May 11, 2026 - 10:33:58
Over at River Bay Outfitters in Baldwin, Paul reported that with spring conditions settling in across the region, freshwater fly fishing on Long Island continues to improve as many ponds and lakes receive their final round of trout stocking for the season. Anglers are finding success early and late in the day with Woolly Buggers, small streamers, nymphs, and midge patterns, while bass and panfish activity is steadily increasing as water temperatures rise. The island’s warmwater bite is beginning to turn on, with largemouth bass cruising shallow structure and pickerel remaining active along weed edges. The Croton Watershed has been fishing well with steady flows and good hatches of Hendricksons, caddis, and early sulfurs bringing trout to the surface during warmer afternoons. In Connecticut, rivers such as the Farmington continue to produce solid trout action on both dries and subsurface patterns, especially during evening hatches. Up in the Catskills, rivers are in classic spring form with improving conditions between rain events, and anglers are seeing strong dry fly opportunities during Hendrickson and caddis activity. Overall, it’s an excellent time to cover water, watch for rising fish, and enjoy some of the best spring freshwater fly fishing of the season throughout the Northeast.
May 11, 2026 - 10:33:56
I heard from Paul McCain at River Bay Outfitters in Baldwin and saltwater fly fishing around Long Island continues to build momentum as striped bass spread throughout the back bays, South Shore marshes, and out east along the beaches and tidal rips. Schoolie bass are feeding aggressively on small bait in Jamaica Bay and the western bays with anglers finding success on Clousers, Deceivers, and sand eel patterns during moving water, especially around dawn and dusk. Out east, larger bass are beginning to mix in around the inlets and open beaches as water temperatures slowly rise. The start of fluke season has also brought more fly anglers onto the flats and channels with sinking lines and bucktail-style flies producing fish along sandy drop-offs and current seams. South Shore Bay fishing remains productive when the wind cooperates, and calmer evenings have provided excellent opportunities to sight fish the cruising bass in shallow water. Surf anglers throwing flies are also getting shots at stripers along the beaches during periods of lighter winds and cleaner water making for some enjoyable spring fly rod action across much of the island. If you would like to join Paul on their Saltwater Meetups, please sign up for the newsletter at riverbayoutfitters.com.
May 04, 2026 - 10:27:42
Over at River Bay Outfitters in Baldwin, Paul reported freshwater fly fishing across Long Island is gaining momentum as conditions continue to improve, highlighted by the second round of trout stocking in many local ponds and lakes, which is keeping anglers into steady action with nymphs, small streamers, and attractor patterns producing well. Water temperatures are slowly climbing, and fish are becoming more active throughout the day, especially during the warmer afternoon hours. At the same time, warmwater opportunities are expanding nicely, with largemouth bass, pickerel, and panfish in the ponds responding well to woolly buggers, poppers, and small baitfish imitations, particularly along the shallows and emerging weed lines. Upstate in the Catskills and across Connecticut, the Hendrickson hatch is either at its peak or just beginning depending on the river system, offering classic dry fly-fishing scenarios during the afternoon and evening, with spinner falls bringing consistent surface action. Overall, it’s a transitional but productive period, with Long Island anglers able to enjoy both stocked trout fisheries close to home and some of the season’s best dry fly action just a short trip away.
May 04, 2026 - 10:27:39
I heard from Paul McCain at River Bay Outfitters in Baldwin and saltwater fly fishing along Long Island is in a transitional phase with striped bass steadily pushing east as migratory fish follow cooler-than-normal water temperatures that have lingered into the season. These temps are slowing the typical progression but keeping fish active in the western and central zones a bit longer than expected. Back bays and inshore areas are still holding schoolies with small Clousers and baitfish patterns producing, especially on moving tides. River Bay Outfitters recently hosted their first saltwater meetup of the season and while only one small striper was landed, but the outing was a success as anglers shook off the winter rust and enjoyed solid conditions and good company. Bait presence continues to build, and anticipation is high for the arrival of bluefish, which should be showing up any time now to add some aggressive action to the mix. Overall, it’s a slower but promising start, with improving opportunities as water temperatures stabilize and the migration continues east. If you would like to join Paul on their Saltwater Meetups, please sign up for the newsletter at riverbayoutfitters.com. (516) 415-7748.
