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 37 KENT ROAD SOUTH - CORNWALL BRIDGE CT - PRIOR TO TRIP WE WILL TEXT YOU ADDRESS AND PICTURE OF SIGN BEFORE DRIVEWAY - We will 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

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 Float Trips

Available for full and half days.  Call for availability.

Back in the Saddle Again - We offer float trips full and half day for trout - and Full Day for Pike Trips. AS WITH ALL OUR TRIPS - WE HAVE A 2 WEEK CANCELLATION POLICY AND YOU WILL LOSE THE DEPOSIT - ANY TRIPS CANCELLED 48 HOURS OR LESS BEFORE TRIP WILL BE BILLED THE ENTIRE PRICE OF THE TRIP

Take a guided boat tour down the river in one of our many driftboats.  It's and excellent way to fish the river and really get a good feel for the river's true nature and subtle forces that shape and guide the river. You will be able fish spots that are not always available for waders and when the river is higher, it really give you an advantage by being able to anchor up and cast to either side of the boat.  We especially like driftboat trips for my streamer fishing as it allows us to cast from the middle and pound a streamer up against the bank, drawing out the big fish to my streamer the size of a small squirrel. For nymphing, it is often easier to get a better drift as the river drifts down the current. You can even sit back and relax while the guide drifts you down the river and watch the wildlife or listen to the guide's fish tales and knowledge of the river. We offer driftboat trips for trout, bass, carp and pike. (We offer a special guided trips where you will be targeting bass and pike. See description below.)

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.

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.