Fishing Season: January 1 - December 31 (Prime: April 1 - November 1)

Farmington River - CT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

35

Orvis Avon's Tip of the Week

Cold weather is here to stay and the trout have slid into their Winter lies. With Winter here, look to slow down your presentations and focus on some slower moving water. Trout love slow moving runs/pools this time of year, and often hold in water that is moving at a walking pace or slower. Afternoons are a popular time to run into a good bite window as this is when water temps will be at their highest point in the day, this is when you may find some active fish sliding into some slightly faster moving water as well.

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Map of Farmington River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Antoine Bissieux

5-Day Outlook as of 1/5/26

As of today (1/5) the flow coming out of the Goodwin Dam in Riverton is 230cfs and the Still River is contributing an additional 100ishcfs making for a nice medium flow of 300-350cfs in the TMA. Flows should remain stable and gradually decrease a bit as the week goes on. Air temperatures will creep into the upper 30s-mid 40s by mid-week which will make for some more pleasant conditions to fish in. Be careful if you go out on the river this week, ice chunks will be breaking and flowing downriver as temps warm up. Don't stand on shelf ice as you can easily break through into the water below it!

Techniques & Tips as of 1/5/26

Winer season is here and with that comes winter-time tactics. Nymphing is consistent with small flies and egg patterns producing most fish. Small jig streamers are working well too and some anglers are still catching nice fish on some larger articulated flies fished with a slightly slower retrieve. The dry fly fishing can be okay at times as well, winter caddis will still hatch most mornings in even the nastiest weather for the dry fly purists. Midges will hatch many afternoons as well which can bring some nice trout to the surface. Despite the cold weather, we are still hearing some great reports with many anglers only catching a couple fish each outing but many high quality browns are still being landed.

Local Species Available January 1 - December 31 (Prime: April 1 - November 1)

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    Trout

Orvis Avon's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Indicator Parachute - Trico Black 22-24
CDC Caddis Olive/Tan 18-22
Midge Black 22-26
Bead Head Brassie™ Black,Red,Olive 18-24
Jig Sculpin Olive 10
Croston's Micro Sculpin Tan/Olive 12
Quasimodo Pheasant Tail BROWN 16-20
Tungsten Twisted Tactical May Brown/Olive 16-20
Traditional nymphs(pheasant tails, princes) brown, olvie, white 16-22
BWO Nymphs Olive 16-20

Indicator Parachute - Trico

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Item #11YC10

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Orvis Avon's Recommended Gear

Description: About Farmington River

The Farmington River is the premier trout fishery in the state. It is a bottom draw tailwater fishery that creates consistent water temperatures, water flows, and hatch activity. The river from Farmington to Riverton is the most consistent stretch. Down stream the river slows and becomes primarily a warm water fishery. The river is of moderate size. The bottom is consistently softball-sized cobble making wading fairly easy. Access is very good, many roads run along its banks through the best trout water. Encounters with large trout are most consistent within the trout management area. These fish are, however, difficult to catch due to consistent angling pressure. Accurate imitations and light tippets are typically required.

Nearest Airport:

Bradley International Airport

Hatches:

Winter Caddis Midges

Best Time to Fish:

Afternoons

Best Stretch:

Riverton - Canton

Best Access:

Beaver Pool, Hitchcock Chair, Campground pool, Church pool, Ovation,