Housatonic River Outfitters

Always loved visiting this fly shop on my weekly adventures from New Haven to the Housy. Knowledgable staff — even when I just popped in to check what was hatching.
Don’t expect the typical smugness of many fly shops, the folks I dealt at HRO with had none of that. Just experts helping enthusiasts and beginners alike. These guys know their river and will make your day on the water more productive and fun. Also, the deli across the road has some pretty awesome sandwiches.

I utilized their guide services for a half day on the Housatonic River this fall. The process of setting it up was easy and the shop employee made sure he set me up with a guide who would match my skills and needs. Upon arriving to the shop the morning of the trip, I was greeted by the guide and the staff. We discussed the fishing conditions lately and what we would expect on our day out. The guide had picked out some key flies for the day and looked at what I had in my boxes. I only needed a few, but the shop was well stocked and the guide was super knowledgeable.
The fishing was great that day and I had a lot of fun. It was a great way to get out on the water and learn a new river that isn’t too far from home. The guide also showed me some tricks for fishing some flies a little differently and that really helped to step my game and presentation. I would recommend anyone looking to improve their fishing techniques or learn to fish the Housatonic River to give these guys a go!