Water Clarity: Muddy-Green
Water Temperatures: 35-44
Hatches: Stones,
Suggested Patterns: Montana Prince Nymphs #10-14-Black, Kauffman Stones (#8-14) Girdle Bugs #8-#10, Pheasant Tails #10-14), Hare’s Ears #12-14, Bird Of Prey (Olive #12-14) Chicago Overcoat #6-14, Black or Sculpin Colored, Jig Slum Lords (#6-14) Complex Twist Buggers, Wooly Buggers, Zonkers, Sex Dungeons, Headbanger Sculpin, Kreelex. Pink Worms, Egg Patterns.
Hopefully you’ve been able to get out on the water over the past few days! The fishing has remained on the slower side in our neck of the woods but that’s really not a surprise for the time of the year. Sean has gotten into a few really nice wild trout this week on some of the mid sized tribs of the Lamoille and we’ve still been getting some fish in the smaller mountain tribs. Water temps are still on the cooler side, mainly because it hasn’t got too warm yet… With less rain forecasted over the next week things could turn around quite quickly temp wise. A few warmer days with no rain will bump the water temps up a decent amount.
There should be a good number of options this weekend if you plan on hitting the water. Aside from the main Winooski and Lamoille most of the other water in the state should be in relatively good shape. It’ll be high, but fishable. Some of the larger tributaries may have some color but most of them will be clear enough to fish. The higher elevation streams will mostly be running clear and high. Streamers and nymphs are going to remain the go-to methods over the next few weeks. A few anglers have reported seeing a few stones and some sporadic caddis activity but nothing has been looking up yet which is normal for this time of the year. Another good option would be to hit some of the streams that flow into some of the larger lakes. Specifically Magog and Champlain. This time of the year you may run into steelhead, landlocked salmon, or some giant smallmouth. If you’re venturing towards Champ, be sure to check the regs as some of the larger rivers are closed up to the first dam until June 1. Another option would be hitting some of the lakes and ponds in the area. These would best to be fished from a canoe, kayak or boat. Trout, Bass, Pickeral and Pike will all be feeding pretty heavily right now. Streamers such as deceivers, zonkers, clousers and other similar patterns will catch just about any fish that swims!
Good luck to everyone getting out this weekend! Swing on by the shop! We’ve got some killer fly patterns in, new rods, reels and everything else you need to hit the water!! And don’t forget, if you’ve got fishing related questions or gear questions feel free to give us a shout! We’re more than happy to answer questions. (802)-235-7346
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River: Winooski:
Water Temp: 42
Water Clarity: Mud
Last Update: 4/19
USGS FI: 1470
River: Dog
Water Temp: 43
Water Clarity: Greenish
Last Update: 4/19
USGS FI: 311
River: Lamoille
Water Temp 42
Water Clarity: Off Colored but Fishable
Last Update: 4/18
USGS FI: 976