Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Farmington, a lesson learned, and who says you can't..........

Yesterday was another afternoon-evening outing on the Farmington. It was one of those rare mid summer days where the air was cool and a good breeze held the flying insects at bay. When I arrived I was surprised to see so many anglers, especially during the week. As I surveyed the water I saw a few rises but the bugs on the water were scarce.

I cast for awhile, moving along the river and managed to pick up a few small browns and a juvenile salmon. I changed flies with the thought of perhaps this will bring them to hand. Well that did not come to pass, instead what happened was I had the hookup but the fish did not want to have its picture taken.

I climbed out of the river and moved to another spot that has been good to me in past trips, and again it was good to me. Several wild brookies took the dries and soft hackles.
This guy was so beautiful.

As I began to move upstream a bit I ran into none other then Mr. "TROUT1". Pete was also fishing the river and we talked of are various losses of the day as well as other subjects. He told me that Mark was fishing much further up river and was planning on staying til dark. It was then that Pete informed me that another angler was in my sweet spot. With that I said I was going to move down and fish a place I haven't fish in some time. In our conversation Pete made mention of fishing with 4 or 5x tippet, I usually use 6x. We left and moved on. Good to see you again Pete.

The sun was retracting and there were lots of shadows on the river. This section is deep and wide and careful wading is required. It is also home to some big fish. I soon found out why Pete uses heavy tippet. My 4th or 5th cast I hooked a monster brown. I had him subdued, so I thought. He ran down stream and broke that tippet like it was nothing. This same movie was played again.


Some beauty streamside.


Finally I was able to bring a nice brown to hand.


I know that fishing this stretch of river can produce a "Big" brown. And that I should use one of those large streamers that offer these guys a meat and potatoes dinner they like. But I had an Adams parachute on and I let it fly. Big fish will eat little flies, won't they?


This beautiful Farmy brown hit the size 14 Adams in the eddy behind a big boulder. I can't say for certain but it looks wild to me.


As I was taking this photo, I stepped into a hole that brought the water up over my hip boots. It was a long slosshy walk back to the car.

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE


27 comments:

  1. Some nice browns there Alan! Sorry I missed you as I was on the other side of the river and never saw your car. I hear a lot of "experts" claim you have to use 6-8x on the Farmington. I mostly use 4 or 5x and I still catch plenty! In fact I had a monster brown tear my stimulator off the 4x in faster water like it was spider silk.

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    Replies
    1. Mark,
      Thanks.
      I generally use 6x fluro on the small streams. I figured it would be OK here, I guess not.
      Beautiful weather yesterday.

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    2. Was it ever, days like yesterday are like a late August day in the Adirondacks! Priceless !

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  2. Beautiful fish. I should be so lucky (or skilled).

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  3. Great looking fish Al!

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    Replies
    1. Apache Trout,
      Thanks.
      We have to get you up there.

      Delete
  4. Gorgeous brown Al!!! Get those waders and you won't get wet!!! see ya up there soon.

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    Replies
    1. TROUT1,
      Thanks.
      I have been considering it more and more.
      Before school starts, AT too.

      Delete
  5. beautiful fish! i'm guessing the slosh was worth it.

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    Replies
    1. TexWisGirl,
      Thanks,
      Worth a slosh, and even a cold swim.

      Delete
  6. Really nice browns Alan, the Farmington looks a lovely river.

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    Replies
    1. Col,
      Thanks.
      The Farmy is a wonderful tailwater, and this years flows have really enhanced this fishery.

      Delete
  7. Very nice to get a good glimpse of the Farmy, and its beautiful fish. Thanks.

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    Replies
    1. Jim Yaussy Albright,
      Thanks.
      Now that you have seen the photos, perhaps if your ever back east give it a shot.

      Delete
  8. Alan
    Outstanding trout on lite tippet, did you take him on the lite fly rod as well? I think you mentioned this in a previous post, but I will ask again--is the Farmington a tailrace? Reading this post gets me fired up to get back home and wet a fly. Thanks for sharing

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    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell,
      Thanks.
      Bill I fish a 5wt in this river. It is a tail water fishery.

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  9. well done alan, those are some beautiful and healthy looking browns

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    Replies
    1. LQN,
      Thanks.
      Long, the tenacity of these fish is something else.

      Delete
  10. Great looking spot my friend..not to mention those beautiful fish..

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  11. Such fine coloration on the last brown pictured!!!

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    Replies
    1. tangofish,
      Thanks.
      They seem to be taking on some early fall colors.

      Delete
  12. Your reports from the Farmy have been so nice to read and what beautiful results you are yielding. I'd like to venture there one of these days!

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    Replies
    1. Micheal Curry,
      Thanks.
      That river is fishing beautifully right now.
      I'm sure you would enjoy it.

      Delete
  13. Those are some beautiful browns! That seems like it's quite a special place to fish. I've had my share of water-filled waders so you're not alone.

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    Replies
    1. Wonderful river. There's always something new to challenge you.
      Water filled waders, oh what a feeling.

      Delete