Fishing Season: Trout Season Opens, April 13 until October 31

Ottauquechee River - VT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

70

Woodstock Inn's Tip of the Week

The Ottau is low at 7 CFS. If you are targeting trout, all tactics are in play this time of year. Go to nymphs this time of year are going to be isonychia, blue winged olive, and large/small stonefly patterns. These are going to be the most prevalent insect in the drift. For dry flies it's going to be isonychia's and blue winged olives as well. Keep the terrestrials in your rotation as well, fish can be caught on hoppers and beetles through the early fall. Keep an eye out for flying ant hatches on the last warm days of the summer and fall, ant hatches can be quite exciting to fish! Steamers of all sizes and colors have been producing. Pick your days when streamer fishing, overcast days when the water is off color is going to be your best bet. It's encouraged to take a water temperature if looking to catch and release trout. Highly recommend giving the trout a rest when water temps are 68 and above. In May, the state stocked rainbow trout in May with the Eagle Lake strain of rainbow trout, with hopes of seeing more resilient fish and thus better chance of holding over through hot VT summers. Keep an eye out for left or right clipped ventricle fins which indicate which strain of rainbow you've landed. More info included in the link below: https://www.eregulations.com/vermont/fishing/stocking-the-eagle-lake-strain 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: September 19 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! 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

Directions open in app

Map of Ottauquechee River

Water Flow Data

5-Day Outlook as of 9/14/24

Flows are low and water temps are lowere after overnight low but are quickly warming up. Water is clear and fish are able to see your fly line and shadows. Please carry a thermometer if you practice catch & release, and consider not targeting trout when temps are above 68 degrees. Please consider targeting bass later in the day. Great week to get out and fish. 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 trout 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: September 19th 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? Socialize and meet other anglers and “talk fishing.” These events are free and open to the public. 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 9/14/24

The State has stocked with the new experimental strain of rainbow trout. Find oxygenated water and fish early mornings for your best chances of finding trout. 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: September 19th 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? 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 Trout Season Opens, April 13 until October 31

  • Fish Icon

    Trout

  • Fish Icon

    Bass

Woodstock Inn's Recommended Fly Patterns

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

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer Black
Mickey Finn N/A
Light Hendrickson N/A
Elk Wing Caddis N/A
Adams Parachute Dry Fly N/A

Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer

Every angler needs an assortment of these weighted attractor Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer flies.

2.49

Item #0311

Buy Now

Woodstock Inn's Recommended Gear

Description: About Ottauquechee River

We break up the Ottaquechee into 5 sections, The Upper (Bridgewater to the Rec Center in Woodstock), Woodstock (Woodstock to the Taftsville Bridge), Quechee (Taftsville Bridge to Simon Pearce Dam), Simon Pearce Gorge (Below SP Dam to the Quechee Gorge Dam and the Quechee Gorge (Route 4 Bridge to end of the Gorge). The Ottau is open year-round for trout fishing for Catch & Release with only artificial bait, lures and flies.

Nearest Airport:

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

Best Time to Fish:

Coolest Part of the Day

Best Access:

Any bridge.