River Report 4/22/2018
River Report 4/22/2018
Sun? Warm air temps? Fish? Can it really be a glimpse of spring?
The smells and sounds of a Vermont Spring are a little late this year but they are finally here! Lake Champlain tribs have been shaping up nicely bringing a steady flow of Metalheads with every flush of high water we get.
Dylan said “I found that fish in the pocket water. I saw fish really moving to my fly in pocket water below or above the bigger holes. Caught it on a size 10 flashback Pheasant Tail”
Soon White Suckers and jumbo Smallmouth Bass will be entering the river’s that flow into Lake Champlain. It’s time to start thinking about flies and techniques to get that prespawn lunker. Put down the 4/5wt rods and bust out the 6/8wt sticks. Popular Bass flies like clouser minnows, drunk dads, crayfish patters and game changers will do the trick. As we get warmer river temps towards the end of May try topwater flies if you like explosive strikes!
The Winooski River and it’s tribs have been cranking tons of water. Big water means fishing big flies for big fish. Try heavy flies on a sinking line. This works great to get down deep and attract that trophy Brown or Bow out of their Winter slumber. Use 12 pound or higher tippet. These fish are not leader shy when chasing a huge streamers.
As air and water temps warm fish will start to wake up and move around more. Fish aggressively and don’t be afraid to cover a lot of water. Flies to have for high water include sex dungeons, drunk and disorderly , zoo cougars , big woolly buggers in black, white or olive and also classics like the muddler minnow.
Be safe out there and get outside!!
-Kevin Ramirez
Book a trip soon for Vt Steelhead and for the Smallmouth Bass run.
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