Farmington River: Fishing The Spawn - The Fisherman

Farmington River: Fishing The Spawn

fishing
Fishing ethically during the spawning period can lead you to some of the best fishing of the season!

Cold weather trout fishing on the Farmington River.

Among the myriad brooks, streams and rivers of the Northeast there are varying populations of both stocked and wild fish that populate our trout water here in New England. Some smaller streams have populations of only native or wild, stream-born trout. Other rivers are exclusively stocked with fish by their respective environmental agencies or advocacy groups.  These put-and-take-only streams are not known for any natural reproduction, mostly due to conditions that don’t support spawning trout.  Many of our rivers though, host a mix of stocked and wild, stream-born fish.

One of the best-known and most productive among these fisheries is the upper west branch of the Farmington River.  According to the most recent Connecticut Department of Environment and Energy (DEEP) Fisheries survey samples, the upper West Branch of the Farmington River is made up of 40 percent wild fish.  Amongst these mixed populations of trout, anglers tend to hold wild fish in higher regard.  Stream born fish are usually more challenging to catch, fight harder and feature more vibrant colors than their stocked counterparts.  Wild fish are a sign of a healthy, productive fishery supported by clean, cold water and abundant forage.  For these reasons, anglers fishing during the time of the trout spawn should do what they can to support and protect natural reproduction.

For the most part, when we discuss trout spawning and natural reproduction in the Northeast and more specifically Connecticut, we are talking about brown and brook trout.  Brown trout, primarily, represent the bulk of trout reproduction and spawning activity in the Farmington River.

Timing The Spawn

Reproductive activity generally happens during the fall season, when water temperatures are between 48 and 53 degrees with 50 being the magic number. Timing of this event is important. Brown trout on the Farmington begin to exhibit spawning rituals as early as late September when they begin to look for a partner to pair up with.  This activity is often easy to observe as the trout act aggressively towards other trout, zipping around and splashing as they chase each other. Trout also begin to change in appearance as they prepare for the spawn.  They transform in coloration to some degree, often taking on a darker appearance.  Male trout tend to transform into shades of dark copper and even red as they look to attract a mate and signal their readiness for the event.  Eventually, trout will begin to work together to build nests, commonly known as redds.

I spoke with Connecticut DEEP Fisheries Biologist Brian Eltz to learn more about trout spawning behavior and the overall makeup of the Farmington River’s trout population.  According to Eltz, DEEP has conducted observation surveys to determine when the Farmington’s redds are most active. For the most part, the spawn occurs between October 1 and January 1, with reproductive activity peaking around November 1.  Fish may spawn outside of this window but on average, this is peak spawning time for brown trout in the northeast and specifically the Farmington.

When fish build nests for their eggs, you may observe activity in shallow water areas with the “right substrate”.  Generally, this means gravelly substrate in shallow water including riffs and runs.  Eltz noted that redds have been observed in water from ankle, to waist deep, depending on flow and substrate conditions.  Gravely substrate is critical to effective trout reproduction and fish will not spawn in areas that are silty or don’t have the right sized rocks and pebbles they can dig out to make their depression in the streambed. Ultimately, water flow through the redd is what sustains the life of the eggs and newly-hatched fry.

trout
Brown trout will start to change their appearance to attract a mate and signal their readiness for the event.

In The Redd

Trout will use their bodies and tails to dislodge and shift small rocks and gravel out of a portion of the streambed in order to create a depression to hold their eggs and fry.  In fact, fish that holdover, or survive year to year will often show evidence of this activity in scarring on their tails and anal fins.  Eventually, the actual spawning event will take place and the male and female pair will lay and fertilize the eggs.  This pair will stick around the redd for a couple of days to a couple of weeks, keeping guard and chasing any other fish away from the area to protect their clutch.

Redds hold eggs until they hatch and fry will continue to inhabit the redd and the surrounding area.  Elzt explained that in a hatchery environment, eggs hatch in about 44 days in temperature-controlled 50-degree water.  However, in the wild, eggs tend to hatch sometime between February and March depending on the date of spawn and water temperature.  The fry will stay around the redd until their yolk sac is depleted before swimming out on their own, usually during April and May. It is worth noting that the eggs and fry can be pushed around by high flow events and this can affect the success of natural reproduction.  Because the Farmington River is a tailwater, the DEEP works with the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) to manage flows during this sensitive time as best as they can outside of adverse natural events.  Eltz noted that the minimum flows required to optimize the trout spawn are about 110 Cubic Feet per Second (CFS) on the Farmington River and flows in the 250-350 CFS range are ideal.  Rapid rises in river levels, above 500 CFS can be damaging to spawning trout.

Before You Fish

There are currently no regulations governing anglers’ actions related to spawning trout.  According to Eltz, there are currently no discussions to propose or implement any additional regulations regarding spawning trout beyond continuing partnerships with other stewardship agencies to regulate optimum flows.

The Farmington River experiences immense year-round fishing pressure, as evidenced by angler surveys conducted by DEEP Fisheries Division.  These angler surveys are estimates but according to Eltz, the most recent data available estimated over 116,000 angler hours on the river annually.  This puts the Farmington in a class with Candlewood Lake and the Connecticut River amongst the most pressured freshwater fisheries in the state.

While anglers can make their own choices during the time of the trout spawn, any angler that enjoys catch and release fishing for wild and holdover fish should act with care and stewardship of the river during this sensitive time.  It is ultimately up to the individual to make good decisions as to when, where and how to fish during the time trout are focused on reproduction. Some newer anglers may not be aware of the sensitivity of this time and some friendly education of our counterparts can also help the fishery in the long term.

Here are some things to consider and look for during the trout spawn, especially from the start of October through the end of December, and even into February and March if fishing or wading in the Farmington River. Be observant.  Look for trout redds wherever you are going to fish, wade or cross the river.  Redds will often appear as lighter areas of gravel against darker areas and are often somewhat oval in shape.  Take the time to check all areas you plan to fish before casting and wading so as not to interrupt actively spawning trout or stepping on or near a redd.  It’s best to do this from the bank if you can and only takes a second.  Remember that fish may spawn in water from ankle to waste deep so crossing in shallow riffs is not a sure-fire way to avoid redds.  Look before you step.

It is prudent to stay away from fish that continue to stay in one area, especially if they are engaged in active spawning behavior like turning sideways or rubbing together.  Never fish to actively spawning fish.  If you must wade or cross it’s best to move up or down stream, away from both fish exhibiting spawning behavior and well away from any redds you’ve observed.  Try to keep in mind, these are nests harboring eggs and eventually baby trout throughout the winter and early spring months.  Taking mental notes and avoid disturbing these areas to help increase chances of successful natural reproduction.

males
Males will take on copper, bronze and even red tones during their yearly spawning ritual.

Tactics, Presentation & Patterns

I spoke with Derrick Kirkpatrick of CT Fish Guides about fishing the river during the spawn.  We discussed tips on what to look for in terms of protecting spawning fish from interruption and, how to catch fish and increase your chances for success during this time of year.  Derrick is a full-time guide on the river and although he guides fly fishing trips, we discussed tactics and presentations that work for both fly and spin fishermen.

When the fish are in spawning mode, it is critically important not to target actively spawning fish. While fishing near redds can be controversial, there are ways to successfully fish away from these areas without disturbing them.  Casting, drifting, or retrieving your offering near an active redd should be avoided at all costs.

Fish tend to get very keyed in on eggs during and after the spawn so naturally, egg patterns, beads, single eggs and spawn sacs are all top producers from October right through December and the winter months beyond.  On the Farmington River, there is also a decrease in activity of large aquatic insects and other macro-invertebrates that make up the bulk of their diet.  This is another reason eggs, egg patterns and beads tend to work so well during this period.  Because eggs are sometimes washed out of trout redds and into the drift, they will produce anywhere downstream of spawning fish.

If you’re fishing deeper water runs and pools, strike indicators and bobbers are often the best way to naturally present real or artificial eggs.  In this scenario, deep water would be considered anything chest deep and above.  These slower conditions lend themselves to the use of a suspender.  Whether it be a bobber or some kind or a strike indicator, the goal of using a suspender is to give your presentation a natural look as eggs are very light and quite buoyant when compared to some other items that are normally consumed by trout.  Center pin setups work exceedingly well in these conditions as evidenced by their proliferation from Great Lakes tributary fisheries to other places like the Farmington.  It is important no matter what your choice of tackle, even when fishing deeper water to check the areas you are fishing and standing in for evidence of trout redds.

When fishing shallow water riffs, runs, and generally knee-to-waist-deep water, tight line presentations have proven to be a top producer.  This is especially true when fishing eggs and other insect imitations during and after the spawn.  Again, it is important to consider that eggs are lighter and drift more naturally than other food items like bigger bugs or minnows.  Overly weighted egg presentations will drag and float around less in currents and seams  Whether spin or fly fishing, keeping a tight connection to your fly or lure, or bait will result in better success and more hook-ups when presenting eggs or egg patterns in shallow water. Post spawn, egg patterns will work throughout the winter and into the early spring months before the aquatic insect activity really ramps back up with warming water temperatures.

Kirkpatrick also has a few recommendations for handling fish who are already stressed by the physical toll that their natural spawning process takes on them.  Regardless of your preferred method to fish, fly, spin or pin be sure to debarb your hooks.  Barbless hooks make for a much cleaner release are already required within Connecticut’s special trout management areas.  Kirkpatrick also discussed playing fish quickly, not fighting to the point of exhaustion and using a net to seal the deal.  A netted trout can be unhooked and handled without ever leaving the water.  If you encounter fish that are full of eggs or milt it’s a good idea to barely lift them from the water for a photo.  Always use wet hands when handling fish and if you’re looking for pictures, be ready for the shot before the trout comes out of the water so as to get a couple of quick snaps before reviving the fish.

The Farmington is one of the gems of inland Connecticut and offers a unique fishing experience to anglers across southern New England without the need to hop on a plane or drive several hours. While this river can be productive all season long, the spawn and post spawn periods offer anglers of all types a rod and reel option from fall right through the winter. Watch out for redds and respect the fish—the rest will live for a long time in your memory.

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