Ottauquechee River - VT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Woodstock Inn's Tip of the Week

The Ottau is currently at 22.5 CFS as of 12/3 and dropping. This is a very fishable flow for wade anglers. Water temps are excellent for trout fishing. Ranging from the mid 40s-lower 50s as the day progresses. Brown trout spawning is already in progress on some rivers, so keep an eye out for redds (oval shaped lighter areas in shallow gravel riffles). These are where the trout deposit their eggs. Please leave the spawning trout alone, it’s unsporting to target them and only adds to spawning stress. If you do see a redd you are going to want to avoid walking anywhere near it. Those deposited eggs will drift around as flows increase and decrease until they hatch (typically in march). If you walk on the eggs you are killing future generations of wild trout. If you are looking to target trout this time of year targeting rainbows is a best way to avoid spawning 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. Our guides have been having a lot of success on nymphs lately. For dry flies it's going to be isonychia's and blue winged olives as well. These hatches have been pretty prevalent so far this fall. 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. With low and clear water your approach needs to be slow and stealthy. Quality drifts is always better than quantity drifts when presenting your fly. Taking time to observe before stepping into the water is crucial. 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

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Water Flow Data