Water Clarity: Clear
Water Temperatures: High 50s-Mid to upper 60s
Hatches: Stoneflies, Caddis, Olive/Tan Caddis, Light Cahills, Sulfers, Hex
Suggested Patterns: Pheasant Tails (#12-16) Prince Nymphs (#14-18) Hare’s Ears (#14-18) Yellow Sparkle Soft Hackles (#16) Joca’s Caddis Pupa (#14-16) Hotwire Caddis (Tan #16) Parachute Adams (#12-16) Light Cahills (#12-14) Blonde Wulfs (#12-16) Elk Hair Caddis #14-18) X Caddis (#14-18) CDC Sulfurs (#16-18)
Things have changed considerably since our last report. Sorry it’s taken so long, been super busy here at the shop with new inventory coming in every day! Don’t forget the shop is back open for biz. Hours are 9-6 Mon-Sat and 9-5 on Sunday.
Water temps are warm and water levels are low. The trout fishing over the past few weeks has been pretty limited for us. Mostly brook trout and bass fishing. The brook trout fishing is pretty tricky right now as water levels are super low and the fish have been wicked spooky. If you plan on going to chase brookies find ones that have more elevation drop which should provide larger pools as thats where they’re going to be. Try to stay out of the water as much as possible and make longer casts than you’d normally make for brook trout. Downsizing dries and using lighter tippet will also be beneficial. The river bass fishing has been pretty good, lots of fish on dead drifted hoppers and stimulators along with poppers being twitched back in. Not many fish over 15″ but a 10-15″ river smallie puts an awesome bend in the rod. The Hex hatch has begun on some of the local lakes and if you’ve got some kind of water craft you should be getting in on the action. Late evening into complete darkness is when you want to be on the water. Trout and Bass will be chowing these giant bugs on the surface late in the evenings for the next 2-4 weeks. Regardless of the hex hatch, the bass fishing on the lakes has been pretty productive lately too, the bass are post spawn and the sallies are moving into deeper water so targeting them at first and last light on the lakes near us has been the most productive while they’re still in shallower water. The largemouth bass fishing has been pretty good as well, topwater flies around lilly pads and even in the real heavy vegetation (weed guard necessary) Leech, baitfish and other streamers will work well if they’re not feeding on top.
It does look like we’re going to get some much needed rain over the next four or five days, hopefully we get a ton, the big rivers are the lowest we’ve seen them in a while and these hot air temps are going to start taking a big toll on them if things don’t change soon. We’re also going to see some cooler air temps which will be a nice change.
If you’re gonna go trout fish be sure to bring a thermometer. In the meantime, go chase some bass! Also keep in mind we’ve got some great tailwater rivers to fish within 3 hours or so of Stowe so if you really want to get your trout fix consider taking a day or two to go fish some new water!! Good luck to everyone getting out this weekend! Lets all do our best raindance!
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, Buff, Lamson Waterworks, Sage, Rio, Scientific Angler and more!
River: Winooski
Water Temp: 71am
Water Clarity: Clear
Last Update: 6/25/20
USGS FI: 187
River: Dog
Water Temp: 68
Water Clarity: Clear
Last Update: 6/25/20
USGS FI: 33.8
River: Lamoille
Water Temp: 72am
Water Clarity: Clear
Last Update: 6/25/20
USGS FI: 157