I think the lack of small "cookie cutter" browns is a big issue. I have only been out 1 time this year (Oswego) and all our browns were in the 6-10lb. range. From all the reports I have seen, the majority of the browns caught are older fish.
Did they cut back stocking last year?
It looks like they will be stocking less this year.
"Severe, disease related losses of brown trout at the NYSDEC Rome Hatchery in 2012 will impact 2013 yearling stocking statewide. Current projections suggest a 27% reduction in the number of brown trout yearlings stocked into Lake Ontario (reduction from 385,000 to 281,000)."