My first visit to the Farmington river happened last week. It had been a long time coming and with the lack of rain in the area it was now time to give the big river a try. I did not get to the the river very early, choosing to arrive about 10. The sky was a half and half mix and the air temperature was in the eighties. I expected to find the river with lots of anglers but I was surprised to see it was actually quite sparse. The river is probably just right as most anglers would agree, for me it was somewhat high. Fishing small streams can put a different perspective on high and low water flow. I gazed at the river while putting on my waders and tossed around in my head just what fly I was going to start off with. A streamer, or a soft-hackle, well the streamer was chosen.
The first spot was not friendly so off I went to a "side channel" and switched flies to a soft hackle. It was not long before I had my first Farmington river trout of this year.
A wild brookie took the soft hackle right where I thought he would be. That "side channel" produced several more brookies.
Moving back to the deeper area I found some nice settled water. Although the flow was strong the surface was smooth. I could see rising fish and I went after them. A mix of rainbows and browns.
This rainbow was quite nice. It was a stocked fish, but it might have been a hold over. It's fins were in beautiful shape as was the tail. The fish took a parachute Adams.
Bill P. you see that rod. It's a great small stream rod but it can also handle big water fish. I'll bet your really glad you purchased one.
I am really glad Alan. Unbelievable bargain. Have not been able to fish it yet but lots of grass practice to get used to that softer stroke. My favorite stream is too low and warm right now.
ReplyDeletebillp
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Bill grass works, it takes the edge off 'til you hit the water. There's a sequel to this story and the rod. Coming soon.
Nice water. Makes me want to get back on the East Fork of the Carson.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark go man. If the Carson is like the Farmington you are going to love it.
Alan
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling the CGR Cabela fly rod got quite a work-out landing that rainbow. The Farmington is a good second choice when you want to fish some bigger waters. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill it sure did, but it was up to the task. One of the better purchases I've ever made in fly rods.
The Farmington has plenty of cool water right now.
That is a nice rainbow Alan. I always come here for the wild brookies & food pics, was cool to see that rainbow mixed in, stockie or not. Nice to see you enjoying the CGR too!
ReplyDeleteMichael Agneta
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Mike a change of pace for sure. I just found a new way to prepare zucchini and it's going to be featured.
Tenkara Angler is a great site.
Alan, I am like you with regard to the Farmington River. I need to pick my spots to wade. I love that river, especially with its low water temps even now, but boy does it ever wear me out. I am glad to read you connected.
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I took a ride to the upper part of the Swift River this evening, another tail flow as you know. Not to my liking with all the kayaks and river floaters and general clown show of activity. Can't wait till fall fishing.
Best, Sam
Sam
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Sam I like my wading peaceful and that requires help from the river and others around me.
Tubers and kayaks can be overwhelming. And it's best to avoid them if possible, meaning get there and fish as early as you can. I'm with you on fall fishing.
G'Day Alan,
ReplyDeleteThat Farmington River looks like a fine water with a good variety of trout. Did you present your flies down and across as you often prefer? When the trout season reopens in September and provided COVID19 allows me to leave the house, I'm thinking of using that method more often.
The Cabela's CGR looks like a nice small stream rod. I'd like one but getting one to OZ is almost out of the question. I greatly envy the huge choices in fly gear that you boys have over in the US. My favourite small stream rod is a Melaluca Inlet 6'6" 3/4 wt that I bought on ebay from an OZ company. It's most likely a rod that this company had its name printed on. At $45AUD it was a bargain and a fine little rod. I have two of them--the original one that I "converted" to a 6 foot 5/6wt with help from a car door (Yes, grown men do weep!) and another replacement.
Last night I cooked a sort of zucchini omelet/fritter. Precooked the zukes then mixed an egg, salt, cheese and Italian herbs in a flat based casserole dish, Then microwaved it until firm, released it with a flipper and fried the fritter in butter. Pretty tasty. Interested to read your new way of preparing zucchini.
Have to agree that Tenkara Angler is a great site.
Stay well and Kindest Regards,
Steve.
Steve
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Steve I fish the Farmington as I fish small streams, and that means down and across. That CGR would be a favorite of yours once you fished it. Perhaps you could order it online? Your Melaluca at 45 bucks sounds like I would like and 6'6" is great for smaller waters.
Your zucchini recipe sounds great, it's such a bland squash and needs help in it's preparation.
I think you put me on to Tenkara Angler.
As a fellow Steve, I just wanted to commiserate with you on the loss of that Melaluka Inlet 6'6". I bought mine in 2011 and then I broke it yesterday by rolling up my window. I was fishing the Ovens River and I can't find a replacement. For $45 I don't think I've ever used a better cost to output fly rod in my life.
DeleteA Canadian living in Australia.
Hi Alan I purchased a CGR 5'8" 3wt a month back as a shorter alternative to my LL Bean Pocket Water 7'3" 3wt. I've landed a few 20" rainbows on the LL Bean and I don't think I would want to try one with the CGR. The Bean rod is just much more rigid. Against the big guys it feels up to the task. That said, it's the "sponginess" in the CGR that makes it cast so delicately and shine on small streams with tight quarters. I caught a couple dozen fall fish on it last week, 4" to 8" and I had a absolute ball! A 10" trout feels like your trying to fight in an old boot. Because of the softness the casting did take some getting used to. It's really a great rod for the small water and you don't have to miss a mortgage payment or sell the furniture to get one.
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Dean F
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Dean I have confidence in the ability of the CGR handling those big bows. The feel of that rad is soft and I can see it taking a bit to get used to it. Those fallfish are fighters and will give you all you want for a small fish. Many times they have made an outing for me. Your mention of the price is spot on.
G'Day Alan,
ReplyDeleteI just had a look in and around Murray's Fly Shop with Google. What a great looking shop and surrounding area. What's the fare like at Sal's Italian Bistro and Beans Barbecue? Looks like the perfect fly fishing destination--fly shop, food and what looks like a nice piece of water down the road a little.
Must visit the US again sometime--it's been almost 30 years since we were there. Fond memories.
Kindest Regards,
Steve.
Steve
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Beans is awesome. The day we were there they had pork butts going and smoked sausage. The baked beans were delicious, kind of hard to describe but I could like a bowl of them right now. Shenandoah, brook trout and beans...