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

Farmington River - CT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

57

Orvis Avon's Tip of the Week

Fall is here which means the trout are getting ready to spawn. LOOK OUT FOR REDDS! If you step in a trout redd where fish are spawning you will likely crush many eggs killing future wild brown trout. It's best to avoid tailouts of pools this time of year and shallow areas with a gravel substrate since that is where fish will be spawning. Fishing large yellow streamers can be very productive right if you want to weed out a bunch of the smaller fish.

Directions open in app

Map of Farmington River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Antoine Bissieux

5-Day Outlook as of 10/12/26

Today (October 12th) the flow coming out of the dam in Riverton is normal/low at 190cfs and the Still river is adding an additional 228cfs making for a medium flow of 418cfs in the TMA. Expect flows to gradually decrease as the week goes on.

Techniques & Tips as of 10/12/26

Fishing nymphs, dries and streamers are all good methods to catch fish right now. Streamer fishing improves whenever we see a bump in flows like we just did yesterday which will put some stain in the water. Small BWOs are hatching many afternoons which can produce some good dry fly action. Nymphing can be good throughout the day with patterns like large october caddis larva, Isos, and small perdigons producing fish.

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):
Blue Winged Olive Olive 20-24
Dave’s Oh-So-Iso Slate 12-14
Quasimodo Pheasant Tail BROWN 16-20
Tungsten Twisted Tactical May Brown/Olive 16-20
Jig Sculpin Olive 10
Croston's Micro Sculpin Tan/Olive 12
Traditional nymphs(pheasant tails, princes) brown, olvie, white 16-22
BWO Nymphs Olive 16-20

Blue Winged Olive

A truly simple and proportional dry fly for trout fishing.

2.49

Item #0338

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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:

BWO Caddis Isonychia

Best Time to Fish:

Afternoons

Best Stretch:

Riverton - Canton

Best Access:

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