Here We Go Again!

It's been a great start to the fly fishing season here in VT. April and early May are always a quality vs quantity and you can see above that is the case.  Many good fish have been landed by clients and guides.  You'll see only 1 rainbow trout in the pictures, as they are finishing up spawning and don't eat as well early on compared to the big browns.  That will change soon and I expect we will get some nice rainbows in the mix  going forward as they settle into their spring and summer habitats.  

Right now the big rivers are blown out from the heavy rains this past weekend, but mid sized and small streams are prime. Big rivers should clear up this week.  We had to cancel 2 guided trips this past Saturday.  It is rare we have to fully cancel a trip because rain that blows out rivers generally tends to be more spotty in intensity, and come down shorter and harder meaning we can move watersheds or go up or down in elevation and stream size to find fishable water, but this weekend was an area wide soaking that lasted for two days making everything go up and stay up.  I guided Friday and my clients stuck it out for a full day despite non stop rain and swollen off colored rivers.  We fished until the river was completely unfishable and managed a few nice trout.  The Leff crew proved to be a hearty bunch.  Thanks guys.   

Mayflies, caddis and stoneflies are all hatching.  This week we will see fish feeding in the drift eating nymphs and emergers.  There will be some chances at rising trout for sure.  Hendricksons have been on for a few weeks now in the lower elevation streams and are just getting going in others.  The cool weather last week slowed things down.

This week is gong to be a spectacular week to fish.  Depending on your preferences, many rivers will have been stocked.  This can be good for newer clients,  but a pain if you are looking for wild fish on rivers that get stocked.  Sometimes the wild fish can be hard to find with all the new faces in the rivers.  There are lots of small and mid sized streams that do not get stocked however.  

I expect nymphing to be the most productive method for a bit.  Larger junk flies and streamers will work, and will often hook the bigger fish in the river.  Look for spinner falls at dusk and have a spent wing hendrickson imitation ready to go.  We have some availability both weekdays and weekends. We are also offering some evening trips 4-darkish.  Let me know if you want to get out!