I guided repeat client John yesterday and we were blessed with spectacular weather. Water was low (130/160cfs, permanent TMA/Unionville) but very fishable and cool, even down south. John wanted to work on his wet fly game, so we headed up to Riverton to take advantage of the recent stocking. If the DEEP trucks made a recent visit, we saw no evidence of it: we hit three marks in two hours, and waded hundreds of yards of water without a single touch. Other anglers we encountered also reported blanking. Very curious.
Look like a good place for a SOB-ing trout to be hiding out? I certainly thought so. John covering some very sexy water with a team of three.
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Thus spanked, we headed down to the permanent TMA for a nymphing lesson. John had never done any nymphing, but he took to it quickly, and before too long was rewarded with a gorgeous Survivor Strain brown. We took one more rainbow, and both fish came on the top dropper, a tiny (sz 18 2x short) SHPT.
Parr marks, haloed spots, clipped adipose and obstreperous behavior once netted clearly IDed this fish as a Survivor Strain brown. Not a bad first Farmington River brown, nor a bad first trout ever on a nymph!
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We finished up swinging wets on the lower river and brought a few more fish to hand. Nice job John in some challenging conditions!
This seems like a good time to mention that I am a teaching guide, and if you’re like John — someone who has had some success in fly fishing but wants to expand their skill set — maybe you should consider a few hours on the water with me. I teach anglers of all levels, from beginner to experienced. You can find out more here.
currentseams.com 
Huh, I started on Lower River, and worked upstream to the permanent TMA and finished the day back on the Lower River with dry/wet-soft hackle/and nymphs – not a bump – not one! Makes you wonder about your skill level.
Not to worry. I think you did the right thing by moving around. In my experience, success on this river in low flows often depends on finding the fish. They tend to be stacked up rather spread out. I was stunned that we had nothing up in Riverton. THAT left me scratching my head…
Steve, I’m probably not memorable but I took your fly tying class at Legends earlier this year. Just read your Farmy report. I needed a fishing fix as I was out of the country most of September so I drove up to the Farmington this afternoon. Bad news was it was drizzling and I got soaked. Stupid me I forgot to toss rain gear in car even though I saw the weather report. Good news is I had the river to myself. Not another angler in sight. I fished above Riverton. In less than two hours I landed ten rainbows all on the same dry. Had to pinch myself to see if I was dreaming.Im more used to getting skunked more often than not so this was a surprise to me. So if you want to know where the newly stocked fish went, that’s where. Would’ve fished longer but I was soaked and the temperature was dropping. Besides I had my fun. Fortunately I had change of clothes to drive back to Guilford in. Scott
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Ya got me there, Scott, but I’m sure if I saw you I’d recognize you. Glad you got into some fish. As is often the case in lower flows, the fish are not spread out, and if you find one there are likely more nearby. Well done you on what sounds like a wet but fun day.
A note to all who post here: I appreciate your comments and input. As you may have noticed, I never post specific locations on currentseams. Please follow suit. Thanks! 🙂
A note to all who post here: I appreciate your comments and input. As you may have noticed, I never post specific locations on currentseams. Please follow suit. Thanks!
Thank you Steve