Flows
• The Housatonic River can be a difficult river to wade in any flow.  A wading staff is always recommended along with spiked soles.  • The flow chart gives you the release at Falls Village.  The river has many small tributaries, and underground springs that will raise the water level the further downriver you go.  • For the Lower TMA, add the Falls Village number, and add the flow of the 10 Mile River near Gaylordsville, CT to get an approximate flow.

• 1200 Plus Cfs-wading is extremely difficult, and the water usually is very off color.  Look for fish very tight to the banks, fishing isn’t reccommended.

• 1000-1200 Cfs-wading is very difficult to difficult, but if the flow has been steady, the water will have a more fishable color.  Look for fish tight to the banks, and in the softer currents that are forming with less water.  Closer to 1000 Cfs, look for pockets and seems close to shore where fish will be holding.

• 700-1000 Cfs-wading becomes easier, and the river does hold this amount of water well due to its width.  You can find fish anywhere from the banks to the seams, pockets and softer currents in the middle of the river. Ideal Flows.  
• 500-700 Cfs- Almost all of the river is wadable.  The fish are pushing away from the banks to the deeper holes, but they will return to the banks to feed during hatches. Ideal Flow • 300-500 Cfs- The flow starts to expose a lot more of the river bed, and during warmer times, the temperature begins to warm up.  All of the river is wadable, and the fish start to move into the deepest areas to hold.  These numbers are usually seen in very late June-August in normal years. Great flows for Smallmouth Bass, Carp and Pike fishing.
​
• 300 cfs, and below-I haven’t seen the river below 250 cfs until this past summer till now.  It was 88 cfs at its lowest in October, and it hasn’t been this low since the early 1900’s.   The fish struggled to survive this Summer even moving into the Thermal Refuge Areas. Right now the water temperatures have come down, but the fish are stacked into certain areas of the river. 

Google Maps Housatonic River TMA's Access Map

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&authuser=0&mid=1ieSl-t_l77VSFZepU3hZDmnv3WE&ll=41.79667188289352%2C-73.4358358&z=11

CT DEEP Weekly Fishing Report:
http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2696&q=322752&deepNav_GID=1630

CT DEEP License Information:
http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2696&q=322716&deepNav_GID=1630

Water Flows:

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ct/nwis/current/?type=flow

Stocking Maps:

http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2696&q=467456&deepNav_GID=1630


​My article from Live The Wildlife Online Magazine "Housatonic White Fly Mania"   
http://www.joomag.com/magazine/ltwl-hunter-online/M0485604001380996169

​

http://www.pulaskinychamber.com/index.php/member-directory?catid=350  Hotel Information

http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/31420.html Salmon River Regulations

http://tailwaterlodge.com/ Discount to TU Members

http://www.fishsalmonriver.com/Maps Maps
http://www.salmonrivernewbie.com/ Blog dedicated to newbie, reports, information on locations.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ny/nwis/uv/?site_no=04250200&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060 Flow information at Pineville.
Places to Eat: Ponderosa Steakhouse and Buffet, The River House, Driftboat Inn, Fast food on Rt. 13

 Google Maps with Parking and River Access
https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?hl=en&hl=en&authuser=0&authuser=0&mid=zd_AZDmCxmfQ.kQz1eRBZfZnI

Link to Access Map
 https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=zd_AZDmCxmfQ.ktHKmogfMiYg&hl=en

Licenses

The East Branch is part of The New York City Water Supply Area.  A special Watershed Permit is needed to fish and hike on these lands.  A permit is free of charge and may be obtained at the following link:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/watershed_protection/recreation.shtml

A complete list of rules for the watershed lands can be found at:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/watershed_protection/rules.shtml

Also a NYS Fishing License is needed.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6091.html



 Croton Watershed River Descriptions

http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/nycfshwestput.pdf

Links

• http://www.anglersden.net/
  
  
• http://www.theflypatch.com/  
  
  
• https://www.facebook.com/hendrickson.spinner
  
  
• https://www.facebook.com/anglersden
  
  
• https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=zd_AZDmCxmfQ.ktHKmogfMiYg&hl=en Access Points for Rivers
  
  
• http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ny/nwis/current/?type=flow NYS River Flows
  
  
• http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/30467.html  Stocking Information

EAST BRANCH FLOW NUMBERS
•Under 100 cfs.  Wading is possible all over the river.  Look for deeper holes in warmer months.
• 
•100-200 cfs.  A great flow to fish. You can wade safely, and the fish are spread out.
• 
•200-250 cfs.   Wading is a little tougher, but if the flow has been stable you can have good fishing.  The fish will be in the softer currents, and close to the bank.
• 
•250-300 cfs. Wading and fishing is difficult, but not impossible if there has been a steady flow and the water is clear.
• 
•300+ cfs. Very, very difficult. Not advisable.


​Goto Flies
Winter 
December-March

• Glo Bugs-yellow and pink, yellow and orange sz. 18
• Estaz  Eggs-chartreuse, yellow, light pink sz. 16
• Crane Fly Larvae sz. 10-12
• Sow Bugs sz. 12-14
• Scuds sz. 14-16
• Caddis Larvae  green, tan, black, sz. 16-18
• Black Stone Flies sz. 12
• Midge Larvae   black, green, tan, red sz. 18-20
• Midge Dries tan, black, gray, olive sz. 20-22

 
Spring  March-May
All Season Nymphs and Streamers

• Crane Fly Larvae sz. 10
• Black Stone Flies  sz. 12
• Midge Larvae   black, green, tan, red sz. 18-20
• Chartreuse Copper Johns sz. 16-18
• Glo Bugs-yellow and pink, yellow and orange sz. 18
• Pheasant Tails sz. 14-18
• Hares Ear  natural, tan, black, sz. 14-18
• Caddis Larvae  green, tan, black, sz. 12-18
• Scuds sz. 14-16
• Woolly Buggers olive, black, white sz. 6-10
• Gray Ghost sz. 10
• Muddlers  sz. 6-10
• Zonkers white, black, olive sz. 6-8

 
Dries By Month
April 

• Hendricksons sz. 12
• Caddis   tan, black14-16 (Emergers)
• Olives sz. 14-20 (Emergers)
• Rusty Spinners sz. 12
• Midge Dries tan, black, gray, olive sz. 18-22
• Griffith's Gnats sz. 18-22

May

• Caddis   tan, black, green sz. 14-16 (Emergers)
• Olives sz. 14-20 (Emergers)
• Rusty Spinners sz. 12
• Sulphurs sz. 12-14 Late!!
• Midge Dries tan, black, gray, olive sz. 18-22
• Griffith's Gnats sz. 18-22

 
Summer June-September
All Season Nymphs and Streamers

• Pheasant Tails sz. 14-18
• Hares Ear  natural, tan, black, sz. 14-18
• Caddis Larvae  green, tan, black, sz. 10-18
• Midge Larvae   black, green, tan, red sz. 18-20
• WD-40’s copper, olive sz. 16
• Crane Fly Larvae sz. 10
• Woolly Buggers olive, black, white sz. 2-8
• Gray Ghost sz. 10
• Muddlers  sz. 2-8
• Zonkers white, black, olive sz. 2-6

 
Dries by Month
June

• Caddis  tan, black, green sz. 14-16 (Emergers)
• Olives sz. 14-20 (Emergers)
• Sulphurs sz. 14-16 (Emergers)
• Lt. Cahill sz. 14-16
• Rusty Spinners sz. 12
• Midge Dries tan, black, gray, olive sz. 18-22
• Griffith's Gnats sz. 18-22

 
July  

• Caddis  tan, green sz. 14-18 (Emergers)
• Olives sz. 14-20 (Emergers
• Sulphurs sz. 14-16 (Emergers)
• Lt. Cahill sz. 14-16
• Rusty Spinners sz. 10-12
• Midge Dries tan, black, gray, olive sz. 18-22
• Griffith's Gnats sz. 18-22
• Olives sz. 18-22
• Ants, brown and black sz. 14-18
• Beetles sz. 14-16

 
August

• Rusty Spinners sz. 10-12
• Midge Dries tan, black, gray, olive sz. 18-22
• Griffith's Gnats sz. 18-22
• Trico's sz. 20-24
• Olives sz. 18-22
• Ants, brown and black sz. 14-18
• Beetles sz. 14-16
• Iso sz. 12 Late!

 
September 

• Iso sz. 10-12
• Rusty Spinners sz. 10-12
• Midge Dries tan, black, gray, olive sz. 18-22
• Griffith's Gnats sz. 18-22
• Olives sz. 18-22
• Ants, brown and black sz. 14-18
• Beetles sz. 12-16

 
Fall October-November
All Season Nymphs and Streamers

• Pheasant Tails sz. 12-18
• Hares Ear  natural, tan, black, sz. 12-18
• Caddis Larvae  green, tan, black, sz. 10-18
• Midge Larvae   black, green, tan, red sz. 18-20
• WD-40’s copper sz. 16
• Crane Fly Larvae sz. 10
• Scuds sz. 12-16
• Woolly Buggers olive, black, white sz. 2-8
• Gray Ghost sz. 10
• Muddlers  sz. 2-8
• Zonkers white, black, olive sz. 2-6

 
 
 
 
Dries
October

• Iso sz. 10-12
• Rusty Spinners sz. 10-12
• Midge Dries tan, black, gray, olive sz. 18-22
• Griffith's Gnats sz. 18-22
• Olives sz. 18-22

 
November

• Midge Dries tan, black, gray, olive sz. 18-22
• Griffith's Gnats sz. 18-22
• Olives sz. 18-22

These fish were taken on the olive deer hair flies that are in the middle of the picture of all the flies.  Thanks Fatcat Flies!

Stanley Taylor owner of Fatcat Flies, makes killer deer hair patterns and streamer patterns.  I cant wait to try my new assortment on some big fish!!!  Check out his Facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/fatcatflies

Dress to keep yourself warm and dry.  Keeping your skin surface free from dampness is one of the biggest keys to staying warm.   The selection of these items is very important, but what you wear under this outer layer is also very important.  Any moisture trapped within your clothing will conduct heat away.  This means that you not only have to keep the precipitation out, but your clothing also has to have the ability to disperse your own perspiration.  When dressing for cold or wet weather fishing; dress from the inside out.  The layer of clothing next to your skin is the one you will feel all day!

 

 Your inner layer should be made from synthetic material for maximum comfort.  It should be soft and designed to wick moisture away from your skin. Never wear cotton clothing under your waders! Cotton retains moisture and has very little insulation value when damp. Nylon, acrylic and polyester do not retain as much moisture as cotton or silk. Wool is the only natural fiber that will keep you as warm as synthetics. However wool is more expensive and often less durable. Dressing with layers of Synthetic material can further customize the wicking of moisture away from your body.

 Pay special attention to the layers that cover your legs and feet. These extremities are the ones that will be immersed in cold water.  When water temperatures are below 50-degrees double layering is recommended.  Water temperatures below 40-degrees demand heavier double-layering. Two layers of fleece or even three layers are recommended when the water is in the 30's.   Pay special attention to your socks. Water runs down hill and some of your body perspiration will collect at your feet.   This happens much less with breathable waders, but is still a factor, especially if you are hiking between pools.  There is no way for wader feet to breath inside your wading shoes.  Wader feet are still made from insulating, but non-breathable neoprene.  Bootfoot breathable waders will keep you the warmest.  Thick wool/nylon blend socks that have a knitted loop pile on the inside which gives them the capacity to retain a lot of loft, even with the squeezing pressure of your waders around them. They act as a reservoir for migrant perspiration but help keep it away from your skin.  Remember, all socks are made from knitted yarns which tend to wash-out as you launder them, thereby loosing loft and insulating qualities.  Replace them often for maximum comfort.  

All of your favorite fly fishing apparel companies carries products that are made to keep you warm and comfortable during winter fishing.  Check to see what materials these products are made from, and select what you want accordingly.

As I watch my 5yr old cut out what he wants for Christmas, I think about what I need to get to stay warm this winter while I'm fishing.  Most companies are starting to release their Winter/Spring 2014 lines.  Always think about keeping your hands, feet , and head warm.  A good liner sock that wicks away moisture away from your foot with a wool sock that will absorb and insulate will help keep those feet from becoming ice blocks.  Another way to keep your feet warm is to put aside those stocking foot waders, and get a pair of bootfoot waders.  The bootfoots help keep in the warmth.  You loose a lot of heat thru a stocking foot.  For your hands, you want some polar fleece that will stay warm when wet, and also will block out the wind.  Fold overs are great because you can keep your fingers covered while fishing, walking, or even taking a break.  An extra pair is also a good idea.  Your hat can make or break your day.  You will want something that blocks the wind, and also provides warmth and can cover your ears..  Also it needs to be water resistant, because some precipitation will get on it even though you will have a hood. 

All your major companies and some small businesses will be carrying everything you need to keep your extremities warm.  Visit The Angler's Den in Pawling, NY, or your local fly shop today and take a look at what you can add to your list!

Back in the late 1970's, a group of people decided to turn the East branch of the Croton into a river that would become a great place to enjoy excellent trout fishing.  Bill Elliott, along with the DEC, and Trout Unlimited, turned a put and take river, into an excellent fishery in a very short time.  We still enjoy the fruits of their labors today. The following is from a Facebook post that Bill wrote:

Michael Gann liked the ideas I came up with so he worked with me to get the department to move away from the normal stocking and go with the introduction of just fingerlings. I knew in my heart that because of the fantastic food supply available to these young Trout that they would flourish in their new home. In less than 3 years we were catching Browns that averaged over 18 inches and a few so much bigger than that. It was not easy to get the State to go along with something truly foreign but with working through the local Sportsman clubs and people like Michael, we got it done.

 

The key to this success was based on several things that all had to work together, the first thing was making sure that the river held the food supply needed to grow the fingerlings. The East branch had that and more, the second was once enacted we had to have the new regulations enforced or all our efforts would have been for naught. This was a problem I did run into with the local game warden telling people that if the poached the stream he wouldn't arrest them, he liked things the way they had been in the past, I got him removed. His replacement wasn't much better at first but after meeting me several times on the water and then seeing how well the fishery was growing he came on board with the new stocking program. I in no way did this all by myself, over the years that it took I received a lot of help from other chapter members and people who wanted to see my dream come true. This fall I will get to see just how well it still is doing.

Click the link to see some great pics!
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.488783921181936.1073741826.170053903054941&