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

Farmington River - CT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

55

Orvis Avon's Tip of the Week

Dries, nymphs, and streamers are all in play now with warming water temps and easily fishable flows. The fishing is great now and only getting better.

Directions open in app

Map of Farmington River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Antoine Bissieux

5-Day Outlook as of 4/18/26

Today (April 18th) the flow coming out of the dam in Riverton is 171cfs and the Still river is adding an additional 256cfs making for a great medium flow of 427cfs in the TMA. Expect flows to stay consistent throughout the week.

Techniques & Tips as of 4/18/26

Nymphing is consistent catching most of the fish. Some of the best patterns to fish right now are #12-16 pheasant tails, #18-20 egg flies (for sucker spawn), and some #16-20 early black stoneflies. Small jig streamers are working well and some anglers are catching nice fish on some larger articulated flies. Look for Hendricksons hatching now in the afternoons anytime between 12pm and 5pm depending on water temps.

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):
Dark Hendrickson Tan 12-14
CDC Caddis Olive/Tan 18-22
Tunghead Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail Brown 12-16
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

Dark Hendrickson

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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:

Hendricksons Early Black/Brown Stoneflies BWOs

Best Time to Fish:

Afternoons

Best Stretch:

Riverton - Canton

Best Access:

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