Hello everyone! I’m glad to be back in the States and sharing some insights with you all from my first week or so back on the water here in Vermont. I will have more information to come as I continue to refresh myself on the water nearby. 

The New Haven has dropped from its higher levels last weekend to 200 CFS at the time of writing. The Otter is still pretty high with levels at 1800 CFS in Middlebury but is starting to drop further south with a reading of 700 CFS around Rutland. The Otter is still fairly off color but the tributaries have shed their rain and cleared at this point. I have seen a fair amount of bug activity in the evenings with some tan caddis, pale evening duns, and some small black stoneflies hatching.

The fish themselves don’t seem to be too picky in terms of what bugs they’re eating. Small streamers in a variety of colors will work well in higher water, with my main preferences shifting to lighter olives and tans from black and brown as the water color clears. Small mayflies nymphs such as hare's ears, pheasant tails, waltz worms have been successful. In the afternoon as bug activity increases, soft hackle nymphs such as blow torches fished on a swing or higher in the column may be the ticket on feeding trout. I managed to have some action on Pat's rubber legs as well. I wouldn’t be surprised as well if as the water drops and clears some fish begin to look up towards the surface and feed on some of the caddis and mayflies that are hatching. 

We are in full swing on the guiding front and will be running trips (as long as water conditions allow) through October. Please call the shop at (802) 388-7245 to get on our guiding calendar for this summer so we can get out there and show you some tips and tricks on our water and put you on some fish! We also have a full selection of flies, terminal tackles, rods and reels, waders and boots, and more at the shop on 56 Main Street in Middlebury, pop in to pick up some gear or if you have any questions.

Tight lines and good luck out there,

Jake Leamon