Fishing Report - 10/16/26
It finally feels like fall, and we’ve gotten some significant rain at last. The high water has the fish taking advantage, and the bite has been better for it.
Tomorrow looks a bit cold, but air temperatures should climb back into the 50s and 60s next week, which should warm the water back up. Water temperatures have been fairly consistent in the mid 50s across most of the water I’ve been on recently. The New Haven is at 100 CFS as I write this, but with rain continuing through the afternoon, I’d be shocked if it doesn’t bump back up to at least a couple hundred. The Otter in Middlebury is running at 900 CFS and will likely hover around 1,000 through the weekend, which is probably too high to fish the lower stretches. Down in Rutland it has dropped to 350 CFS and is in much better shape.Visibility is slightly better than I expected, with two to three feet in the tributaries, though you’ll need to stay conscious of your drifts so they land in the right slots to find feeding fish.
Fish are shifting into slightly slower holding water, so be sure to get your flies down to the middle of the water column and be persistent with your drifts and rigs in likely areas. They don't seem to be quite as opportunistic right now and may need a little coaxing. Making sure your drift moves at a slow enough pace seems especially crucial to picking up eats. I’ve had a couple of fish eat on the 7th or 8th drift in the same spot. Midday and early afternoon may be a better option than early morning or late evening, since sun on the water tends to increase bug activity and makes fish more willing to move and feed.
In late season muddy water, dark streamers, eggs, worms, mops, and other junk flies will likely be the ticket. When I fish a natural pattern, I usually go with something bright, with some added color, in a size 14 or so. If the water clears up, prince nymphs, October caddis, and smaller olive streamers have all been working for me recently prior to the rain.
Keep in mind that it’s spawning season for the browns and brookies, so please avoid stepping or casting near redds while you wade. Lookout for clean, cleared out gravel patches, especially in the tributaries. Giving them space lets the fish spawn and keeps the population healthy.
Stop by the shop at 56 Main Street if you need to pick up some flies or any other gear. If you need some recommendations about what water to target or what tactics to use, please feel free to ask. We’ve moved some of the larger packs and other fishing equipment next door to make room for winter gear, but if there’s something you’re looking for, we can help you find it over there. We’re also coming into the final two weeks of the guiding season, so if you’d like to fish in the fall foliage or pick up some late-season tactics, call the shop to book a trip as soon as possible.
Tight Lines,
Jake
Previous Reports
It’s looking like we will have a string of favorable weather here over the next 10 days. Air temps are predicted to reach into the 40’s. With this warm up it’s no surprise to see rivers opening up and some little black stones crawling around in the snow at the water’s edge.
My ideal early spring fishing conditions start in the mid 30’s and end in the upper 30’s. With this much snow on the ground, warmer temps will cause the snow to melt which will stain and drop the water temps.
Otter Creek Classic 17 April, 11-13th 2025
https://www.mmvt.com/fishing/otter-creek-classic
https://flyfilmtour.com/film/2025-fly-fishing-film-tour-official-trailer/
Temperatures are starting off chilly in the morning and warming up quickly in the afternoon, thankfully all the water we have been on recently has stayed nice and cool during our current low water conditions. Nymph fishing under indicators or with euro rods has been our most productive technique as of late. If you’re able to get out at first light streamers can be a fun way to cover more water. I would expect the streamer bite to pick up if we get some rain. The extended forecast shows the potential for some showers over the next 10 days.
A whole lot of recent rain has our rivers high and muddy at the moment. Luckily, the rain, in combination with the stretch of colder weather, has dropped the water temperatures significantly and has allowed a lot of the lower reaches of the bigger water to be able to fished throughout the entire day. The rain will be important with the next stretch of warm weather we’re supposed to be seeing, as it should help to extend our trout fishing season through the warm weather we often see during the end of August and first week of September.
It appears summer has arrived here in central Vermont! What a great time to be outside, I have packed my waders away for the season and most likely won’t take them back out till the fall. For those of you that like to wet wade a good pair of gravel guard socks and quick dry pants are priceless. I like to wear the same boots when I wet wade; these gravel guard socks will fill the same void as your thicker wader booties.
We’re just a few days away from the 16th Otter Creek Classic. There is still time to sign up and grab some support stickers. We have some awesome prizes to give away at the BBQ this Sunday. When I think back to previous OCC tournaments high and cold water seems to be a trend; baring a big rain event this year will be much different. Over this week depending on the river system temperatures have ranged from the mid 40’s to mid 50’s. The mayflies I’ve seen hatching seem to prefer the cloudy/overcast drizzly days. Bug activity seems to peak in the early afternoons.
March FIshing Report
While it may seem like spring has arrived, the last couple years has brought some of the best snow in the month of March. As I write this my weather app is calling for a half inch of rain today. This will bring high off color water for most of our rivers in central Vermont. Use extra caution if you haven’t fished yet this year. With all the flooding seen over the last year many of our rivers have changed. Gravel bars and other places you may have previously crossed may no longer exist.
February 2024 Fishing Report,
Welcome to the first fishing report of 2024! As in years past the fishing regulations have changed to allow for much more catch and release fishing during the winter months. The state does have several special regulation rivers so be sure you double check that the spot you plan to fish is in fact open prior to wetting a line.
Fishing Update: water on the small tributaries is dropping. Clarity is perfect for streamers. Try the best you can to keep your boots dry to avoid walking on or above spawning redds.
The nymphing game can also be great with higher flows. Think heavy junk flies, I will usually fish two opposite colored flies on the same rig. Something bright and obnoxious paired with something more natural. Stop in the shop to stock up before the flows jump with the rain forecasted for this weekend.
