Tag Archives: Farmington River guide

It’s a Fun One (Thousand Followers Celebration)!

Happy Monday, fellow Currentseamsers. We hit it some time ago, and now it’s time to celebrate currentseams.com reaching the rarefied 1,000 followers mark! Suffice to say I couldn’t have done it without you, so thank you for being part of the Fun One Thousand. As usual, we’re doing a flies-tied-by-Steve giveaway. Here are the rules:

1) No purchase necessary.

2) You must be a follower of currentseams to enter. (If you’re not one already, you become a follower by clicking on the Sign Me Up button below the “Follow Blog via Email” header, at the top right if you’re on a laptop, and at the bottom of the scroll on a mobile device.

This is a photo, not a link.

3) To enter, leave a comment on this thread that responds to at least one of these questions: What’s your favorite fly pattern(s) for the Farmington River? What’s your favorite section of the Farmington, and how do you like to fish it? If you don’t fish the Farmington, where do you like to fish and what’s your favorite fly pattern(s)? One entry per person. Deadline for entering is 11:59pm September 30, 2023. Three winners will be chosen at random. The winners will be notified in the comments section of this thread or by email, and will be responsible for sending me their address so I can ship the flies out. Sorry, I can only ship to U.S. addresses.

4) All decisions by me are final.

Thanks again for reading and following currentseams.

Stuff like this could be in your hot little hands if you enter.

Farmington River Report and other items of variable interest you should definitely read

I’m in a goofy mood, hence the goofy title. Welcome back! I hope a splendid holiday weekend was had by all.

There is no joy in Mudville — and not just because I’m a Mets fan. There’s certainly no joy in Riverton. As I write this at 12:20pm, even if you were fishing above Riverton, you’d be fishing in water that is at a dangerous temperature for trout. It’s already north of 70 degrees(!). The MDC has decided to help (he said sarcastically) by cutting the flow a bit. With this week’s heat wave, the hits just keep on coming. Fear not: the hardiest specimens will find a way to survive, and the stocking truck shall return, as will New England fall nights in the 40s.

Things are heating up in the Culton kitchen, too. These are Trinidad Scorpions. Their heat is measured in the millions of Scoville Units (a jalapeño is 5k-8k).

Note: once safe fishing does resume, the entire river from the base of the dam to the steel bridge in Unionville is catch & release only until 6am second Saturday in April. If you have not done so, please program in the DEEP TIP line into your phone so you can report poachers: 800-424-4357.

I’m kicking off my speaking season tonight in Long Island with my good friends the Long Island Fly Rodders. I’ve been presenting to them for years, and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone. If you’re in charge of speakers for your club, now’s the time to book as my calendar is filling up.

Finally, I was on the Cape this weekend and managed to get out on the Brewster flats for one morning. I’ll tell you about that later this week. If you salt, that might be your best diversion while you wait for the Farmington to drop.

Farmington River Report: Not to sound like a broken record, but…

Even though we’re haven’t experienced a heat wave in weeks, water temps on the West Branch continue to play spoilsport. As I write this at 12:30pm, it’s already close to 70 degrees(!) in Riverton. Not good. With the warm, damp late summer weather, it’s no surprise that flying ants have been out with trout eating them. But, as UpCountry Sportfishing’s Torrey Collins writes, “you need to be very careful about water temps in the afternoons. This means you may need to fish between Canal/Beaver Pools and the dam to stay in water temps of 68 degrees or less.” As of late, the cutoff point for safe fishing above Riverton has been around 10am.

So: my guide trips remain in limbo. Patience will be our virtue. Although, if you want to curse and mutter under your breath, I certainly won’t stop you.

Thanks also to everyone who started following me on Instagram.

This was my client Michael on the Lower River in late June, late afternoon, 100cfs, and believe it or not, the water was colder there and then than it is coming out of the dam right now!

What you’re missing on Instagram and other loose ends

If you don’t follow me on Instagram — @stevecultonflyfishing — you’re missing out on some good stuff. For example, this week I posted a video of how build a non-Euro rig for a mini jigged streamer. I keep the content unique and separate on Instagram and currentseams — so if it’s on here, it’s not on there, and vice versa. Certainly Instagram is a more visual, quick-hit form of social media, but if you’re looking to keep up with what I’m doing through video or photos, head over and start following me.

Get the full story on Instagram.

Speaking of followers, I owe you a 1,000 currentseams followers fly giveaway contest. Look for that sometime in September. Holy smokes! At 1,026, I’m only 74 away from 1,100…

These cooler nights and shorter days with a lower sun angle (and especially the ones that are coming) are going to go a long way towards cooling things down. Here’s to some great September fishing!

Farmington River Report: A glimmer of hope in this warm water purgatory

It seems never-ending, this stuck-inside-of-Riverton-with-the-New Hartford-blues-again feeling. But a glance at the current temperatures coming out of the dam offers some positive traction for the glass-half full crowd.

This weekend saw the coldest temps out of the gate since August 3rd. If we continue to have cool nights in the 50s, that bodes well for a reduction of a few precious degrees. Of course, sunlight and hot air can quickly defeat those few precious degrees. But better times and lower water temps are coming.

In the meantime, I am continuing to put all my Farmington River lessons and guide trips on hold. Like trout, the Farmington’s aquatic insects are shocked as well. My spies tell me hatch activity has been minimal at best. If you must fish the Farmington, please do it from Riverton northward, and do it from first light to mid-morning. Please carry a thermometer and do not fish in water above 67 degrees. Right now is great time to visit the bluegill pond with for 6-foot glass rod and some poppers or a size 18 Elk Hair Caddis. Panfish fight way outside their weight class (ask me how I know!).

Farmington River Report 8/14/23: In which we remain in a holding pattern.

I wish I had better news for you, but the Farmington River continues to flow within the risky margins of trout-friendly/trout dangerous temperatures. It’s a tantalizing balancing act; at 70 or 72 degrees, brown trout are probably OK, and not in any real danger. Unless you hook them and subject them to stress — stress that may ultimately kill them. Here’s some up-to-date information from Torrey Collins, the shop manager at UpCountry Sprotfishing:

“Water temps remain marginal with water coming out of the dam at about 66 degrees all day long, and then warming up during the day and as you move downstream. Coolest water temps and the longest fishable window is early to mid mornings. Look for water temps 68 degrees and below, and DO NOT fish in 70 degree plus water or you will stress the trout out and can potentially kill them by catching and releasing at 70+ degrees (not enough oxygen in warmer water). If you are fishing in Church Pool in the afternoons, you are 100% fishing in 70+ degree water. Don’t be that guy. If you have a thermometer, please use it- it will show you where & when you can and cannot fish. Pretty much on sunny days by about 10am you better be up in Riverton above the Still River (it’s a warming influence that dumps in warm to hot water in the summer), and you may need to move even closer to the dam release to stay in cool enough water. When water temps move into the mid 60’s, many trout will hold in the faster water due to the higher oxygen content.Rain in the forecast for tonight & tomorrow will raise the Still River, which means that from there down the river will be even warmer, so be careful and take water temps. FYI when you take the water temp, make sure you are in the current and your thermometer is shaded, otherwise it will give you a reading higher than the actual temp.”

Very not good. Ixnay on the ishingfay.

I’m continuing to place my Farmington River guide trips on hold until temperatures moderate.  We’re getting rain tonight and the MDC is lowering the flow. What we really need are cooler days and some early fall chilly nights!

Stuff I Use: Orvis Midweight and Heavyweight OTC Wader Socks

I have to admit it: I’m big on value and small on spending money that seems, at first glance, to be part of some elaborate inflated price scheme. You’re talking about a guy who used beater winter wool socks under his waders for decades. So when you tell me there’s a pair of wading socks that will set me back close to $40, I’m going to look at you a little sideways with my nose scrunched up and maybe make a grunting noise or two.

Having said that, I love the Orvis Midweight and Heavyweight OTC Wader Socks. I’ve used the Heavyweights for several years now. They’re my first choice for a sock when I’m using stocking foot waders in colder water. While no sock keeps my feet truly warm in cold water, these are highly comfortable. I like how I can pull them up over my calf and whatever fleece pants/leggings system I’m using.

I just got the midweight socks and they’re a dream for summer wading. Again, perfect fit, lightweight, and an excellent base layer between your feet and a neoprene boot foot. I typically roll these down to above my ankles to take full advantage of my summer layer. Both highly recommended!

Junky socks for $37.95 would suck, but right out of the box, the Orvis Midweight and Heavyweight OTC Wader Socks scream quality build. These are the midweights. Highest marks for stocking foot summer wading.

Stuff I Use: UnderArmour HeatGear Leggings

As a general rule I thumb, I’m always cold. An exception would be walking a long (or short distance) in waders in 90-degree August heat, blazing sunshine, and stinking Connecticut humidity. Even with breathable waders, my lower body is rendered a soggy hot mess. Fleece becomes the enemy. Enter UnderArmour HeatGear Leggings.

This performance base layer is a revelation. Form-fitting and stretchy, they serve as a protective layer between you and your waders. After a hike, you’re still warm, and you still sweat, but they do a fantastic job of wicking moisture away from your body. After a 15-minute walk, all you need to do is drop your waders and let the fabric do its thing. These leggings are very fast drying, and you can actually feel the cooling effect on your legs as the sweat evaporates. I’m 6′-2″, 185, and I wear a men’s large. Great stuff! Highly recommended.

My new summer kit. I’m not going to win any fashion points, but no one needs to know that I look like a dork under my waders. I stole this idea from Chris Steinbeck and Pat Dorsey when I fished the South Platte last summer. UnderArmour HeatGear Leggings come with an outer patch pocket, but I’m a lefty and the pocket is on the right side only. Some cheap breathable athletic shorts solve that problem.

Farmington River Report: Potentially dangerous temps for trout

The flows have come down on the West Branch (about 325cfs from the dam and about 450cfs in the PTMA). But all’s not well. As predicted, the ridiculous volume released by the MDC burned through the colder stores at the bottom of the reservoir, and those won’t be replaced for months. Right now, the dam release is about 64 degrees, which is barely trout friendly. The problem is, the farther you go downstream, and the warmer the air temp and the more intense the sunshine, the warmer the water gets.

This is from Torrey Collins on this morning’s UpCountry Sportfishing river report: “(water temperature) rises varying amounts depending upon the day, time of day, and distance from the dam (it reached a peak of 67 degrees in Riverton in the late afternoon yesterday). With a much cooler forecast this week and cooler nights, I’d say you can safely fish downriver as far as New Hartford in the mornings, but by noonish I’d be up at People’s Forest/Mathie’s Grove/Campground & upstream in Riverton where the water temps will be a little cooler as the day progresses and water temps rise a bit. Bring a thermometer with you and actually use it.”

So if you choose to fish for trout on the Farmington, please consult this infographic from ColoradoTU.org:

Stuff I Use: Loon Outdoors Classic Mitten Scissor Clamps

The best fly fishing clamps are the ones that you use without having to fret about the product design or the procedure you’re about to perform. Like the Loon Outdoors Classic Mitten Scissor Clamps.

For years, I carried a hemostat. For years, I was frustrated and bothered by their unidextrous design. I’m a lefty, the hemos were righty, and if you’ve ever suffered through an elementary school art class as a southpaw who was forced to use right-handed scissors, you feel my pain. As a remedy, I carried small needle nose pliers. Those worked, but if they’re buried in a pocket, they’re not handy when you need them — if you’ll pardon the expression — in a pinch.

Enter the Loon Outdoors Classic Mitten Scissor Clamps. They fit neatly in the palm of your hand, and they work whether you’re a lefty or a righty. They work in the gloveless dog days of summer, and in the mitten-encased dead of winter. They lock with a snap — hear them click! — onto a tab or loop on your vest or pack, and they’re not coming off unless you want them to. Best of all, they seamlessly meld form and function, so you’re not thinking, “Here we go again,” when you grab for them. Bravo, Loon Outdoors!

The Loon Outdoors Classic Mitten Scissor Clamps are 6″ long, and are constructed of surgical quality stainless steel. They feature a half smooth/half serrated jaw; hook eye-clearing needle; comfy grip with just the right amount of tack; and locking handles. I own several. Best 23 bucks you’ll ever spend.