Water Clarity: Clear
Water Temperatures: 55-70
Hatches: Small Stones, Caddis, Light Cahils, Pale Evening Duns, Sulphurs, Hex, Yellow Sallies
Suggested Patterns: Stimulators (#12-14) Light Cahils #14-16, PMX #12-16, Elk Hair Caddis, Hoppers, Pheasant Tails, Caddie Shack, Iron Sallies,
Things have continued to be decent over the past week or so. Water levels are super low, we could definitely use a good shot of rain, looks like we may get a little today but we need a 2-3 day period of good rain to bring levels up. That being said, water temps are about as good as they can be for the end of July. Both the Winooski and Lamoille have ranged from 60-65 over the last handful of days, with little deviation in water temp over the course of the day. The fishing has been solid on both the Winooski and Lamoille, we have had a couple of slower mornings, but overall it’s been good! Most of our time has been on the Lamoille and Winooaki over the past week, most of the fish have been taking nymphs, although we’ve gotten a handful of fish on dries. The water below the bolton dam was 64 the other day at 11am, and the Lamoille in Johnson was 64.. Can’t beat that for July temps. The water below the little river on the Winooski has quite a bit of color, the Little has been super muddy all summer so expect dirty water below the confluence. These temps should hold true for the next couple of days, by Saturday PM, temps may start creeping back up as we have some warmer temps coming in Saturday. If you can get out in the next couple of days, go! Still be sure to bring a thermometer but it’s certainly worth getting out. With the super low water flows don’t be afraid to do some exploring as well! Lots of hard to reach spots are very accessible right now if you’re not afraid to walk a little ways.
Aside from the river fishing, we’ve still been getting out on the lakes for bass quite a bit, lots of the smallmouth lakes are getting tricky with a fly rod as lots of the bass are working into pretty deep water. We’ve still been seeing some hexes coming off though, so that’ll bring them up to the surface. Plenty of largemouth action, they’ve been hanging in the thick weeds and have been eager to hit a popper! The small stream fishing has been tricky with the super low water flows. That will pick up once we get a shot of rain!
Good luck to everyone getting out over the next few days!
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River: Winooski:
Water Temp: 63(AM)
Water Clarity: Clear-dirty below little confluence
Last Update: 7/22
USGS FI: 244
River: Dog
Water Temp: 62 AM
Water Clarity: Clear
Last Update: 7/22
USGS FI: 43
River: Lamoille
Water Temp: 62
Water Clarity: Clear
Last Update: 7/22
USGS FI: 136