Guided Fishing Trips

At Housatonic River Outfitters, we have great, handpicked guides. Whether you choose to fish the Housatonic River, Farmington River, Upper Naugatuck or many of the smaller tributaries and lakes, you will find these guides to be an invaluable resource for learning more about fishing these premier waters. These guides have more than half a century of fishing and guiding experience between them.

They will meet you at the shop, get you outfitted with any equipment you need, help you with your casting or fishing techniques (if needed), supply you with a gourmet meal and then take you out for for your day of fishing.

Always remember it's your day, so don't hesitate to tell us where you want to fish, what your quarry is (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass and Pike) and any special diet requirements.

We do not sell fishing licenses at the store - please visit the link below to purchase the appropriate fishing license and include the trout stamp - not having the license and having to purchase by cell phone at the store will delay your trip by a half hour or more.

https://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2696&q=322716&deepNav_GID=1630

Back in the Saddle Again - Once the Corona Virus is over and it is deemed safe to guide in driftboats - I am going to start guiding in my "Hog Island" Drifboat - Its big and like fishing out of your living room - on Fridays only - due to work Schedule and the like - I will have the ability to do this - one of the benefits of getting older - this will be the only day I have free - So if you want to spend a day in my boat - smoking great cigars - eating great food and snacks I prepare ( I like good food) - good drink (I like a good drink) - telling stories - learning about the history of the area - I have had the luck to have fished all over the world - and have been rowing drifboats since i was a teenager - - And you might even catch a fish or two. (Maybe) I live here I fish here - get ready for a boat ride:) Full Day or Half Day - One or Two People $500 - Cash or Check - all is included - flies food cigars and drink - Bring your sense of humor. I have also been guided all over the world and I know want constitutes a great guide trip ITS NOT JUST ABOUT HOW MANY FISH YOU CATCH - AND IF THAT IS YOUR FOCUS - I AM NOT THE GUIDE FOR YOU. _ I guide like a fish - in a nice relaxed manner. You can call the store to make a reservation - 860-672-1010.I FORGOT TO ADD - ALL MY GRATUITIES AND TIPS WILL BE DONATED TO ST. JUDE'S CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL - SO PLEASE BRING A CHECK SO YOU CAN MAKE IT OUT DIRECTLY AND UTILIZE THE DEDUCTION - THIS IS ONLY FOR THE TRIPS I GUIDE - THANK YOU

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations within 14 days will forfeit all deposit monies. Deposits for canceled guide trips will be refunded in full with a 14 day or more notice. If we are able to re-book the guide, we will refund the deposit or apply it to a trip at a later date if it is available. If a trip is cancelled with less than 48 hours notice, the full price of the guide trip will be charged.

Our guide trips go out in all safe weather and water conditions, therefore inclement weather, water levels or undesirable fishing conditions are NOT acceptable reasons to cancel or receive a refund. Trips cancelled by the guide or mutual guide/client decision due to unsafe weather or water conditions, state or federal closures, or other uncontrollable circumstances will have the entire deposit refunded.  We strongly suggest trip insurance.

Day Trip Preparation

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For the trip we recommend that each person bring:

• A fishing license for the river you will be fishing, please also review regulations for the river you plan to fish

• Clothing for sun protection

• A fleece jacket for cool evenings and mornings

• A rain jacket

• River shoes that can get wet if you would like to wade

• Sunglasses with croakies

• A hat

• Any medications you may need on a regular basis or in an emergency (e.g. epipen, inhaler, etc.)

• If you have any gear that you like to use, feel free to bring it, otherwise, we will provide all the fly fishing gear except for flies and leaders - waders rod and reel is always included.  If you would like to wade and don't have waders, please let us know!

We specialize in group and corporate outings. For larger groups we will arrange your lodging, fishing and guide services, dinner reservations and additional activities such as canoeing, kayaking, hiking, antiquing, mountain biking and horseback riding. We work closely with many of the local inns, hotels, corporate education facilities, restaurants and recreation centers to guarantee your stay will be both active and stress free. Whether it's a guide trip for the afternoon or a 6 day management team-building seminar, Housatonic River Outfitters will help you arrange every detail of your trip. Group trips are priced on a case by case basis depending on size - time of year - wade or drift - food - drinks - catering - transportation and inclusion of flies, leaders accessories and etc.

Guided Wade Trips

Available for full and half days. Call for availability.

For those of you who get seasick, like to fish standing up or fish our treasure trove of smaller streams and rivers, wading is the way to go.  Our guides will suit you up in waders and boots (we supply at not additional charge) and take you out to literally get your feet wet.  The smaller rivers and streams are only accessible by walking in and this give you a chance get a little exercise, take your time and sometimes hover over that very large rising fish without having to worry about moving downstream in the driftboat.  We also recommend wade trips for beginners, as it takes out the variables of the boat and allows you to just focus on casting, fishing and catching. We offer wade trips for trout, bass and carp and limit the trip to 2 people per guide for either half or full days.  The smaller streams often offer wild trout, so keep this in mind when booking your trip, sometimes smaller is better.  For the Farmington River we only offer wading trips.

Featured Products

Buy, Sell or Trade Your Gear

Buy, Sell or Trade

We buy, sell or trade used and antique fishing equipment rods, reels, lines, duck and fish decoys, fishing lures, books, artwork, collectibles and tying materials/tools. If you are looking to trade in, sell, or are just scaling down as they say, bring your items in or take pictures and email them to us and we will happily purchase or offer a trade up. I have been purchasing and selling used and collectible items for over 25 years and our fishing/hunting library in the store is the finest and largest probably in the country. We will happily show you the value of your items and then offer trade-in or purchase prices. So give us a call (860-672-1010) or send and email (hflyshop@aol.com). We also purchase estates and will gladly come over to your house to assess the value of your collection and purchase the entire collection.

Guided Pike Trips

Available for full days.  Call for availability.

During the warmer months and sometimes the cooler one's, we focus on the warmwater species, with pike and carp in excess of 20 pounds and tons of smallmouth (sometimes more than 50 per day when the bite is of for the bass). The Housatonic offers distinct fishing opportunities that are not common in most trout waters. The easiest way to fish for these bad boys is to utilize the driftboats to cover more water and hit the banks and structures from out in the river where your casting is more effective. We love the fishing for the big boys. Some of these pike remind us of the line in Jaws, "We're gonna need a bigger boat."  For the pike trips we only offer driftboat trips.