Water Clarity: Clear
Water Temperatures: 60-73
Hatches: Small Stones, Caddis, Light Cahils, Pale Evening Duns, Sulphurs, Hex, Yellow Sallies, Tricos
Suggested Patterns: Stimulators (#12-14) Light Cahils #14-16, PMX #12-16, Elk Hair Caddis, Hoppers, Pheasant Tails, Caddie Shack, Iron Sallies, Tricos
The last week has been a little more of a grind. Low water levels and warm air temps brought most of the trout water temps up quite a bit. Both the Winooski and Lamoille are currently running a bit too warm for trout, that being said, if we get some rain, and cooler temps that are in the forecast next week could be promising. Some of the smaller brook trout streams came up a bunch in water level in the past 24 hours which will make those a much more viable option if you’re after trout. Every time we get a good shot of water the small streams feel like they’ve been “reset” Fish are far more active, less spooky and will be far more eager to eat a fly! Water temps in most of the smaller brooks have not been an issue lately, just tricky with super low flows. The river bass fishing has continued to be decent, hoppers, and poppers first thing in the am, as the sun burns off any fog the fish have been more receptive to streamers and bigger stonefly nymphs. Bass are a great river option when the water temps get too warm for trout. We’ve continued to fish some of the lakes and ponds in the area, not too much has changed on the stillwater front. Still been finding a few bigger smallies willing to eat topwater early in the AM and late in the PM, switching over to streamers on a heavy sinking line as soon as the fog burns off. The largemouth have been a little more willing to stick with the topwater later on into the morning. Running a short, super heavy leader when chasing the largemouth has been helpful, it allows us to pull fish out of the heavy millfoil and lilly pads once they’re hooked, and helps with fewer bite offs from the toothier fish that lurk in the same areas as the bass.
It looks like we’ve got some degree of rain in the forecast everyday for the next week or so (hopefully) along with slightly cooler air temps. Lets hope that forecast remains true (for once this summer) and we see water levels come up and cool off. For those getting out this weekend, brookies will be a good option, as well as going after some warmwater species! Pickeral are another one of our favorite mid summer fish to target, they stay shallow, don’t care about water temps and will hammer flies throughout the day! Good luck to anyone getting out this weekend
On another note, we will be having a Smokin’ September Sale on 9/11, 9/12 and 9/13. There will be a bunch of giveaways, some SMOKIN deals on just about everything in the shop along with some free on river demos, a casting clinic and more!! Douglas will be here hosting a Casting Competition on Saturday, the winner will walk away with a Douglas fly rod, and Lamson will be here with an arsenal of their rods to cast, if you cast a Lamson Rod on Saturday the 12th, you’ll be entered to win a combo from them!!
Stay tuned for more info regarding that sale weekend.
The Fly Rod Shop is Northern Vermont’s finest fly fishing guide service and fly fishing gear retailer. Visit our shop on Route 100 in Stowe, VT or shop our online store to find gear from Simms Fishing Products, Redington, Loon Products, Montana Fly Company, Lamson Waterworks, Winston, Sage, Rio, Scientific Angler, Thomas and Thomas and more
River: Winooski:
Water Temp: 70(AM)
Water Clarity: Clear-dirty below little confluence
Last Update: 7/30
USGS FI: 166
River: Dog
Water Temp: 69 AM
Water Clarity: Clear
Last Update: 7/30
USGS FI: 29
River: Lamoille
Water Temp: 71
Water Clarity: Clear
Last Update: 7/30
USGS FI: 118