Good Time To Hit The Water

May 10 in Northern VT can be hit or miss.  This year the day started out slow thanks to a cold night and was on fire by the afternoon.  The next few weeks should be really good here, especially if we get back to seasonal air temps.  

Our river trout here are really responsive to water temps.  In the spring the trout do not bite well at all until the water gets into the mid 50's. Prior to this past weekend, the rivers were very hit or miss though some quality fish were caught. This morning began with a guided trip that was a grind to dig up some fish holding in deep water. The water temp was 52 degrees.  Nymphs and small streamers got the eats, and there was not much for insect activity.  My client had to leave shortly after noon and after a long lunch I got back on the water on my own in the same place we ended the guide trip.  By then, clearly the hendrickson nymphs had begun their drift and fish were eating throughout the water column.  Interestingly enough the profile of the fly seemed most important this afternoon. Dark and bushy was best, though all colors of fly tied with a hackle, or bushy dubbing worked. Slim profile perdigones of the same color and size got almost no eats however.  I was able to get fish on long range dry- double dropper rigs in big water including a nice sized wild brown, but most came tightline nymphing the deepest holes or troughs amongst the riffles (though fish were eating mid water column as well as on the bottom).  Most trout preferred dead drifted flies, though a few came on the swing. More and more will follow suit as the water continues to warm and the trout see more and more bugs.  I did not see any fish rise today, though I saw a nice spinner fall yesterday and I'm sure somewhere out there a nice fish was eating spinners before dark.  

Hatches include Hendricksons and Quill Gordons, a few baetis, brown stoneflies, sized 18 dark caddis, and there are a ton of huge cased caddis on the stones right now.  

Stillwater trout fishing was good back in April when I was out and will continue to be a great option especially if river conditions take a down turn.  I have not gotten out after bass, pike or other warm water fish as of yet.  

I am nearly booked for the next  few weeks, but may be able to work in a few more trips.  My guides have some weekend availability and evening availability over the next two weeks as well.  Give me a shout to coordinate a time on the water.