FLY FISHING

Contents of the VT fly fishing page

the best trout rivers in southern Vermont
what species of trout are in Vermont
what is system fly fishing
what is included in a guided fly fishing trip

Vermont Fly Fishing guides on the best rivers in southern VT

The Battenkill from Manchester to West Arlington

East Creek Trophy Area in Rutland

Mettawee River from North Rupert to North Pawlet

Otter Creek in Danby, Wallingford and Rutland

Walloomsac River from Bennington to the NY stateline

Vermont fly fishing guides near Bennington, Manchester and Rutland VT. Daily half day charters for trout. All equipment provided, beginners welcome.

Vermont has three species of wild and stocked Trout

BROOK

Vermont is blessed with an abundance of small streams and brooks that have sustainable populations of wild Brook Trout. Lacking in size, they more than make up with their beauty! Check out the brookie pics in the Gallery.
RAINBOW

The Walloomsac River, Otter & East Creek all have stocked trophy areas where the average Rainbow is 14-22 inches with plenty of hold over fish. The Mettawee River, Flower and Furnace brooks are wild Rainbow fisheries.
BROWN

The Hoosic, Mettawee & Walloomsac Rivers, the Battenkill, Otter Creek, Mill and Mad Tom Brooks are all home to Brown Trout. On the lower reaches of these main rivers hold some true trophies.
DRY FLIES
WET FLIES
NYMPHS

System fly fishing from top to bottom

In my system fly fishing plan, the idea is to target a specific species of fish in the water they feed. Using flies that imitate their primary food in the zone they are feeding: on the surface (dry flies), near the surface (wets and emergers) or near the bottom (weighted bead heads). With a stealthy approach and rest, often the fish will show and tell what they are feeding on. From that key spot, I will cover the water from top to bottom before moving to the next target. 80% of the time fish feed below the surface near the bottom where food comes to them. If you are not hitting or ticking the bottom once & a while, you are not fishing deep enough!

“The difference between a good fisherman and a great fisherman is one split shot”, Joe Humpreys, Master Angler & Legendary Educator from Penn State.

I prefer to use tungsten and brass beads with lead underwire in four patterns to have 10 different weights! By combining patterns and sizes, in a two fly set up, split shot are rarely needed and you can acheive depth control that may be duplicated especially with strike indicators.