Housatonic River Fly Fishing (A Complete Fishing Guide)

Housatonic River fly fishing is often talked about in the Northeast. “There’s no tonic like the Housatonic” is often said. It is, indeed, a great river to fish. I’ve fished it on and off throughout the years I’ve lived in Connecticut.

Unlike the nearby Farmington, the Housatonic gets too warm in the summer to sustain large numbers of wild trout. It does grow some big browns, but these fish are almost mythically hard to catch. Smallmouth bass make up for the lack of available trout in the summer and keep the Housie a year round fishery.

Housatonic River Fly Fishing Guide Services

Here are a few guide services / fly fishing outfitters to look into before visiting the Housatonic.

Capt. Ian Devlin

Captain Ian Devlin charters fly and light tackle clients on Long Island Sound throughout the year, and he’s most active on the Housatonic River in December and March. During this time, expect to catch dozens of striped bass out of his custom Lake & Bay skiff.

Ian is very knowledgeable and conservation-minded, and he’s one of the best fly casters in the Northeast. His knowledge extends beyond fishing as well, and he always has something interesting to share.

You can reach out to him on his Facebook page or using the contacts below:

☎ +1 203-451-9400
✉️  captain_ian@yahoo.com

Housatonic River Outfitters

Housatonic River Outfitters runs trips with a number of different guides for just about every species in the river. Whether you’re interested in floating for pike or trout or wade fishing smallmouth bass, they probably have you covered.

You can reach out to them on their Facebook Page or using the contacts below:

☎ +1 860-672-1010
✉️  hflyshop@aol.com
?  http://www.dryflies.com/

Burt Oulette

Burt runs the Housatonic River Guide and is an Orvis-Certified Drift Boat Housatonic River Fly Fishing Guide.

He’s been guiding clients for over 20 years and is an expert at targeting trout, northern pike, bass and carp.

He can help you catch the fish of a lifetime, or if you’re new to the sport, he’s a great teacher.

You can reach out to him on his Facebook Page or using the contacts below:

☎ +1 203-788-6532
✉️   getthebite@yahoo.com
?  https://www.housatonicfishingguide.com/

Housantonic Anglers

Yet another great guiding service on and around the Housatonic River. Rob Nicholas, the head guide and owner of Housantonic Anglers, has been a fly fishing guide and casting instructor for over 30 years.

He guides clients on the Housatonic River, as well as Farmington rivers and some very secret streams and small creeks that Rob and his team only disclose to their guests.

While his website is really out of date, they are still operational and have up-to-date Housantonic fishing reports and Housatonic river striper fishing reports that are super useful for Housantonic Fly Fishing.

You can reach out to Rob and his team on their Facebook Page or using the contacts below:

☎ +1 860-387-3300
✉️  housangler@yahoo.com
?  https://www.housatonicanglers.com/

Where Is the Housatonic River?

The Housatonic flows from near Pittsfield, Massachusetts, to Stratford, Connecticut, where it flows into Long Island Sound. This long river flows through woodland, farmland, small towns and busy cities.

It has seen a lot of industry over the years and has the dams and mills to show it. Largely, though, the Housatonic is a big, beautiful river, larger than most trout streams nearby.

See more: An Angler’s Guide to Fly Fishing in Connecticut

Housatonic River Fly Fishing: Why Go?

The fly fishing on the Housatonic River is great most of the year. The upper reaches hold trout, mostly stocked but some wild. Smallmouth bass are found throughout the system, and pike occur in some of the slower weedy sections.

The Housatonic is a pretty and scenic river that produces big fish. It feels like a Western trout stream sometimes. Hatches can be strong and the crayfish are very numerous.

Types of Fishing on the Housatonic River

Outside the small Fly Fishing Only Trout Management Area, all forms of fishing tackle are legal on the Housatonic.

Fly Fishing the Housatonic River

Housatonic River fly fishing is excellent for all of its species and throughout most of the watershed. Whether you’re casting big streamers on a 10 weight for striped bass or dry flies with a 4 weight for trout, the Housie has a variety of fly fishing opportunities.

Spin Fishing the Housatonic River

As with fly fishing, spin fishing has a broad range of uses on the Housatonic. Depending on where you go, you can cast big plugs on a surf rod or little spinners on an ultralight.

Housatonic River Fish Species

The Housatonic has an excellent and diverse range of fish species. Here are some of the most commonly found Housatonic river fish species.

Brown Trout

Brown trout are the trout species most capable of handling the Housatonic’s warm summer temperatures. However, it still isn’t ideal, and most of the river’s trout are stocked.

Still, if you’re looking to do some Housatonic River trout fishing, at least you can catch a couple of different species of the best game trout out there.

Some big holdover and wild fish can be found, though, with a lot of effort.

Rainbow Trout

Housatonic River tributaries are one of the only places in CT where any wild rainbows exist, though the number is small. In the main stem, the rainbows are stocked and often big. They rise readily to hatches.

When the hatches start, Housatonic River trout fishing is an absolute blast.

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass are perhaps the most abundant game fish in the Housatonic. The average small, ten inch fish are most abundant and are some of the most commonly found Housatonic river fish species.

However, it’s possible to catch dozens in a day, which has made the smallmouth fishery here very popular.

Northern Pike

Northern pike can be caught in many of the slow, meandering stretches of the Housatonic. A raft or drift boat is usually necessary if you want the best shot at catching one. Some pike in the Housatonic reach 40 inches in length.

Striped Bass

From Long Island Sound to the Derby Dam, striped bass can be found. They are present year round and are especially abundant in the winter.

It’s a good idea not to target striped bass during the coldest weather because mortality increases drastically when fish are caught and released in cold fresh water. If you want to keep the Housatonic river fish species population healthy, follow this simple rule.

Best Spots for Fishing the Housatonic River

On such a big river, it can be hard to decide where the best Housatonic River fishing spots, but here are some great options:

Fly Fishing Only TMA

The Fly Fishing Only section of the Trout Management Area extends three miles upriver from the Route 4 bridge. This area has great pocket water and pools. Both bass and trout are abundant. Wading can be tricky, and the water is almost always cloudy on this section of river.

For me, this is one of the best Housatonic river fishing spots.

Bass Management Area

The Management Area on the Housatonic has a high abundance of smallmouth bass and some trout scattered throughout. It extends from Dawn Hill Road in Sharon to Skiff Mountain Road in Kent.

Lower River

From the mouth of the river to Derby Dam, excellent striped bass fishing exists. It’s best in early spring and late fall, when wintering fish are most active and are either entering or leaving. There are multiple shore accesses, including right at the mouth where wading and fly fishing is popular.

Best Flies for Fishing the Housatonic River

Since the river has such a wide array of species, it can be tricky to decide which boxes to bring when fly fishing Housatonic River.

Here are some flies to get you started fishing the Housatonic River.

Clouser Minnow

The Clouser Minow is a great fly for fishing the Housatonic River for both the Housie’s smallmouth and its striped bass. Smaller sizes, mostly 4 and 6, are appropriate for the smallmouth bass, and color combinations like white and olive, brown and orange, and black and red will work well.

For stripers, try size 2/0 and 4/0 on a sink tip line, in all white or white and chartreuse.

Strolis Shimmer Stone

Rich Strolis Shimmer Stone is an excellent imitation of the golden stoneflies that live in the Housatonic. This nymph works well for both trout and smallmouth bass.

Housatonic River Fishing Season

The Housatonic River can be fished throughout the year. Wading can be treacherous, so be especially mindful in the winter.

Also bear in mind that the water temperatures affect how well a released fish survives, so don’t trout fish in the heat of summer, and don’t fish for striped bass in the depths of winter.

The Housatonic has excellent hatches from April through October, so as long as the water temperatures remain below 67 degrees, the trout fishing is good. Smallmouth bass fishing is best through that same time window.

In the early winter, huge numbers of stripers are in the river. They mostly push back out by the end of June, but there are always a few around. Winter streamer fishing targeting large brown trout can also be fun.

Housatonic River Fishing Report

The last time I visited the Housatonic was a frigid winter day, and the fishing was slow. However, I managed to catch a rainbow out of one of the major tributaries on a heavy nymph.

With air temperatures below 20 degrees, though, my time Housatonic river fishing on the water was cut short.

Housatonic River Fishing Conclusion

Housatonic River fly fishing can be an excellent experience. It’s one of the largest trout rivers in the area, so it can be a good place to practice before traveling to a big Western trout river. Strong hatches and abundant fish are the rule.

With a variety of species and scenery, there’s something for just about anyone. You can float in relative solitude for pike or enjoy the camaraderie of fishing a hatch on one of the popular and busy pools.

Regardless of season or which species you chose to target, the Housatonic provides enjoyment. Just be mindful of the summertime heat when trout fishing, wintertime cold when striper fishing, and your own safety when wading. Carrying a staff might be a good plan.

As a part of the Amazon Associates Program and other affiliate programs, Into Fly Fishing® may receive a comission if you order products through links on this website.