17.May: as cat_in_the_hat promised, when I arrived at the Wall at 10:15 after doing a few morning chores, the river was up significantly. It was coffee colored, and full of debris from dead grasses to whole trees, and everything in between. Miguel, Bill C. and John, diehard shadaholics were sitting idly watching the river race past. John had caught one earlier, and they decided to pack it in. Miguel headed for home, Bill and John and I decided to try our luck at Bart's.

The Farmington was up significantly, but well below the road grade. The water was less turbid, and with less debris than the main CT River, but there was little current; it was all but slack. Surface temp was about 63ºF. John started us off with an alewife, and a little while later he hooked, and I netted a middling buck shad, his 2nd for the day. Other than a couple of alewives, that was it. by 1pm, the water was absolutely slack. Bill and John headed for environs elsewhere. I stayed another 1/2 hour or so, and headed for home for some more chores. I did head back to the Wall, but only briefly. I took a few short casts, as the situation had not improved.

I'll try my luck, pretty much daily from Tuesday through Monday. Hopefully the water improves over the next day or so.

Tackle at the Wall:
Rod: 7' one-piece Ugly Stik GX2, med-heavy action
Reel: Penn 4400SS spooled with 15# hi-viz yellow Power Pro.

Terminal tackle: 1-1/2 oz drail over a 4'+ 8# flouro leader, and a hammered silver leaf in red/white w/black dot.

Tackle at the Farmington:
Rod: one-piece Ugly Stik, 4'6" U/L Pro
Reel: Shimano Sahara FJ 1000, spooled with 15# Power Pro (Hi-Viz Yellow).

Terminal Tackle: 5/8 oz drail over a 3', 8# flouro leader, a hammered silver willow leaf, in orange and white with a black stripe, and in orange and white with a black dot, and an undressed hammered copper.

Tight lines!