Sunday, August 24, 2014
nice afternoon on the water with the ants
Hi Folks, Guided fly anglers for beautiful afternoon of trout fishing on the upper Winooski. Water temperature was 66 degrees to 67 degrees. Water level is low but still slightly above the seasonal average flow. Fair amount of bug activity yesterday with #14-#22 flying ants from 6pm to dark, #12/#14 isonychia sporadically coming off, #18 micro caddis hatching, and still a few #8/#10 stone flies around. Lots of #12/#14 olive grasshoppers in fields. We nymphed fished with a #16 olive copper john and a #18 olive caddis pupa. We caught fish on both fly patterns. We found a few rising fish and got them to eat a #12 hare's ear parachute and a #14 foam flying ant. We landed 5 stocked rainbows, 2 wild rainbows with 1 fish measuring in at 14" (really fought hard), and 1 nice little wild brown trout. We missed another half a dozen fish. Pretty good for the end of August and the trout looked really healthy and in good shape. No signs of fishing pressure what so ever. Looks to be hot and a little humid for the next few days so the top water bite for smallmouth should be good. Trout fishing on the big water could be tough with warming temps. Morning trout fishing will be the way. Remember to clean your gear and keep the non-native species at home. Have fun, Willy