NEW HARTFORD, Conn. — The season is upon them at Upcountry Sportfishing on Route 44 in New Hartford, and that seems to be the case for most of the year.
Upcountry is a fly-fishing specialty store that has been serving its growing customer base for more than three decades – and since the COVID-19 pandemic, its business has only increased.
Torrey Collins, the manager at Upcountry said he often sees fishermen coming to explore the waters of the Farmington River from all over the region.
"You will find on a weekend, license plates from at least eight surrounding states and people have come from Pennsylvania, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Jersey – those are common plates to see on the river," said Collins.
Collins, who lends his expertise to anglers every day, said that around 85% of Upcountry’s business is for Fly-Fishing.
“It’s very gratifying when someone comes in and you pick a fly or suggest a couple of (fishing) spots,” said Collins.
Steve Hogan is one of the fly-fishing guides who is referred by Upcountry, and who takes clients for excursions on the Farmington River.
"This river (The Farmington) is an absolute gem it has got a ton of fish it’s so accessible for everyone…I’d say it is the best trout river in New England," Hogan said.
Hogan was quick to add that just being out on the river is a perfect remedy to the day-to-day stresses that can consume us, “when you are out here you’re not thinking about the mortgage payment or the car payment so it’s very therapeutic and if you are a trout fisherman, trout usually live in the most beautiful places -- which this is.”
To learn more about Upcountry Sportfishing click here.
To learn more about Steve Hogan’s FlyFishTheFarmington.com click here.
Jimmy Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at jaltman@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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