See paragraph below for back story on Andy's big brown. The
Farmington is currently a sweet 326cfs through the catch & release
area (269cfs from dam in Riverton down to the Still River). This is an
excellent level for fishing in all areas. Not really a hatch up in the TMA/C&R yet, but Isonychia ("Iso's") are starting to appear downriver in the Canton through Unionville stretch (a few, not a lot yet). In the C&R section, Winter/Summer Caddis #18-22 have been hatching well early morning to 11am, with
adults on the water in the late afternoon and evening. Sulfurs
#16-18 are on the water in the late evening. Blue Wing Olives
#18-24 have also been out in good numbers at moments, especially when it's cloudy.
Caddis #14-18 in both olive/green body and Tan body colors have been
strong- the tan ones seem to be the more dominant hatch now, but check body color because it can be the difference between a great day and a slow one. And FYI, they ALL look tan in the air until you catch one and turn it upside down. Lt Cahills & March Browns #10-14 are showing up from mid afternoon and on. March
Brown Spinners (sz 10-12), Rusty Spinners (18-20), and Sulpher Spinners (sz 16-18) are on the water toward dark.
Andy Lyons, once again giving us great fish porn with a very large brown he nymphed up Wednesday morning on a Caddis Larva. It measured out at 23.5" and it an absolutely stunning fish- definitely grew to size in the river, not a breeder. I would say it's a holdover if I had to guess. It was caught outside of the TMA/C&R section. A lot of fly fishermen only fish in the TMA section, and they miss out on a lot of great fishing outside of it. The 2 fish/12" limit they instituted years ago does a good job keeping more fish in the catch & keep sections. In a normal year, my largest trout comes from outside the TMA, and frequently these are holdover or even wild trout.
UpCountry has just received a huge closeout of Hardy Zenith and Hardy Proaxis X fly rods- these are literally flying out the door, so don't wait or they will all be gone. As anyone who has been in earshot of me over the last few years knows, these are my absolutely favorite fly rods. These rods use Sintrix, a technology licensed from 3M which makes them stronger and nearly unbreakable under normal fishing conditions. You can find them in our flyshop or in our online store at a great discount. - Grady
Subsurface, Caddis Pupa & Larva in both olive/green & tan #14-18, Hare's Ear soft hackles #12-16, Golden Stoneflies #6-12, Pheasant Tails #14-20, March Brown Nymphs #10-14, Fox Squirrel Nymph #10-14, Prince Nymph #12-18. We are seeing Golden Stonefly nymph husks on the rocks in fast water, so they are active & hatching, and are an especially good nymph choice in the mornings (they crawl out to hatch/emerge at night and in the early to mid mornings) FYI big trout LOVE them, use matching nymphs in #6-10 right now. Streamers are working well in the early morning and again toward dark- look for either low light or murky water for best results during this time of the year on the Farmington. Mice, Rats and giant Streamers are working after dusk.