Water Clarity: Small streams are high but clear enough to fish, most of the bigger water is going to be shot for a few days
Water Temperatures: 37-46
Hatches: Small Stones
Suggested Patterns: Chicago Overcoats, Shortstops, Zonkers, Wooly Buggers, Bunny Muddlers, Sculpin, Worms, Eggs, Stonefly Nymphs
Not a ton has changed over the past week. Tricky fishing conditions for sure. The periodic rain over the past few days has been enough to keep everything pretty high and dirty. The anglers that have been successful in our neck of the woods have primarily been focusing on the smaller streams. They’ve had the best clarity and have dropped the quickest after the rain. Worm and egg patterns along with small streamers have had the best results. If you’re looking to break the ice for the season, the smaller mountain streams will be your best bet to catch a fish. If going after fish bigger than 8″ is what you’re after, tomorrow could be a good day to be on some of the mid sized streams. Lots of them came up a lot yesterday, and most likely are not fishable today, but by tomorrow they should have enough clarity to be fishable. Heavy weighted streamers along with big stone flies will be your best bet if the water still has some color.
Alternatively, most of the lakes are iced out so there’s plenty of stillwater options. The lakers and other trout in most lakes will be cruising up near the surface, now’s one of the best times to target them with a fly rod. Any of the lakes that have smelt in them should have a concentration of trout at the mouths of most of the brooks right now as the smelt should be in the process of spawning. A great time of the year to throw a 6wt or 7wt from a canoe with a zonker, ghost or other smelt imitation! The fish should stay somewhat shallow for the next couple of weeks until water temps force them deeper!
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: 38
Water Clarity: Mud
Last Update: 4/17
USGS FI: 3100
River: Dog
Water Temp: 42
Water Clarity: Muddy-should be fishable by sat AM
Last Update: 4/17
USGS FI: 960
River: Lamoille
Water Temp: 41
Water Clarity: Mud
Last Update: 4/17
USGS FI: 3360