Water Clarity: Slightly Stained (green) to clear
Water Temperatures: 35-41
Hatches: Small Stones
Suggested Patterns: Chicago Overcoats, Shortstops, Zonkers, Wooly Buggers, Bunny Muddlers, Sculpin, Worms, Eggs, Stonefly Nymphs
We hope everyone has had a great winter and been able to get out on the water here and there! We’ve been out a handful of times but have been super busy here at the shop gearing up for the season. Matt’s over in NY for the month of April guiding for steelhead and so far the trips have been excellent! We’re already booking up for 2027, so if you want to get out with Matt give us a call and we’ll get you in the books!
Fishing conditions have been decent all things considered. No huge pushes of water lately have kept flows on most bodies of water pretty manageable. Water temps are still on the cold side, we’ve found 35-42 degrees in our area. A few fish here and there but nothing super exciting yet. For those getting out this weekend you’ll have quite a few options. We are forecasted to get some rain tonight, that paired with the warmer temps today may bring up water levels a good amount on some of the larger rivers. It shouldn’t affect the small to mid sized stuff too much. We’d be focusing on the larger tribs off the main rivers, think stuff like the Dog, Gihon, Huntington, North Branch etc… This is where we usually run into some of the biggest fish of the year, and it’s often this time of the year. The smaller mountain streams would be a great plan b, and likely provide more action although you likely won’t find much of size. From a fly standpoint, it’s going to be a streamer and nymphing game,. Heavy jig streamers with a #12 stonefly nymph dropped off the back under a strike indicator would be a great way to fish this weekend! Most of the fish should be hanging in the deeper, slower pools since the temps are still cold. Be sure to be thorough when fishing and be sure your flies are down deep! With the cooler temps, the fish will be quite lethargic so you’ll have to get the fly right in front of them.
The lake run fish have arrived in the tribs both off Champlain and Magog, the champlain tribs seem to be fishing a bit better, which checks out given those bodies of water will be a bit warmer than the ones up north. We have gotten a few reports of fish in the NEK tribs though. Over the next week or so, as temps warm up, more fish should continue to enter the rivers coming out of the lakes.
As we get more into the season we will continue to update these reports more and more.
On another note, be sure to mark your calendars for the fly fishing film tour at the Big Pic in Waitsfield. Check the link below for more info and to buy tickets!
https://flyfilmtour.myeventscenter.com/event/Waitsfield-Vt-Trout-Unlimited-Maddog-Chapter-120463
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, Redington, Loon Products, Montana Fly Company, Lamson Waterworks, Winston, Sage, Rio, Scientific Angler, Thomas and Thomas and more
River: Winooski:
Water Temp: 37
Water Clarity: Green-may mud up with the incoming rain
Last Update: 4/10
USGS FI: 1150
River: Dog
Water Temp: 41
Water Clarity: Clear
Last Update: 4/10
USGS FI: 188
River: Lamoille
Water Temp: 39
Water Clarity: Green may mud up
Last Update: 4/10
USGS FI: 1020