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

Farmington River - CT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

54

Orvis Avon's Tip of the Week

Water temps are dropping and the bite window can vary depending on weather conditions. Water temps will be highest in the afternoons which is oftentimes when you will have your highest levels of success. Small BWOs are still hatching some afternoons along with winter caddis in the mornings.

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Map of Farmington River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Antoine Bissieux

5-Day Outlook as of 11/30/23

As of today (11/30) the flow coming out of the West-Branch Reservoir is 237cfs and the Still River is flowing at 165cfs making for a nice medium flow of 402cfs in the TMA.

Techniques & Tips as of 11/30/23

Streamers and small nymphs are going to be the main focus as we make our way through fall. Please watch out for redds and spawning fish!! Brown trout love spawning in tailouts of pools and areas with pebble sized gravel so it is a good idea to avoid wading and fishing these areas all together throughout November and early December. There are plenty of other areas that will hold plenty of active non-spawning fish. A variety of different patterns will produce fish and this is an excellent time to fish a large articulated fly on a 6 or 7wt rod. The small-medium sized streamers will also produce some nice fish and small jig streamers fished on a euro rod are deadly. Nymphing is a great choice on the river with a variety of different caddis larva and small perdigons being great choices. Eggs are a main food source for trout as well so make sure to have some of those on hand.

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

  • Fish Icon

    Trout

Orvis Avon's Recommended Fly Patterns

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

Name: Colors: Size(s):
CDC Comparadun Olive 20-24
CDC Emerging Caddis tan/olive 14-16
CDC Budding Emerger Olive 20-24
Tunghead Stonefly Brown 8-12
Jig Sculpin Olive 10
Croston's Micro Sculpin Tan/Olive 12
Tunghead Pheasant Tail Jig Brown 12-16
TH Cased Caddis Tan 12-16
Traditional nymphs(pheasant tails, princes) brown, olvie, white 16-22
BWO Nymphs Olive 16-20

CDC Comparadun

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Item #733F

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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:

Caddis Small BWOs Midges

Best Time to Fish:

Afternoons

Best Stretch:

Riverton - Canton

Best Access:

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