Water Clarity: Clear
Water Temperatures: 60-74
Hatches: Hex’s, Caddis, PMDs, Cahills, Sulfurs, Hoppers, Tricos
Suggested Patterns: Elk Hair Caddis-Tan and Olive#14-16, Rusty Spinners#10-14, PMD Comparaduns#14-16, Light Cahils #14-16, H and L Variant #14-16, Stimulators#10-14, Pheasant Tails #12-18, Hare’s Ear Nymphs #12-16, Montana Prince- Black or Tan, Copper Johns #14-18, Squirmy Worms, Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Moto Minnows
We hope everyone’s been having a good summer and have been able to get out on the water over the past few weeks. Sorry for not getting one of these out sooner, the shop’s been slamming!
The fishing has been good for us over the past few weeks. The trick this time of the year, with the current conditions is to be able to adapt, and target species beyond trout. The trout fishing, specifically on the mid sized and larger rivers hasn’t really been a viable option over the past few weeks due to water levels. That may change this week as we do have a few cooler days in the forecast which may bring the temps back down into the low 60s. As of now, the majority of the Winooski, Lamoille and their main tributaries are flowing fairly warm. Temps first thing in the am have been in the high 60s to near 70, and have warmed up rather quick once the sun pops out. The brook trout streams have been staying nice and cool, and the fish have been quite happy in the higher elevation mountain streams. We’ve been spending a decent amount of time targeting bass on both the Lamoille and Winooski, along with some of the lakes and ponds in the area. There’s still been hexes hatching on some of the local lakes, which can provide some killer bass fishing! The river bass have been willing to hit hoppers, poppers and other larger dry fly patterns as well as streamers and big gaudy nymph patterns. You’ll run into a fair amount of fallfish when targeting smallmouth on the rivers as well. Occasionally some really big ones too!
The lake fishing for smallies has been good with a fly rod early and late. We’ve been having some good success throwing poppers early in the am, and then just as the sun’s going down. The streamer fishing with a sink tip line has kept things interesting as well. A clouser, bugger or zonker has been tough to beat for the bass. The largemouth have been a bit more willing to continue the top water bite throughout the course of the day. Larger frog or mouse patterns, fished in and around the heavy cover have yielded some nice fish!
For those getting out over the next few days I’d plan to either head for the hills for brookies, or try to hit some river or lake bass! Good luck on the water!
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River: Winooski:
Water Temp: 70+
Water Clarity: Clear
Last Update: 7/26
USGS FI: 147
River: Dog
Water Temp: 68am warming as soon as sun hits the water
Water Clarity: Clear
Last Update: 7/26
USGS FI: 23
River: Lamoille
Water Temp: 68
Water Clarity: Clear
Last Update: 7/26
USGS FI: 186