Fishing Season: Year round. Nov. 1 to Friday before 2nd Sat. in April, catch and release only

Black River - VT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Temperature 69°

Temp:

69°

Water Temp:

74

Woodstock Inn's Tip of the Week

The Black is low at 66.8 CFS as of Thursday morning. Clarity is improving after some rain. During low flows, stealth is a must. The fish can see you and your fly line! Water temps are warm, fish are lethargic and not feeding as often. If you are practicing Catch & Release, please carry a thermometer and consider not fishing for trout above 68 F as they are already oxygen deprived. Midweek and Weekend updates can be found on Instagram/Facebook at @woodstockfishingguides. THE FLY SHOP @ THE WOODSTOCK INN & RESORT is open daily from 9am-5pm. We are located in our Spring/Summer/Fall location in the Activity Center (located behind the Woodstock Inn & Resort on Cross Street) After Hours: July 25th 5:30-7 PM Join our Orvis Endorsed Guide Team and learn Basic Fly Casting and other fundamentals (equipment, gear & strategy), plus a different advanced topic at each gathering! Interested in Fly Tying? We will have a guide on the vise. Socialize and meet other anglers and “talk fishing.” These events are free and open to the public. Please RSVP, walk-ins are welcome as space allows! Call 802-457-5530 or email fish@woodstockinn.com

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Map of Black River

Water Flow Data

5-Day Outlook as of 7/18/24

Flows are settling after some needed rain. Please carry a thermometer if you practice catch & release, and consider not targeting trout when temps are above 68 degrees. After some small amounts of rain Thursday afternoon and evening, the rivers should set up well for the weekend. Consider hitting the ponds this time of year? For alternative fishing options, bass fishing opportunities on the White River have been very good with both surface and subsurface action being consistent. Some cooler overnights may bring water temps down for a morning window of fishing, but use your thermometer as a guide to ethical catch and release. In low and clear water conditions, consider lengthening your leaders and downsizing flies. A slower approach is critical during these conditions in order to be successful. Midweek and Weekend updates can be found on Instagram/Facebook at @woodstockfishingguides. THE FLY SHOP @ THE WOODSTOCK INN & RESORT is open daily from 9am-5pm. We are located in our Spring/Summer/Fall location in the Activity Center (located behind the Woodstock Inn & Resort on Cross Street). After Hours: July 25 5:30-7 PM Join our Orvis Endorsed Guide Team and learn Basic Fly Casting and other fundamentals (equipment, gear & strategy), plus a different advanced topic at each gathering! Interested in Fly Tying? We will have a guide on the vise. Socialize and meet other anglers and “talk fishing.” These events are free and open to the public. Please RSVP, walk-ins are welcome as space allows! Call 802-457-5530 or email fish@woodstockinn.com

Techniques & Tips as of 7/18/24

Slow and low. Nymphs. Streamers. Swinging weighted flies or nymphing to get down. Fish the coolest part of the day and evening. Fish depth and structure. Hopper-Dropper is a good summer strategy. Midweek and Weekend updates can be found on Instagram/Facebook at @woodstockfishingguides. THE FLY SHOP @ THE WOODSTOCK INN & RESORT is open daily from 9am-5pm. We are located in our Spring/Summer/Fall location in the Activity Center (located behind the Woodstock Inn & Resort on Cross Street). After Hours: July 25 5:30-7 PM Join our Orvis Endorsed Guide Team and learn Basic Fly Casting and other fundamentals (equipment, gear & strategy), plus a different advanced topic at each gathering! Interested in Fly Tying? We will have a guide on the vise. Socialize and meet other anglers and “talk fishing.” These events are free and open to the public. Please RSVP, walk-ins are welcome as space allows! Call 802-457-5530 or email fish@woodstockinn.com

Local Species Available Year round. Nov. 1 to Friday before 2nd Sat. in April, catch and release only

  • Fish Icon

    Trout

Woodstock Inn's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Flying Ant Olive
Chernobyl Ant N/A
Hopper White
Cream Variant N/A
Stonefly Nymphs green 16
Wooley Buggers Black/Green 8
Quasimodo Pheasant Tail N/A
Bead Head American Pheasant Tail N/A
Streamers White/Green 4
Copper John N/A

Flying Ant

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Item #54E6

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Woodstock Inn's Recommended Gear

Description: About Black River

One of Vermont’s “Trophy Trout” stocking program rivers. Fish the Black River along Route 131 in Weathersfield and Cavendish, from Downers covered bridge upstream (approximately 4 miles) to the next bridge across the river, the Howard Hill bridge. Brook, Brown, and Rainbow Trout: length limit, none; daily limit, 2 trout aggregate Open year-round from Howard Hill bridge downstream to CT River. Nov. 1 to Friday before the second Saturday in April, open ONLY TO TROUT FISHING (Catch and Release Only) using artificial flies and lures.

Nearest Airport:

Lebanon, NH, Rutland, VT, Boston, MA, Burlington, VT

Hatches:

Hopper Crayfish Sculpin Caddis

Best Time to Fish:

Early AM

Best Stretch:

Route 131 in Weathersfield and Cavendish, from covered bridge near Downer's Corners, upstream to Howard Hill Rd. bridge.

Best Access:

Trophy Section