General River Information

Real-time flows, Housatonic River at Falls Village:

This link has some very good updates and information about the Housatonic River:
http://www.dryflies.com/reports-cornwall_bridge.html

Telephone Numbers

NU HOTLINE 1-888-417-4837

FARMINGTON RIVER 1-860-7387327

TIP PROGRAM 1-800-842-4357

River Reports

May 3, 2010

April 16, 2010

The upper Hous is now down to approx. 1,000 cfs and the hendricksons are on the water heavy.   This is one hatch where you definately want to fish the spinner fall.   Make sure some of your spinners have irridescent egg sacks.   I love fishing the Hous in the spring the first time the water comes down.  The fish haven’t seen a fly in a long time.   There’s no better place to fish.   The lower Hous has been on fire with some big stripers mixed in with “schoolies”.  Large bunker and herring type flies are producing the most.  The striper fishing should remain good for the next month and a half.

Joshua Fine with an April Smallie.

Bear Cochrane with an April 2010 Striper.

Another Big April Striper.

March 25, 2009 – Mouth of the Housatonic

Hi All, Just got back from fishing the mouth of the Housatonic in Devon (Milford).  After work I met fellow HFFA members Walt “News” Sliva, his son Steve Sliva, and Jeff Purcell.  The fishing was beyond description.  We caught fish consistently from 5 p.m. until we left the water at 8:30 p.m.  If I hadn’t forgotten my warm polar tech I’d still be out there.  Fish ranged from 15″ to 20″.  I did have a much bigger fish on at the end but failed to land him.   It’s days like this you dream about to start the Spring.   Tight Lines.   Paul

November 30, 2009

The upper TMA of the Hous is currently flowing at around 1,300 cfs.   That’s the upper end of the wading  spectrum.   You can still get into some spots but be careful.    A wading staff is recommended.   Without further rain the river should be down to very wadable levels the first weekend in December.   Streamers, egg patterns, san juan worms, golden stones, caddis larva, and prince nymphs are the flies of choice.   Also keep an eye out for midges this time of year.   This past sunday (November 29)  members of the HFFA met at the mouth of the river to fish the Charles Wheeler Marsh area.  It was a windy, cold, bright and sunny day at the mouth.  People in attendence included Bear Cochrane, Jeff Purcell, Phil Maxwell, John Panza, Ken Manzari, Lou Eagle, and 4 or 5 other brave souls.  We fished the top of the outgoing tide.  Unfortunately the fish gods weren’t with us.   Only a couple small fish landed.    However, Jacques Wagemaker and Mark Eisenhauer fished the last 2 hours of the drop and were very successful in landing some very nice fish.   I’ve caught fish at the mouth as late as December 7.   So I don’t know if it will be our last trip down near the mouth.   There are reports of fish following atlantic herring up further into the river.   It might be time to start fishing the Derby/Shelton area from now on.   Even though I didn’t catch any fish I really enjoyed it out there today with fellow HFFA members.   Thanks to all that fished.   Better days are coming in about4-5 months, that is unless you brave the cold and fish with us 10 miles to the north.

Mark Eisenhauer with a nice winter Striper.

November 21, 2009

Hi All,  Members of the HFFA met at the mouth of the Housatonic to fish Short Beach, Stratford CT.   The sunrise was just beautiful.  We fished the outgoing, slack and incoming tide during the morning hours.   We were led by internet fishing star Bear Cochrane and group organizer Jeff Purcell.    There were not alot of fish around but the four fish that we caught were all big bass.  PHOTOS HAVE BEEN POSTED ON THE GALLERY PAGE.   ”Bear’s Bunker” and sand eel patterns produced.   The lower river will hold bass all winter long, especially in the Derby/Shelton area.   Plans are for another HFFA fishing get together this coming Thanksgiving weekend.   Those interested can email hffaflyfishing@gmail.com for additional information.  The upper TMA is flowing at around 1,600 cfs.   This is the upper range for wadable water.   It should be down to real nice levels for the long Thanksgiving weekend.   Just pray it doesn’t rain.   Olives, midges, scuds, and streamers are the hot flies.   Trout fishing has been excellent!   HOW GREAT IS THE HOUSATONIC FISHERY!!    MONSTER TROUT AND STRIPERS WITHIN AN HOURS DRIVE OF EACHOTHER.   NO OTHER RIVER HAS WHAT WE HAVE !!!

November 17, 2009

Hi All, On Sunday 10 members of the HFFA fished the mouth of the river, outgoing tide, at Short Beach, Stratford.   It was a very successful trip as almost everyone caught fish.   In attendance was “Mr. Housatonic”  Lou Eagle, Mike Harrington, Mike Cevack, new HFFA member Mark Eisenhower,  Tim Smith, Jeff Purcell, and Internet Fishing Star Bear Cochrane.  Sizes ranged from small “dinks” to some nice fish in the mid twenty’s.   Mike Harrington caught the best fish of the day.   Gave him quite a fight.   The weather conditions were good.  There were a lot of laughs, everyone caught fish, and the sunset was spectacular.   Plans are for another HFFA fishing get together this coming weekend (November 21-22).   Members can email hffaflyfishing@gmail.com for additional information.  There have been excellent reports of bass in New Haven Harbor.  Hopefully these fish will make their way down to the mouth of the river.   The TMA is running at approximately 1,300 cfs and should be very fishable by the weekend as well.  Get out there if you can.   The weather is suppose to be great for fishing.  Its going to be a long winter.

November 11, 2009

The river is running at approximately 800 cfs.    Water is very clear and most spots can be waded.   Fished it today with fellow HFFA member Dan Kenny.   We did very well fishing olive scuds.   I also landed fish on an olive bead head caddis.   Small olives are still on the water.   Not alot of fishermen on the river today, but those I did see all took fish.  Saw trout taken on dry flies and streamers.   Fishing should remain excellent the remainder of November provided the water stays down.   Fish are trying to put on weight for the winter.    Some were very agressive today.   Black ghosts, yellow stone fly nymphs, olive and tan scuds, iso nymphs, and size #18 to #22 olives should work well.    

Dan Kenny lands a November Trout on an olive scud.