Peter Basta Guide Service and Outfitter
802-867-4103

Fishing Vermont & New York

Our Waters and Season

Vermont and eastern New York offer plenty of waters that produce good quality habitat for trout and other cool water fish. From small mountain streams to gently flowing rivers, our waters are quite varied. Brook, Brown and Rainbow trout are present, with the fisheries being both wild and stocked fish. Our trout season runs from May until October. In addition, there are excellent opportunities using my Hyde Drift Boat in the summer months to target cool water species (Bass, Panfish) on Vermont area lakes and ponds.

Fly Fishing Guide Peter Basta

17 Inch Holdover Brown Trout

Southern Vermont and New York

My home waters include the famous Battenkill and other local streams. I focus on five major watersheds in the region, all within a 1 hour drive from Manchester. These small to medium-sized streams contain wild trout or a mixture of wild and stocked fish. The Taconic region streams offer the best opportunity to fish for wild trout in New England. Many times we fish both the NY and Vermont sections of watersheds. See Lodging for this area.

Smallmouth Bass and other cool water targets

During the summer months when trout opportunities are limited I focus on cool and warm-water species like small and largemouth Bass, Pickerel, and Bluegills using my Hyde Drift Boat on Vermont's and New York's lakes and ponds.

Fishing Vermont Lakes & Ponds in a Drift Boat

Guide Peter Basta with a Large Brookie

The Gear We Use

Depending on our fishing, we might use anywhere from 3 to 7 wt. outfits. For most of our trout fishing, 4-5 wt. outfits are good. Felt bottom waders are a must, and a wading staff is not a bad idea. Remember to wear "earthy" colors of clothing and raingear. Insect repellent, sunscreen lotion, and polarized sun glasses should round out the gear.

I hope you can join me in fishing these special areas of the northeastern region that have been my haunts since I was a kid. Though our streams and trout are not big, our fish are wary and a challenge to catch!

Pbasta@sover.net
Box 540  ·  Dorset, Vermont 05251
8 0 2 - 8 6 7 - 4 1 0 3

Rainbow Trout