opportunistic fish. Terrestrials are still strong so throwing ants, beetles, and the occasional hopper, especially under overhanging trees where fish are trained to wait for wind-blown snacks is a good idea.

On the Farmington, Isos are a solid size 12–14 and both BMAR iso nymphs and larger pheasant tails are producing. Tricos are falling in the mornings in decent numbers, and caddis (#16–18) are also active. Overall, mornings have been most productive with the greatest number of bugs in the air and fish stacked in the faster water where oxygen levels are higher. With browns and brookies soon gearing up to spawn, don’t forget streamers as fish will start to get aggressive. And when the light fades, a mouse fly can surprise you with a big brown on the way back to the car.

Bugs off the Farmington are about the same. 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 smaller mayflies as well as assorted caddis (#14-18). Also think terrestrials. We are in that time 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. And again, the mornings will be highlight with that being the time the most amount of bugs are active. With the cooler temps however, you may get some good small stream fishing up top with ants and beetles.

If you want to get away from the Farmington don’t be afraid to explore, smallmouth are very active right now in the rivers and are a lot of fun. There are a ton of rivers that are fun to fish. Small mouth love streamers and will surprisingly eat pretty big streamers but don’t neglect smaller crayfish/baitfish imitations. Mornings and evenings are usually the best, but you can catch them all day. Cycle through different presentations but a faster strip works great. I have had lots of luck recently with game changers. 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. 

If you want to try for some smallies, look to fish rivers that open into the Connecticut river like the Farmington River in Windsor and Mattabesset River in Middletown. The Housatonic River above the dam in Falls Village is another popular spot to try. Beyond these there are a plethora of lakes, ponds, and rivers that hold bass. They are usually found where the water is a bit warmer. If you aren’t convinced and want to trout fish, the Farmington River is a safe bet. A lot of the smaller rivers are starting to cool down and with the little rain we had and some more coming on Monday they should be somewhat recharged.

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! Tight Lines!

 

Location:139 Center St, Bristol CT, 06010

Number: (203) 343-0775

Hours:

Monday                                  8AM – 5PM

Tuesday                                 8AM – 5PM

Wednesday                         8AM – 5PM

Thursday                               8AM – 5PM

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Sunday                                  8AM – 3PM