October 4th Fishing Report
Temperatures are starting off chilly in the morning and warming up quickly in the afternoon, thankfully all the water we have been on recently has stayed nice and cool during our current low water conditions. Nymph fishing under indicators or with euro rods has been our most productive technique as of late. If you’re able to get out at first light streamers can be a fun way to cover more water. I would expect the streamer bite to pick up if we get some rain. The extended forecast shows the potential for some showers over the next 10 days. If we do get some rain it’s not a bad idea to have some blue winged olives in your box as they tend to hatch on the overcast drizzly days. The number of match the hatch dry fly fishing days is dwindling. On our most recent guide trips we have still found fishing holding in faster water but expect that to change as cold fronts work their way through and fall temps take over.
Some flies to have on hand this time of the year include a full life cycle of blue wing olives, thread frenchies, iron lotus, walts worms, eggs and GTI caddis. If we do get rain I would still plan to fish stoneflies and worms. Our streamer bins are well stocked with lots of different colors and sizes of dungeons, peanut envy’s, dirty hippies and thrashers. Stop into the shop and check out all of our new fall clothing including new waders, boots and jackets from Orvis and Stio.
Previous Reports
A whole lot of recent rain has our rivers high and muddy at the moment. Luckily, the rain, in combination with the stretch of colder weather, has dropped the water temperatures significantly and has allowed a lot of the lower reaches of the bigger water to be able to fished throughout the entire day. The rain will be important with the next stretch of warm weather we’re supposed to be seeing, as it should help to extend our trout fishing season through the warm weather we often see during the end of August and first week of September.
It appears summer has arrived here in central Vermont! What a great time to be outside, I have packed my waders away for the season and most likely won’t take them back out till the fall. For those of you that like to wet wade a good pair of gravel guard socks and quick dry pants are priceless. I like to wear the same boots when I wet wade; these gravel guard socks will fill the same void as your thicker wader booties.
We’re just a few days away from the 16th Otter Creek Classic. There is still time to sign up and grab some support stickers. We have some awesome prizes to give away at the BBQ this Sunday. When I think back to previous OCC tournaments high and cold water seems to be a trend; baring a big rain event this year will be much different. Over this week depending on the river system temperatures have ranged from the mid 40’s to mid 50’s. The mayflies I’ve seen hatching seem to prefer the cloudy/overcast drizzly days. Bug activity seems to peak in the early afternoons.
March FIshing Report
While it may seem like spring has arrived, the last couple years has brought some of the best snow in the month of March. As I write this my weather app is calling for a half inch of rain today. This will bring high off color water for most of our rivers in central Vermont. Use extra caution if you haven’t fished yet this year. With all the flooding seen over the last year many of our rivers have changed. Gravel bars and other places you may have previously crossed may no longer exist.
February 2024 Fishing Report,
Welcome to the first fishing report of 2024! As in years past the fishing regulations have changed to allow for much more catch and release fishing during the winter months. The state does have several special regulation rivers so be sure you double check that the spot you plan to fish is in fact open prior to wetting a line.
Fishing Update: water on the small tributaries is dropping. Clarity is perfect for streamers. Try the best you can to keep your boots dry to avoid walking on or above spawning redds.
The nymphing game can also be great with higher flows. Think heavy junk flies, I will usually fish two opposite colored flies on the same rig. Something bright and obnoxious paired with something more natural. Stop in the shop to stock up before the flows jump with the rain forecasted for this weekend.
General Fishing Report for October 17, 2023
Trout fishing is still good out there, although some fish are starting to make the trek towards the slow side of the current seams. Nymphs are still producing, with some small tan caddis and Blue Winged Olives hatching (mostly on cloudy days, when the air temp warms a bit).
