Water Clarity: Clear-stained
Water Temperatures: 58-72
Hatches: Small Stones, Caddis, Light Cahils, Pale Evening Duns, Sulphurs, Hex, Yellow Sallies
Suggested Patterns: Wooly Buggers, Zonkers, Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, Iron Sallies, Bird of Prey, Sulphurs, PMDs, Elk Hair Caddis, Yellow Stimulators
Conditions have been all over the place the past week or so. Big rivers fished well for a couple days prior to them getting warm. The Winooski and Lamoille aren’t good options at the moment for trout with temps where they’re at. They should cool off a little later on in the week (hopefully) If you are going to head out for trout be sure to bring a stream thermometer with you!! The small stream fishing has been excellent over the last week, the charges of rain we’ve been getting have only helped out the small streams. The brookies are looking fat and happy from the higher flows we’ve had and they’ve been very willing to eat a bushy dry! Stimulators, Swisher’s PMX and micro chubbies have all been catching a pile of fish! The time of day hasn’t really seemed to matter in the smaller streams either, although the mosquitoes have been pretty relentless after 6pm! We’ve been spending a lot of time on the lakes and ponds in the area going after the Hex hatch. A great alternative this time of the year to river fishing! A canoe, kayak or boat is handy to have when pursuing this hatch. We’ve mostly been targeting bass but have ran into a handful of trout as well during the hex hatch. Keep in mind, if going after this hatch it is LATE! Matt ran a trip the other day from 6pm-10ish PM and they had a great time. The first few hours was mostly stripping hex nymphs and streamers but around 9pm the hex’s came out in full force!
For those getting out over the next few days, you’ve got a few options. Small stream brookie fishing will be good, also a great way to stay cool! You could also go hit some of the lower reaches of both the Winooski and Lamoille to target smallmouth bass! There’s plenty of bass in both these rivers are you get closer to Champlain, and they’re a great alternative to trout. And of course, like we mentioned above, go fish a Hex hatch! They should continue to hatch over the next couple of weeks in our neck of the woods! Good luck and stay cool!
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River: Winooski:
Water Temp: 69 (AM)
Water Clarity: Stained
Last Update: 7/3
USGS FI: 654
River: Dog
Water Temp: 68 AM
Water Clarity: Clear
Last Update: 7/3
USGS FI: 108
River: Lamoille
Water Temp: 70
Water Clarity: Stained
Last Update: 7/3
USGS FI: 337