Saturday, December 12, 2015

The Farmington River 12-11-15

A foggy river early morning
Yesterday Mark, Kirk, Pete and I met to fish the Farmington. Mark and I were on the river early about 8:30-9:00 and were greeted by a somewhat spooky fog that settled in. Fishing the Farmington this time of year can be boom or bust and we found it to be well....

Fly selection for me was simple a weighted green wooly bugger and I stated pretty much with it. Pete and Kirk showed up and we chose to wander the river. By the way this is the group minus 1 that enjoy a tradition of fishing on New Years Day. I was equipped with a Cabelas 5"9" 3wt, and chucking the weighted bugger was not that bad, long casts are not required this time of year.


In a slack seam as the fly laid dead in the water I felt a tug then the line went straight and I felt weight. Soon the water boiled and I had my hands full. The rainbow put on a show of runs and a leap or two before I was able to gain control.




A beautiful winter Farmington River rainbow. I hooked another as well as a brown which never made it to hand.


The wooly bugger looks like a Christmas tree
I had a great day and the practice run for New Years Day.



26 comments:


  1. That is a Farmington River Steelhead Al! A beauty for sure! Good day to be out and about with part of our "crew".

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    1. TROUTI
      Thanks
      Pete it sure felt like one. Good to fish again with you.

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  2. Nice pictures Alan! That rainbow must have been fun on that full flex Cabela's glass!

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    1. Mark
      Thanks
      Mark sure felt different than a small stream brookie. Good fishing with you.

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  3. beautiful scenes. love the trillium in your header, too!

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    1. TexWisGirl
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      Theresa I came upon that photo while clearing house and I had to put it up.

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  4. That fish on that rod is a steelhead. Beautiful fish

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    1. Brookie61
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      Kurt it really put the bend in that glass.

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  5. What do I know from steelhead? Looks like a really nice rainbow Alan.

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    1. Howard Levett
      Thanks
      Howard it's a rainbow but it felt like a steelie on that light rod.

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  6. The Farmington reminds me of Penns creek in centra pa. Beautiful fish Alan congrats

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    1. Brad Basehore
      Thanks
      Brad I have never seen Penns creek but it's on my list.

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  7. Alan Penns creek is full of wild Browns,rainbows,with a few brooks it is big water not like the small streams we love but their is a stream called cherry run that feeds Penns that is our kinda stream. If I could only fish one place in April this would be the place. It has grannoms hendricksons and blue winged olives. It is a true wilderness expierence.

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    1. Brad Basehore

      Brad I knew there had to be a small stream there, and you knew just where it was. One can find solitude when hey seek it out.

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  8. Alan
    Stunning colors on this rainbow; my interest always perks up when you or Mark mention fishing the Farmington. Unusual looking bugger, what size were you using? Can you show us a few of your favorite buggers you fish the Farmington with? Thanks for sharing

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    1. Bill Trussell
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      Bill I believe Mark puts more time on the Farmington than I do, and fishes a variety of flies and methods. That bugger was a #8, quite large. Bill I'll post a few in a later post.

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  9. Beautiful rainbow trout! I'll bet that was a hoot on the 3 weight.

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  10. Great pictures as always. I enjoy each and every one. What a great fall it has been for extending the fly fishing season with the mild temperatures.

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    1. Parachute Adams
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      Sam we are indeed fortunate for the fine weather we have been getting. I don't mind a little cool down but I hope the real cold stuff doesn't show up 'til March.

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  11. I hate you more and more after each story/photo spread I read. :o( Fish Envy

    Beautiful fish. How is that new Able reel working out?

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    1. AD PreparedHam
      Thanks
      Sorry about bringing you such news, oh the suffering, especially for me.
      The Abel reel is just fine and making those wild brook trout envious.

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    2. hello Allen, What a beautiful rainbow the colors are awesome. What part of the Farmington river did you land him? The pictures with the foggy mist are fantastic. I was fishing the Farmington, down across Rt. 44 bridge just a few days ago the weather was in the 50s and the trout were rising landed a brown on a dry. I changed my blogg name to Hookedonfishing going to start at it again, looking forward to visiting your blogg more often, you are doing a awesome job with your post! Merry Christmas to you and family.

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    3. John Wirtes
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      John he came out of a run downstream from the tubing launch. This weather is wonderful for this time of year, glad you were able to take advantage of it.
      I'll check out the new blog, have you started it?
      Merry Christmas brother and family also.

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