The Hatch Guide For New England Streams is a new book by Thomas Ames Jr. This is the first book of its kind to focus solely on insects from this area. Filled with great photography, this book is a must have. 
available in paperback / $19.99

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UpCountry Sportfishing
352 Main St/PO Box 70
Pine Meadow Ct. 06061

Phone:
(860) 379-1952

Email:
UpCountrySports@
Gmail.com


Pat Torrey is our resident Zen Master of nymph fishing. Here is a quick tip from his wisdom.

Blue Winged Olives and the Wet Fly

If you are the type of angler who is looking for a different kind of fall fishing experience, we at UpCountry just might have the answer for you: fish the fall Baetis with little Blue Winged Olive wets.

Almost every afternoon from mid October until the first week of December  the Farmington River has a very consistent hatch of small Baetis mayflies, size 26-28. The extended time frame of the hatch allows the fish to get pretty familiar with this food source. Most anglers fish this hatch with standard dry fly and emerger patterns, which become less and less effective as time goes on.

As an alternative: try fishing the Baetis hatch below the surface with soft hackled wet fly imitations that are seldom used. To paraphrase the late Gary LaFontaine: if you want to catch more fish, fish when other fishermen don’t; fish where other fishermen don’t, and fish how other fishermen don’t.

Blue Wing Olive Wet
Hook: 
Tiemco 100 or 2487

Body: 
Olive brown fur or olive thread

Tail: 
Blue dun wet hackle or brown zelon

Rib: 
Gold wire (optional)

Hackle: 
Blue dun wet hackle

A selection of Pat’s wet fly patterns are available at UpCountry.

 

You'll find Don Butler working behind the counter much of the time, but he also guides, ties flies, teaches classes and holds a record
83 months in a row
  catching a trout on a dry fly on the Farmington River.

Guide Services

One of your best resources when traveling to a new river is the knowledge of a good guide. Dave, Pat, Don, and Fred have over 100 years of fly fishing experience between them and will make your trip enjoyable as well as memorable with their friendly attitudes. Contact us any time about larger groups and company outings. 

Farmington River 

 

The Farmington is an intimate stream with quality fishing year round & one of the few where rising trout can be found almost every day of the year. A true tailwater river, the Farmington runs cold during the summer months protecting the trout, and providing a place for anglers when other rivers dry up. 

Full Day Guide (with lunch )    $250 / one or $275 for two people

    Half Day Guide  $175 / one or $200 for two people

 

Housatonic River 


The Housatonic is large and reminiscent of western rivers. The trout are big and exist on a diet of diverse aquatic fauna. As a result it takes a variety of techniques to be successful. A typical day with a guide may include the use of streamers, nymphs and dry flies.

Full Day Guide (with lunch)   $250 / one or $275 for two people

 

Backcountry Brookie Adventure 

Something different for those of you who want to get away from the river and enjoy the beauty and solitude of the small stream. Stalk wary brookies and browns in waters rarely fished, using small rods and bushy flies. This challenging environment requires special techniques refined by our own staff, but is easy to learn and enjoyable. We have secured access to numerous small streams which vary from remote treasures to nearby places that will surprise you. Due to the miniaturized nature of the equipment, we will provide the rod and reel.   

Full Day Guide (with lunch) $250 / one or $275 for two people

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Send mail to upcontrysports@gmail.com with questions or comments about this web site.