Water Clarity: Muddy-Clear
Water Temperatures: 55-65
Hatches: Brown and Gold Stones. Tan/Grey Caddis, Cahils, Yellow Sallies, Hoppers, Flying Ants, Tricos, BWOs, ISOs
Suggested Patterns: Light Cahils-16-18, Blond Wulfs (#12-16), Adams-16-18, Micro Chubbies-12-14, Orange Stimulators 10-16, Griffith Gnats 18-22, RS2 (BWO) #20-22, Flying Ants #12-18, Soft Hackles 12-16 (cream and yellow colors) Pheasant Tails-14-18, Prince Nymphs-16-18, Copper Johns-16-18, Trina’s Micro Stone-14-18, Anderson’s Bird of Prey-14-16.
More rain!! Just what we needed!! The big rivers are still pretty full at the moment, the Winooski may need a few more days before it’s in good shape to fish, the Lamoille is fishable now, it’s high but there’s spots to get in and swing streamers. Just be careful while wading.
Prior to the push of water we had been able to get on the bigger rivers, there’s still a decent amount of both wild and stocked fish in both the Winooski and Lamoille which is good to see given the summer we had. There will definitely be pockets of water here and there that will seem to be void but the general consensus is that there’s fish to catch! We had good luck swinging soft hackles, both weighted and non weighted soft hackles seemed to work quite well. Aside from that, traditional nymphing rigs had picked up good amounts of fish. Still seeing a few ISOs out here and there, but mostly BWOs at this point. Be on the lookout for good hatches any drizzly or cloudy days-mid day seems to be the best for these hatches, on clearer, brighter days they tend to hatch much closer to dark.
Over the next few days focus on the larger tribs of the main rivers. Rivers like the Gihon, Dog, North Branch and the upper reaches of the mainstems will all be good options. The flows will be up but the water will be clear and the fish should be happy! For those getting out this weekend, the bigger rivers should be in great shape, the Winooski below the Bolton dam may still be a little high but it should be fishable. The Lamoille should be perfect by Friday/Saturday. We are getting to the time of the year with the water temps that the fishing may be a little better mid day into the afternoon. Sleeping in and hitting the water mid day is never a bad idea once the water temps start to drop a bit below 60.
Good luck to everyone getting out over the next few days!! Enjoy the fall conditions and higher water flows!
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River: Winooski
Water Temp: 60AM
Water Clarity: Muddy
Last Update: 9/21/22
USGS FI: 1050
River: Mad
Water Temp: 58
Water Clarity: Clear
Last Update: 9/21/22
USGS FI: 242
River: Lamoille
Water Temp 59 am
Water Clarity: Stained
Last Update: 9/21/22
USGS FI: 732