Store hours currently are 8am-6pm Monday & Tuesday, closed on Wednesdays, 8am-6pm Thursday & Friday, and 8am-5pm on Saturday & Sunday.
Pictured up top is Zach St. Amand’s client Randy with a beauty of a brown trout. Big trout have been tougher to come by lately, but the local guides know how to get it done.
Tom
Ames new & updated "Pocketguide to Eastern Hatches"
books arrived last week,
even though the official “release date” is mid September and you
cannot purchase it on Amazon until then. We sold through all 50
copies we ordered already, but we
should have 50 more copies in time for the upcoming weekend.
This is the BEST hatch guide for our area, nothing else comes
close. This version has some new info, new
pictures, and new fly
patterns. We will do our best to try to keep this in
stock.
Nymphing Tip:
Small
nymphs are often the key
to subsurface success
in the late summer/early fall, and by small I mean #18 and smaller,
all the way down to #22-24.
Exceptions would be Isonychia #10-14, and Stoneflies #8-10. Most
nymphs are small to very small this time of year. And they are by far
more numerous than bigger ones. Some days this makes a huge
difference. I know a guy from PA that catches an average of
6,000-8,000 trout every year. Yes, he is retired and fishes a LOT
(about 300 days a year), but usually only part of each day. And yes,
he’s a highly skilled nympher with excellent water reading skills,
and he lives near the best streams in central PA (2,000 - 4,000+ fish
per mile for some of his streams). If he has a secret, it’s that he
mostly fishes nymphs averaging #18-24 on a Euro Mono rig (FYI he also
does dry flies & dry/dropper). He typically uses a 4x micro
leader and 6x tippet with 2 flies. He reasons that immature nymphs
are small and grossly outnumber bigger adult nymphs, and it’s hard
to argue with his results.
As
of 9/1/25,
the entire upper 21 miles of the Farmington River from the dam in
Riverton downstream to the Rt 177 bridge in Unionville goes Catch &
Release
until 6am on the second Saturday in April 2026. If you fish
downstream of the Rt 177 bridge you can keep 5 fish 9" or larger
through the end of February, then it also goes C&R until the
second Saturday in April. If
you see anyone illegally keeping trout, call the 24/7 turn in
poachers DEEP hotline at 860-424-3333.
Even if they cannot send somebody in time, they still log the call
and it helps us get more future enforcement.
Frabill
landing nets are in stock!
Very functional lightweight nets with rubber coated mesh, and can
handle very big fish. Flat net bottoms make it easy to deal with the
fish and unhook them without the fish being all bent up. These nets
are very popular with the competition guys. A great value at $40 to
$55, depending upon the size.
We
have a small batch of the new Diamondback Gen IV Nymph Rods with
carbon grips- the
previous batches were all with traditional cork grips. Carbon grips
are more sensitive than cork, as well as quite durable (they won’t
chip like cork can). There is a $25 upcharge for the carbon handle.
We got them in the popular 10’ 7” #2 & #3 rods, and the 10’
#2. We can order the carbon grip in any size rod you want though.
The store
is stocked with tons
of books at the moment, both
used &
new books.
Also, lots of used
rods & reels
currently.
Diamondback
Generation IV Euro nymphing rods are available. We
have the full line-up, minus the 10' 7" #4 (not available yet,
probably mid fall). The models we have include 10' and 10' 7"
lengths in #1, #2, #3, and 10' 7" in #6 & #7. These rods are
very nice with crisp, responsive tips that recover fast with minimal
wobble. The 10’ 7” #1 is a very interesting and excellent option
for Micro Leaders, lighter tippets (6x and thinner), and lighter
flies (2-3mm)- the rod has more backbone in the lower half than you
would expect, while having a very soft tip. The 10' 7" #2 &
#3 have been the big sellers for us, perfect for the Farmington
River. The #3 is the all around and will do everything, but the #2 is
great if you fish mostly 6x, throws lighter flies a bit easier, and
is slightly better with Micro Leaders. The 7 weight is a new addition
to the Diamondback lineup, for those targeting larger Steelhead with
heavier tippets, as well as King Salmon and other larger fish where
you need a stiffer rod with some serious backbone. The 6 weight is
probably overall the better choice for Salmon River Steelhead in NY,
where you are often down lighter 3x & 4x tippets and still need a
rod that has some backbone to land 10# plus fish, but has a softer
tip so you don't break fish off.
Tuesday
afternoon
9/2/25
River
Report:
Back
to reality after the long
holiday weekend. There
were tons of Flying Ants out yesterday (Monday, Labor Day), especially from mid afternoon
through early evening. They were about a #16-18. This morning I had
reports of #24 Flying Ants. September is typically the big month for
these bugs. Warmer, humid days are typically the best, and if there
is rain the day before, that’s even better. They are not 100% predictable, but when these Ants hit the
water, they trout go a bit crazy. All the food is on the surface, so
the trout have to rise to eat them. Make sure to have some with you
from #18-24 this month. The conditions this week look suitable for more Flying Ant mating swarms.
Looks
like they did about a 55cfs flow reduction
this morning. This puts
the total flow in the
Permanent TMA/Catch & Release down
to 174cfs, with 164 cfs in
Riverton, and the Still River adding in 10cfs below that. We could
use some rain. I would call this level medium-low to moderately
low. While this will
reduce the holding water and make the trout spookier, it will also
make it easier to figure out where the trout are and also increase
the amount of fish feeding on the surface when
there is a hatch. Long
leaders (12’ plus), lighter tippets, and smaller flies are all a
good idea.
Morning
Trico spinner falls are still going on, albeit the hatch
is moving upstream and the hatch density is
lighter and it is mostly smaller fish rising to them, with some
exceptions. Make sure to go small enough, as in #24-26 patterns,
fished on a long leader with a long 7x tippet. Also seeing decent
numbers of small Caddis averaging #18-22,
in assorted colors like
gray, tan, and black. You
will see the black caddis adults on the rocks, they are hard to see
on the water. FYI splashy rises generally means Caddis. Isonychia can
also create aggressive rises. They typically hatch in fast water
between late afternoon and dark. They have been light in numbers, but
this cooler weather seems to be helping.
It was
60 degrees for a water
temp behind UpCountry this morning, peaked out at about
63 degrees on Monday.
Riverton water temp was
about 61
degrees at the Rt 20 bridge (Hitchcock/Riverton Self Storage) this
morning, it peaked at 62.5
degrees Monday
afternoon (cooler, cloudy
day). Lower
flows (due to the 55cfs flow cut) and slightly warmer weather this
week (highs 76-79 through Saturday) will push water temps up a little
bit, but for the most part we should be okay. Use your thermometer if
you are not sure about the temps, and look for water 68 degrees or
cooler, and preferably 65 degrees or less for better fishing. If
water temps are too high, keeep moving upriver until you find
suitable temps. You can start further downsteam in the mornings, but
depending upon how far downriver you are, you may need to move
upstream by noon.
Late
morning through later afternoons had
been relatively quiet in
terms of hatches, but with
Flying Ants on the menu for September, afternoons can be good.
Also
keep your eyes out for #10-14 Isonychia hatching in the faster water
between late afternoon and
dark. It’s a sporadic,
one here and one there type of hatch, but the cooler weather seems to
be improving the Iso hatching. There have been a good amount of small
Black Caddis averaging #20-22 on the rocks, some small tan (other
colors too) Caddis flying around, and the rocks in the fast water
have a good number of large Stonefly shucks on them, also some Yellow
Sally Stoneflies on the rocks. There is a mish mash of various
insects at dusk, including some bigger #12-14 Light Cahill/Summer
Steno’s and small assorted Caddis #18-22. Mornings with large #8-10
Stonefly nymphs is a good strategy for bigger fish, think first light
(5:45am) to about 10am’ish. Fish the faster water- pool heads,
riffles, runs, and pocket water.
Seems
like the August Trico spinner falls were
the best hatch this year despite mostly mediocre big
activity in 2025. Remember
that it’s mostly about the spinner fall, and that is triggered by
air temps in the upper 60’s (about 68). Trout seem to be preferring
tiny Trico dries in the #24-26 range, 22’s are mostly either not
getting a look or getting refusals. Cool nights will push the
spinners later in the morning, and warm night will push them from mid
morning to very early morning. Nymphing the faster water with small
nymphs & Junk Flies is also working. Also big Stoneflies, mainly
in the mornings when they are most active, and larger Iso type nymph
from about mid afternoon through dusk. Seeing big Stonefly shucks all
over the rocks in fast water lately, which is a great sign. FYI also
seeing Yellow Sally Stonefly shucks on rocks recently, they typically
run #14-20. Sallies are mostly a nymphing deal, and they are a common
bug here in August & September.
If trout are not
rising, be prepared to go subsurface and fish the faster water. If
you hate nymphing, try Dry/Dropper or fish 2-3 wet flies/soft
hackles. All effective summertime strategies. You can also blind fish
dry flies (attractors like Stimulators/smaller Chubby Chernobyls,
bigger dries like Isonychia, or terrestrials like ants & beetles)
in broken water, it’s surprisingly effective this time of year. You
can do Dry/Dropper and attach a small lightly weighted nymph 18-24”
below your dry to really increase your odds of success.
Hatches
continue to overall be light this year, with the river above the
Permanent TMA/Catch & Release seeing more consistent bug activity
on average, especially in the typically slower late morning through
late afternoon time slot. Hotter days will tend to push the bugs to
either early or late, and cooler/cloudy days will see the morning
fishing go later, and the evening fishing start earlier. Hatches have
been very hard to predict this year. Right at dusk to dark has been a
fairly consistent peak hatch time, and during the daytime the upper
river (Campground & up) has been the place to be. If you leave
before full darkness, you may miss out on a brief but very good
window of dry fly fishing. Some nights it’s only 15-30 minutes and
happens just as it’s getting dark. Other specific predictions have
been harder to make in terms of what bugs will hatch where &
when- you just need to be observant and match what you see.
Check
different river sections out when the fishing & hatches are slow.
Fish in the shade whenever possible, trout will often move into those
areas. When bug activity is light to non-existent (not uncommon,
especially midday), the high percentage techniques are nymphing,
dry-dropper, wet flies/soft hackles, or blind fishing
attractor/bigger dries & terrestrials. Beetles & Ants are
great for the non-hatch times in the summer, very effective. Look for
shady areas. Don’t waste your time trying to force feed
hatch-matching mayflies when they are not on the water and/or the
trout are not rising. Isonychia are definitely an exception, you can
blind fish #10-14 Iso patterns in riffly water and do well. Blue
Winged Olives (Olives/BWO’s) can run as big as #18, but I’d
expect to see more smaller ones in the #22-26 range. Match the size
closely. Overcast days are best for BWO hatches.
Glad to
see we’ve mostly stayed out of a drought so far in 2025, and there
is plenty of water in the reservoirs currently CT DEEP has a flow
plan for the Farmington River, and the target release from Colebrook
River Lake Dam is 250cfs for August (assuming normal
precipitation/resrvoir levels)- this is a target flow number, and not
an absolute. For September the target dam release is 200cfs. During
dry periods this would be reduced, especially if the lake level is
too low. If we get lots of rain it’s increased if the lake level is
too high. They also sometimes temporarily bump it up extra during
heat waves to cool the river down. So far they have been on the
conservative with the releases, with the fear being if they draw the
reservoir down too much and then we end up in a drought, that we
could be in bad shape in late summer/early fall and not be able to
let out enough water. DEEP has done a great job managing the flows
since they took over in June 2024, and it should only get better as
they gain experience.
Nymphing is a mainstay right now,
especially in the late morning to early evening time slot when
hatches are scarce. A
great summer tactic is to target the first light (about 5:45am) to
the mid/late morning time period in fast water with large #8-10
Stonefly nymphs. The naturals crawl out to emerge at that time of
day, and some of them get knocked into the drift. Pair them up with a
smaller nymph, something like a Caddis pupa, Walt’s Worm, or small
Pheasant Tail/Frenchy.
The fast water at pool heads and in between pools is loaded with
trout. It’s also more oxygenated and holds more bugs. Mousing after
dark for big trout is popular in the summer, and an especially good
choice when it’s really hot during the day. A lot of the biggest
trout become mainly nocturnal in the summer.
There are
some Isonychia hatching in the fast water, they have been light in
numbers overall. Having said that, it doesn’t take many Iso’s to
get the fish on them. Caddis have been a common bug, with the best
action in the mornings in faster water, and right at dusk and even
beyond into the dark. Most (but not all) Caddis are on the smaller
side lately, like #18-22. Be prepared to fish subsurface if you don’t
have a hatch or rising trout. Caddis pupa (tan, olive/green,) and
Walt’s Worms are working well in #16-20, and Pheasant Tails too
(#12-14
for Isonychia, and #18-22 for Sulfurs & Blue Winged
Olives/BWO’s). Light Cahills/Summer Stenos #12-14 are a possibility
anywhere on the river at dusk. You may see #20-26
Blue Winged Olives, especially on cloudy days.
Summer is
a peak time for big Iso’s in the Permanent TMA/C&R. The nymphs
can swim like a tiny minnow, so play around with dead drifting,
swinging, twitching, and even 6-12” strips like a mini streamer.
The trout will tell you what they want. You can use a #12 BMAR Iso
nymph, or a Prince Nymph or Pheasant Tail to imitate this bug. You
can also blind fish big Iso dry flies in #10-14. They typically hatch
between late afternoon & dark, but I’ve also seen them here at
other times of the day.
Streamers can be a good option
during low light (early/late in the day), or when you have high
and/or dirty water. Make sure to get them down, experiment with
different retrieves, change colors, and play with different fly sizes
& designs (length, bulk/sparseness, shape, etc.). I usually start
with a fast strip his time of year. But if that doesn’t work, slow
it down, change your presentation angle, swing them, twitch them,
fish them on the dangle- experiment based upon the trout’s reaction
(or lack thereof lol). Go smaller if you cannot get eats on bigger
patterns. Also try trailing a nymph or wet fly/soft hackle about 18”
behind a weighted streamer, very effective for converting follows to
eats, and a great way to “nymph” if you aren’t proficient at
nymphing.
Assorted Caddis #16-22 will be present daily
straight through mid fall, and anglers often overlook them because
they are so obsessed with Mayflies. Caddis are most active in the
faster water: pool heads, riffles, runs, rapids & pocket water.
Trout will gorge on the pupa surface, hint hint. Various nymphs from
#8-20 are catching fish. Caddis pupa are working subsurface in #16-22
(olive/green, tan). You can use specific pupa patterns, Walt’s
Worms, and Sexy Waltz (has flashy rib & hotspot). On crappy,
cooler overcast afternoons, we’ve been seeing #20-24 Blue Winged
Olives (BWO’s/Olives).
The fast water is currently full
of trout, they are literally everywhere. FYI after the CT fisheries
sampled the trout population last September (2024), they estimated
the trout per mile in the Permanent TMA/C&R at 2,800+ fish-
that’s a lot! Tight-line nymphing with one or two weighted nymphs
is your best option to probe faster riffles, runs, rapids &
pocket water, but Indicator nymphing is effective also. Make sure one
of your flies is a pupa-type pattern. Also hard to go wrong with a
#16-22 Pheasant Tail or Frenchy (just a hot-spot PT). FYI, small PT’s
work 12 months a year and are a great dropper fly when you are not
sure what to put on. From May through October, if I’m nymphing, at
some point there will definitely be a Caddis pupa pattern #14-18 on
my rig at some point.
In case you missed it up top, we
have gone to a 6pm
closing time on weekdays.
Also, we are now CLOSED
on Wednesdays at
least for a while, so please plan accordingly.
Don’t be
afraid to explore and fish new water to get away from the crowds,
there are literally fish EVERYWHERE, including all the water in
between the pools. You are also more apt to get into wild fish when
you fish water that isn’t as busy. Wild fish don’t like being
constantly disturbed by anglers. The further you go downstream, in
general the less anglers you will see- especially if you walk 5-10
minutes away from the easy access points. Most anglers focus on the
famous named pools that have easy access, and skip the water in
between. The water outside of the Permanent Catch & Release/TMA
gets less pressure for the most part. FYI in the summer, due to water
temps you don’t want to go too far downstream or you will end up in
water that is hitting or exceeding 70 degrees- USE YOUR
THERMOMETER!!!
****************************************************************
Dries:
-Flying
Ants #16-24: typically afternoons/early eves, especially on warmer,
humid days. A September staple.
-Tricos #22-26: Morning deal,
it’s all about the spinner fall- they ball up in the air over
riffles and fall to the water when air temps hit the upper 60’s. We
are getting toward the tail end of this hatch, it's getting lighter,
look more upriver for it.
-Assorted Caddis #16-22 (tan,
green/olive, black): Mostly on the smaller side now, various species,
especially Black Caddis. Active mostly in the mornings and evenings,
nymphing with pupa is currently the most productive tactic for them.
They typically egg-lay later in the day in low light, in the faster
water.
-Yellow Sally #14-20: Fast water bug, you will see the
shucks all over the downstream side of rocks in fast water, look like
miniature Golden Stones. Mostly a nymphing deal.
-Blue Winged
Olives (BWO’s/Olives) #20-26: afternoons & eves, especially
during cloudy, cooler weather. Rusty spinners also in the same sizes
at dusk.
-Rusty Spinner #12-26: imitates the spinner of many
different mayflies. Most commonly on the water at dusk.
-Light
Cahill/Summer Stenos #12-18: evenings
-Isonychia #10-14 light
late afternoon to evening hatch in fast water
-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.
July/August are peak months for this morning bug.
-Ants &
Beetles #14-20: deadly in the summertime!
-Attractor Dries
#10-16: Mini Chubbies, Stimulators, Amazon Ants, etc.
-Mouse
patterns: fish after dark for BIG trout, use a short/heavy 0x
leader
-Midges #20-28: afternoons/eves
Nymphs:
-Small
Nymphs #18-24: various patterns, most of the bugs are small to tiny
in late summer
-Assorted Caddis Pupa #16-22 in various colors
(olive/green, tan). Use specific pupa, plain Walt’s Worms, Sexy
Waltz, Hare’s Ear Blowtorch.
-Pheasant Tails/Frenchies #12-22:
imitates a wide range of Mayflies including Sulfurs, Isonychia,
Vitreus, Blue Winged Olives, small Stoneflies, and more.
-Blue
Winged (Baetis) Olive Nymphs #16-22: all year long
-Big Stonefly
Nymphs #8-10: early to mid AM in fast water- golden/yellow, brown,
black, Pat’s
-Isonychia Nymph #10-14: mid afternoon through
eves, fish in fast water. Use BMAR Iso nymph, Keslar’s Iso, also
big Princes & Pheasant Tails
-Yellow Sally Nymph #14-18:
fish in fast water, prevalent in August & September. FYI
yellow/brown Sulfur Nymphs can also work to imitate them.
-Caddis
Larva (olive to green) #14-16: lots of these in the river (most other
rivers too), imitates the common Hydrospyche, good all year
-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, even in the summer in low/clear water.
-Cased
Caddis #10-16: all year, but especially after rain or flow bumps
(higher water knocks them into the drift)
-Winter/Summer Caddis
Larva #18 (yellow)- also imitates Black Caddis larva & some Midge
larva
-Midges #18-22 (black, olive, red): Zebra Midge, Flash
Midge, Red Iris Midge.
Streamers:
*We
have a lot of new streamer patterns from MT Fly Co in the bins,
including plenty of bigger articulated patterns.
***Don’t
neglect streamers! - top colors have been olive, tan, white, and
black. Black is good on recently stocked trout (especially rainbows),
during low light (first & last light), and high and/or dirty
water.
-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
-Woolly 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
-Muddler
Minnow #6-10: and oldie, but a goodie. Most anglers don’t fish this
classic pattern anymore, and that’s a mistake! Quite a versatile
fly that can be floated, skated, dead-drifted, swung, stripped, or
weighted down & nymphed.