Fishing Outlook & Conditions
Water Temp:
34
Orvis Manchester's Tip of the Week
REMINDER VT STRETCH OF BATTENKILL RIVER CLOSED TO FISHING NOVEMBER 1ST- APRIL 15TH 2023!! Weather is starting to really cool down here in Vermont. Cold mornings have made slow starts to fishing days, but by high noon, air temps have been increasing the water temps just enough to entice some fish. Defintely focus your efforts with smaller bright streamers and a sinking line or poly leader. Swung wet flies have been the ticket to smaller aggressive fish locally. When the flow does bump up and get slightly off colored try using white, olive, black, rust and even more flashy and heavy patterns near the bank and around current seams. Don't forget to nymph the deeper runs and seam breaks as well. As always be careful wading in higher water conditions, bring a buddy and make sure you have a wading staff!
Directions open in app
Water Flow Data
5-Day Outlook as of 1/30/23
Focus your efforts sub surface coming into these true North Eastern winter conditions! Bite windows are key to finding feeding trout, make sure you get out during the warmest and most sun filled times of the day. Streamers and nymphs down low, in the slower deeper pools are your best bet. Always err on the side of caution while wading when the flows are above 600cfs, anything above 600cfs on the Battenkill can get hairy fast especially in more narrow parts of the river.
Techniques & Tips as of 1/30/23
Get down deep with tungsten beadhead nymphs. There have been good reports from people nymphing the deeper pools and winter holding water. For those wanting to try something other then nymphs, fishing with a trout spey rod can be effective in the winter months. Keep your streamers slow and deep. Stop by the Manchester Flagship store and ask us what our favorite patterns are for this time of the year.
Local Species Available Vermont section CLOSED. NY OPEN catch and release/artificials only.
-
Trout
Orvis Manchester's Recommended Fly Patterns
"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:
Name: | Colors: | Size(s): |
---|---|---|
Mickey Finn | Red/Yellow | #8-10 |
Moto's Minnow | Brown/Olive/White | #4-8 |
Quasimodo Pheasant Tail | natural | #16-18 |
RS2 | BWO | #18-22 |
Rusty Spinner | Rust | #12-18 |
Woolly Buggers | Olive/Black | #4-8 |
TH 20 Incher | Black/Yellow | #12-16 |
Adams | Grey | #16-20 |
Prince Nymph | N/A | #12-16 |
Hare's Ear nymph | natural | #12-16 |
Orvis Manchester's Recommended Gear
-
Best Leader:
Super Strong Plus Leaders
-
Best Tippet:
SuperStrong Plus Tippet in 30- and 100-meter spools
-
Best Fly Fishing Rod:
3-Weight 10' Fly Rod
-
Best Floating Fly Line:
WF Trout Fly Line
-
Best Sinking Fly Line:
Bank Shot Sink Tip Fly Line