My Weekend at the Farmington

Once or twice a year, I go out of town for a solo fly fishing weekend.

I live a monastic life, getting up early, packing a lunch to eat while on the water, and returning as late as I can. I fish about eight to ten hours a day, with no break. Then, after a big dinner out, I tie flies until my eyes can’t stay open.

This past weekend, I went to the Farmington River in Connecticut. The river was high and cold. I think spring is about three to four weeks behind this year, after all the snow and ensuing snow melt

I stayed at a B&B right on the water. Sal, the owner, is a great guy and he fly fishes, too. I found the place on AirBNB and am glad I did so.  A beautiful room.

I caught about five to eight fish a day. All stocked fish. Water was 41 degrees, and there were snow flurries Thursday and Friday nights. It felt like December out there, but it was fun.

Flies that worked well: Hare’s Ears, chartreuse Brassies, midges. I also tied some #18 pink San Juan worms. Only once did a fish take it, but when paired with another nymph, it was a great attractor, which often led trout to slurp the other fly. Surprisingly, Frenchies, soft hackles, streamers, Copper Johns and many others were skunked–that is the first time that’s ever happened.

The most memorable fish was a 20″ fat rainbow, taken on 6x tippet in heavy current. I cannot claim membership in the 20-20 club, as the fly popped off as the fish was in the net and it was rolling around like a mad man; I don’t know if the Hare’s Ear or #20 midge fooled it.

I landed brookies and browns, too. Three videos are below.

I stopped for a Big Mac during the drive home. Honestly, after nine hours of wading on Sunday, nothing ever tasted so good.

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5 thoughts on “My Weekend at the Farmington

    1. It's hard to know for sure, but the fins are in good shape. The tail looks a little beat up, but it seems to be healing, which would indicate a holdover. The proportions (short and fat) look more like a stocked fish than a wild one though.

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