Summer fishing

Hi Folks, Summer has finally arrived in Vermont. It has been hot and water temperatures have warmed up. It is currently too warm to fly fish the Winooski and Lamoille for trout. The lower sections of the  rivers offer up excellent smallmouth bass fishing. Water temperatures have surpassed 70 degrees. Hard on the trout and they really don’t put up much of a fight in warm water. While the smallmouth come to life. Until air temperatures cool down significantly and night time temps drop, the big rivers will remain off my inventory of places to guide for trout. Plenty of trout fishing still to be done. Small stream fishing comes into its own this time of year. High elevation, shade from big trees, and some spring influence all combine to keep these  brooks comfortable for trout on hot summer days. My tactics in a small brook  is to always work up steam. The water is clear and fish can be spooky as the water levels drop. Fly patterns for small streaming: #10-#14 Royal Chubby, # 12 Rubber  Legged  Royal Trude, #12-#16 Royal Wulff, #14 green bodied stimulator, #12-#16 Green GFA, #14 Goddard Caddis, #10-#12 olive black wooly bugger, and a #8 Whitlock Sculpin.
I  really enjoy guiding smallmouth bass in the summer months. Strong, hard fighting fish that really put up a tussle. I enjoy catching them on the surface. Most of my bass fishing takes place first thing in the morning or late day to dusk. Low light is preferred for surface fishing.  Once the surface water eclipses 70 degrees but stays under 76, I find the smallmouth become very aggressive. Also, the #4-#6 Hexagenia hatch has begun and  that gets the fish looking to the surface. Fly patterns: #4-#8 foam popping bugs in chartreuse, black, fire tiger, and blue, #2-#4 Crease Flies in blue and silver and fire tiger, Any frog colored pattern, and #4-#6 Clouser Minnows.
Summer fishing is about changing directions. Lots of opportunities to fish in Vermont. Remember to clean your gear and keep the non-native species at home. Have Fun, Willy