Salmon River
river in Connecticut
Flows through Salmon River State Park with reliable access and excellent spring and fall fly fishing for stocked and wild trout and migratory fish.
What's working on Salmon River
- 01Crisp fall conditions with clear skies and cool temperatures on the Salmon River.
- 02Blue-Winged Olives, midges, and October Caddis are active or expected to emerge.
- 03Egg patterns are crucial after fall stocking events.
- 04Focus on deeper pools and slower runs.
- 05Use sufficient weight to get flies deep, and employ slow retrieves for streamers in colder water.
Past reports week by week
6 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Zebra Midge
A consistent food source year-round, midges become especially important in colder fall water and are a primary target for finicky trout.
Buy at AmazonOctober Caddis
The largest caddis hatch of the year in many regions, this larger dry fly can trigger aggressive surface takes from trout and salmon in the fall.
Blood Dot Egg
Excellent for recently stocked trout and migrating Atlantic Salmon, which are actively feeding on or reacting to eggs in the fall.
Buy at AmazonBlue-Winged Olive Comparadun
Matching the intermittent but significant fall BWO hatches, this low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective trout keying on emergers and adults.
Woolly Bugger (Olive)
A versatile year-round streamer, mimicking leeches and baitfish, perfect for enticing aggressive strikes from predatory trout and salmon in the colder fall water.
Flashback Hare's Ear Nymph
An excellent general searching nymph, mimicking various aquatic insects and scuds active in the currents, effective year-round and particularly in the fall.
Where to fish and who to ask
Colchester / Leesville Road Access
Convenient central access point with a variety of water types within a short walk.
Moodus (Lower Salmon River)
Lower-river pools and riffles that fish well for stocked trout and migrating shad in season.
Salmon River State Park / Bunker Hill
Primary public access with multiple parking areas and long wading stretches through the state park.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Antoine Bissieux Fly Fishing Guide
Eastern CT Fly Fishing, LLC
CT Fish Guides
Farmington River Flies / CT Fish Guides Store
Get Salmon River reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
Connecticut season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Fly Fishing Nets – Rubber vs. Nylon & Why It Matters for Fish
The net you choose dramatically impacts fish survival. Here's why rubber nets are superior to nylon for catch-and-release success.
Best Budget Fly Fishing Combo Setups for Beginners
Expert guide to affordable fly fishing combos that won't break the bank but deliver quality performance for new anglers.
Quick answers
Common questions about Salmon River.
What flies work best on Salmon River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Salmon River right now are Hendrickson (80% confidence), Copper John (80% confidence), Hendrickson Nymph (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Salmon River?
Salmon River holds Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Atlantic Salmon (seasonal), American Shad. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Salmon River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Salmon River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.