Hi Folks, The fishing has been pretty good the last few weeks. August was not the typical hot dry month. Damp and cool which is fine in my world. Generally, I lose 50% of my guiding water during July and August. Our big rivers the Lamoille and Winooski become too warm to trout fish. This summer has been wet and cooler than average. I think the set up for Fall fishing is great. The higher water levels have not adversely impacted our wild trout. The fish we have been catching lately have been fat and healthy. We had similar summer conditions last season and the trout fishing fall in late September to early October was terrific. Water temperatures have ranged from 59 degrees to 62 degrees in the big water tributaries I have been guiding. The small brook fishing was fantastic for August! Water temps. in these small trout environments have ranged from 54 degrees to 60 degrees. The dry fly fishing in the small brooks has been very good. Patterns that have worked are #10-#14 royal chubbys, green chubbys, orange ,orange chubbys, #10-#12 rubber legged royal trude, foam ant patterns #14-#20, #10-#14 green and tan GFAs, #12-#14 royal wulff, #14 green bodied stimulator, #16 red dry humper, #14 red madame , #14 Goddard caddis, #16-#18 olive caddis pupa, #12 red thread tungsten prince, and #8-#10 olive black and sparkle green tungsten wooly buggers. Hatches have been sporadic. Currently there are numbers of #18-#20 micro caddis hatching. Lots of #8-#12 stone fly shucks on rocks, and a few #20 sulphers at dusk. Still terrestrial season with #14-#22 flying ants and lots of hoppers. Hoping to see some #12-#14 Isonychia. Yet to appear. The bass fishing has been very good. Lots of big fish looking up. I’m a bit of a top water snob. I like catching smallmouth bass on the surface. Late afternoon bass fishing has been solid. Water temps. in the lakes and rivers I’m guiding are between 66 degrees and 72 degrees. Fishing in the shade is important when pursuing smallmouth on the surface. We are locating big fish on rock points, around submerged islands, and the edges of duck weed that drop off quickly. In rivers, the smallmouth like the slow stuff. Big eddies, slow deep pools, and back water areas. Rocks and boulders are the cover. For patterns: #6-#8 Blue, chartreuse, yellow google bugs, #6 blue, black, chartreuse block heads, #4-#6 frog deer hair patterns, #2-#4 fire tiger and blue crease flies, and an assortment of foam popping bugs. The fishing should remain solid. September into early October is a fine time to fish in Vermont. Remember to clean your gear and keep the non-native species at home. Have Fun, Willy
