Salmon River
Colchester · Fly-Fishing-Only Gorge
CT, USA
Open live forecast →Target species: Brown, Rainbow, and Brook.
Stream gauge: 01193500. Flow and water temperature update on every refresh.
Weekly AI Outlook as of 10/02/26
At 84 cfs, the Salmon River gorge is running at a very fishable level — clear, wadeable, and well within the fly-fishing-only stretch's sweet spot for this time of year. October kicks off what is typically the best BWO month on this water, and with highs forecast to drop from the warm 77°F today into the mid-60s by Saturday, expect classic autumn Baetis conditions. Look for BWO emergences midday — roughly 11am to 2pm — once the air cools and cloud cover builds. Today's 0.33" of rain could nudge flows slightly but nothing disruptive. No recent shop intel specific to this water, so this outlook is based on current gauge data and seasonal patterns. Fish a size #18 Sparkle Dun or RS2 in the surface film during the hatch window; pre-hatch, a #20 Baetis Nymph or Zebra Midge dropped below an indicator in the slower seams is a reliable setup. With water temps likely sitting in the low-to-mid 50s this week, the BWO activity should be consistent — and don't sleep on midges at last light.
- Flow: 84 cfs as of 10/2 — clean and very wadeable. Light rain today (0.33") may bump flows slightly; monitor before heading out Saturday.
- Hatches: Peak BWO month. Expect Baetis emergences midday 11am–2pm, especially on overcast afternoons mid-week. Midges active morning and evening.
- Water Temp: Likely low-to-mid 50s — squarely in the BWO and midge zone. Caddis threshold (~50°F) likely already crossed; watch for stragglers at dusk.
- Best Window: 11am–2pm for BWO dry fly action on cooler days (Oct 3–4 look best). First and last light for midge nymphing in slower pockets.
Generated weekly from live USGS gauge readings, weather forecasts, and recent fly shop reports. Updates Friday mornings.
About this Water
- Freestone
- Best months: Apr–Oct, peak May–June
The Salmon River in eastern Connecticut is a mid-sized freestone supporting holdover and stocked brown trout with wild reproduction in tributaries. The river runs through dense hardwood forest in a rural corner of the state, offering Connecticut's best small-river dry-fly fishing in early summer. The Trout Management Area below Comstock Bridge produces the most consistent angling. Hatch activity centers on Hendrickson, Cahill, and the local Quill Gordon emergence in spring.
Despite the name, the Salmon River no longer hosts native Atlantic salmon runs — the river earned its name from Connecticut's lost salmon fisheries, an extinction event commemorated in the river's enduring name.
Hatch Calendar
| Insect | Peak | Active | Size | Productive Patterns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midge Chironomidae spp. |
Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec | Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec | #20–26 |
|
| Blue-Winged Olive Baetis tricaudatus |
Apr, Oct | Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov | #16–20 |
|
| Caddis (Little Black) Chimarra spp. |
Apr, May | Apr, May, Jun | #18–20 |
|
| Hendrickson Ephemerella subvaria |
Apr | Apr, May | #12–14 |
|
| Sulphur Ephemerella dorothea |
May, Jun | May, Jun | #14–18 |
|
Access & Approach
East Hampton, CT is the primary base. Multiple Connecticut DEEP-managed access points. Connecticut fishing license required. TMA regulations on designated water.
Nearby Fly Shops
- RI Striped Bass
- Farmington River Report
Regulations & License
Fishing in Connecticut requires a current license. Always verify season dates, bag limits, and any special-regulation waters before you fish.
Connecticut fishing regulations & license →
Nearby Waters
Closest Waters
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About Current
Salmon River conditions on Current combine real-time flow data (USGS, WSC, CDEC, CEHQ), weather, tide predictions, hatch probabilities calibrated to this specific water, and recent fly shop reports from the area.
Salmon River is one of 245 hand-curated waters in Current. The app and web forecast also generate AI outlooks for any unlisted river, lake, or saltwater flat anywhere in the world — drop a pin or paste a name and Current produces a fresh seasonal outlook with weather, flow context, and recommended techniques.
Open the live forecast for today's numbers and the 7-day outlook, or download the iOS app to carry it with you on the water.