Natchaug River Connecticut Fishing Report & Options for Selecting Flies: Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Freestone Stream
Species
Brown Trout (stocked with holdovers)
Rainbow Trout (stocked with
holdovers)
Size
Medium
Location
Eastern Connecticut
Nearest Towns
Ashford
Season
3rd Saturday in April to last day of
February
Access:
Very Good
Non-Resident License
State of Connecticut
Weather
National Weather Service Link
Seasons:
The fishing season is closed in March and the first part of April.
Spring:
Springtime is the best time for fly fishing the Natchaug River.
Summer:
The Summer slows down the fishing in some areas.
Fall:
Fall is a good time to catch a large brown trout
Winter:
Trout can be caught on warm winter days but the fishing is usually slow.
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
4, 5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or 6X Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five
or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 4/5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Copyright 2016 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Natchaug River Connecticut
The Natchaug River is one of Connecticut’s better trout streams. It is formed by the confluence of the Still River and Bigelow Brook near Ashford. These are two fine trout streams themselves.
The Bigelow Brook flows from the Natchaug State Forest where an almost solid canopy of tree limbs help keep the stream cool. Hiking is required to access any of its water other than at road crossings. It’s stocked and has a good number of holdover trout.
The Natchaug River has many underground springs that also helps keep its water cool and the water chemistry excellent for trout. Along the way to Naubesatuck Lake, the Natchaug River picks up flows from several smaller tributary streams. One is Stonehouse Brook, one of the best native brook trout streams in the state.
The Still River starts in North Ashford and flows through more open areas and towns. It doesn’t stay as cool as Bigelow Brook. It’s accessible from a road its entire length and is stocked with rainbows and brown trout.
State highway #198 follows along close to most of the better fishing on the Natchaug River. The State Forest provides excellent access to the river. Between Nickerson’s Park and Peppertree Campground you will find good access to the river. Several hiking trails provide access. There are several access points at bridges in this area.
Diana’s Pool is one of the best known and most fished areas of the river. The state owns the Diana’s Pool access to a series of plunge pools through a beautiful area of bluffs. It’s located where highway #198 swaps sides of the river.
There are several other access points at bridges and along the highways (state #198 and U.S. #6) downstream of the Diana’s Pool Access. The section of the river just above Naubesatuck Lake is in a section of the State Forest and hiking is required to reach its
waters. Fly fishing the Natchaug River is a wonderful “wilderness-like” experience to be in such a highly populated area.