Fishing Outlook & Conditions
Water Temp:
78
Bert Ouellette's Tip of the Week
The Housatonic River is at 151 CFS . The water temperature is to warm to fish for trout. If you hook a trout get them to the net as quick as possible and release them without lifting them out of the water. To avoid catching a trout during the summer months switch to warm water species flies. Most of the trout have moved into the thermal refuge area. Stay out of the Thermo refuge areas they are marked with white signs saying no fishing. If you would like to fish for trout I would suggest heading to the Farmington River which is a tail water and stays cool most all summer. The Housatonic River most days has water temperatures over 70° it is time to give the trout a break and switch over to warm water species like Smallmouth bass and Carp. Pike fishing on the Housatonic during the summer months should be limited to cooler days with water temperature under 72° Fish early morning before water temperatures get to warm. The streamer and popper bite for smallmouth bass has really turned on with the warm water temperatures. Top water popper fishing has been excellent with the warmer water temperature. When fishing on any river during the summer months you should always bring your thermometer to check the water temperature before Fishing. Trout are stressed in water temperatures over 67° Northern pike start to stress in water over 72° Smallmouth bass start to stress and water over 78° On the warm summer days you should limit your fishing to early morning when the water temperature will be at its coolest. No one should be fishing for any species of fish in water that is 85°and above. Spiked boots, wader belt,wading staff and polarized sunglasses are highly recommend when fishing the Housatonic River. Fishydude.com
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Water Flow Data
5-Day Outlook as of 8/8/22
Warm high 80s to low 90° temperatures predicted throughout the week fishydude.com
Techniques & Tips as of 8/8/22
Smallmouth bass fishing has been very good! It is too warm to fish for trout on the Housatonic. If you are trout fishing in the summer months on any river you fish you should have a thermometer with you and periodically check the water temperature on days when the air temperature is 70° or more. Trout become stressed in water temperature above 67° you should switch over to fishing smallmouth bass and other warm water species. If you do hook trout in warm water you should bring it in quickly and release it without taking it out of the water. It’s time!! The small mouth bass fishing has really turned on with the warmer water on the housatonic. The popper Fishing has been excellent! All color poppers have been working very well. The streamer fishing has been good for smallmouth woolly buggers in Black,Olive,White and chartreuse. Articulate streamers have been getting the bite in White,Black,Olive and Chartreuse. Any crayfish streamer pattern in Olive or Brown has been hooking it up. During the summer months limit your fishing to early morning when the water temperatures are at the coolest. Most evenings during the hot weather the water temperature is still too warm to fish. Fishydude.com
Local Species Available All season
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Trout
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Smallmouth bass
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pike
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carp.
Bert Ouellette's Recommended Fly Patterns
"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:
Name: | Colors: | Size(s): |
---|---|---|
Blue Winged Olive | Blue wing olives | 20-26 |
Sparkle Dun | ISO Brown | 12-14 |
Elk Wing Caddis | Tan Caddis | 16-18 |
Flying Ant | Black/Red | 18-24 |
Stonefly Nymph | Black / Golden | 6 /14 |
Pheasant Tail Nymph | natural | 12-22 |
Fly Formerly Known As Prince | Golden -Brown | 10-12 |
Bead Head Caddis Pupa | tan/brown | 16-18 |
Caddis Larvae | Green / tan | 14-18 |
Wolly Bugger | BLK / Brown ? olive | 6-10 |
Bert Ouellette's Recommended Gear
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Best Leader:
Super Strong Plus Leaders
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Best Tippet:
SuperStrong Plus Tippet in 30- and 100-meter spools
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Best Fly Fishing Rod:
5-Weight 9' Fly Rod
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Best Floating Fly Line:
WF Trout Fly Line
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Best Sinking Fly Line:
Bank Shot Sink Tip Fly Line