White River - VT

Techniques & Tips as of 4/12/24

From Woodstock Fishing Guide, OWEN WARD. Nymphing and stripping streamers close to the bottom offer the best chances at finding fish. If you are struggling to control a traditional indicator rig in high flows try tight lining or euro-nymphing. These techniques minimize the amount of line on the water offering the least amount of drag and the most control over your drift, ultimately allowing your flies to find the bottom quicker and stay in the strike zone longer. Weighted streamers can be fished in a similar manner on a tight line setup or on sinking lines with slow retrieves. Stripping streamers is a great option for covering lots of water and can allow you to safely remain close to the bank. Baitfish imitations, crayfish, and hellgrammites represent high calorie meals for trout. Don't be afraid to throw the big streamers in the winter, but you got to get them down! From Woodstock Fishing Guide COLIN MACMILLAN: Focus on likely winter water, slow areas that hold some depth are usually a good place to start. If that water type isn't proving to hold fish adjust what kind of water type you are fishing. Fishing larger flies has often proven to be effective during the winter as fish are forced to focus more on larger food forms due to less bug activity. Flies like: jig streamers, squirmy worms, eggs, and mop flies are staple patterns in the winter time. As we move into February it is important to keep nymphs in your rotation as we come closer to spring hatches. These nymphs are in the drift well before the first hatches of the year. Typically sunnier day are good days to nymph as the sun makes the nymphs more active and fish are quick to adjust to this. Do not be afraid to fish faster water in the winter, at some point in the day fish will slide into faster moving water to focus on feeding. Take advantage of these windows! This winter has relatively mild and a lot of rivers are still fishable so get out there! Midweek and Weekend updates can be found on Instagram/Facebook at @woodstockfishingguides. THE FLY SHOP @ THE WOODSTOCK INN & RESORT is now OPEN DAILY 9AM-4PM in our winter location at the Woodstock Nordic Center at 76 South Street. WINTER SALE 20% All Fishing Items! Fly Tying Nights: Experienced and beginning fly tyers are welcome to join us from 6-8 PM. Snacks/Beer/Wine/Cider will be available for purchase. Great time to social and meet local anglers. Just show up-No charge. Located in the Fairway Grill in the Woodstock Nordic Center. Orvis fly tying kits, Fulling Mill hooks and beads, and Loon fly tying tools available for purchase. Thursday, March 21 6-8