Croton Watershed River Report - September 2022
The Croton Watershed has been fishing decently, fishing with a little more emphasis on technicality has been needed to have a successful day on the water.
The East Branch of the Croton has jumped up momentarily to 65 cfs after the rain this morning. The rain last week provided a slight bump in levels compared to the 48 cfs.
The West Branch of the Croton in Croton Falls is running around 83 cfs from 48cfs yesterday.
The West Branch Croton towards Kent Cliffs is running around 17 CFS. With the rain today we should expect the flows to bump again to a better and more fishable level and with the drop in temperature on average it's looking like fishing will be good and a little more accessible (more water to fish).
To find fish you must keep moving and look for deeper holes and pockets where the fish will be holding. Nymphing has been most successful but fishing a streamer after the rain will be productive.
Nymph Patterns : that have been working have been Arizona Hares Ears, Midges, Pheasant Tails, and variations of small generic mayfly nymphs in sizes down to 22s.
Dry Fly activity can be good in the morning and the afternoons with fish rising to midges, Blue Winged Olives, and the occasional sulfurs in the evening even though the bugs are tapering out the fish are used to seeing them and take out of instinct while blind casting. Bug sizes have been small, 18-22s.
Streamers drifted or retrieved through deep holes should also produce active and predatory fish when you can find them.
Fishing should begin to heat up with this cold weather coming in. Anglers Den shop patron landed this beautiful rainbow trout out of the Croton while nymphing recently and is just getting me excited for the fall fishing and should be for you as well!!!