Water Clarity: Muddy to clear
Water Temperatures: 48-58
Hatches: Small Stones, Hendricksons, Caddis,
Suggested Patterns: Wooly Buggers, Zonkers, Jig Streamers, Pheasant Tails (#12-16) Prince Nymphs (#12-16) Caddie Shack Olive (#14-16) Stonefly Nymphs, Copper Johns, Parachute Adams #10-14) CDC Hendricksons (#12-14), X Caddis-Olive (#12-14) Elk Hair Caddis Olive #12-14)
The fishing has continued to improve over the last week, we’ve had a few slower days but overall things have improved. Starting to see a lot more bugs out in the evening as well, seen a mix of Caddis, Hendricksons, and we’ve even seen a few Pale Evening Duns which was surprising to see. A few fish rising, but overall most of the action has been subsurface. Water temps have still been in the upper 40s to upper 50s, a few streams did eclipse 60 yesterday but they will drop back into the mid 50s over the next couple of days. Expect things to really pick up over the next handful of days.
For folks getting out over the next 4-6 days you’ll have lots of good options. The big rivers will be fishable, the Winooski is still a little on the dirty side right now but that will clear up more and more every day. The Lamoille is in great shape right now, clarity is good, flow is up but more than fishable. The mid sized and smaller stuff is also in good shape. Stillwater fishing is another great option for this time of the year. The smallies are in shallow, haven’t seen any on beds yet but that’ll probably change in the next few days. Pickeral and pike are fired up and putting on the post spawn feed, and the largemouth are in shallow as well! Now’s the time to get out regardless of where you venture. For the river anglers, bring a couple rods with you, one to nymph, and one in case there’s a hatch. Having a streamer rod isn’t the worst idea either, if you need a new rod you know where to go…. We’ve been loving the Lamson Guru rods this year, a slick casting rod for around $300! Come cast one this week! For the nymph anglers, bobbers or euro should get the job done, both have a place in the quiver and both will work right now. For the dry fly fishing, be sure to have a handful of different sized and colored caddis, along with a Hendrickson and March Brown imitation. When it comes to choosing what nymphs to throw, don’t overthink it, just about any #12-14 pattern will get the job done right now! Streamers are still catching fish, as water levels drop and water clears, downsize your streamer size and go with more naturally colored flies. Don’t be afraid to run a soft hackle or a nymph off the back of your streamer either! Good luck to everyone getting out, conditions should be great this week!
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River: Winooski:
Water Temp: 55
Water Clarity: Dirty but fishable-should be great by Thursday/Friday
Last Update: 5/20
USGS FI: 834
River: Dog
Water Temp: 54
Water Clarity: Clear
Last Update: 5/20
USGS FI: 155
River: Lamoille
Water Temp: 56
Water Clarity: Slight Tea Color (Perfect)
Last Update: 5/20
USGS FI: 636