The opener for trout season came and went this past weekend. There isn’t to much interest in it here in Vermont. It’s not even mentioned on the news. The biggest thing about it is the Otter Creek Classic. Which is a catch/photo/release tournament that started out on open day weekend 18 years ago, but with catch rates so low they moved to early May for a couple years and had better catch rates but not as much fun. This year it’s back where it belongs and they had a great turn out.
Many waters remain open all year long. However only artificial lures and “catch and release”rules apply. Opening day of trout season simply means, trout are open to “catch and keep” using all legal means and all waters are open.
Even though the season is open, good fishing and catching is still a little away. Water temps are still in the low 40s. In northern Vermont, we have received close to 2 inches of rain in the past week, coupled with snow melt, big river are very big and dirty. Small and mid sized streams are in much better shape.
This weekend will feature warm and dry weather, then dry and more seasonal temps, highs in the mid 50s will prevail for the week ahead. As the rivers drop and begin to clear, fishing catching will improve. For the most success, keep flies simple to big streamers, small nymphs and egg patters. Fish them as deep and slow as you can in the slower sections of river. Mid river to the tail outs as well as slow inside seams are the preferred areas to target.
We still have guide dates available in May when the water temps get above 50 and hatches started bring fish to the surface. May also bring smallmouth bass into the shallows and up tributaries to spawn. Don’t miss this time of year to target them.