Water Clarity: Clear
Water Temperatures: 55-70
Hatches: Hoppers, Yellow Sallies, Tricos, Flying Ants
Suggested Patterns: Iron Sallies, Smaller P Tails, Hare’s Ears (both olive and natural) X Caddis, Flying Ants, Hopper Patterns, Foam Beetles, RS2s,
Hard to believe it’s already almost the end of August. The fishing lately has improved but we need some serious rain. Our saving grace right now is the cooler air temps. The upper sections of both the Winooski and Lamoille have been in the low 60s over the past few days, as you get further down stream they do get a bit warmer. With the low flows, water temps are warming up quick, we saw a 5 degree temp swing on the Winooski between 7am and 11am. 61 at 7am and 66 by 11. Did run into some trout, and they looked pretty happy and healthy. Most of our fishing has still been geared towards bass although we have spent a few days on the upper ends of the Winooski and Lamoille with success for trout. The brookie fishing had been decent, although water levels are continuing to drop on the smaller streams which has made things a bit more tricky. We’ve seen a few mediocre flying ant hatches over the past week or so, we should see some better ones over the next couple of weeks so make sure you’ve got a handful of black and cinnamon bodied flying ants in your box. Still been seeing some tricos although that’s likely winding down. Should start seeing ISOs in the next week or so.
The lake fishing has continued to be productive, most of our luck has been with largemouth. Working articulated streamers along the end of weed beds, and in pockets within the weeds has gotten us some ferocious bites. Frog Poppers and mouse flies have also drummed up some interest. River bass fishing has also continued to be solid. Bigger hoppers, beetles and Stimulators have been good in the morning and evening. Jig wooly buggers, clousers and muddlers have worked well once the sun has come up.
For those getting out this week you’ve got a few options. If you’re getting out early in the AM, you could certainly poke around on the bigger rivers, be sure to bring a thermometer with you but temps should be reasonable in the AM. As temps warm up, head further down stream and go after bass, or head up into a small brookie stream somewhere! Now’s a great time to take out a canoe or kayak and go after Pickeral! They love attacking flies and put up a great fight, and don’t mind hanging in shallow water all summer. A great species that’s often overlooked. Good luck to those geting out this week!
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: 62(AM)
Water Clarity: Clear
Last Update: 8/24
USGS FI: 86
River: Dog
Water Temp: 62 AM
Water Clarity: Clear
Last Update: 8/24
USGS FI: 18
River: Lamoille
Water Temp: 69 in johnson, cooler above Morrisville
Water Clarity: Clear
Last Update: 8/24
USGS FI: 87