The hit was so subtle, I almost missed it.
Drag setting "off".
Reel singing.
I give the fish the freedom to run.
He's a nice one.
Brown trout, I think.
I saw flashes of gold.
I took this one on an emerging caddis pupa.
I feel the tug, tug, tug, of his head shaking.
Keep the tip up.
Slowly stripping line in, then taking it on the reel.
Tug, tug, tug.
Don't horse him, not yet, anyway.
8x tippet.
It won't break, half re-assuring myself,
Going over the knots in my head.
Keep the tension.
A jump!
Yahoo"
What a beauty!
17 inches, maybe more
Nice brown
Tension
Another jump!
Dropping the rod-tip as the fish leaves the water raising the tip quickly on re-entry
Stripping in line, reeling
Hate to play him for too long, time to bring him in.
Whow..fish wants to run again.
Reel zings, but just for a moment.
His last attempt at freedom.
Sweet fish, I promise to release you.
Now come to momma
Tip up
Reeling, steady, with more determination,
Raising rod up..up..
Get his mouth out of water, horsing him a bit
Arching rod in right hand
Fish gliding in, half over surface
Left hand on net, extended as far as one can reach
In it goes!
Nice work
Keeping net in water
Rod under left armpit
Dipping hand in shocking 36 degree water
This is January
Air temps are at 57 degrees
Unheard of!
Life is sooo good
Find the hook
Barb-less
It's a rule on the Farmington, but I would do it anyway
In his upper lip, it comes out easily
In the net under water
Hmmmm... 15 inches, not 17
Who cares!
Sleek, heavily freckled with black and orange spots
Beautiful golden belly
Picking him up, I kiss his little head
And deliver him, quickly, back into his world
Jerking free of my gentle hold on him, he is gone
Thank you, Mr. Brown trout!
The Farmington River's, designated 14 miles of Wild and Scenic, is the most productive fishing water in Connecticut. With clean, clear water and a combination of deep pools, long beautiful dry-fly runs, fast moving water, pocket water, deep and shallow riffles, it has it all.
Starting from the Goodwin Dam, in Hartland, and working it's way down to the RT 177 bridge, in Unionville, the trophy trout stretch has many, wade-able access points. Felt soles, wading staffs and belts are a must. I also find that amber lens work the best, for seeing into the water and detecting fish.
One mile above the 318 bridge down to the 219 Bridge, makes up the 3 ½ miles of Trout Management Area, designated Catch and Release and fishable, by any legal means, all year long. The rule, to use barb-less hooks only, is strictly enforced.
There is another 3 mile stretc
h of Catch and release water, farther down river. At the base of the Collinsville Dam and ending at the RT-4 Bridge, however, the area is only catch and release from September 1st to the 3rd Saturday in April.
The Farmington River is a technical river. It is a tail-water and hatch-driven. Because the water comes from the bottom of the reservoir, it is always cold. The farther away from the dam, the larger the flies.
Mid-April, the Hendrickson's start to hatch, below the 219 bridge, 8 miles down from the dam. The water has warmed to 50 degrees, and when the hatch is on, the water comes alive with healthy rainbow, brown and brook trout.
As the water continues to warm, you can expect to chase the hatch's and spinner fall's up stream, for a good month, sometimes longer. It's a beautiful thing! It is important to know your hatches and your etiqette.
The fly fishermen of the Farmington, understand the term "quiet enjoyment" and will give you your space. Be sure you do the same.
The State has a tremendous stocking program, stocking 29000 fish, annually, in the 14 mile stretch alone. Total amount stocked for the 28 miles of Farmington River is up around 45000 fish, annually. There is also the re-introduction of Atlantic Salmon, 6 to 10 inches in length, thanks to the salmon-stocking program.
On top of that, the local fly fishing club, Farmington River Anglers' Association, has done an incredible job for the past 6 years, by working to create a wild strain of brown trout. Tagging, monitoring, taking the eggs, the FRAA has done what they set out to do.
With donations from local businesses, clubs, and the fishing community, the FRAA has additionally stocked an average of 5000 brown trout per year.
Because there is a large holdover population of trout, it is not uncommon to see fish as big as 28 inches. Average size being 14 to 18 inches.
This river will educate, sometimes humble and call back all who fish it.
I learned how to fly fish on this river 13 years ago and now teach and guide on it. I work other rivers, but left to choose a river to take people, for their first experience, or their 100th, I will always choose the Farmy.