Fishing Report

We are well into the dog days of summer. Long hot days and warming water have made fishing more difficult than it has been, but with a little perseverance and creative thinking there are still plenty of fish to be found. Targeting warm-water species on lakes and ponds has been the name of the game as river flows have been dwindling and water temperatures have been rising.

Sunrise and sunset are hands down the best time to be out on the water this time of year. Throwing frog and terrestrial patterns during crepuscular feeding windows is some of the most fun you can have while fishing. As the day progresses and temperatures rise, fish will retreat to deeper cooler water. Consider using weighted flies like the trusty Clouser Minnow or heavy crawfish patterns to get down deep. Weighted lines paired with baitfish patterns have also been effective, especially when working the edges of drop offs.

If you are planning on targeting trout, be very mindful of water temperatures as many of Vermont’s main-stem rivers are not currently conducive to trout fishing. If you do target trout, small streams and their outflows can be productive places to fish this time of year.

That’s all for now.