Friday, August 7, 2015

The Farmington River, and a Old Glass Friend

It's been hot and dry the past few weeks and the small streams have been hit pretty hard. While most are holding a cool temp, the lack of water is becoming a problem. Most wild fish have experienced this in summers past and can deal with it if left alone for a time, but rain is sorely needed. Here in Connecticut we are very fortunate to have a river that is fed cold water releases, and this creates a fine tail water fishery. The Farmington River is now the place to seek salmonids, and this is where I fished this week. I had also agreed to take with me an old time friend, I introduce you to him. He's a 1975 vintage Cortland fly rod...my first fly rod. He's a 7ft 5wt and has caught a fair share of trout in those years when that is all I had to fish with. Somewhere along in time I bought a graphite rod and the glass Cortland retired to the rod rack. Several times a year I would take it out and wipe it down, remember a fish or place we were and put it in the case and back it went.

Well this day he was outfitted with a Battenkill reel, a new 5wt line, and an attitude that old can be "good" too. We were off to fish the river where he started.


The Cortland FR 2000 7ft 5wt. The cork shows the time spent on the rivers.

The Farmington was in almost perfect shape. The weather was how I like it, some sun some clouds and a breeze.

The flies used this day would be what is shown here. They are soft hackles with various body dressings. They are all size 14 and have partridge feather wings.


The action was slow for a spell, and soon heated up. The first fish was a wild brook trout. The fish could not resist the tempting pulse of the spider.


The best action took place on the seams of fast water, like places as such.


A beautiful rainbow, looks like it was in the river for some time. The fish was strong and had gorgeous markings.


Lots of flora stream side. I had to use the rod to steady the plant in the breeze.


I had a couple of browns but they were to have no part of picture taking. The Cortland performed beautifully, like the day I bought it.


I think this was the last fish of the day. A sweetheart of a female brook trout. This may be the first year of a spawn for her. I hope it's successful and her offspring will continue to enhance this fishery with wild fish.





21 comments:

  1. even if you are too hot there, your greenery looks refreshing to me. we're browning out in texas, but it is august. :)

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    1. TexWisGirl
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      Theresa it's not to bad, I've seen worse.

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  2. It's always good to fish with an old friend.

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  3. Nice read there Brk Trt!!! It is good to break out some of our older rods from time to time and relive some of our fondest memories on the various streams we have fished.

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  4. TROUTI
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    Pete those old rods still get it done, with a little class.
    Good to see you yesterday.

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  5. Alan
    I have found that the fast water on a tailrace has some good trout, a lot of anglers will not fish these areas because they are not comfortable fishing fast water; meaning unstable wading conditions such as moss covered rocks, and the fast current. I would think a wading staff would be a must in really fast water, especially for guys our age---in fact those are the individuals (seniors) who have told me the hazards of fishing fast water for them.
    Do the trout spawn in this tailrace. The trout don't spawn in any of the tailraces I fish here. I always look forward to your post on the Farmington, if I lived there this would be my go to fishery. Beautiful trout taken on this outing----Thanks for sharing

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    1. Bill Trussell
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      Bill you are right on the dangers of wading fast water. I don't use a staff, but if I am the least bit uncomfortable in a fishing situation I let that area pass. Bill the trout do spawn here in the Farmington, both brown and brook trout. I'm not certain about rainbow.

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  6. Nice to see you pulling out some gorgeous brookies from a fishery known for its big browns. You do seem to find them wherever you go. Love the picture of the first one in the water!

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    1. RI brook trout
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      Jonathan I guess they are probably scattered throughout the river. I have several areas that I know hold them well, and I'll fish there.

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  7. Wow, I've followed your blog for a long time and I can't remember a Rainbow gracing your pages. Is this a senior moment for me?

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    1. Mark Kautz-Shoreman
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      Mark I hook a few , and will sometimes post them.

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  8. Beautiful, beautiful little trout......

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    Replies
    1. Armando Milosevic
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      Armando that they are. I never get tire of them.

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  9. For me, the old Cortland is like my old Fenwick glass rod. It's good to bring the old tools to the water now and then. They've become part of who we are as anglers. Let's hope we get some rain soon so that the small streams get relief.

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    1. Rivertoprambles.wordpress.com
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      Walt, do you know if Cortland still has a manufacturing facility in Cortland? Always wanted to take a ride there and visit.

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  10. Nice set up. I am using an older Cortland Rod than the FR 2000's. My last blog post shows a photo.

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    1. riverwalker34
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      I just checked it out, and very nice, both blog and rod. What year is the rod from?

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    2. Not sure what year. I'm told it may be earlier than the FR 2000's - early 70's I guess.

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  11. It is nice to see a nice looking rainbow show up when we're used to seeing brookies and browns. The Farmington is a great looking river and I know from first hand experience how nice that FR2000 is. Thanks Alan.

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    1. Howard Levett
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      Howard I guess I'll have to post more of them, (hope the brookies don't mind). The FR2000 in the hands of an Eagle Claw Master.

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