River Conditions: 5/23/18

Water Clarity: Clear to Stained

Water Temperatures:  Mid 50s to upper 60s

Hatches: Black and Brown Stoneflies, Olive Caddis, Hendricksons, Quill Gordons, BWOs

Suggested Patterns: Pheasant Tails, Black Kaufman Stoneflies, Girdle Bugs, Smethursts 20bomb, Hare’s Ears, Olive Hare’s Ears, Montana Prince Nymphs, Prince Nymphs, Red and Chart Copper Johns, Olive Bird of Prey, Parachute Adams #12-14, Olive Elk Hair Caddis #12-16, Wooly Buggers, Zonkers, Mouthwash, Sex Dungeons.

The fishing has continued to be pretty good over the past few days. The rain we got last night did mud up the Winooski a little bit, it is fishable but definitely pushing it. I went past it this morning so I’m sure it’s even cleared up since then. Should be great to fish tomorrow and Friday. The Winooski was 56 degrees just up from Waterbury on Monday and the fishing was pretty good! The waters still moving pretty swift so the fish may not be in the normal holding spots. Anywhere you get into the swifter water focus on the tailouts and edges. I did much better on monday nymphing the slower deeper pools. Once things drop another couple hundred CFS that pattern will probably change. We’ve been seeing some fish taking dries mid day and into the evening and a few guys coming in have been getting some here and there on top, we’re getting close to some really good dry fly fishing. Over the next few days I’d imagine that the nymphing and streamer fishing will still be the most productive. The weekend is looking a bit soggy but it’s hard to say at this point. Everything should be fishing pretty well over the next few days so get out there. Most of our trips have been doing really well nymphing with Montana Prince Nymphs (Black) Pheasant Tails, Chart Copper Johns and some Stonefly imitations. The streamer bite has been pretty solid too, if the waters dirty run dark flies, if it’s on the clearer side go with something Olive. Good luck to everyone getting out over the next few days.

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