The landscape while fishing on Vermont rivers is improving every day. October always brings big changes for the fly fisher. Great scenery, cool air and water temperatures, less people on the river, the opportunity to target fall spawning fish, less hatching insects, and days when the wind is blowing so many leaves into the water that you can’t stop hooking them.
Rivers up and down the state are cool and clear. Temps on the bigger waters is on either side of 60 and we haven’t had much rain lately so they are clear and running at below average levels. The long range forecast indicates that conditions will remain the same with small chances of precipitation and cooler air temps.
The opportunity to catch fall spawning fish is well underway. Landlocked salmon, Brown and Brook trout are all spawning right now. The lower end of tributaries to Lake Champlain are a good place to target as well as some interior lakes. Steelhead and even lake trout will follow these species up stream to gobble up there eggs, so you never know what you might hook up with. 
Many folk put the rods away in favor pursuing game during Vermonts opening of many hunting seasons. I like to do both, which makes things a little tough are my household. If you are still looking to get out, more people will be where the salmon fishing is good. Most other sections you should have to yourself.
This time of year, the number of aquatic insects hatching are becoming few. The main focus now if BWOs. These bugs like cool weather. throw in some rain/ fog, and you’ll stand a chance of a good hatch. Be prepared to fish dries in size 20-26. Better yet, drift some emergers and nymphs in sizes 16-20.
With the lack of insect movement, other aquatic species become a bigger food source. Streamers become much more attractive now. White, yellow, orange and pink are great fall colors. Incorporated those colors into large nymph patterns as well.