Water Clarity: Clear-Stained
Water Temperatures: COLD-Ranging from 36-45
Hatches: Tiny Black Stones. Perhaps some caddis or Hendrickson
Suggested Patterns: Squirmy Worms, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Kaufman Stones, MFGA Prince, Jig Buggers, Pheasant Tails (#12-14) Hare’s Ears (#12-14) Strolis Quil Body Jig (#12-14) Montana Prince Nymph-Black (#10-12), Complex Twist Buggers, Montana Mouthwash, Nutcracker #4 Black, Sex Dungeons
The fishing has started to improve over the past week or so. Slightly warmer temps (with a few exceptions) have warmed water levels up throughout the area and gotten some fish to become a bit more active. Our focus has been on the larger tribs of the big rivers still. Been getting into some nice fish with both nymphing and streamer fishing techniques. We’ve also spent some time on tribs of both Champlain and Magog with success on the lake run stuff. Landlocks and Steelhead on the Magog tribs and Steelhead on the Champlain tribs. Over the next week or so as water temps continue to warm up, expect to see smallmouth start showing up on the Champlain tribs. There’s plenty of Suckers in all the streams right now which always have a tendency to become a bit more of a nuisance than anything.
The stillwater fishing is starting to pick up as well. We’ve been seeing both Largemouth and Smallmouth in the shallower waters putting the pre-spawn feed bag on. With the considerably warmer weather we’re going to see next week the pre-spawn bite may be on then off pretty quick. All relative to how quickly the water warms up.
For those getting out this weekend be sure to stick it out over the course of the day. With warmer temps arriving the fish may turn on quite a bit as we get into the later half of the day. You’ll likely see some bugs hatching, perhaps caddis, maybe some Hendricksons as well. Don’t expect to see any fish feeding on them as it’s still pretty early for fish to be feeding on top. With that being said, I’ve talked to three anglers in the past five days that have indicated they’ve been catching brook trout on dry flies in the higher elevation brook trout streams. It’s early but they’ve gotta eat! Bring a couple rods with you if you can. One rigged to fish streamers and the other rigged to nymph fish, wouldn’t be the worst idea to have a few dries with you but again, don’t expect much on that front. We like to nymph a hole first, if we come up empty handed then we’ll throw the streamer in, and even if we do get fish nymphing tossing a streamer in isn’t a bad idea.
Good luck to everyone getting out this weekend!
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River: Winooski
Water Temp: 42
Water Clarity: Green
Last Update: 4/29/22
USGS FI: 832
River: Mad
Water Temp: 44
Water Clarity: Green
Last Update: 4/29/22
USGS FI: 343
River: Lamoille
Water Temp:43
Water Clarity: Green
Last Update: 4/29/22
USGS FI: 806