Water Clarity: Clear
Water Temperatures: 52-62
Hatches: Stones, Some Caddis, March Browns, Hendricksons!
Suggested Patterns: Girdle Bugs, Juan’s Kryptonite Cadddis, Pheasant Tails (#12-14), Bird of Prey (#12-14) Montana Prince-Black or Gold (#10-12) Zug Bugs, Prince Nymphs, Wooly Buggers, Zonkers, Jig Streamers. CDC Loopwing Hendricksons, Rusty Spinners, Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis
The trout fishing has definitely continued to pick up over the past few days. The big rivers are in pretty good shape right now, we’ve seen some pretty good hatches of bugs over the past few days. Mostly mid afternoon into the evening. Although there’s been bugs hatching everywhere, the fish haven’t been keying in on them everywhere. The most dry fly action we’ve seen has been downstream of morrisville on the lamoille. Likely due to lake lamoille warming the water up a bit more making the fish a bit more active. Been seeing both Hendricksons and March Browns coming off, a CDC Loop Wing Hendrickson, Parachute Adams or a rusty spinner are all super effective patterns for both of these hatches! Most of the risers have been just below the head of the pool where the drop off is. If the fish aren’t hitting dries nymphs will be the ticket! Pheasant Tails, Prince Nymphs and all the other usual suspects will be catching fish. Be sure to have enough weight on your leader to get your flies down to the bottom and be sure to adjust your depth as you move around! When it comes to nymphing with a bobber, the best approach is to find the bottom first. Run your flies deeper than you think you need to, once you’ve determined where the bottom is (by seeing your indicator hang up, indicating your flies are dragging on the bottom) lower your bobber just enough so your flies aren’t dragging. This is one of the best ways to find fish, it’s also important to do this everytime you change location! The depth won’t always be the same.
The next week is looking like it’s going to be pretty awesome weather wise! Cool at night to keep the rivers from warming up too much but warm enough during the day that we should see some great evening hatches. There may be some mid morning caddis activity but most of it will be from 2-3pm on til dark. Nymphing will be productive in the mornings and nymphing and dries in the evening. Streamer fishing will still be a good option on the bigger rivers in the deeper pools, a 3-5ft sink tip and a wooly bugger should get the job done.
The lake fishing has continued to improve as well, the smallmouth are still for the most part, in their pre-spawn mode which can provide some excellent action. The Largemouth are bedded up on most lakes, and not overly interested in eating. Pike and pickerel are post spawn and putting the feed bag on! A 6wt with a clouser minnow, wooly bugger or small deceiver right now would provide a ton of action on most of the lakes and ponds!!
Regardless of where you end up fishing this week, just make sure you venture onto the water! Good luck and enjoy the week!!!
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River: Winooski
Water Temp: 60
Water Clarity: Stained
Last Update: 5/14/23
USGS FI: 518
River: Dog
Water Temp: 58
Water Clarity: Clear
Last Update: 5/14/23
USGS FI: 106
River: Lamoille
Water Temp 59
Water Clarity: Clear
Last Update: 5/14/23
USGS FI: 322