River Conditions: 5/18/17

Water Clarity: Clear-Stained

Water Temperatures:  52-60

Hatches: Black/Brown Stoneflies, Mothers Day Caddis, Hendricksons, Quil Gordon

Suggested Patterns: Wooly Buggers (Olive and Brown-#4-#8) Zonkers, Muddler Minnows (#4-#8) Sex Dungeons, Pheasant Tails (#12-16) Copper Johns (#12-16) Prince Nymph (#12-16) Black Stones (#8-10) Two Tone Stone, Anderson’s Bird of Prey (#12-14) Morrish Hotwire Caddis (#14-16) Adams (#12-14) Olive Elk Hair Caddis (#12-16)

Everything is in great shape right now. Both the Winooski and Lamoille are at great levels right now and have just a touch of color to them from the rain we got the other day. The temps in the larger rivers have came up quite a bit and are nearing 60. That will change after today as the air temps are going to drop after the storms move through this evening. Hopefully we don’t get too much rain as the rivers right now are perfect for the weekend. If we get a significant amount of rain the Winooski and Lamoille may come up too much. Lately we’ve been getting most of our trout on nymphs. A wide range from #18 Pheasant Tails up to #6 Gold/Tan Stones and everything in between. Been seeing Hendricksons hatching along with some sporadic Caddis, Stoneflies and some Quil Gordons. Not many fish feeding on top from what we’ve seen but they are looking up in some bodies of water. The fish have also moved out of the slow water with the increase in temps and we’ve been finding fish in all types of water now. Riffles, pocket water, deeper runs and pools. Fish all types of water and you may find a pattern in the particular river you’re fishing that may not hold true to the river on the other side of the mountain. The pike fishing is turning on too! It was slow for us earlier this week but Frank just texted me and said they’ve put some fish in the boat today and it seems like things have turned on. The lake bass fishing will be in full swing now as well. In lots of places the bass are getting on their beds and may be in the process of spawning. When fly fishing work anywhere you know there’s gravel. Particularly with smallmouth bass they will spawn on gravel in anywhere from 2 feet to as deep as 10 feet. Often times you can spot them which makes it even more exciting! Streamers like wooly buggers, Montana Mouthwash (small mouthwash) and cl0users all work well. A fly with a little weight that gives you a little bit of a jig action can be clutch. The Clyde has been ok for Salmon from what I’ve heard. Fished it on Monday and hooked two adult salmon but didn’t land either of them. One was on a white articulated baitfish right at my feet and the other was on a #16 Pheasant tail. There’s definitely fish in there, there’s quite a bit of water in there (591cfs) which made it a little tricky. Overall the fishing should be fantastic! If you’ve got chores this weekend or work, it might be wise to blow it off and go fish! I think four guys so far today took the day off from work just to get out and fish!! Good luck!!!

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