Water Clarity: Clear/Green
Water Temperatures: 39-48
Hatches: Small Stones, Should start to see a few Caddis, Hendricksons shouldn’t be too far off either
Suggested Patterns: Wooly Buggers, Zonkers, Sculpin, Masked Avengers, Girdle Bugs, Montana Prince, Pheasant Tails, Hare’s Ears
Fishing conditions are starting to improve! It’s still been a challenge but we’re starting to see a bit more activity. The warmer weather the next few days should continue to improve conditions as well. Might even see some bugs hatching with a little more consistency Monday-Wednesday. If you can get out on one of those three days, or all three you should! The fish should be waking up a little more with the warmer temps. Those three warm days may put the water temps into the mid 50s! As far as water levels, and clarity go, everything’s in pretty good shape. A lot of the tribs could actually use a little rain, which it looks like we’ll get later on this week. Even the bigger rivers are in pretty good shape at the moment. That’s rare for late April!
For those getting out over the next few days you’ve got plenty of options. The big rivers should be waking up, if you’re going to hit the Winooski or Lamoille focus on the slower, deeper pools. Nymphs and streamers dead drifted should yield the best results. On the mid sizes streams, the same sort of stuff will work, be on the lookout for fish hanging in the tailouts of the pools. It’s not that uncommon to run into big fish hanging towards the tailout of the pools eating nymphs on the warmer afternoons. Be sure to look for a minute or two before you start fishing a pool, often observing for a few will allow you to spot a fish that you likely would’ve spooked had you immediately just started fishing. As for the small mountain streams, with the warm temps the next few days you may be able to get some fish on dries! The lake fishing is also improving quite a bit. Pike are going to be getting done spawning soon, once that happens the fly fishing for them will be spectacular. Bass fishing is picking up as well, the smallies are still pretty deep in most lakes but they should be moving into the shallower water in the next week or so, once they’re in shallow the pre spawn feed begins. Before they bed up, you can experience some of the best bass fishing of the year! The largemouth are already in shallow and willing to play! Lots of options out there right now, remember it’s still early, if you’re striking out, don’t beat yourself up. We’re within a week or so of things picking up a lot!
Keep after it!!
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River: Winooski:
Water Temp: 42
Water Clarity: Green
Last Update: 4/26
USGS FI: 813
River: Dog
Water Temp: 47
Water Clarity: Clear
Last Update: 4/26
USGS FI: 157
River: Lamoille
Water Temp: 44
Water Clarity: Green
Last Update: 4/26
USGS FI: 601