Changes are coming

We have had a rough stretch of weather since my last report, nearly zero rain and hot sunny days have made it tough on our local trout.  Water levels are very low and temps are up.  If you are a die hard trout fisherman there is always an option, though right now they are very limited to small mountain steams.  If you do get out on a small stream make sure you are moving slowly and stealthily, wearing drab colors and make your first cast count.  

With that being said, I still found it rough going with my clients Saturday morning.  We were on the water at daylight and had a nice amount of fog.  We missed a handful of fish on dries with ant patterns, and landed a few wild rainbows on parachute adams and prince nymphs.  Overall it was a rough day as my both of my anglers were good fishermen.  Things are just stale on the water as we have had the same weather day after day after day.  Throwing dries, nymphs and small streamers in every hole that holds fish just didn't produce many takes.

THE GOOD NEWS
1. This heat wave came at the end of August and we had favorable conditions all summer, meaning that the trout were in pretty good shape heading into it and river levels were above average going into this dry spell. Additionally, the days are shorter and nights longer allowing rivers to cool off more overnight than in midsummer.   

2. There are plenty of options to fish for other species.  In fact, Saturday evening after guiding I checked out a new stretch of river low in the watershed with my wife and new baby.  In around 45 minutes right before dark I landed 2 walleye, a bass, a rock bass, a fall fish, and missed a big take on a top water popper.  There were rises, big swirls, splashes, and baitfish being chased into the shallows everywhere.  It was really exciting on the river.  

For the next week or so, or until the weather changes, I will only be guiding warm water species.  We can fish small ponds out of a canoe or the drift boat for bass and pickerel, or we can fish the lower rivers and experience what I just described above.  If that sounds interesting give me a shout and we can get out, either early morning or late evening.

3. It is september, the weather will begin cooling off mid week.  September is my favorite month to fish in VT.  As soon as we cool off and get a push of rain trout fishing will turn on. Brown trout and Brook trout will be on the move and feeding in prep for fall spewing, and rainbows as well will be feeding in preparation for winter.  We also will have a new player in the game.  LL Atlantic Salmon will being moving into a few of our rivers to spawn.  These fish run from around 3 pounds to over 10 and they fight like crazy.  Fishing for salmon is likely not a huge numbers game but it is as exciting as it gets to hook a big Salmon. Steelhead will also be around in smaller numbers.  

Here are a few VT salmon and a colored up brown from last year.