Spring has finally arrived in Southwestern Vermont and nearby New York. This week has been warm and with some showers, very spring-like! Since my last report , winter kept on till the 3rd week of March when we finally got a break with above freezing temperatures. The New York trout opener was April 1st but the fishing was tough due to it being quite cold and area watersheds bankfull and muddy. I did not venture out myself that day!
Water levels, while in late March and early April were high, by mid April as I write this, are coming down into fishable conditions. For example The Battenkill is at 950 CFS, the Wallomsac 259 CFS and the Mettawee in NY 351 CFS. These are good levels for early season. Water temps are in the mid Forties so swinging flies deep and slow are best for holdover and bigger wild fish. I will be scouting almost every day till my first guide trip the last week of the month.
Stocking in Vermont started the week before the VT season opener of April 11th. As of now only ponds and lakes have been stocked with area waters including Lake Paran, Shaftesbury, Prentice, and Bullhead pond in Manchester. Trophy stocking in our 2 trophy waters (Otter Creek,Walloomsac) will be the week of April 20th. As for bugs, just starting to see a few Hendricksons on the lower Kill and Mettawee but hatches should start shortly.
Tight Lines!
In recent years, winter was generally warmer than normal at certain times and made for a comfortable window to fish. 2023 was one of those years. I fished every month of the winter and caught at least a fish or two most times out. This winter reminded me of when I was much younger and normal winters were this cold. Throughout the time period from mid-November all the way till mid March we had snow and cold temperatures. A very good ski season to say the least! As we got into March snow melt started aided by warm rains and area streams broke up their winter ice and flowed free.I noticed on the mountain streams in the Greens there was significant anchor ice, which I haven't seen in a while. Runoff was steady and I did not record any watersheds going anywhere near the flood stage. I think a significant amount of the snowpack went into the ground which is a good thing considering we are still in a drought from last fall.
I have been going through gear, organizing and doing inventory as to what I need for the season. Of course I am tying flies as well! I will be at the ski shop till April 7th and looking forward to the change.
