River Conditions: 4/7/17

Water Clarity: Muddy

Water Temperatures:  30’s

Hatches:

Suggested Patterns: White and Black Wooly Buggers, Montana Mouthwash, Sex Dungeons, Dream Catchers, Zonkers, Yellow Marabou Muddlers, Black Stoneflies(#4-10), Copper Johns(#12-14), Pink San Juans, Egg Patterns,

The opening day of trout season starts tomorrow in VT. Needless to say I think we’ve gotten a little too much rain and runoff in the past couple of days… Looks like the Winooski may jump it’s banks today in some spots, it cranking pretty good right now. There aren’t going to be lots of options this weekend to fish, at least in our area. If you’re trying to get out your best bet will to head way up stream on some of the smaller tribs and you may find fishable water. A lot of the small tribs are still going to be in pretty rough shape. Your best bet to fish these streams would be to use smaller streamers like wooly buggers, #8s and #10s in white and black. Additional weight wouldn’t be a bad idea either, split shot or a sink-tip will help get things down a bit deeper. The extended forecast is looking like it’s going to remain fairly wet. We’re going to have a few really warm days early next week but its looking like most days are going to be in the low 50’s. It’s going to take a little time for things to settle down with the rain that is in the forecast but it will slowly happen. These higher flows are going to get fish into the rivers in the NEK along with some of the Champlain tribs. Once they settle down a little bit it will be game on for VT Steelhead. Aside from that your other good bets are going to be hitting the mid sized tribs such as the Dog river in hopes of tying into a giant. Streamers are going to be the go to style of fly while this water remains dirty and high. As things recede nymphs will also become productive. We always have good luck with Stonefly patterns, bigger Copper Johns (RED) and bigger Pheasant Tails and Prince Nymphs. Good luck to any anglers getting out hitting the water this weekend and be safe!

The Fly Rod Shop is Northern Vermont’s finest fly fishing guide service and fly fishing gear retailer. Visit our shop on Route 100 in Stowe, VT or shop our online store to find gear from Simms Fishing Products, Sitka, Redington, Loon Products, Montana Fly Company, Buff, Lamson Waterworks, Sage, Rio, Scientific Angler and more!