5/20/13-It was quite a weekend on the local water here in central Vermont. With last weeks cool down the water returned the 50's and was slow to warm up. Combined with the rain that is expected, and next weekend cool daytime temperatures we can expect fishing to remain good, if not great. In the last week we had 7 guide trips in, and each of them did have some solid fishing conditions and reports. Otter Creek continues to be the waterbody which has offered the best fishing throughout the day, though the Midd and New Haven did produce some notable fish this weekend. Most of the guides said that the fishing was a bit slow in the early morning but picked up noticeably as the temperature in the morning rose rapidly, somewhere between 8-9am.
The Caddis have been the most reliable of hatches, starting just as the air warms up. You could choose between the 3 different kinds of caddis that are coming off, but we aren't seeing much for surface feeding at that time of day. Caddis pupas underneath are the best way to go. The mayfly activity seems to be concentrated in the second half of the day. The amount of different kinds of mayflies coming off the water right now is almost staggering, but has given all of the trout lots to eat. Most of the luck I have had with dry fly fishing is finding rising fish in the evening and sight fishing to them.
When the water sorts out this rain we are having expect the next few weeks to be great fishing. We will have good levels and great air and water temps for the Holiday weekend. We do have a few open dates for guiding in the next week so give us a call if you want to get in on the action.
Pike fishing has gotten better and better. Some constant fishing through the weekend and the extra water in the system should ensure the continuing upward swing.
The shop just a whole new load of flies, including dry flies, streamers, and some Vermont Fly Guys' warmwater fish snacks. Stop in and check out the best speciality fly selection in central Vermont.
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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
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
Middlebury River 58 Clear May 20 2013 - 1:17pm Hendricksons, Quill Gordons, March Browns, Yellow Sallies, Baetis, Caddis, and Midge
White River 56 Clear May 20 2013 - 1:13pm March Browns, Yellow Sallies, Baetis, Caddis, and Midge
New Haven River 56 Clear May 17 2013 - 12:57pm March Browns, Pale Evening Duns, Sulphers, Caddis, Yellow Sallies, Baetis & Midge

Detailed Fishing Reports


Otter Creek

Water Temp: 
50's
Water Clarity: 
Muddy
Hatches: 
N/A

The Otter will need a few days to clear up and come down a touch. If you want to it, Use large Stonefly nymphs, Attractor flies, San Juans, and large bright streamers.

Otter Creek

Water Temp: 
60
Water Clarity: 
Typical Otter, Just Off
Hatches: 
Baetis, Caddis, Midge
Suggested Patterns: 
BH Golden Stone Nymphs #8-#12, BH Black Stones Nymphs #8-#12, 20 Inchers #8-#12,PT's #12-#20, Batman Princes #12-#18,Olive Hares Ear Nymph #14-#18, Bird of Prey #14-#18, Unwired Caddis Orange #14-#18, Skinny Skin Caddis Emerger #14-#18, Serindipity Olive & Tan #12-#16, CDC Bubble Back Emerger #16-#18,**Angel Case Emerger #14-#18**, RS2's #14-#22. Olive Soft Hackle #16-#22 DRIES: Parachute Adams #12-#20, Adams #12-#20,Parachute Tricos #18-#22, Sunken Trico #18-20, Trico Spinner #18-#22, Beatis #16-#22, Beatis Cripple #16-#20, Parachute BWO #16-#20, Griffiths Knat #18-#22, Black Knat #18-#20, Elk Hair Caddis #14-#18, X-Caddis #14-#18, Orange Stimmy #12-#18, Goddard Caddis #12-#18, Vermont Caddis #12-#18, King Kong Golden #6-#8, Fat Albert Hopper #6-#10, Chernoblys #6-#10,Patachute Ants #14-#18, Double Bunnys BLK/WHT 0/2-#4, Bow River Buggers #4, Wool Head Sculpins #2, Muddy Buddys(Seriously, Try these out!)

The creek has fished very well!! I would suggest to make some time to get out and fish it. Lots on the menu. Top water, nymphing and streamers have all brought not only fish, but sizable fish to hand. Look for mid-day and overcast day Baetis(BWO) hatches, Evening and some morning Caddis. Bright streamers work very well, I have had lots of luck with yellow and chartruse, But have taken fish on natural colors too. If your nymphing, swing your drifts.

New Haven River

Water Temp: 
59
Water Clarity: 
Clear
Hatches: 
Baetis, Caddis, Midge, Tricos
Suggested Patterns: 
PT's #12-#20, Batman Princes #12-#18,Olive Hares Ear #14-#18, Bird of Prey#14-#18, Unwired Caddis Orange #14-#18, Skinny Skin Caddis Emerger #14-#18, Serindipity Olive & Tan #12-#16, CDC Bubble Back Emerger #16-#18, Angel Case Emerger #14-#18, RS2's #14-#22. Olive Soft Hackle #16-#22 DRIES: Parachute Adams #12-#20, Adams #12-#20,Parachute Tricos #18-#22, Sunken Trico #18-20, Trico Spinner #18-#22, Beatis #16-#22, Beatis Cripple #16-#20, Parachute BWO #16-#20, Griffiths Knat #18-#22, Black Knat #18-#20, Elk Hair Caddis #14-#18, X-Caddis #14-#18, Orange Stimmy #12-#18, (your favorite Caddis Pattern HERE!)King Kong Golden #6-#8, Fat Albert Hopper #6-#10, Chernoblys #6-#10,Patachute Ants #14-#18. (Your favorite streamer pattern here!)

Had a client out on Monday the 20th. That morning we saw an enormous amount of Tricos at Dog Team. The fish were responding on top to small dry patterns, thought they were not to selective of which ones. There is plenty going on downstairs right now. Both Caddis and Baetis emerger patterns are very effective right now. The fish are also eating plenty out of the middle of the water column, so you can get away with not being on the bottom. Swing all of your drifts, even maneuver them above and below that down stream rock. Clean up with your streamer.

Otter Creek is fishing very well

Water Temp: 
66
Water Clarity: 
Typical Otter
Hatches: 
Caddis, Iso's, Baetis
Suggested Patterns: 
Black Stone Nymphs #10-#12,Golden Stone Nymphs #8-#12 Girdle Bugs #10-#12, Tungsten BH Soft Hackle #14-#16, Olive Hares Ear Soft Hackle #14-#16, Princes: Standard, Montana, Batman, Purple, Red, Blue #14-#18, Hares Ear Nymphs(Olive & Standard)#14-#18, Angle Case Emerger #14-#18, Bubbleback Emergers #14-#16, Snowshoe Emerger #14-#16, Bird of Prey #12-#14, Skin Caddis Emerger #14-#16, Unwired Caddis Emerger, #14-#16, Sparkle Caddis Pupa#14-18, BH Serendipities #12-#16, RS2's #14-#20,Copper Bob's #12-#18 (Green, Red, Copper, Black) San Juan Worm, Streamer Patterns. DRYS: Adams #12-#20,Para Adams #12-#20, Female Adams #12-#16, White Wulff #10-#14, Cahill #12-#16, Elk Hair Caddis #12-#18, X Caddis #14-#18, Purple Crystal Stimmi #12-#16, Yellow Stimmys #12-#18, Griffiths Knat #18-#20, King Kong Golden, #8-#10, Fat Albert #6-#10, Floater in the Pool #8-#10, Para Hoppers, Foam Beetles, Ants

I'll just say that the fishing has been great on the Otter. You should definitly check it out!

New Haven River

Water Temp: 
63
Water Clarity: 
Just Off, soon to be clear
Hatches: 
Caddis, Baetis, Small Sulphers, Midge
Suggested Patterns: 
PT's #12-#22, Princes: Standard, Montana, Batman, Red, Blue, Purple #14-#20, Hares Ear Nymphs(Olive & Standard)#14-#20, Angle Case Emerger #18, Bubbleback Emergers #14-#16, Snowshoe Emergers #16, Skin Caddis Emerger #14-#16, Unwired Caddis Emerger, #14-#16, Sparkle Caddis Pupa#12-18, BH Serendipities #12-#16, RS2's #14-#20,Copper Bob's #12-#18 (Black & Green) San Juan Worm, Disco Midge Larva #18-#22, Streamer Patterns Natural Colors when clear water, Bright when off. DRYS: Adams #14-#20,Para Adams #12-#20, Female Adams #14-#16,White Wulff #12-#14 Para Baetis #16-#20, BWO #16-18, BWO Zelon Cripple #16-#18, Elk Hair Caddis #14-#18, X Caddis #14-#18, Purple Crystal Stimmi #12, Yellow Stimmys #10-#18, Griffiths Knat #18-#20, King Kong Golden, #8-#10, Fat Albert #6-#10, Floater in the Pool #8-#10, Para Hoppers, Foam Beetles, Ants

This is such a fun time to work some of those long slicks and runs on the New Haven with dry flies. I found myself last year standing at the tail of a 30 yard pool watching splash to Caddis and sip Baetis. I was able to pick a couple fish out at a time on different patterns. It was amazing to watch this pool boil and splash for over an hour. The Brookies are getting some color and the fishing up higher has been great too. The lower section will be a fun place to work streamers, and as usual Dog Team will be a great place to find fish moving out of the Creek.