River Report 5/2/2018

The river’s are very high all over the state. Still tons of fishing opportunities especially as more and more lakes and ponds shed the ice that covered them all Winter.

From Beaver Ponds to remote mountain lakes we have been searching for ice out Trout. Not much success yet but some of the biggest fish of the year are caught right now. Some alpine lakes are still completely frozen!

This was last Thursday by

Saturday all the ice was gone. Below is my friend Cullen Hathaway when he was young with a 31” 11 pound Rainbow. This is the size fish that are possibly this time of year. Look for a separate ice out report soon.

Our guides and friends have been catching lots of nice Pike, Steelhead and Trout. This time of year is great as we have a very diverse fishery here in VT. Tomorrow I’m

going to be in my Jackson Kayak targeting Bass, Bowfin and Pike.

The Otter Creek is currently at 2,950 cfs which makes it pretty hard to fish. It’s tributaries are high but dropping fast. The New Haven River is at 792 cfs but it was close to 2,000 just a few days ago. The lowest it’s been since the Trout season opened was 200 cfs on 4/20. Even at that flow it’s hard to cross at some places and very swift. I was throwing large streamers and connected with a nice Brown on a White Sex Dungeon.

Otter Creek tribs South of Middlebury have in general been a bit lower and have been fishing very well. This nice Bow fell for a White Wolly Bugger in the Brandon area. Tied by Brian Zinger castawayflies.com

Lake Champlain is pretty much free of ice. I saw some on Saturday while going over The Champlain Bridge. Reports of folks having great success trolling flies and lures for ice out LL Salmon. Lots of folks are taking advantage and catching Pikr, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass now that it’s opened up.

Guide Kevin Ramirez and his friend Ryan Fitzgerald decided to dust off the boat and try for Pike 3 days ago. They did very well and landed 6 at least! White 7”mini Buford’s and articulated Rotax’s fooled most of them.

Lake Champlain Steelhead tribs are hot right now!

I have had the luck using pretty much using my Trout fly boxes. Sticking with White Wolly Buggers, Chartruse Muddler Minnows, Golden Stones, PT Nymphs, Copper Johns and the Batman. Really looking forward to lake run Smallmouths!

Looking forward to warmer weather and lower river’s! The weather looks great for the next 10 days. Possibly a bit messy on Thursdays into Friday and maybe some rain on Monday. Otherwise some ideal fishing conditions.

-Brian Cadoret