Here we go

Hi folks, Back into another fishing season.  Just finishing up my winter obligation at the ski resort.  Fly lines are clean, lots of flies tied, and the calender is filling up.  I guided a couple of aspiring fly anglers today for northern pike.  Still winter out there.  We fished open water in the Champlain valley.  Most of lakes around me in Stowe are still locked in ice.  The fishing was slow as the water temperature never eclipsed 40 degrees.  Tough casting big bunny buggers in the wind especially when learning how to fly fish.    The Lamoille and Winooski are high, very cold, and dirty.  Several tributary streams around me are clear but frigid.  River trout fishing in April is always challenging with cold water temperatures.  Big meaty flies are in order fished on 6wt. to  8wt. rods with sinking lines and stripped rather aggressively for brown trout is the best option currently.  Lots of casting but you could be rewarded with a very nice fish.  Lake run rainbows/steelhead are always a good early season bet.  Just very hit or miss if you cannot fish these rivers daily.  Warm weather or at least seasonal air temperatures are just around the corner.  Could be a slower start to the season this year with the cold winter we just experienced.  I will be focusing on pike and steelhead fishing over the next couple of weeks.  Remember to clean your gear and keep the non-native species at home.  Have Fun, Willy