Water Clarity: Clear
Water Temperatures: High 50s-Mid 60s
Hatches: Stoneflies, Flying Ants, BWOS, ISOS, Hoppers, Caddis-Tan/Black, White Flies (Epheron)
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) RS2-Trico #20-22
Things are still in pretty similar shape to prior. We could definitely use a ton of water, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen the rivers as low as they are right now. We’ve spent some time on both the Lamoille and Winooski and are getting into fish. It is concerning how low the water is but luckily we’ve at least got the cooler temps. Both of the bigger rivers have temped between 58 and 62 for us over the past few days. The fish have been in very specific spots with the low water. 90% of the river right now is too low, or lacks enough current to hold fish. They’re definitely line shy right now, don’t be afraid to drop down to 6x when using both nymphs and dries. If you’re throwing larger ISO or hopper patterns don’t though, as your leader will get super tangled up. Swinging soft hackles has continued to be productive for us as well, a small super sparse olive, brown or yellow soft hackle tied on a #16-18 has picked up a good amount of fish in the fast riffles and runs.
Been seeing ISOs coming off in the afternoons along with White Flies (Ephoron) BWOs have been coming off any day there’s some cloud cover which hasn’t been too often, also been seeing them come off towards dark. A few caddis have been around as well, mostly tan along with some black. The dry fly fishing has been good, even if you’re not seeing much for rising fish often blind casting with a #12 parachute adams, cahil or wulf pattern with a smaller BWO off the back has been pretty effective.
It really doesn’t look like we’re going to be getting any rain anytime soon, hopefully that forecast will change but we’ll see. We’ve been getting some calls on the LL Salmon rivers and although there’s fish present its really not worth it. The waters so low right now that most of those fish will be in one or two spots and they’re going to be incredibly spooky and selective. A 6lb LL on 6x with a #20 nymph generally won’t end well for you and that’s what it’ll probably take right now to get one to eat. Let’s all do our best rain dance!! On another note, huge shoutout to everyone that came to the shop this weekend for our pandemic sale! We had a great turnout and some awesome prizes were won by our customers. Big shoutout to Winston, St. Croix, Regal, Scientific Anglers and Fulling Mill for sending us some awesome prizes!!
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River: Winooski
Water Temp: 61am
Water Clarity: Clear
Last Update: 9/14/20
USGS FI: 54
River: Dog
Water Temp: 61
Water Clarity: Clear
Last Update: 9/14/20
USGS FI: 9
River: Lamoille
Water Temp: 59
Water Clarity: Clear
Last Update: 9/14/20
USGS FI: 67