Tag Archives: stevecultonflyfishing

Monday Potpourri: media, book, fishing, best Hendrickson soft hackles and wet flies

Happy Monday. It’s finally not stupid cold and snowing/raining. And yet, here I am, sitting in my lonely writer’s garret, writing this, then back to writing the book. Sunshine beckons. On the other hand, writing about fishing as a job doesn’t suck.

If you read yesterday’s Courant, you saw the front-page article about the propose hatchery budget cuts. Yours truly is quoted often.

I’m getting toward the home stretch in the book writing. I alternate days when I think I’m in good shape with those when I project abject terror. Ok, that’s a little strong, but I’ll be happy when I’m finally done. I’m still loving what I’ve written so far, and that counts for something.

I will be getting out to the river this week to do a little more location scouting, and then hopefully an hour or so of fishing. Won’t that be wondrous? Can you believe that I have not caught a trout yet this year?

If you’re thinking about taking a lesson with me, please wait until June. I’m doing only one this month, which is unheard of for me, and I may be doing only one in May, also unheard of.

I’ve said it before, but I appreciate everyone’s patience as I throw my energies into the book. Since it’s almost Hendrickson time, here’s one from the archives for all you soft-hackled fly lovers: The Best Hendrickson Soft Hackles and Wet Flies.

Farmington River Report: Fishing with Torrey, congratulations to Antoine!

In case you haven’t heard, veteran Farmington River guide Antoine Bissieux was just named the 2025 Orvis-Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide of the Year! In addition to being an exceptional guide, Antoine is also a friend and a contributor to the Farmington River book. You’ll get to see a few of his favorite fly patterns, and his wisdom will be sprinkled throughout the text. Congratulations, Antoine. We’re all tremendously excited for you.

From a photo shoot for the book this past August, Antoine patiently scans the water looking for a rise or the signs of a lurking trout. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to draw from Antoine’s knowledge and experience. When we’re out doing these shoots, I’m not only working — I’m also engaging in professional development: watching, learning, and just enjoying being on the river talented anglers like Antoine.

Speaking of anglers who know what they’re doing, I spent Wednesday afternoon on the river shooting Torrey Collins from UpCountry Sportfishing. We had a slow day; a cold front came through the night before, which was strike one. Bug activity was light (strike two) but we did see midges, early stones, and some olives. Torrey was Euronymphing, and we hit the lower end of the PTMA, and then two marks below it. It was a few stocker rainbows until Torrey connected with an archetype wild Farmington brown, a handsome buck in the upper teens. What was eye-opening to me was where Torrey caught him. I’d never fished there before, but I’ve driven past it hundreds of time without giving it a second thought. The more I write this book, the more I learn about the river — and the more you’re going to learn when you read it.

Torrey working the water, expertly covering every seam and hole in the pool. While I’ve fished in far colder temperatures, this was the coldest I’ve been on the river in a very long time. While the bite never really got going, we did our best and I got some excellent shots. Thank you, Torrey!

Re-discovering the Farmington River, or: There’s a lot of sexy water below Collinsville

I spent a good chunk of last Thursday banging around the lower Farmington with Farmington River guide Steve Hogan. (Steve grew up in the area, and knows that section way better than I do.) To say we covered a lot of ground would be an understatement — Steve’s device said we walked 20,000 steps, which, for those of you keeping score at home, translates to over 8 miles.

Exhibit A. So many pockets to pick, so little time.

But the point isn’t that we got some exercise. The point is, man, there is so much incredible water between Collinsville and Unionville! That I’ve fished so little of it boggles my mind. The wet fly possibilities are virtually endless. Yes, you have to walk to get to much of it. Yes, a good percentage of it will be tough wading. Yes, sometimes there’s bushwhacking involved. Yes, there will likely be many spin/bait anglers. And yes, that area can get very trout-unfriendly by mid-June. But I’m licking my chops at the thought of going back and fishing some of the marks that, incredibly, I had never seen before last week.

Virgin water for me. A challenging walk and wade for sure, but I’ll bet it would just be you and the trout!

Swinging with Dave, 2H rods, fishing starting to pick up

I spent last Wednesday afternoon with Dave, who wanted to explore the river and learn how to swing streamers and wets, and give his trout spey rod some action. We hit several marks within the PTMA, both to fish and investigate. While the weather was gorgeous (mid 60s and sunny), the water was still very cold (below 40 degrees in New Hartford). That’s a little chilly to expect significant action on the swung fly. Still, we managed a couple touches, and Dave did a fantastic job casting and managing his drifts. In another time and situation, he’s going to be a dangerous trout-catching machine.

I don’t usually talk about specific pools, but when we hiked into the Boneyard — the gate is still closed — the advantages of the two-handed rod became glaringly evident. Especially if you’re swinging a streamer. Dave was making effortless 60-75 foot casts — well, semi-effortless — and reaching spots most single hand casters would struggle with. Food for thought if you’re considering the 2H rod.

Ed releasing a lovely wild brown his buddy nymphed up. The size of the fins and the fish’s skinny I-made-it-through-winter body told me that it has been in the river for a very long time.

After our session, I went to do some scouting for the book, and I ran into Ed and Drew from the Avon Orvis store. They were nymphing with a couple friends below the PTMA, and having some success. To illustrate how a cold front can squash the bite, I went back the next day to do more recon, and hit the marks where they were getting into fish. Not. A. Touch. The overnight cold front and gale-force winds clearly had the trout in a dour mood.

Still, the fishing is starting to pick up. And it will only be getting better as we get into April. Fish ’em if ya got ’em!

Question of the week: Fishing a 3-fly team on an intermediate line

Back from a weekend trip to the Windy City. I was able to write up a storm in my down time, and today’s a day for other projects. While I was away, this came in the mailbox, and I thought I would share my answer with the group.

Q: Steve, I currently only have an Air Flo intertmediate line …but I want to fish a 2 or 3 fly set up (with) an Orange Ruthless in the marsh …how would you set that up? A: The dropper rig (leader/tippet) portion of the setup would remain the same. You can read about dropper rigs for stripers here. (Note that the tag length in the diagram is probably too short; I’d recommend 6-8″ for the tags.) The elephant in the room is the intermediate line. Since it’s a sinking line, you cannot mend it. And mending is at the core of traditional presentations with a three fly team . (Here’s a good article on the shortcomings of intermediate lines.) Using an intermediate line doesn’t mean that you’re doomed to failure; it just means that you’re going to have limited control over your presentation. Once the current grabs the line, the flies will move at an unnatural speed. But there’s a village idiot in every pool (or marsh, as it were). If you’re fishing the setup on the dangle, in the current straight below you, the intermediate line will not hurt your cause. I’m simply excited that you want to fish the Orange Ruthless, and that you want to try fishing droppers! Good luck, and let us know how you do.

A nice double caught by someone who took my class at the Fly Fishing Show a few years back. He used a floating line, a three fly team, and some small, marshy bait fly patterns. I believe that’s a Grass Shrimp Solution in the mouth on the right.

Fishing with Joe, trout stocking, and finally a weather break!

I gave Joe a wet fly lesson last week — a little early to expect action on a swung fly, but that’s when we had a window. The rain held off, and we enjoyed having vast stretches of the river all to ourselves. The bite was predictably slow, but Joe did a great job with his presentations. I have the highest confidence that he will be a deadly wet fly machine this spring once the Hendricksons begin to pop. Sadly, I saw very little bug activity — not even some courtesy winter stones — only a couple lonely midges.

How Pipeline Pool got its name. I’m working hard on researching accurate information on river access, including parking. Of course, each of you is ultimately responsible for where you park and fish. Pipeline is one of those places where there is plenty of easy access and parking.

The next day, I spent a few hours on river recon for the book — it was blustery and cold and we even had a few sun snow showers to add to the wintry ambiance. But today, it’s warm, and it looks like a decent week to get out and fish. I’ve got more recon time scheduled tomorrow, and hopefully I’ll be able to play a little hooky and wet a line. The river got blasted by that rain last Wednesday/Thursday, but has dropped nicely. What’s more, the state has stocked the Farmington (and a lot of other rivers) — not within the PTMA, but from Hogback Dam down to Whittemore; below the 219 bridge down through Canton; and from Collinsville dam down to Unionville. Enjoy the fresh fish while they last.

Hatcheries update, Yale, fishing, and who ordered this cold weather?

Happy Monday. I suppose I am one of the lucky ones who doesn’t view Mondays as a collective negative. Such is the fortune of working for yourself at a job you love. (Of course, the money stinks, but that’s a different story.)

I’ve learned that at this moment, we’re in a holding pattern with the hatcheries budget thing. DEEP was surprised to see this manifest, and for now it’s just a line item on a proposed budget. When I hear that it’s time to take meaningful action, I’ll let you know, and what your action should be.

Many thanks to the Yale Fishing Club for hosting me last Thursday. We tied some soft hackles, and at some delicious New Haven-style apizza. While I loved the white clam pie, the potato and bacon was on another level of wonderfulness.

Now that’s a bird’s eye view! Many thanks to filmmaker extraordinaire Matthew Vinick for lending his time and fine drone photography skills.

I did manage a couple hours of fishing during last week’s research/photo outing. Total blank. But I’m not surprised, given that fact that there was an active snow melt which was dumping gallons of icy cold water into the system. And today, we have more winter-like temperatures. Thankfully, those are supposed to go away soon.

CT hatcheries proposed cuts, book stuff, Yale Fishing Club

Hi gang. You may have seen it on the inter web, or perhaps gotten an email about possible cuts to the current CT fish hatchery budget. That, of course, would be unacceptable, and, of course, it would also be ridiculous given the revenue that’s generated by licenses and trout stamps. I’m searching for a definitive action step for us to take — who to contact and what to say — and I’ll get that out to you as soon as I have it.

I know I’ve already said this a hundred times, but thanks for your patience with this one-post-a-week stuff. I’m making good progress on the book, Fly Fishing Guide to the Farmington River. My recent focus has been on writing about the water. It’s been challenging since I can’t actually get out to much of it due to snow/ice/frozen/no parking, etc. So I’m writing as much as I can from memory. Even then, I still like to be able to get out and reconfirm what I think I know. Lo and behold, this we have a warm spell! I’m hoping to explore this week.

Finally I’ll be teaching at the Yale Fishing Club this week. What a treat to be able to tutor a new generation of fly anglers — not to mention the New Haven-style pizza I’m going to eat.

Last year. Now, say in your best Thurston Howell III impersonation voice, “…must be a Yale man…”

Looking for your input and feedback for the Farmington River book

Happy Monday. I hope you enjoyed the big game yesterday. I did, along with one of the best cheeseburgers I’ve ever grilled over charcoal. A half-pound, crusty and rare, melted cheddar, sliced red onions and a little mayo. The bun made it even better — it was light and airy, not a dense, congested bread-bomb. Washed down with a lovely IPA. Did I mention the seasoned fries?

To business. Right now, I’m working on the parts of the books where I talk about the river, specifically the descriptions of the water. It’s currently divided into 5 sections along the 22-mile stretch from the dam to Unionville. There will be maps of each section and detailed information.

Here’s where you can help. What is most important to you about these descriptions? There are so many info buckets: access and parking; details of the pool/water; predominant hatches; fishing methods; wading difficulty; comments from guides/expert anglers; seasonal advice; etc. What’s most valuable to you? Please don’t say all of the above. What’s most helpful to me is to prioritize a few of these (and any other you can think of). You can either comment here or send me an email. You may be as detailed as you like. I may not respond to all of them, but I will read all of them. Thanking you in advance. Now, back to work I go.

Antoine Bissieux patiently waits for a rise. This photo was taken in late August, when things were still very green and the river iceless. Antoine is one of several experts whose Farmington River wisdom and experience will be shared in the book.

And that’s a show season wrap!

Many thanks to the CFFA for hosting the 2025 Expo. I had a blast on Tier’s Row, and I managed to escape only one dollar lighter. (Thanks, Antoine, for the freebie!) Thanks also go to everyone who stopped by the table to see me tie or ask about the book.

I had the last speaking slot at 1:30pm, and even though the show had thinned out by then, I still had a full room. I can’t thank you enough if you were in attendance, and I’m grateful for all the questions you asked.

Speaking of the book, I’m back into it full swing this week. I’m grateful to be doing that as I listen to the wind howl through the trees and watch the snow melt. Here’s to some warmer weather (it’s coming!) and some quality time on the water.