Fishing Outlook & Conditions
Water Temp:
36
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
Directions open in app
Water Flow Data
5-Day Outlook as of 12/3/24
Water temps are are ranging from low to mid 30's and usually spiking in the afternoon. Winter fishing is all about windows. The best days to fish in the winter is when the water temperature spikes this often gets the bugs going which gets the fish going. Brown trout spawning is coming to an end but still be mindful of spawning areas so keep an eye out for old redds (oval shaped lighter areas in shallow gravel riffles). These are where the trout deposit their eggs. Sometimes the spawn will continue into December so 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. Targeting deeper and slower pools is a proven tactic this time of year but even on very cold days fish will slide up into slower riffles. Nymphs of all sizes have been producing as well as jigged streamers. 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. Midweek and Weekend updates can be found on Instagram/Facebook at @woodstockfishingguides. THE FLY SHOP @ THE WOODSTOCK INN & RESORT is open Fridays 12-3pm and Saturdays 8-4pm (located behind the Woodstock Inn & Resort on Cross Street). 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 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 12/3/24
Local Species Available Trout Season Opens, April 13 until October 31
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Trout
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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
Woodstock Inn's Recommended Gear
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Best Leader:
Super Strong Plus Leaders
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Best Tippet:
SuperStrong Plus Tippet in 30- and 100-meter spools
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Best Fly Fishing Rod:
5-Weight 9' Fly Rod
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Best Floating Fly Line:
WF Trout Fly Line
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Best Sinking Fly Line:
Class V Sink Tip Fly Line