Late Summer Fly Fishing Report: Great Conditions on Vermont’s Trout Rivers
Late summer is here in Vermont, and right now the rivers around Burlington are in surprisingly good shape for this time of year.
Cooler nights, shorter days, and well-timed passing storms have helped keep both water temperatures and river levels favorable. Last Sunday morning, my thermometer read just 57°F—exactly the kind of water temperature I love seeing in August.
After some of the tougher conditions throughout July and the first week of August, it feels like we're starting to turn the corner toward some of my favorite fishing of the year.
Cooler Nights Are Making a Difference
By late summer, I'm paying just as much attention to overnight temperatures as I am to the daytime forecast.
Cool nights give Vermont's rivers a chance to shed the heat they absorb during the day, and we've had some great overnight temperatures lately. That has created excellent morning fishing and allowed for longer fishing windows on many days.
I'm still carrying a thermometer and checking water temperatures throughout the day. Conditions can vary significantly from one river—or even one stretch of river—to another, so I never make assumptions based solely on the air temperature.
Passing Storms Are Keeping the Rivers Healthy
The other piece of the puzzle has been rain.
Rather than settling into an extended period of hot, dry weather, we've continued to see passing showers and thunderstorms move through Vermont. Those periodic rain events have helped maintain river flows and kept many of the rivers I guide near Burlington in much better shape than you might expect in late August.
The forecast ahead continues to look encouraging, with cooler nights and additional chances for showers mixed in with some beautiful late-summer days.
As always, I'll continue watching river flows, weather, and water temperatures and choose the water that offers the best conditions each day.
Hopper-Dropper Season Is Here
One of my favorite ways to fish is with a hopper-dropper rig.
With terrestrial insects active along Vermont's riverbanks, I've been fishing hopper-dropper rigs quite a bit during the middle of the day—and the surface takes have been a blast.
A larger terrestrial pattern on top gives trout an opportunity for a substantial meal while a nymph suspended underneath covers fish feeding below the surface. It's an incredibly effective way to prospect likely trout water, but the best part is watching a trout suddenly come up and crush the hopper.
Those unexpected surface eats have produced some of the most fun moments on the river lately.
Fly Fishing Near Burlington Right Now
For anglers visiting Burlington, Stowe, Waterbury, Middlebury, or the surrounding area, late summer can be an excellent time to experience Vermont fly fishing.
I guide a variety of rivers throughout northwestern and central Vermont, including the Winooski River, New Haven River, Middlebury River, Lamoille River, and Otter Creek. Which river I choose on any given day depends on flows, water temperatures, weather, and where I believe we'll have the best experience.
That's particularly important this time of year. Rather than deciding months in advance that we're going to fish a specific river, I prefer to let current conditions determine the plan.
Looking Ahead Toward Fall
We're not into fall fishing yet, but you can definitely feel the season beginning to change.
The mornings are cooler. The days are getting shorter. Water temperatures are beginning to respond. And periodic rain has kept the rivers refreshed.
If this weather pattern continues, I'm optimistic about the transition from late-summer fishing into what is typically an excellent fall season here in Vermont.
For now, I'm enjoying these cooler mornings, keeping the thermometer close, and taking full advantage of hopper-dropper season.
If you're visiting the Burlington area and would like to spend a day fly fishing some of Vermont's beautiful trout water, this is a great time to get out.
