Tuesday was my first outing to the Farmington river this year. It was a trip that was late to come this season due to the high water flows. With the conditions checked on the computer I felt it was going to be a good day. When I left home there was a slight drizzle but as I drove closer to where I was to fish the skies opened up and monsoon time. The guessers claimed it would stop soon so I waited in the car. You know what it didn't stop but returned to that slow drizzle. I was at the river and a little drizzle was not going to stop me from fishing. I geared up and was soon in the river.
I'll tell you right off I did not care fro the flow, for me it was to high and I did not feel comfortable. The plan now was to fish close to the bank where wading was safe for me.
It did not take long before the wet fly to find a willing combatant.
The river produced several brookies along with a rainbow that took a streamer and after using it for a spell spit it back at me.
Farmington river brook trout are somewhat subdued in their colors, but they are fighters.
The sun started to break out and with that I decided to do the same, break out to a small stream.
Here is where I feel right at home. The boulders, the little plunges, and that beautiful tea colored water. The stream was productive though most of the fish were small and could not take the fly.
I did manage to get one to take and it was a perfect wild jewel.
It will be awhile before I go back to the Farmington, it has to come down some. No loss though for I have places like this to spend my time.
Hi Alan, We are experiencing conditions like your monsoon over here in Yorkshire - and about time too!
ReplyDeleteThe Farmington looks like a nice river, very similar to one I used to fish a lot (and sometimes still do) many years ago - the River Tees. It forms the border between the counties of Durham and North Yorkshire, holds a good stock of Brown Trout and European Grayling in its upper reaches with coarse fish like Chub and Bream lower down towards the coast. It is also of a comparable size to the Farmington. Although I make the occasional trip to the Tees now and again I much prefer the intimate confines of the Leven (which is a tributary of the Tees!).
Thanks
Alistair
Anonymous
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Alistair, it's good to hear of your good fortune in the rain bucket.
I'm learning from your posts, the rivers and the flies. I'm sure the readers are gaining some knowledge also.
The Farmington has some real good holdover trout as well as an ample amount of wild stream bred fish.
Alan
ReplyDeleteYour first trip was a success nice job!! That small stream sure is a pretty stream. Interesting observation on the differences in colors of the brookies in the Farmy and small streams.
TROUT1
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Pete it was a success, and I know it would have been better if I felt comfortable.
There is a distinct difference for sure between brookies.
Are those brookies in the Farmington wild fish? It's been a long time since I saw wild brook trout in big water this side of Maine.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Shuck
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Bill the brookies in this post are wild. They seem to be found in certain areas of the Farmington.
Beautiful tea-colored small stream you ended up on, Alan. I love the looks of it.
ReplyDeleteI am supposed to fish the Farmington with my brother tomorrow, but am not fond of high flow either. I hope it comes down some, otherwise I won't be wading too far out of my comfort zone that is for sure.
Regards, Sam
Parachute Adams
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Sam I know you guys will be into fish. Like I said the river may be fine for some anglers but I like it a bit slower.
Good luck.
The venture is confirmed. Hopefully we will have some connections.
DeleteAlan, my brother and I fished the Farmington yesterday and it was flowing pretty strong still it seemed to me. I struggled wading it and won't fish it again without a wading staff.
DeleteI netted no fish, but had 8 or so rises to flies, some quite aggressive, with none connected with. Caddis were all over the place as were good sized #12 size sulphur duns. My brother netted quite a few good sized browns.
It was fun, but very hard work for me getting to where the fish were rising. It truly is a beautiful river.
Best, Sam
Sam, there is a section of the Farmington that has a much lower flow. The next time I fish it that's where I'll go. I will tell you the section if you e-mail me.
DeleteThe river will reward you in many ways and catching trout is only one of them.
Alan - the Farmington has had strong flows all spring, a far cry from the drought of last summer but it is putting a damper on the dry fly fishing. I've caught one wild brookie on a dry this season and all the rest nymphing but it can be tough wading in this higher flows
ReplyDeleteMark Wittman
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Mark it seems to be feast or famine as far as water flows go. Like you I'm into dry fly brookies by now on the Farmy, but I only got one to smack a dry.
as always Alan, lovely post and nice fish, well done again
ReplyDeleteGeorge
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Better day's are coming, especially on that river.
Alan
ReplyDeleteJust wondering if the game and fish stock the Farmington----yes high water wading can be dangerous---glad you were able to make a connection, beautiful trout taken. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill they do stock the Farmy amply. But there are a good number of trout that holdover from one year to another. There is also good numbers of wild trout in the Farmy.
It's always those right-turns off the main water that lead to the best memories. :)
ReplyDeleteRalph Long
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Well said Ralph.
Alan, always stay safe when fishing alone. Seems to me that you used the right plan in fishing the Farmington. I don't get a lot of time on running water, but, when I do I love those Small Stream Reflections just like you at my age.......
ReplyDeleteForgot to mention, I would be happy if you would consider updating my link on your blog.....
DeleteThank you, my friend.
The Bluegill Bug
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Mel I am not the risk taker I was a few years ago. Proceed with caution is the priority now.
Took care of your request.