It might surprise you to learn that Ten Mile River actually runs for about fifteen miles. Given the stream’s relative obscurity, it might also surprise you to learn you can find decent trout fishing here.
Conveniently located outside of New York City, Ten Mile River offers a relaxing escape from urban living. Not many people know about the River, so you will most likely have this stream all to yourself.
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About Ten Mile River
Ten Mile River is a 15.2 mile long tributary of the Housatonic River in Dutchess County. It flows from the town of Amenia, New York, at the confluence of Webatuck and Wassaic Creek. It winds its way through Dover, New York, before making its way to Connecticut. Upon entering Connecticut, the Creek forms the boundary between the two towns of Kent and Sherman for a half a mile. Then, the stream empties into the Housatonic River.
The River’s personality varies as it snakes its way to Connecticut. In some areas, there are slow, clear pools. Other sections are characterized by faster riffles. The River has good trout fishing conditions, with stocked brown trout measuring about eight to ten inches. The waters remain relatively cold throughout the year. The River is stocked annually with over 9,000 brown trout.
In addition to its attraction as a fishery, the River is also popular with white water rafters. It can be a great place for a novice fly fisherman to learn the ropes of angling.
Ten Mile River Map and Fishing Access Sites
Get Directions to the Fishing Access Points shown above with the DIY Fly Fishing Map
Best Places to Fish the Ten Mile River
The River is easily wadeable from the shore. You will want to stick to the banks, as the River gradually gets wider. Access is limited despite the fact the entire River is public water.
Public easements provide access via the Wassaic State Multiple Use Area (see map). There’s also public access in the town of Dover Plains, at the American Legion Post, and at several bridges along Route 22.
One of the River’s main draws is its proximity to New York City. You can easily take the two hour Metro-North train ride from the City to Tenmile River station.
Best Time to Fish the Ten Mile River
The season for fishing the Ten Mile River is standard trout fishing season. The best time to visit the stream is in early April, due to the insect hatches. You can also have luck fishing the stream in the fall, as that is when the brown trout spawn and get aggressive.
Stream Flow and Current Conditions
Be sure to check the stream conditions before heading out to fish the Tenmile River. The USGS stream gauge near Gaylordsville, CT provide a good indication of current conditions.
The graph below shows the stream flow (discharge) for the past 7-days. If flows are considerably above or below historical norms (yellow triangles on the chart) then fishing conditions maybe not be ideal.
Best Flies for Ten Mile River
Here is list of general fly pattern recommendations for the Ten Mile River:
- Black Stonefly (#12 – 14)
- Brown Stonefly (#12 – 14)
- Gray Caddis (#14 – 20)
- Green Caddis (#14 – 20)
- Tan Caddis (#14 – 20)
- Hendrickson (#12 – 14)
- March Brown (#10 – 12)
- Ants (#12 – 16)
- Beetles (#8 – 16)
- Grasshoppers (#8 – 12)
Gear Recommendations
A 9-foot 5-wt fly rod with floating line is perfect for fishing dry flies and small nymphs on Ten Mile River. A tapered 9-foot leader, with tippet size 3X to 5X to match the flies you are throwing, is pretty standard.
Fishing Regulations
The state of New York requires that all people who are 16 years of age and older have a valid fishing license. There are resident and non-resident sport fishing licenses available.
You can purchase a New York State fishing license and learn about the most current regulations through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Trip Planning Tips
Your best bet when visiting the Ten Mile River is to fly into JFK or LaGuardia International Airport if you are coming from out of state. Then, take the Metro Train to Ten Mile River for a fantastic day trip. The round trip train ride ticket will be about $30. The Ten Mile River is not exactly a destination fishery though, so more likely you will be local to the area and can drive.
If you want to avoid lodging in the city, try some of the campgrounds near Dutchess County. Sylvan Bank Beach Park is located near Poughkeepsie, just an hour north of New York City. They offer quiet seclusion on a cozy spot on the shores of Sylvan Lake. Another option is Interlake RV Park, which is located in the beautiful Hudson Valley.
Looking for more places to fish? Check out our DIY Guide to the Best Fly Fishing in New York
