Vermont's  Finest  Fly  Fishing  Guide  Service

Current River Conditions

06-30-2009

 The  White  River:

Water Temperature:   62 Degrees

River Flow:    2240 cfs  &  Falling

Water Clarity:   Clearing

Wading Conditions:   Difficult


The  Ottauquechee  River:

Water Temperature:   66 Degrees

River Flow:    59 cfs &  Falling

Water Clarity:   Clearing

Wading Conditions:   Moderate

 

Got' 'em McGotty with a lunker main stem bow. 9-25-08

Fishing Report

The rain continues, making the fishing tough.  When the flows are favorable, the fishing has been good.  You may have to do some traveling around the watershed to find those favorable flow now.  The brooks or tributaries will be the way to go this week as wading will be difficult on the White.  Don't give up hope.  The trout are there and hungry if you can get a fly down to them!

See you on the river!

Attention!

State fisheries biologists have confirmed the existence of the aquatic nuisance called Didymosphenia Geminata in the White, Mad, Battenkill and upper Connecticut rivers.  This species has the potential to cause severe habitat degradation, leading to declines of fish populations in the effected areas.  It can be easily spread from one stream to another on boats, waders, wading boots, clothing, flies, fly lines etc.  This diatom, otherwise known as "rock snot" can only be stopped by strict adherence to cleaning and removal methods.  The entire White, it's tributaries and branches are now posted at nearly all access areas informing you how not to spread and how to remove "Didymo".   Please refer to this web site for more in depth information or contact Trout on the Fly directly:

 Didymo Cleaning Methods

 LOCAL  WEATHER

How does the White's flow effect the fishing?

Under 200 cfs:  During the fall, the dry fly fishing can be exceptional on the entire river at these flows, if you capitalize on the abundant BWO and midge activity.  In warm weather, water temperatures can become a major issue.  Fish early in the day and concentrate on the riffles that empty into deep pools.  The mouths of the tributaries and places where springs enter the river will hold trout when water temps creep into the 70's.  Don't forget about the smallmouth in the lower river, they are excellent sport on the fly rod!
200-500 cfs:  These are the conditions we see the most during the regular season.  Levels are optimum for wade trips, but float trips are confined to the lower river (below Royalton) where excellent populations of trout and big smallmouth bass exists.  Wading is relatively easy, but inexperienced waders will find a staff useful in the riffles.  The trout will be in their normal lies and fishing should be great.  Go for the bass when water temps are an issue.  Throw a big streamer and hold on!
500-1200 cfs:  Superb flows for a drift trip from Bethel downstream to West Hartford.  Wade fishing can be equally productive, but be prepared for some challenging river crossings when the river is at 750-1200 cfs.  The trout can be anywhere.  Large nymphs and streamers will consistently put trout in the boat.  These are common conditions during late spring/early summer.
1200-2800 cfs:  A drift trip is about your only option at these flows anywhere on the main stem of the river, unless you want to spot hop the pools.  At the upper end of these levels wading can be downright dangerous.  The good news is, the Third Branch and the Ottauquechee River are now options for floating in addition to our normal areas on the main stem.  Throwing big streamers to the banks or deep nymphing the runs can produce some impressive fish.  The angler who can cast quickly and accurately should see a great deal of action.  Five or six weight, fast action rods with heavy tippets and a lot of weight are the norm.  These are typical conditions during the early season and my favorite drift boat flows for big trout.  The wading angler should find a tributary or try the headwaters of the White or it's branches.

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