8am-5pm Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm on Saturday & Sunday. These will be the store hours through March.
Don’t forget to get a 2025 CT fishing license! They are available online, in our store, and at some town halls.
Pictured up top is Brayson Grant (pic by Ben Canino) with a nice Farmington River holdover brown trout he caught nymphing over the weekend- notice the clipped adipose fin. It was a tough bite Saturday & Sunday, but a few quality fish were landed. Winter fishing can be a grind some days, so be patient & persistent. You have to catch a bite window when the fish are feeding.
As of 9/1/24, the entire upper 21 miles of river from the dam in Riverton to the Rt 20 bridge in Unionville is Catch & Release until the second Saturday in April 2025.
Monday morning 1/13/25 River Report:
Diamondback Ideal Nymph rods are on sale for 20% off, they are re-doing this series of rods with the latest technology & new tapers (Generation IV will be available sometime in February). Sale applies to in stock rods only, and I expect remaining inventory to go fast. We currently have most of the different lengths/line weights from #1 to #4 in stock, but not the #6 or the 10’ 10” #2. Some we only have one of though, and the popular models will sell out fast.
Mild temps today (42 degrees!), get out there if you can. Still quite a bit of ice on a lot of the river from the recent cold snap, but there is less ice each day, and today should melt a good amount of it. Slower pools still have a lot of ice in them from about Church Pool and downstream, and as you go upriver above that (Mathie’s Grove/People’s Forest) it’s fishable and mostly open. After cold snaps, I’d suggest driving upstream until you find fishable conditions with minimal shelf ice. Even after the worst cold snaps, the upper two miles of river in Riverton above the Still River always stays ice & slush free (water coming out of the dam is always above freezing). The further you go downriver away from the dam, the more the Farmington River behaves like a freestone river. During colder nights (teens & below), morning slush is likely so don’t start too early. Most days if AM slush is present, it normally clears out by late morning on all but the coldest days. If you must start super early on cold/slushy mornings, go up to Riverton where the water is slightly warmer & slush-free, and then move downstream come late morning as water temps rise. Sunshine is your friend in the winter, it pushes water temps up, melts slush, and gets both the trout & bugs more active. Winter is the time of year with the least bug activity, so for the most part don’t expect major hatches. Milder/sunny days see the most bugs, typically in the afternoons when water temps are at their highest.
An increase in water temps, even as little as 1 degree, can be enough to turn the fish on and get them to bite. Focus on the medium-slow to slow water with some depth, that’s where trout spend most of their time in the winter. Having said that, you may see them move into moderate riffle water to feed when water temps bump up a little and you see a few bugs. There are bite windows when the fish decide to feed and things turn on. There are also periods that can last hours when then fish just aren’t feeding, so be patient. The only insect activity right now is Winter/Summer Caddis in the early to mid mornings (I know, this breaks the “rule” that afternoon is when you get bugs in the Winter), and Midges in the afternoons. You might see a few Micro Black Winter Stoneflies #18 and smaller, but February is more so when the smaller Stones hatch. Nymphs & streamers fished slow and deep will be the ticket most of the time. Strikes in cold water (30’s) tend to be very gentle and subtle, so pay close attention and strike on anything suspicious- hook sets are free! We all get eats that we never detect or set the hook on. The best anglers set their hooks often on the slightest deviations in their drifts. Small nymphs (#18 and smaller), Junk Flies (Mops, Eggs, Worms) and jigged streamers (white, tan, olive) are your high percentage patterns. Also try bigger stonefly nymphs #8-10, sometimes trout cannot resist a big meal after passing up the small stuff. Remember, in the cold water of winter, a trout’s metabolism is low and they don’t have to eat much. There is also a lot less to eat in the winter.
Fishing Tip:
After you nymph a fishy section of water, before you leave make one more pass with either a “Junk Fly” (Mop, Egg, Squirmy Worm) or a jigged streamer. It will often result in one or more fish. My personal go to clean-up flies are cream mops & jigged streamers (olive, tan, white). Although 98% of a trout’s winter diet is small bugs, sometimes it takes a bigger piece of food to entice them to eat. Their metabolism is very slow when water temps are in the 30’s and they don’t have to eat much, but a big meal can be too enticing to resist. Plus they will move further to eat a bigger fly. Sometimes you have to almost hit them on the nose with a small nymph to get them to eat in the winter, and those subtle eats can be very hard to detect. Sometimes a bigger Stonefly nymph #6-10 can also do the trick.
Don’t forget to get a 2025 CT fishing license, they can be purchased online, in our store, or at some town halls.
River is at a very fishable level: the total flow below the Still River in the Permanent TMA/Catch & Release (C&R) is an estimated 200cfs, (the Still River USGS gauge is frozen), I’d call that low end medium or so. Currently the USGS Riverton flow gauge is reading 162cfs at the Rt 20 Hitchcock/Riverton Self Storage bridge, that’s medium-low. The Still River USGS gauge remains frozen and I would estimate it at about 40cfs this morning. This historical median/normal total flow for today’s date would be 352cfs. Last I knew the East Branch was releasing 25cfs, it comes in about ½ mile downstream of UpCountry, just below the condo’s/sewage plant.
Water temps at the Riverton USGS gauge have dropped recently, and they are averaging in the low/mid 30’s. Riverton gauge is 33 degrees currently, and it reached 34.5 yesterday afternoon. The water coming out of the bottom of the dam in Riverton actually moderates water temps- cooler in the summer, and a little warmer in the winter. Water temps will vary depending how far below the dam you are, and also depending upon the weather. During colder weather, as you move downstream away from the dam water temps get lower and can freeze up/slush up once you go below Riverton. Sunny days will see the biggest water temp increases in the winter.
There is a new squirmy worm material from MT Fly Co, it’s called “Trina’s Squirm Material”, and it’s the next evolution in San Juan/Squirmy worms. This first batch sold out in only a week, but we should have a big order of them coming in sometime this week. Unlike normal squirmy material, it’s almost indestructible. Doesn’t break, it won’t disintegrate if you leave it in your car on a hot/sunny day, your tying thread won’t cut it, the tail won’t get ripped off by small trout, and solvents like head cement & super glue won’t melt it. It has quite a bit more movement than ultra chenille, but not as much as traditional squirmy material. I recommend tying it with all the material trailing behind the hook in a long “tail” (2.5-3”)for maximum movement. If you tie it with just a short length sticking out both ends it won’t have much wiggle to it.
The ‘bows and small to medium size wild & stocked browns have been eating insect imitations, but many of the better 18”+browns have been getting caught on jigged streamers (tan, olive, or white- experiment with colors) when a bite window opens up for streamers. Joey put some new Zonker strip jig streamers in the bin, check ‘em out. Good browns have also been on bugs (nymphs) in the mid to late mornings when bugs are drifting, especially on sunny mornings.
There are definite bite windows when the fish decide to actively feed, and it can go from zero to 100 when the fish turn on. This is very true of winter fishing, so be patient! Hours of very slow fishing can suddenly get good when they go on the bite. And conversely, it can just shut off and go dead suddenly. These windows typically last 1-3 hours. Also, with far less bug activity this time of year, Junk Flies (Mops, Squirmy/San Juan Worms, Eggs, Green Weenies), attractor nymphs & big stones are always worth trying. While most winter food available to the trout is small (#18-28 and sometimes smaller), if small bugs aren’t working try bigger flies, gaudier flies, Junk Flies, or a streamer. Trout are moving into wintering lies: slower, deeper water. As water temps rise during the afternoons and bugs get active (especially on sunny days), some trout may push up into the riffles to feed. This can also happen in mid to late mornings when it’s sunny and you get some behavioral drift of nymphs. The morning Winter Caddis and the afternoon Midges are the 2 winter hatches. Sunny days will raise water temps more than milder air temps will on a cloudy day.
If you are nymphing slower/deeper water (typical in the winter), fishing far away, fishing below you, or fishing in the wind, using a strike indicator is generally better than Euro nymphing. FYI you can fish an indy with either fly line or a mono rig. Make sure to play with the depth you have the indy set at, it can make a big difference. Generally you want your flies just above bottom, but sometimes a bit higher if fish suspend in slower water. Trout like to feed at their level or a bit above, but not so much ON the bottom or below them.
Now that we are fully in winter mode, there is no need to start super early unless you want to hit the early to mid morning Winter Caddis hatch. Other than that I’d focus on mid morning through mid/late afternoon when water temps rise and both the bugs and the trout get more active. After colder nights, start later in the morning, and if it’s a milder night, you can start earlier. It’s all about water temps, and whether they are moving up or down. Rising water temps is what you want, and dropping water temps (like when there is snowmelt or doing a cold snap) can turn trout off, even on a mild & sunny day. Look for Midge hatches in the afternoons, and you may find trout rising to them in the slower water in bigger, wider pools. Overall though it’s winter, so expect to mainly fish subsurface, slow & deep with nymphs and streamers. Small nymphs (#18-22) remain consistent producers, egg flies (and other “Junk” flies) are worth trying, and there have been windows of a good streamer bite. Post spawn trout are hungry! Make sure to cover plenty of water and play with color & retrieves when streamer fishing. In general with dropping/cold water temps, that means you want to fish your streamers both slower and deeper. A jigged streamer fished on a Euro rig can be quite effective, it puts your fly right in the fishes face and makes it easy for them to eat it. You can also try dead-drifting streamers under an indicator. Give the indicator an occasional twitch.
All the browns have spawned by now, and many have lost weight and are skinny due to the rigors of spawning. It is tough/stressful for trout, it really beats them up, and a small percentage of them actually die as a result of it. Play fish quickly, minimize handling, and keep their head & gills in the water as much as possible- "Keep 'Em Wet". Especially on colder days below freezing, try not to take fish out of the water or you can freeze their eyes & gills. After spawning, trout focus more on eating and trying to pack some weight back on. As such, to a post-spawn brown trout streamers look like a nice big meal with lots of calories. Eggs also represent a big chunk of calories and an easy meal. Unlike insects, eggs cannot swim away, and are calorie dense.
Generally the best fishing is mid/late morning through mid afternoon when water temps are highest and there is increased bug activity (exception: early to mid morning Winter Caddis hatch). This is especially true after colder nights. If you do start early in the morning, use flies that are independent of hatching: egg flies, streamers, and Junk Flies (Mops/Micro Mops, Squirmy/San Juan Worms, Green Weenies). Streamers are normally at their best during low light conditions, and after flow increases or discolored water conditions. Jig streamers, fished slow & deep on a Euro rig, can be very effective in cold water almost anytime, often outfishing standard streamer presentations. Egg flies can be a good choice, and if you are nymphing, other than egg patterns think mostly small, as in #18-22. Try also olive Caddis larva/Walt’s Worms in #14-16. Otter Eggs work can well on extra picky fish that have seen too many egg flies. Lighter tippet (6x) & longer leaders (12’ plus) match up well with smaller flies when nymphing.
Please don’t step on or just below redds (the light colored oval areas in shallow pea gravel where trout deposit eggs in pool tailouts, riffles, side braids, etc.). Don’t walk on the redds or the first 10-15 feet below them or you will crush the eggs. The eggs won't hatch out until February or early March.
Egg flies, particularly in small sizes, are a good option for the remainder of the Winter. A 4-6mm size single egg fished at the end of the leader will often be effective. While all egg patterns work, the Otter Egg is particularly effective on picky trout as it features a realistic translucent rubber egg at its center with a milky veil over the top.
Many FRAA trophy rainbows are still around after the April 2024 stocking (120 went in) and they are getting caught on a regular basis. They run anywhere from 20-27”, and are all colored up now after being in the river for about 8 months. Also the FRAA put in 18 large Golden Rainbowslast April, and amazingly enough some are still around. They are always a challenge to catch because they stick out like a sore thumb (they are a bright yellow/orange color) and everybody targets them, so they get educated quickly and never get a break from anglers.
The Thomas & Thomas Avantt II fly rods arrived in March, and they have really impressed us. Slightly more flex in the tip, but still plenty of power in the mid & lower sections, with fantastic crisp recovery and a low swing weight.
****************************************************************
Hatches/Dries:
-Summer/Winter Caddis #18-24: hatch is typically early to mid morning, all year long. Trout focus on the pupa first, and then as the morning progresses they normally switch to the winged, egg-laying adults.
-Midges #20-28: afternoons, sunny/milder days are best
Nymphs & Wet Flies/Soft Hackles:
-Small Nymphs #18-22: frequently size & profile is more important than the exact pattern, especially this time of year when most of the bugs are smaller. Generic bugs like Pheasant Tails/Frenchies, Hare’s Ears, Walt’s Worms, etc. all are good choices.
-Zebra Midge #18-22: a winter standard in black, olive, red
-Egg Flies #12-20: Otter Eggs, Eggstasy, Glo-Bugs, Slush Eggs, Sucker Spawn, etc. Mid fall through early spring is a good time for eggs! Shades of yellow, orange, pink, or a mix of those. Try Otter Eggs on extra picky fish.
-Caddis Larva (olive to green) #14-16: lots of these in the river (most others too), imitates the common Hydrospyche, good winter fly
-Winter/Summer Caddis Larva #18 (yellow): can also imitate Midge larva & Black Caddis larva, good winter nymph
-Pheasant Tails/Frenchies #12-20: imitates a wide range of Mayflies including Blue Winged Olives, Sulfurs, small Stoneflies, Isonychia, and more
-Blue Winged Olive Nymphs #18-22, good all year, a common item in the drift
-Stonefly #8-12: Worth fishing all year long, big stones are on a 2-3 year life cycle. Often produces bigger trout. In the winter, some days trout will eat bigger Stones when they won’t move for small flies or Junk Flies. Golden/yellow, brown, black.
-Junk Flies (Mops, Squirmy Worms, Eggs, Green Weenie): eggs are deadly in the fall/winter/early spring, and the others are good change-up flies when the usual imitative flies aren’t producing, during non-hatch times, cold water, or higher/off-color water.
-Attractor Nymphs #14-20: such as Sexy Waltz, Rainbow Warriors, Frenchies, Prince, Triple Threats, Pink Bead Walt’s Worm/Pheasant Tails/Hare’s Ear, etc. Often work better than drabber, more imitative flies, especially in the winter.
Streamers:
Don’t neglect streamers! - top 3 winter colors are normally olive, tan, and white.
-Jigged Streamers #8-12: various patterns/colors, deadly fished on a tight-line/Euro rig, often sorts out bigger fish. Great to use as a clean-up fly after you nymph a run.
-Ice Picks (tan, gray, white, yellow): tied by Rich Strolis, a very nice single hook baitfish pattern
-Wooly Bugger #4-12: assorted colors, try also Don's Peach Bugger
-Zonker #4-6: a classic fish catcher! In white, natural
-BMAR Yellow Matuka #6: deadly fall fly! Also standard Matuka in olive, brown
-Zuddler #4-8: one of our favorites, in olive, white, brown, black, yellow
-Complex & Mini Twist Bugger #2-6: assorted colors, very effective