Now there's something you don't typically see- a Moose in Church Pool! Customer Ron Wilbur was kind enough to provide us with this photo, thanks Ron. Farmington River is at a moderately low flow, but within the normal range for this time of year- it's 134cfs in the permanent Catch & Release section this morning, with 120cfs coming from the dam in Riverton. Use lighter tippets (6x-7x is typical for dries) for the next couple of weeks until October's rain deliver a higher flow. For nymphs I use mostly 5x or 5.5x fluoro for all but the biggest nymphs (no lighter than 6x for the smallest nymphs). We use fluorocarbon for better abrasion resistance & lower visibility. Longer leaders help keep your fly line further from the trout. I'd recommend 12', and you can go longer if you are a good caster. Lighter line weights help too, as they make less commotion when they hit the water. Wear drab clothing that blends into the backround.Morning has been bringing Tricos #22-26, Needhamis #20-26, and Summer/Winter Caddis #20-24. The Midday has been best with Tan Caddis # 16-18. Lt Cahills #12-14, White Flies #12-14, and Summer Stenos #18-20 have been hatching just before dark. Flying Ants #20-24 have been on the water almost every day the past week. The cloudier days have seen afternoon/evening hatches of Blue Winged Olives in the #20-24 range. If you are nymphing, think in #16-22 (Iso's & big Stoneflies would be the exception, with Iso's running #12-14 and Stones #6-12). Iso's are active in later afternoon to evening, and Stoneflies crawl out at night and in early to mid mornings. When nymphing focus on the medium to fast choppy water, and don't skip knee-deep spots. Currently effective nymphs include: Yellow Sally nymphs #14-16, Hot Spot Nymphs #16-20, Tungsten Sunk Ant #16, #10 Tungsten Carotene Jig, Wade's Clinger Nymph #16, Olive nymphs #16-20, Yellow Sparkle Prince #16-18, Rainbow Warrior #16-18, Caddis Pupa & Larva in both tan & olive/green #10-18 (#14-18 on the pupa), Jig nymphs #10-16, Pheasant Tails #16-20, Isonychia Nymphs #10-14, Prince Nymph #10-18.
As you move into late summer/early fall, trout (especially bigger ones) turn to larger food items like minnows & crayfish, or in the case of this river also Salmon Parr. Look for snags, big rocks, fallen trees, undercut banks, drop-offs, current seams, shady banks, etc.- anywhere you think a bigger than average trout might hide. Cover lots of water and change streamer color & presentations until the trout tell you what they want at that moment (it can change from day to day, and even during the same day as light conditions change). As far as streamer colors, olive and white are 2 of the more consistent colors on this river and are a great starting point, and tan is another excellent color. Try also black, brown, yellow, gray and other colors or combinations of 2 colors. Don't be afraid to go "Old School" and fish a traditional pattern like a Grey Ghost, Black Ghost, Mickey Fin, Hornberg, etc.- fish see less of the older streamers and may take them more readily - Torrey