Monday, April 18, 2016

Monday 4/18/16 Report- Stop, Spinnertime....

A beautiful Farmington River brown caught last week by a client of guide Zach St.Amand. Hendricksons hatched up & down the river Sunday afternoon, they are up as far as Pipeline Pool now. Had good hatch reports as far downstream as Unionville. Our first spinner fall was last night, it was the first evening it was mild and not windy. I was in New Hartford, and the Hendrickson Spinners hit the water after 7pm.  Also hatching in the afternoons are #18 Mahogany Duns /Blue Quills, #16-18 Blue Wing Olives, and Black Midges #22-32. 

The Farmington is currently an excellent & clear total flow of 255cfs in the permanent Catch & Release area. The entire river outside of the catch & release section has been stocked multiple times over the past 6 weeks. Don't limit yourself to only the more popular sections of the river, as there is literally excellent fishing all over it.

 Curious about fly fishing and want to learn more? Local Farmington River guide Steve Hogan will give a free one hour class this Saturday April 23rd at 10am at UpCountry Sportfishing. Call 860-592-1952 to sign up, space is limited to the first 6 people who call.

Nymphing has still been the most consistent way to catch trout early in the season on the Farmington, and some VERY nice trout have been landed on them this winter & early spring. It's how I catch most of my bigger trout.  Underneath the water use Hendrickson Nymphs #12-14, Hendrickson Soft-Hackles, Olive/green Caddis larva #14-16, Prince Nymphs #12-16, Quasimodo Pheasant Tails #12-18, Strolis Dark Brown Quill Jigs #10-14, Strolis Rock Candy (olive, green) 10-12, Black Stoneflies #12-16, Golden Stoneflies #8-12, Zebra Midges #18-20, and Hot Spot Nymphs #12-16.