Connecticut Fishing Report Part II April 18,2015

By Wayne G. Barber

Farmington River - Opening Day trout fishing was fair to good above the Still River, but tougher farther downstream due to higher flows. West Branch flows are now clear, moderate and fishable, currently 247 cfs at Riverton plus an additional 272 cfs from the Still River. Water temperatures are in the mid 30’s to low 40’s°F. Conditions should be good for the upcoming weekend with warm weather forecast and comfortable flows. Hatches/patterns include Blue Wing Olive (a.k.a. Baetis vagans; #16-18 in a parachute or emerging du; noon to 5pm), Hendrickson (will appear mid-April due to the cold), Winter/Summer Caddis (waning, #18-26), Stonefly nymphs (#12-18), Midge (#20-28) and Blue Quill (a.k.a. paralep; #16-18) in a parachute or emerger (midday). Nymphs (#18-22) are always a good go-to fly, try Bead Head, Midge Pupa, Brassie, Zebra Midge or Copper John patterns. Streamers are also producing, use White Zonkers & Buggers (#4-12) as well as Muddlers, Micky Finn, Grey or Black Ghost.

Housatonic River - Flows have been too high to fish for most anglers. Conditions for fishing are improving as flows continue to drop. Currently flows are turbid and still high, but finally dropping some, with 3,270 cfs at Falls Village and 5,040 cfs at Gaylordsville. Still very challenging to unfishable (and un-wadeable) for most anglers. Anglers can call FirstLight Power Resources at 1-888-417-4837 or check the USGS website (http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ct/nwis/current/?type=flow) for updated Housatonic River flow information (and also check with a local bait & tackle shop). Water temperatures are in the low 40’s °F.Typical hatches/patterns for mid-April would include Hendrickson (#12-14), March Brown (#10-12), Rivers and streams stocking update (Note that all stocking schedules are subject to change):  In eastern Connecticut; Natchaug River, Fenton River, Willimantic River (sections below the TMA), Salmon River (including the TMA), Eightmile River, East Branch Eightmile River, Shetucket River, Susquetonscut Brook, Beaver Brook, Farm River (both upper & lower sections), Branford River and West River stocked this week.  In western Connecticut; Hall Meadow Brook, Wepawaug River, Saugatuck River TMA, the upper Saugatuck River, Leadmine Brook, upper & lower sections of the Norwalk River, Weekeepeemee River, Nonewaug River, Hop Brook, Little River (Oxford), Shepaug River, East Aspetuck River and the Mill River (Fairfield, including the TMA) stocked this week.

 TROUT-LAKES & PONDS -  A number of lakes in northwest (including West Hill Pond, Colebrook River Lake, Highland, East Twin Lake, Wononskopomuc Lake, Stillwater Pond, West Side Pond, Mohawk Pond and Tyler Lake) and northeast (Mashapaug Lake, Bigelow Pond, Crystal Lake) Connecticut still had significant ice cover on Opening Day, although some hardy anglers were fishing edges of the ice (trolling streamers on the surface can work well in these colder than normal conditions).  Fair to good fishing reported from Beach Pond, Long Pond, Bigelow Pond, Maltby Lakes Birge Pond (Bristol, added to the stocking schedule this year), Mirror Lake (Meriden, stocked on Opening Day