The East Coast of the United States offers some of the most diverse and exciting fly fishing opportunities, with a variety of species to target from the mountains to the coast. Whether you're chasing trout in pristine rivers, striped bass along the Atlantic shoreline, or smallmouth bass in the region's numerous lakes and streams, fall is a prime time for fly fishing.
Here’s an up-to-date fly fishing report on where the fish are biting along the East Coast, covering both freshwater and saltwater action.
1. New England: Trout and Striped Bass Action
Trout Fishing: New England is home to some of the best trout fishing in the country, and fall is the perfect time to target big browns, rainbows, and brook trout as they prepare to spawn.
Where to Go:
Farmington River, Connecticut: The Farmington River is well-known for its trophy trout fishing, with consistent water flows and temperatures. This time of year, the upper sections of the river are productive for big brown trout, which are starting their spawning runs. Nymphs, streamers, and small dry flies like Blue Wing Olives are working well.
Deerfield River, Massachusetts: Another hotspot for fall trout fishing, the Deerfield River's tailwater sections maintain cool water temperatures, and both rainbows and browns are feeding actively. Look for fish to be holding in deeper runs and pools. Swinging soft hackles or fishing streamers like Woolly Buggers has been productive.
Striped Bass Fishing: Striper fishing is still going strong along the New England coast, particularly in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. As the water cools, striped bass are moving along their migration routes, feeding heavily before winter.
Where to Go:
Rhode Island Coastline: Striped bass are moving through Rhode Island, especially around Narragansett and Block Island. Anglers are having success with Clouser Minnows, Deceivers, and other baitfish patterns, targeting stripers in shallow flats and rocky shorelines.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts: The fall migration is peaking, with stripers feeding aggressively on sand eels and other baitfish. Look for blitzing fish off the beaches or in the rips. Fly anglers are seeing good action with topwater flies like poppers and crease flies in the mornings.
2. New York and Pennsylvania: Trout and Smallmouth Bass
Trout Fishing: Fall in New York and Pennsylvania means excellent trout fishing, especially in the Catskills and the legendary waters of central Pennsylvania.
Where to Go:
Beaverkill River, New York: Known as one of the cradles of American fly fishing, the Beaverkill is offering excellent fall trout fishing, with Blue Wing Olive hatches occurring regularly. Terrestrial patterns like ants and beetles are also working, particularly during warm afternoons. The trout are staging in deeper pools and runs, so be prepared to fish with nymphs or small streamers.
Penns Creek, Pennsylvania: This limestone stream is one of Pennsylvania’s top trout fisheries, and fall is an ideal time to target large brown trout here. Anglers are reporting good action with streamers like sculpin patterns and articulated flies as trout are preparing to spawn.
Smallmouth Bass Fishing: Fall is also a prime time for targeting smallmouth bass in the Northeast, as the cooler water temperatures trigger aggressive feeding.
Where to Go:
Susquehanna River, Pennsylvania: The Susquehanna is one of the best smallmouth bass rivers in the country, and fall is a great time to target these hard-fighting fish. Focus on fishing deeper pools and slower-moving water, as smallmouths are beginning to transition to their winter haunts. Crayfish patterns and streamers like Clouser Minnows are producing well.
Upper Delaware River, New York: Known for its trout, the Upper Delaware also offers excellent smallmouth bass fishing in the fall. Focus on fishing near structure and slower-moving water with streamers and baitfish patterns.
3. Mid-Atlantic: Stripers, Redfish, and Freshwater Opportunities
Striped Bass and Bluefish: The Mid-Atlantic region, particularly the Chesapeake Bay and coastal Virginia, is currently seeing strong striped bass and bluefish activity. Cooler temperatures have brought large schools of baitfish, and the striped bass are feeding heavily.
Where to Go:
Chesapeake Bay, Maryland: Anglers are reporting excellent striper fishing, particularly in the northern bay. The stripers are pushing into shallower water and are feeding on menhaden, shad, and other baitfish. Fly anglers are doing well with large baitfish patterns, including Half and Half flies and Clouser Minnows. Schools of bluefish are also in the mix, providing additional action.
Virginia Beach, Virginia: The fall run is in full swing, with large schools of striped bass moving down the coast. Look for feeding frenzies along the beaches and around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, where baitfish are abundant. Anglers are using topwater poppers and baitfish patterns to hook into both stripers and bluefish.
Redfish: The fall season is prime for redfish in the Mid-Atlantic, especially in the waters of North Carolina. Cooler temperatures have redfish feeding aggressively, and they’re moving into shallow flats and marshes, making them perfect targets for fly anglers.
Where to Go:
Pamlico Sound, North Carolina: This expansive estuary is a hotspot for redfish, and fall is the best time to target large bull reds in shallow water. Anglers are finding success with shrimp and crab patterns, as well as baitfish imitations. Redfish are cruising the flats and can be sight-fished during calm, sunny days.
Outer Banks, North Carolina: In addition to redfish, the Outer Banks offers great fly fishing for speckled trout, bluefish, and false albacore during the fall. Fly anglers are using streamer patterns to match the baitfish and crustaceans that redfish are targeting in the shallow water.
4. Southeast: Tarpon and Inshore Action
Tarpon and Snook: Although tarpon are typically associated with warmer months, some areas of Florida are still seeing good numbers of tarpon inshore during the fall. These fish are often smaller, but they provide exciting action on the fly.
Where to Go:
Everglades, Florida: The Everglades are still producing juvenile tarpon in the backcountry waters, along with snook and redfish. Fly anglers are using small baitfish patterns and crab imitations to hook into these fish, with tarpon providing acrobatic jumps and thrilling runs.
Tampa Bay, Florida: The inshore fishery in Tampa Bay is strong during the fall, with snook, redfish, and smaller tarpon actively feeding. Target the mangrove shorelines and backwater creeks with baitfish and shrimp patterns.
The East Coast is full of incredible fly fishing opportunities, and fall is one of the best times to get out on the water. Whether you’re chasing striped bass along the coast, big brown trout in the rivers of New England, or redfish in the marshes of the Carolinas, the fish are biting, and the conditions are ideal. As temperatures cool, fish are feeding aggressively, making it the perfect time to plan your next fly fishing adventure.
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