Northern Vermont's Finest Fly Fishing Guide Service and Fly Fishing Gear Retailer!
Shop

 

Water Clarity: Big rivers are muddy, smaller stuff stained but fishable.

Water Temperatures:  Upper 30’s Low 40’s

Hatches: Black Stoneflies

Suggested Patterns: White and Black Wooly Buggers, Montana Mouthwash, Sex Dungeons, Dream Catchers, Zonkers, Yellow Marabou Muddlers, Black Stoneflies(#4-10), Copper Johns(#12-14), Pink San Juans, Egg Patterns,

 

Things have been pretty quiet for most of the anglers hitting the water this week. A few people have gotten some fish in the smaller streams and a few out of some Champlain tribs. Both the Lamoille and Winooski are a bit too high and too dirty to fish right now. Some tribs are in better shape than others. The Lewis has been dropping considerably and would probably be a good bet in the next few days. I’d imagine that the push of water we had last week got quite a few more steelhead into the river. And now that its at the first good, fishable level since then it could be really good. The tribs flowing into Magog still could use some more time to settle down. There was a flood warning on Tuesday for that area. Definitely going to be late up there which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Streamer fishing is probably going to be the most productive method of fishing. Fish your flies deep and slow, the fish are still going to most likely be in their wintering holes (slower, deeper pools) versus the faster flowing stuff. Sink tip leaders, sink tip fly lines or a couple split shot will help get your fly down to where it needs to be. Nymphing with larger darker patterns like stones and larger pheasant tails can also be productive. If you’re getting out this weekend hit some of the smaller tribs mid morning. We’re supposed to have warmer weather this weekend which may muddy up the rivers in the afternoon or rise the levels too much from snow run off (depending on where you are) Fishing them earlier in the day will allow you to be on the water prior to the increase in water from the warmer mid day temps.  The Little River below the Rez is always a good option too, flows down there shouldn’t be much over 400 which is still very fishable. Over the next couple weeks on warmer days you may even run into fish taking midge flies off the surface. I remember several times down there last April I had a couple fish rising out in front of me which was surprising to see. Naturally, I had no tiny dry flies with me… Over the next week or so it looks like the weather is going to be pretty consistent, temps will be in the mid 50’s for most of the days with a few warmer days in the mix as well. Hopefully it remains that way and we don’t get dumped on with anymore rain or even worse, snow. Good luck out there this 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, Sitka, Redington, Loon Products, Montana Fly Company, Buff, Lamson Waterworks, Sage, Rio, Scientific Angler and more!

River Water Temp Water Clarity Last Update  USGS Fl
Winooski  mid-upper 30s  Muddy 4/13/17  3260CFS @ Montpelier
Lewis  40  Clearing-off color  4/13/17 221 @ Falls
Lamoille  mid-upper 30s  Muddy 4/13/17 2820 @ Johnson