Water Clarity: Small Streams in good shape, some mid sized tribs in good shape, winooski is brown, lamoille is high and tea colored
Water Temperatures: 45-55
Hatches: Hendricksons, Caddis
Suggested Patterns: Stone fly nymphs, montana prince nymphs, Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, Squirmy Worms, Copper Johns, Wooly Buggers, Zonkers, Complex Twist Buggers, Sex Dungeons, Jig Streamers
The fishing conditions have been hit or miss over the past week. Significant rainfall last weekend brought most of the water in our neck of the woods up enough to where they were not fishable for a good chunk of last week (excluding the smaller brook trout streams) With that being said, we had a few good days towards the end of the week on the mid sized streams. Running into both fresh stockies, along with some great looking wild trout. Streamers definitely seemed to be the most productive for us last week. The hot color seemed to vary based upon water clarity. The dirtier the water, the darker the fly, black and brown stand out far better in muddy water than white!
As far as current conditions go, everything is still pretty high. The Winooski is super dirty still-hopefully it will clear up a bit between today and Wednesday. The Lamoille is fishable, although it is high so if you’re venturing out be sure to be careful while wading. Water color on the Lamoille is a tea color at this point, plenty of clarity to nymph or throw streamers, you may find a rising fish in the tailout of a big pool but I wouldn’t count on it for the next day or two. By Wednesday afternoon conditions could be favorable for some dry fly fishing in the bigger rivers if the water levels continue to drop.
For those getting out today and into this coming week, things are looking good. All of the smaller mountain streams are in good shape, water temps are cool enough I wouldn’t anticipate many fish eating dries. The mid sized stuff is mostly in great shape right now, the mad is still on the high side but pretty much every other mid sized trib in the Winooski and Lamoille drainages are fishable. Some of those may provide dry fly opportunities in the next day or two when the sun pops out and warms the water up a little.
Good luck on the water!
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River: Winooski:
Water Temp: 52
Water Clarity: MUD
Last Update: 5/25
USGS FI: 1330
River: Dog
Water Temp: 55
Water Clarity: Clear
Last Update: 5/25
USGS FI: 288
River: Lamoille
Water Temp: 53
Water Clarity: Tea Colored
Last Update: 5/25
USGS FI: 1030