Hi Folks, Fishing season is in full swing. It has been a cold spring. The water took awhile to warm up. The Lamoille was 61 degrees yesterday afternoon. A couple unusually warm days has heated the rivers up. Water levels are high currently. The clarity has improved since the big rain last week. I have seen very few hatching insects while river fishing the last 2 weeks. Flipping rocks in riffles have not produced many macro invertebrates. A little alarming in my opinion. I have not seen a single mayfly hatch yet. I have been nymph and streamer fishing. Really focusing on picking apart big stable pools. I have been tight line nymphing, swinging streamers, and using a strike indicator with a double nymph rig. Working hard to catch a few wild trout. However, now that the water has warmed the fishing should really turn on. I have always found spring river fishing in Vermont is challenging. A matter of super cold water coming out of winter. Once the water reaches 50 degrees the fishing improves and when the temperature eclipses 55 degrees the bite really improves. The patterns I have been presenting are #10/#12 olive/black wooly buggers, #10 olive and black crystal buggers, #12 Hare and Copper, #10 Tungsten red threaded Prince Nymph, #12/#14 Red Fox Squirrel nymph, #8 Joes Mini Craw, #8 Black Ghost and #8 white crystal buggers. I’m not convinced that the fly is the critical component in spring trout fishing. I think it is more a matter of presenting a fly slowly and in front of a potential feeding fish. Vermont trout streams are not overly rich with food. The fish cannot be overly selective or else they will starve.
Guiding season has begun. I take people out of all skill levels. I am a self described fly fishing teacher. I really enjoy teaching beginners to fly fish. The next 6 weeks is a fine time to get out on a Vermont River and cast a fly! Remember to clean your gear and leave the non-native species at home. Have Fun, Willy
