As autumn settles into Vermont, dry fly fishing becomes a challenging and deeply rewarding pursuit. The days grow shorter, the air cools. The water of the Battenkill runs low and clear. The abundance of summer insects is gone, replaced by a far more subtle and demanding game. This time of year, aquatic insect activity slows considerably. While the occasional large pumpkin caddis may still appear (sometimes as big as a size 12) the real story ...Read More »
Fly Fishing Tips
Low Water, Higher Learning: Why This is Still a Great Time to Fly Fish the Battenkill in Vermont
Across Vermont, our rivers are showing the effects of drought, and the Battenkill is no exception. At Trico Unlimited, we are deeply concerned about the impact of these low water conditions on our fish, the invertebrates that sustain them, and the overall health of the river. As anglers and stewards of the resource, we must be mindful of when and how we fish. But low water doesn’t mean you have to hang up your rod. Fly fishing has always been ...Read More »
Mastering Spring Fly Fishing on the Vermont Battenkill: Techniques, Challenges & Guide Tips
Spring fly fishing in Vermont, especially on iconic rivers like the Battenkill, presents both a rewarding challenge and a test of patience. With high water, unpredictable weather, and inconsistent hatches, anglers must adapt their techniques and mindset to make the most of the season. For wade fishermen, either fishing solo or with a Vermont fly-fishing guide, the dream is often casting a dry fly to rising trout. However, spring conditions ...Read More »
Trico Tips: How to Practice the Reach Cast for More Dry Fly Success on the Battenkill This Spring
Who's getting ready for spring hatches and rising trout on the Battenkill? As we approach another exciting trout season in Vermont, now is the perfect time to sharpen your fly casting skills—especially your reach cast. As any experienced Vermont fly fishing guide will tell you, presentation is everything when fishing dry flies to selective trout. And on technical rivers like the Battenkill, a drag-free drift is key to getting eats. If you ...Read More »
A Hunt for Opportunity: Early Season Fly-Fishing Challenges on Southern Vermont Trout Rivers
The trout rivers of Southern Vermont, particularly the Battenkill River, are some of the most cherished waters for fly fishing in New England. However, early-season fly fishing on these rivers presents a unique set of challenges. Success often depends on the delicate alignment of natural conditions—where snowmelt, spring rains, cold water temperatures, and the timing of the first insect hatches all come together to create or hinder angling ...Read More »
Beyond the Riverbank: Personal Angler Ethics in the Modern Fly-Fishing World
While catch-and-release, and leave-no-trace are well known ethical practices within the fly-fishing community, I thought preseason would be a good time to remind us of our own personal angling ethics—how we interact with others on the water. As in any sport, fly fishing has its own set of rules, regulations and unwritten ethics. Each state posts its own fishing regulations, but as an Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing guide, I'm often asked, "What is ...Read More »