Late Summer Fishing Reports

Recent rains have made us all excited about the upcoming fall season!

Warmwater

The smallmouth bass reports have all been very good. Smallies are now moving out of the deep summer and midday holes and starting to more actively predate on the shallower flats along the edges of the river. For river smallmouth, always keep an eye out for structure such as rocks, boulders, grass, logs, and current moving along and around soft pockets and eddies. Shallow flats also hold smallies when the temperatures are not too warm or when the sun angle becomes less sharp. This is now occurring more midday as the water is cooling and the days are getting shorter. Musky are also starting to move with the colder weather, look for structure along shallow/deep transitions. Fast moving flies are the name of the game while the water is still hot!

Trout

For the trout angler, the West branch of the Delaware is still fishing the most consistently. In the Catskills, there are Isonychias hatching throughout the system with Blue Wing Olives, Hebes, Cahills, Potamanthus and terrestrials such as ants, beetles, caterpillars, and moths also being the predominant flies to consider. With the local waters fast approaching fishable conditions, consider tying some flies and stretching your leaders! New Jersey will be starting its stocking program this year on October 13th and continue through the following weeks. After the recent rains and cooler weather, rivers are coming into shape nicely for the fall.

Saltwater

There have been reports of “Hard Tail” Species (Albies, Bontio, Tuna) starting to pop up. Sightings have been reported in the shop, with Sandy Hook as a location to certainly consider probing. The fluke fishing has been hit or miss, but there are still plenty of resident bass to play with in the back bays. As the weather starts to cool more, the backwaters will outflow colder water bringing the rivers, estuaries, bays and beaches into full swing! For those considering a fun flats trip this season, take a look at our April 2027 trip to Swain’s Cay Lodge. It is always a great time with lots of fish stories!

Salmon & Steelhead

The first few Chinook Salmon of the year have been reported up on the salmon river! As soon as they get rain up there it should be game on with steelhead trailing soon behind. For those traveling up north of the border, both coasts are reporting better runs than in previous years. The Skeena system is reporting the 3rd highest fish count on record. While on the Gaspe’ and New Brunswick there has been better water than previous years, which has led to more consistent fishing thus far. We also have our fall 2026 Atlantic salmon trip to Country Haven Lodge, soon upon us. Always another fun trip with a great lodge full of wonderful hosts!

If you would like to be featured in one of our upcoming blogs, please send any info and all photos to: info@tightlinesflyfishing.com