5/24/13-Hit the reset button! It's like early spring all over again out there. The water levels have risen and the air temp is chilly, close to 15 degrees below average. All in all our smaller rivers are in decent shape, so if your looking at a blown out river, head to Middlebury. The next few cold days will bring us back down in water temperature and line up some great fishing.
Before this cold front moved in the fishing was very good. Otter Creek was still fishing very well, after the rain as the level rose, but is now rising and won't clear up for a few days. Both the Midd and New haven were fishing very well, and the hatches were strong in the evenings. I had a great video sent to me of the yellow sally hatch from the New Haven. Combined with a Hendrickson spinner fall, the fish were happy to come to the surface.
The hatch cycle still is ahead of normal and we have so many bugs coming off the water it continues to keep us guessing on what exactly the fish are keyed in on. It had been Caddis, but they seemed to enjoy the Pale Evening Dun nymphs quite a bit, and I had a client out yesterday that caught 5 fish on a stonefly nymph. So be prepared for ever
The last few days I found that the fish were feeding pretty aggressively between 7:30-10:30am and then again starting mid afternoon around 3:00pm and picking up much stronger after 6pm. But I had a hard time in the middle of the day. We may also find that will change with the cold weather and rain.
The pike fishing has continued its upward trend, and we have had more and more reports of topwater fishing being effective. The Largemouth have also started to slam the surface.
We have had a crazy few weeks with guiding, with most of our guides out, but this week we have a few spots open, so if you want to capitalize on the quality conditions give us a call.
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Guiding season is in full swing and if your looking to spend sometime on VT's waters, let us show you around. Whether you want to learn some new water, take a VT driftboat trip, work on your nymphing technique, or try chasing some new species with a fly rod, like Bass or Pike. GMA guides are ready to help you.
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Middlebury Mountaineers FULL SERVICE fly shop can help you with all of your fly fishing needs. We have gear from Simms Fishing Products, Patagonia, Sage, Nautilus, Temple Fork Outfitters, Fishpond, RIO, Loon Products, Cliff Outdoors, Umpqua, Montana Fly Company,
| River | Water Temp | Water Clarity | Last Update | Hatches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Haven River | 59 | Just Off | May 24 2013 - 4:39pm | March Browns, Pale Evening Duns, Caddis, Yellow Sallies, Baetis & Midge |
| Middlebury River | 59 | OFF | May 24 2013 - 4:35pm | March Browns, Caddis, Yellow Sallies, Baetis & Midge |
| Otter Creek | 62 | Off | May 24 2013 - 4:23pm | March Browns, Pale Evening Duns, Sulphers, Caddis, Yellow Sallies, Baetis & Midge |
| Otter Creek | 58-63 | Clear-Just Off | May 20 2013 - 1:34pm | March Browns, Pale Evening Duns, Sulphers, Caddis, Yellow Sallies, Baetis & Midge |
| New Haven River | 57 | Clear | May 20 2013 - 1:20pm | Hendricksons, Quill Gordons, March Browns, Yellow Sallies, Baetis, Caddis, and Midge |
Detailed Fishing Reports
Lake Champlain Tributaries Fishing Report 5/11/13
Submitted by Jesse on Sat, 05/11/2013 - 1:48pm
Date:
Sat, 05/11/2013
Water Temp:
65
Water Clarity:
Just Off
Hatches:
Caddis
Suggested Patterns:
Streamers and Caddis nymphs The BASS are IN and going Crazy. the increase in water levels got the bass what they needed. The streamer fishing has been good, and I even managed a topwater fish on a popper.
Middlebury River Fishing Report 5/11/13
Submitted by Jesse on Sat, 05/11/2013 - 1:46pm
Date:
Sat, 05/11/2013
Water Temp:
62
Water Clarity:
Clear
Hatches:
Hendricksons, Quill Gordons, March Browns, Yellow Sallies, Baetis, Caddis, and Midge
Suggested Patterns:
NYMPHS: Copperback Stones #8-14, Lexy's Sexy #8, Knotty Girl #4-8, Girdle Bug #6-10, Montana Princes #12-16, Psycho Prince #12-16, Copper Johns #12-16, BH Prince Nymph #10-18, Batman #10-14, Hares Ear #12-16, Soft Hackle #10-14, Caddis Larva #12-16, Bh Caddis Pupa #14-18, Gut Instinct #12-16, Pheasant Tail #12-16, Mighty May Sloan Hendrickson #12-14, Little Yellow Sloan #14-18, Kyle's BH Yellow Sally #14-18, Anglecase Baetis #14-18, Juju Baetis #16-18, RS2 #14-18, Snowshoe BWO #14-18, Juans, Eggs & Sucker Spawn, Streamers * DRIES:Dark and Light Hendrickson #12-16, Hendrickson Sparkle Dun #12-16, PB's Quill Gordon #12-14, PB's Ausable Wulff #12-14, Parachute Adams #12-16, BLT #10-14, Sprouts#14-18, Elkwing Caddis, #12-16, Polywing Spinner #12-14, Gould's 1/2 Down #16-18, Yellow Stimmy #14-18 The Midd had cleared up nicely this morning. Most of the suckers have moved out of the system and into the creek. So you can nymph with more confidence. I had some great luck with the golden stone nymph and yellow sally nymph during the higher water. The pocket water has been fishing much better recently and I some of the upper stretches have produced Brookie. Lots of evening hatches.
Otter Creek Fishing Report 5/11/13
Submitted by Jesse on Sat, 05/11/2013 - 1:42pm
Date:
Sat, 05/11/2013
Water Temp:
64
Water Clarity:
Clear-Just Off
Hatches:
Hendricksons, Quill Gordons, March Browns, Yellow Sallies, Baetis, Caddis, and Midge
Suggested Patterns:
NYMPHS: Copperback Stones #8-14, Lexy's Sexy #8, Knotty Girl #4-8, Girdle Bug #6-10, Montana Princes #12-16, Psycho Prince #12-16, Copper Johns #12-16, BH Prince Nymph #10-18, Batman #10-14, Hares Ear #12-16, Soft Hackle #10-14, Caddis Larva #12-16, Bh Caddis Pupa #14-18, Gut Instinct #12-16, Pheasant Tail #12-16, Mighty May Sloan Hendrickson #12-14, Little Yellow Sloan #14-18, Kyle's BH Yellow Sally #14-18, Anglecase Baetis #14-18, Juju Baetis #16-18, RS2 #14-18, Snowshoe BWO #14-18, Juans, Eggs & Sucker Spawn, Streamers
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DRIES:Dark and Light Hendrickson #12-16, Hendrickson Sparkle Dun #12-16, PB's Quill Gordon #12-14, PB's Ausable Wulff #12-14, Parachute Adams #12-16, BLT #10-14, Sprouts#14-18, Elkwing Caddis, #12-16, Polywing Spinner #12-14, Gould's 1/2 Down #16-18, Yellow Stimmy #14-18,
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PIKE:VFG's Indy James, KC's Superciever, Marcum's Butte, Clark's Rat, SRA Double Bunny The Creek has been fishing very well. With a virtual smorgasbord of bugs hatching at different times of the day, you have lots of options. These next few weeks you don't want to miss. The most dry fly oportunity I have seen is in the evening, when the second caddis hatch is and the hendrickson spinners drop.
Otter Creek Fishing Report 5/6/13
Submitted by Jesse on Mon, 05/06/2013 - 11:15am
Date:
Mon, 05/06/2013
Water Temp:
65
Water Clarity:
Just Off, 36"
Hatches:
Brown Stones, Baetis, Hendricksons, Caddis, & Midge
Suggested Patterns:
NYMPHS: Copperback Stones #8-14, Lexy's Sexy #8, Knotty Girl #4-8, Girdle Bug #6-10, Montana Princes #12-16, Psycho Prince #12-16, Copper Johns #12-16, BH Prince Nymph #10-18, Batman #10-14, Hares Ear #12-16, Soft Hackle #10-14, Caddis Larva #12-16, Pheasant Tail #12-16, Mighty May Sloan Hendrickson #12-14, Anglecase Baetis #14-18, Juju Baetis #16-18, RS2 #14-18, Snowshoe BWO #14-18, Juans, Eggs & Sucker Spawn, Streamers
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DRIES:Dark and Light Hendrickson #12-16, Hendrickson Sparkle Dun #12-16, PB's Quill Gordon #12-14, PB's Ausable Wulff #12-14, Parachute Adams #12-16, Sprouts#14-18, Elkwing Caddis, #12-16, Polywing Spinner #12-14
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PIKE:VFG's Indy James, KC's Superciever, Marcum's Butte, Clark's Rat, SRA Double Bunny Otter Creek is in amazing shape right now. It has dropped from over 2000cfs to a surprising 732cfs in about a week. The water is in unbelievable shape. Caddis is hatching and dancing around the store right now. Anglers have reported great evening Hendrickson and Caddis hatches, with some Baetis still. Further the Pike fishing has really picked up on the lower Otter. Above is Devin Wendell's Pike he causght while paddling his Jackson Kayaks Coosa.
New Haven River Fishing Report 5/6/13
Submitted by Jesse on Mon, 05/06/2013 - 10:59am
Date:
Mon, 05/06/2013
Water Temp:
58-62
Water Clarity:
Low and Clear
Hatches:
Hendricksons, Quill Gordons, Baetis, Caddis, and Midge
Suggested Patterns:
NYMPHS: Copperback Stones #8-14, Lexy's Sexy #8, Knotty Girl #4-8, Girdle Bug #6-10, Montana Princes #12-16, Psycho Prince #12-16, Copper Johns #12-16, BH Prince Nymph #10-18, Batman #10-14, Hares Ear #12-16, Soft Hackle #10-14, Caddis Larva #12-16, Pheasant Tail #12-16, Mighty May Sloan Hendrickson #12-14,Little Yellow Sloan #14-18, Kyles BH Yellow Sally, #14-18, Baby Golden #12-16, Anglecase Baetis #14-18, Juju Baetis #16-18, RS2 #14-18, Snowshoe BWO #14-18, Juans, Eggs & Sucker Spawn, Streamers
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DRIES:Dark and Light Hendrickson #12-16, Hendrickson Sparkle Dun #12-16, PB's Quill Gordon #12-14, PB's Ausable Wulff #12-14, Parachute Adams #12-16, Sprouts#14-18, Elkwing Caddis, #12-16, Polywing Spinner #12-14, Goulds Half-down #14-18, Yellow Stimmy #6-18 There is lots happening on the New Haven River. The river received its stocking on Friday. So all of the stocking points are loaded with hatchery fish. We have had great fishing and received great supplementary reports from others that have the fishing from bottom up towards Lincoln being very good, and not just hatchery fish. With the entire system in such good shape, do some exploring.