The Farmington

The Farmington is where you might find me on a January morning at the crack of dawn. Depending upon the temperature and the level of cloudiness, different insects hatch. The ideal winter conditions include strong sunrays that blanket the waters and cause the insects to become more active. This in turn, obviously lures the trout to the surface, increasing the possibilities of a bite.

It is a great encounter if you are fortunate enough to be in the river when the caddis pupa emerge. Although traveling 65 miles from home seems like a trek, for the caddis pupa emergence and the opportunity to cast a dry fly in January, it is well worth the trip.

While the Farmington is a place of stillness in the frigid cold of January, come peak season you can expect an abundance of fisherman on weekends and evenings. The river is a tailwater, therefore it remains fairly cool with consistent water temperatures. Also, there are many pools and "hot" spots that can be easily accessed from well maintained roads. Nevertheless, one can venture up or down the river a mere 1/4 mile or so, in order to experience a more private setting.

During a rainy autumn season when other rivers may be too high to fish, one should never overlook the west branch of the river, from the dam heading 2 miles south. This section is comprised of mostly riffles and small pools that hold browns, rainbows, and brookies. With half of a gate open, it can be fairly wadable with staff in hand.