Let’s start with some good news, where a picture is worth 200cfs:
Add to that 100+cfs from the Still, and we finally have a proper level in the permanent TMA, running clear and 34 degrees. Of course, we need to keep those rain dances at the ready. A little more snow in the Berkshires wouldn’t hurt, either.
To the fishing. Spot A was a blank, and friends, I want to tell you that I nymphed the snot out of that run for the better part of 90 minutes without a touch. Spots B and C were dedicated to the streamer cause but with the same result. At this point I paused to reflect upon the manifest iniquity of fishing — and to consider newly received intel that there had been a recent significant melting of ice shelves where I had been fishing .
La Aroma De Cuba Reserva Bellicoso in hand (well, mouth, too) I headed north.
And that’s where I found a whole bunch of trout that were most eager to eat my nymphs. They were fairly split between the size 16 Weisner’s midge dropper and the size 14 Frenchie variant. I used two BB shot to keep my drifts nice and slow. The takes were on the subtle side, but nonetheless my indicator received a good soaking. By 3pm the action had tailed off, and I called it a day.
Several of my fish were well-fed browns in the mid teens. No wonder this hen gave me a battle. Look at the size of her pectoral fin.
~
Another fine specimen from the chilly waters of the permanent TMA.
currentseams.com 
Well done Steve! Always enjoy getting your emails. Best, Sam
Thanks, Sam. I enjoy writing them. So we benefit each other. 🙂
Never heard of or seen a pattern for a Weisner midge, any suggestions where I might find a pattern or picture so I could tie up some, or who might sell them? Upcountry maybe?
Vicky, it’s a top secret pattern, and it will cost you…aw, heck. You can find out about it here: https://currentseams.com/2017/02/15/farmington-river-report-21517-bottom-return/
I’m calling the pattern Weisner’s midge because Engle doesn’t name it in his write-up. Fished it twice now and it’s produced both times.
Nice! So off to the Farmington it will be–if only I could find the time!
This was my first trip in a few weeks.
Nice job Steve. I too was on the farmy today, high sticked a half dozen runs with a bunch of different patterns to absolutely no avail. Didn’t see a rise or feel a bump all day. Lots of bugs out though. Did you find your fish in deeper slower water?
No, but I saw someone who did. I was delighted to see three anglers blanking in Spot A after I left it. Made me feel not completely useless. My fish came in moderately moving water 2-4′ deep. Don’t feel bad about your blank — I would be writing a different report if I didn’t find those fish.
Beautiful Brown.
It is. They are. 🙂
Steve, really nice to see nice fish in hand. Work for two and then “play”.
Once I found the fish, the work factor was greatly reduced.
How about a refresher on your dropper nymphing method? Specifically how you use/position the indicator? Congrats on the fish!
Thanks, Steve. Your answer’s a whole new post!
You just got your wish for more snow in the Berkshires. We just got 18 inches.
Yahtzee! Thanks for the update. Now, we need a nice, slow melt…