CTFishTalk.com: Hockanum River - Connecticut Trout Fishing ( CT Trout Fishing ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

RobO · Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 285 Location: South Windsor

Every year I get so excited for opening day... It is like Christmas day for me when I was a child.

Last year I was supposed to head out with my pals on opening day but ended up with the stomach flu the night before and had to cancel. It broke my heart not to be able to go...

So this year I was excited and pumped about heading to the Farmington on opening day. That is until a buddy of mine told me he didn't want to go there due to all the flooding and high waters. We had fished a spot of mine before in high water and didn't catch a thing. I understood where he was coming from and since I had to bail last minute last year, I decided not to give him a hard time.

So we decided to hit up a local river (Hockanum) to try and catch some of the brookies. Apparently they stock this river. I have lived near it all my life and have only seen a handful of fisherman on it. I have never fished it before.

So we decide since we don't have to drive out to the Farmington River, we would go to Cabela's at 4am and check out their breakfast buffet. The food was good, the service was not.

So we went to the Hockanum and began fishing/ walking (no idea where the fish might be) and we spent most of the day hiking from potential spot to spot. It was a slow day for me only catching two big brookies (both safely released). I probably walked 5 miles and learned a lot about where the fish were not..

HOWEVER, I did win the sweet raffle prize at Cabela's at 5am.. A Cabela's 50th Anniversary Custom Glass Rod (fly fishing) and case.... Problem is I have never fly fished and don't really know much about it. I always wanted to learn and I guess this is a sign it is time to start..

So if any of you are willing to educate me on how to fly fish I would be more than willing to listen and learn. Let me know if any of you would be interested in taking me out and giving me some pointers..

Thanks,
RobO
_________________
I'd rather be fishing, than sitting here in front of this computer,,,

DirtyDawg10 · Joined: 27 May 2009 Posts: 2238 Location: Granby, CT

Hey...nice job on the free gear. You do know however that nothing is free and when you get hooked on fly fishing and buy all new flies and fly fishing gear they will have made their money back and then some Wink

j/k have fun!!!

RobO · Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 285 Location: South Windsor

DD,
As soon as I won it I was excited. Then reality set in and I realized that by winning this new fly rod it will soon cost me hundreds to get the rest of the fly fishing stuff I will need to get out there and try it. (reel, backing, tippets, flies, etc.)

But hey, you only live once.
_________________
I'd rather be fishing, than sitting here in front of this computer,,,

DirtyDawg10 · Joined: 27 May 2009 Posts: 2238 Location: Granby, CT

It is definitely better than buying all that stuff AND a new fly fishing rod. You just have to think of it that way.

steve b · Joined: 13 Dec 2010 Posts: 26 Location: union, CT

robo,
that is cool you won the rod, nice rod too. I will be more than glad to give you some pointers. drop me a message mabe we can set soemthing up.

Steve
_________________
there is no ho like a coho

RobO · Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 285 Location: South Windsor

Steve,

I think I just might take you up on that offer..

Thanks.
_________________
I'd rather be fishing, than sitting here in front of this computer,,,

KS1980 · Joined: 22 Apr 2011 Posts: 42

I heard Cabelas was pretty crowed for 5 in the morning. That is cool it was worth your time by winning some gear. I have some fly fishing equip that was passed on to me so at some point I will have to learn. Where abouts on the Hockanum did you fish? I forgot that it is stocked.

RobO · Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 285 Location: South Windsor

KS,

Actually Cabelas was really empty at 5:ooam. There must have been maybe 20 customer in the entire store there. That made the raffle odds much better in my favor.

First we tried fishing near Adams Mill and then walked the river towards Vernon.
_________________
I'd rather be fishing, than sitting here in front of this computer,,,

chud059 · Joined: 29 Mar 2011 Posts: 413 Location: Manchester

I live near the part of the river accross from east catholic high and where it's parrallel with I-84...there is a walking trail there, I always see people there but never think to fish it. I have fished near the corner of hilliard and state road but always seem to get snagged there. Down near the exit 60 off ramp there seems to be a spot that maybe kayak/canoe launches there that seems fishable...

asianfisher · Joined: 12 Jan 2009 Posts: 920

will go out with you sometime with the fly rod sometime..... pick a time and place and i'll see if i can get there... would like to go to the farmington tho. Or the quinnipiac

steve b · Joined: 13 Dec 2010 Posts: 26 Location: union, CT

rob,
was nice to meet you sorry I had to leave as quickly as I did, had to work last night 2:00am. I hope you had fun and learned something. That was a nice rianbow you released not bad for your first try. I have to say you are a very quick learner.

Steve
_________________
there is no ho like a coho

RobO · Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 285 Location: South Windsor

Thanks Steve.. Check out my post about the adventure under the title (First Timer: Fly Fishing) under the fly fishing category (which seems to get no traffic on this web site)..
_________________
I'd rather be fishing, than sitting here in front of this computer,,,

KS1980 · Joined: 22 Apr 2011 Posts: 42

I will check that out cause I am thinking about trying to fly fish this weekend at some point.

Passinthru Outdoors · Joined: 22 Feb 2011 Posts: 142

Plenty of decent fishing in the hocknum. Its a TMA from Rt 84 in Vernon - gold land all the way down to where it goes under Rt 84 again in East Hartford. Get out and explore.
_________________
“Don't tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don't tell them where they know the fish.” Mark Twain

Visit my Blog at: www.passinthruoutdoors.blogspot.com