Over the past weeks I have spent some time roaming the Farmington river. A very popular place these days but one can find solitude if if one seeks it out. Along with solitude comes the chance to find wild brook trout. I think this is over looked in this river known for it's big brown trout and rainbows. I for one find the brookies much more appealing. My time on the river has also yielded some fine browns and rainbows which I will feature in a later post, but for now I'll highlight the brookies.
The fish were found in various water types, from fast waters to calm pools and everything in between. I fished a variety of flies and most were successful. Side note here, I tied a couple of classic wet flies and have given them water time and I'm glad to say they to work. In this report you'll see that the dry fly really shined. Various patterns from thorax duns to parachutes and haystacks. The fly size were 14 to 18.
Beautiful healthy wild char...
Where should I drift my fly?
Is there a camera made that can truly capture the beauty and colors of a brook trout? This jewel had the most beautiful olive colored back and prefect vermiculations.
Fishing those seams...one never knows what can be found there. I found someone who let me know just how productive these areas are.
This master of the riffles took my little dry fly and gave me an education in knowing how to avoid capture. As you can see his plan did not work. An incredible brook trout.
I'll be looking for you come this fall...if you still like the dry I'll be ready, but with that mouth maybe a big Mickey Finn might be in order.
Nice Brookie. Makes the one I caught yesterday look mighty small.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark small or big I love them all as do most folks who read Small Stream Reflections...
That's an amazing brook trout! There's nothing much that I like better than wild brook trout on dry flies.
ReplyDeleteJoseph Hord
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Joe it's a thrill to see a wild brookie rise to the dry. We can agree that neither one of us ever get tired of it.
Mickey Finn for sure. Nice hook-ups Allen.
ReplyDeleteMatt Harding
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Matt I find the Mickey Finn a top fly for fall brookies.
I have a streamer that you'll find suitable for those sea-cutts.
Thanks Allen, I'm looking forward to seeing it.
DeleteAfter bombers and dyrets I really like tying those thorax dun patterns; there's so much you can do with that configuration. The picture of the second brookie is truly spectacular.
ReplyDeletemike
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Mike I don't use them very often but when I do they always seem to work. The fly used in this post was tied by a Japanese angler. I did a fly swap with him many years ago.
Beautiful Farmington brookies, Alan. A good food supply sure grows some big ones in there. Their colors this fall will be spectacular.
ReplyDeleteSam
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Sam I could do five posts on Farmy brookies. They are incredible. I caught several small ones that had gorgeous markings. They take dries ,wets and streamers.
We are lucky to have such good fishing where we live, Alan. Yes, some places get crowded, but those crowds can be avoided if one fishes other than the popular zones.
DeleteSam, just a couple hundred yards in either direction and it's "your" river.
DeleteAlan
ReplyDeleteOf all the streams and rivers you fish there, the Farmington has to be my favorite. I'm impressed with the seams and fast water the river has. Really quality brook trout taken, were all taken in fast water? Great post thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill there are some unbelievable fast water in that river. And in those rapids are soft spots where trout will hang out. A fly moving close to a trout will bring a strike that words can't describe. The fish were taken in a variety of water.
Woah, that last Brookie! Awesome fish and trip recollection.
ReplyDeleteMichael Agneta
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Mike the Farmington has got some big ones and once in awhile I catch one.