Hello again everyone...We haven't gone away! 2025 was a year of some challenges so we fell behind on email updates. A Happy and Healthy 2026 to all our followers!
HOWEVER the trout and salmon fly fishing in Eastern Connecticut was strong. The Natchaug produced some nice holdovers and nice sized rainbows throughout the Spring until water temps increased and flows diminished in late May/early June. Early season Stoneflies followed by Blue Quills some Quill Gordons and sparse Hendricksons were prevalent and of course BWO's 18 to 20 always seem to be present. What we did not see in any quantity this year were caddis. Years past featured heavy black and tan caddis hatches at dusk.
Again between hatches, the tried and true soft hackle fished in the film is a winner!
In October and beyond even with lower levels on the Shetucket fishing was solid for some nice sized Atlantic Salmon. For those braving the cold thru December the tagged salmon continued taking the fly in the key areas on the Shetucket.
CTDEEP's tagging results from 2024-25 are extremely helpful in understanding the movement of these beauties with some surprising results!
You can view the interesting report if you drop me an email...cannot attach a PDF here, which I will send along.
In the meantime back to the Shetucket, our Steve the Shetucket Specialist continued to rack up large numbers throughout the season even on the colder days.
This is a great fall fishery as you can see from above.
Need a casting tune up? Questions about the Natchaug or Shetucket or other Eastern CT locales? Need a personalized outing? Check out team7x.com and our archives for some pre-season reading. Especially check out the line, butt section, leader, tippet article...I think it will improve your dry fly presentation dramatically! Recent snow and a wet February bodes well for March water levels as the trout season, now open year around, swings into action.
DRAG FREE everyone...it won't be long!
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