The Bear’s Den Freshwater Fishing Report 11/03/2026

Swift River — Belchertown/Ware, Massachusetts

The Swift continues to provide excellent opportunities for anglers interested in technical trout fishing. Clear water, good insect activity, and productive double-nymph and dropper rigs have been the name of the game. Today’s report recorded flows around 124 CFS, although anglers should check the current gauge before heading out.

Small flashy nymphs, light nymph rigs, and dry-dropper presentations have also been effective. Small midges, Blue-Winged Olives, and carefully presented nymphs are worth carrying for the river's clear, heavily pressured water.

Brook trout spawning activity remains an important consideration. Anglers should avoid disturbing redds or targeting actively spawning fish. 

Deerfield River — Massachusetts

The Deerfield is providing good late-season trout fishing. Our latest October 29 update described clear water, normal flows, good insect activity.

Recommended patterns include brown and olive sculpin streamers, articulated streamers, Blue-Winged Olive nymphs and emergers, aquatic worms, and small midges. Streamers remain a good choice for anglers interested in covering water and targeting larger trout, while nymphing offers another option in the river's deeper runs and pockets.

Anglers should continue checking Fife Brook dam releases before fishing, as flows can change significantly and quickly affect wading conditions.

Photo Courtesy Brian Gilbert Western Mass Guide Service

Stillwater River — Wachusett Reservoir, Massachusetts

We're in the heart of the traditional landlocked Atlantic salmon spawning period on the Stillwater, with firsthand reports confirming salmon movement into the river.

Our October 29th report continued to highlight the  Wachusett Reservoir as a destination for cold-water species, including salmon, lake trout, and rainbows.

Anglers exploring the river should observe all DCR watershed access restrictions and be especially careful around spawning areas. Wader fishing is permitted in the Stillwater upstream of its confluence with Waushacum Brook.

Farmington River — Connecticut

The Farmington continues to fish well as November begins, with brown trout spawning activity now underway. Our November 2 report recorded approximately 213 CFS through the Permanent TMA, consisting of 190 CFS coming from the Riverton dam and another 23 CFS from the Still River. Morning water temperatures in Riverton were just over 54 degrees, with afternoon temperatures recently reaching 57 degrees.

Nymphing remains the most consistent approach, particularly in riffles and runs with some current and broken surface water. Small natural nymphs paired with egg patterns have been productive, and smaller jig streamers fished slowly and deeply are another good option.  Egg patterns can be particularly effective early in the morning now that brown trout have begun spawning.

For dry-fly anglers, Blue-Winged Olives in sizes 20–24 and tan or brown caddis in sizes 16–18 are the primary insects to watch. Afternoon and evening fishing has generally been better as temperatures rise and insect activity increases.

Streamer anglers can experiment with rabbit-strip patterns, Zuddlers, Matukas, and larger articulated streamers when targeting bigger fish. With the brown trout spawn now underway, anglers should avoid disturbing redds or fishing to actively spawning trout.

Photo Courtesy Chris Jackson Chris Jackson Fly Fishing

Salmon River — Pulaski, New York

The Salmon River is firmly transitioning into steelhead season, with steelhead now spread throughout the system. Kings and some brown trout remain in the river, but steelhead have become the main attraction for most fly anglers.

Douglaston Salmon Run's November 2 afternoon report described moderate steelhead fishing in the upper section and portions of the middle section, with slower action in the lower river. Fish were reported both holding in pools and actively moving upstream. The previous day, November 1, had produced good steelhead fishing throughout much of the run, illustrating how quickly conditions and results can change.

As of November 2, the dam release was 185 CFS, with approximately 236 CFS at Pineville and a water temperature of 47 degrees. Low flows make careful presentations important, particularly when fishing to steelhead holding in defined travel lanes and deeper pockets.

Our most recent report also confirms steelhead throughout the river, with the lower river producing the most consistent action during the final days of October. Egg patterns have been especially productive while salmon continue spawning. Smaller egg imitations, stonefly nymphs, and other natural subsurface patterns should all have a place in the fly box.

With steelhead continuing to enter the system, this is becoming one of the most exciting freshwater fisheries in the Northeast.

Connecticut Atlantic Salmon — Naugatuck & Shetucket Rivers

Connecticut's fall Atlantic salmon fishery remains an excellent option, with both the Naugatuck and Shetucket rivers having received two confirmed salmon stockings this season.

The upper and lower Naugatuck Atlantic salmon management sections were stocked on October 9 and again on October 22. The Shetucket received salmon on October 6 and October 23. Connecticut DEEP's October 30 stocking update does not list additional salmon stockings in either river since those dates, although the upper Naugatuck Trophy Trout Area received an additional trout stocking on October 29.

Both rivers continue to offer opportunities to target stocked Atlantic salmon, although recent firsthand catch reports following the latest stocking rounds are limited. Traditional salmon flies and streamers are good options, particularly when swung through deeper runs and holding water. Anglers should adjust presentations to current speed and depth rather than assuming fish will be concentrated directly around stocking locations.

Atlantic salmon fishing remains catch-and-release only through December 15. Within designated management areas, anglers are restricted to a single fly or artificial lure with a single free-swinging hook, and additional weight cannot be added to the line. A Connecticut Trout and Salmon Stamp is required.

DEEP is also continuing its Atlantic salmon tagging study, with yellow tags being used this season. Anglers who catch tagged fish are encouraged to report them to the state.

~anthony