Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Farmington River Trifecta And A big Brown

As I drove along the river on this early morning looking for the pull off where I was to park. I was thinking about how this day would be. To myself I said as long as I don't fall in and I don't break a bone, or maybe break the rod, I would be OK, and a few fish would be some icing on an already good day. Stepping out of the car the woodland smells filled my head. Damp morning air is something all should experience.

I got geared up and was soon at the river edge. Gazing at the surface for a feeding fish I saw nothing. So a probing soft-hackle was tied on and the first cast of the day was made. I fished the nice run and into the start of a riffle. About the second or third cast the line slowed and the hook went into the lip of a fish. Soon a feisty brook trout was at hand.


I continued to fish the riffle and was graced with another brookie.


I moved back upstream to a deep run. It was full of the necessary structure that would hold a trout or two. Looking to the bank I saw some movement and spotted this little critter looking for his breakfast. I watched him for a spell and he did not mind the company. That changed as I lifted the rod to cast...like a lighting bolt he was gone.


Just past the wood jam I saw a fish rising. He was feeding on moths that were being blown into the river. I promptly tied on a big, size 12 elk hair caddis. I floated that fly several times and it was refused. Not wanting to put the fish down I decided to tie on something bigger. Into the box I gazed and a yellow Hornberg smiled at me. The fly was a size 10 with lots of brown hackle. Tied on and ginked up I made my cast as the fly floated perfectly right over the fish the rise came and the hook set. The first run that fish made sent a message to my brain..."big fish on ,your in trouble"....


Well I was prepared to do battle, but would the small glass 3wt, and click and pawl reel be able to do their part. The fish ran and the fish went down, he went left and right and broke the surface many times. Just as I felt I had the best of him he ran again and it seemed he got stronger as the battle went on. I finally managed to bring him into shallow water and got my first look at him. I don't carry a net so I said you better take a picture of this fish now because you'll never land him. I did however bring him in. As I reached for him he bolted like I just hooked him. I had a tough time turning him and gaining the upper hand. Luckily the hook held and he was at my feet again.


The next few pictures are of him in the water. The male had an impressive head with a hook to the jaw. The shoulders were wide and strong.


This photo shows the size of his head. It it bigger than the size of the reel.


That's a size 10 Hornberg in his lip.....I'm not good at measuring but I estimate 20".
The CGR 5'9" rod held, the reel did it's job, and the hook held....the angler had frayed nerves and a big smile.




To complete the trifecta a nice rainbow was taken also on the Hornberg.








24 comments:

  1. Awesome Brk Trt! Big fly equals big browns!!!

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    Replies
    1. TROUTI
      Thanks
      Pete your so right. The moths were huge, so the big Hornberg called into action.

      Delete
  2. Wow - what a big fish Alan. Cool to take it on such a historical fly as well!
    Will

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    Replies
    1. Hibernation
      Thanks
      Will it was nice catching him on such a classic fly.

      Delete
  3. A grand day Brk, what could be better? ;-)

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    Replies
    1. John Wooldridge
      Thanks
      John they don't get much better...enjoyable all around.

      Delete
  4. i do believe you had a very good day. :)

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  5. Nice brown Alan, but I do like that wild brookie more.

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    Replies
    1. RM Lytle
      Thanks
      Rowan, you won't get an argument from me on that comment....love the brook trout.

      Delete
  6. Well done on the Farmington, Alan. Great pictures same as always. Thank goodness for tail water this summer. Freestone streams around where I live are mighty low. I saw a couple of dandies in a bridge pool near where I live, but I will leave them be until fall. Regards, Sam

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    Replies
    1. Parachute Adams
      Thanks
      Sam the Farmington is the only cold water going now.
      I was up in Vermont today and the streams are very low. Even along RT2 west in MA they are not faring well either....hopefully some thunderstorms will bring some relief.

      Delete
  7. Big Browns don't come easy or often for that matter. Job well done by both you and the CGR and reel. Perhaps your use of the an old classic pattern was a big point in your favor. That fish probably had not seen that fly too often!

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    Replies
    1. Grandpa Mel
      Thanks
      Mel you are spot on about the trout there not seeing such a fly as the Hornberg. I can't sat enough good about the CGR.

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  8. Awesome! Nice work, Alan. I know that spot well. The biggest trout I ever hooked in the upper Farmington came from that same spot. It didn't end as well as yours did though!

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    Replies
    1. Ben B.
      Thanks
      Ben I drop many fish, probably a net would help.

      Delete
  9. Alan that brown on a 3wgt. Is is pretty neat, you won't forget that trout anytime soon congrats.

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    Replies
    1. Brad Basehore
      Thanks
      Brad, the rod did it's job and did it well. Luckily I was able to do my part. It's a memory in my minds journal.

      Delete
  10. Alan,
    What a beautiful expose on some beautiful water, The Farmington! You are so blessed with such great water all around you. From the small streams filled with the living jewels, brookies, to the greater expanse of rivers such as the Farmington! I think I will move upward my "go and fish with Alan" entry on my bucket list! I am simply amazed at the opportunities you folks have in fishing and enjoying the great waters in your area! And, I feel fortunate to have found this blog to enjoy all these great adventures thru the lens of your camera!
    Dougsden

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    Replies
    1. Dougsden
      Thanks
      Doug, I am fortunate indeed, and thanks is given for this fortune. I have enjoyed those little streams for many years and the wild fish that call them home. It is good to have a resource such as the Farmington that can provide the enjoyment when the little waters need a respite.

      Delete
  11. Great "work" there Alan..as if was work, eh? Thumbs up!

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  12. Cool, looks like a mink on the bank, probably fishing too. Love them.

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