CT DEEP Fishing Report Week of 6/21/18

TROUT-LAKES & PONDS – Trout fishing has been generally fair to good in a number of areas throughout the state with reports from Ball Pond (good fishing for Rainbows), Candlewood Lake (hit or miss, some anglers are doing well, other nothing), Crystal Lake (lots of action, lots of fish in the slot, but some nice ones over the slot, try at 12-22 feet), East Twin Lake (some good action, mostly Brown’s), Lake McDonough (one group had good luck on copper Mooselooks and Michigan stingers at 20-30 feet down), and Lake Quonnipaug (more slow than fair here). 

Thermal Refuges are Critical to Keep Trout Cool

Anglers are reminded that the thermal refuge areas on the Housatonic, Naugatuck and Shetucket Rivers are now closed to fishing (as of June 15). These areas will reopen on September 15. There is no fishing within 100 feet of signs indicating such closure at or near the mouths of tributaries to these rivers. 

TROUT- RIVERS & STREAMS – Conditions for trout fishing are fair to good. Water levels continue to drop with the current dry stretch (now below normal or well below normal for this time of year in many areas– see stream flow graphic on page 5). For the most part, fish will now be hanging in areas that provide good cover and cold temperatures like the deeper pools, seeps and springs, woody debris, and undercut banks. Temperatures remain favorable in most waters although larger rivers are starting to get too warm and fish will be seeking refuge in cold tributaries. NOTE that key thermal refuges on the Housatonic, Naugatuck and Shetucket rivers are posted to protect the fish through our hot summer water temperatures. Please do not disturb the fish from these areas, it could me life or death.

Good reports from the Farmington River (especially in faster riffles when slow-water is “slow”), Salmon River, Moosup River with a 7 pound rainbow caught, Natchaug River, Pomperaug River, Mill River WTMA in Fairfield. Some action but slowing on the Hammonasset River. 

Farmington River –The weekend looks good for the West Branch and main stem Farmington with comfortable flows (currently 265 CFS at Riverton plus 28 CFS from the Still River). Water temperatures are now in the upper 50’s farther downstream of the Still River, and cooler in the Riverton area. A very large hatch in the Pleasant Valley section this past Monday evening just after the rain pushed through (8:30-9:30 pm). Not many folks on the river at that time so stay a bit after dark. 

Hatches/patterns. As the flows have dropped look for a boom in insect activity. Typical go-to flies this time of year include the Tan and Black Caddis, Vitreus, Sulfurs, Yellow Stonefly, and Blue Wing Olive. Others various activity includes Sulfurs, (Invaria #14-16 hatches mid-day and Dorothea #16-18), Light Cahill (#12-18), March Brown nymphs (#10-14, during the day), Gray Fox (#10-14, afternoon), Blue Wing Olives (#18-24, mid-late afternoon, Midges (#20-32) and Pale Evening Duns (Epeorus vitreus #14-16, afternoon & early evenings). 

Housatonic River – Flows remain very low and very fishable for this time of year (currently 351 CFS at Falls Village and 534 CFS at Gaylordsville). Morning water temperatures are currently in the upper 50’s F and low 60’s F. Smallmouth and Fallfish are great options when trout are not willing to bite. Both types of fish are plentiful in the river and super fun on light gear.

Hatches/patterns. Alder Flies (Actually a type of Caddisfly) are the go to fly with good activity all along the river, Black Caddis (#10-12) March Brown (#10-12), Sulphurs (#14-18, evening), Blue Wing Olive (#16-18, cloudy days, early morning; spinner fall in evening), Cahill (#14, evenings), Adams (#12-16, evening), March Brown (#10-12, afternoon) and Gray Foxes (#14-16). Green caddis (#14-18, early morning & evening) are on the water. Streamers (such as White/Yellow Zonkers or Wooly Buggers) are good options for fishing the current flows.