Field Notes
Observations from the water, the woods, and the seasons that shape life in Vermont. Field Notes is where we share stories from the river, insights from the field, and reflections on the rhythms of this place we’re lucky to call home. Whether it’s a report, a photo, or a moment worth remembering, this is where it lives.
Introducing Margie Kaat
Introducing Margie Kaat: The Newest Member of the Battenkill Outfitters Guide Team
I met Margie Kaat last June while producing a video for the American Museum of Fly Fishing. From the moment we started filming, her energy, focus, and love for fly fishing were unmistakable. Honestly, I didn’t think anyone could match my own enthusiasm for this sport, but then I met Margie.
A Vermont native and lifelong athlete, Margie grew up fishing local streams and ponds with her dad and a spinning rod long before discovering fly fishing. After moving to Manchester with her husband, Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Kaat, she enrolled in the Orvis Fly Fishing School and fully immersed herself in the craft. Since then, she’s trained with some of the best instructors in the world, including the legendary Joan Wulff, and it shows.
Margie now spends nearly every day on the water, exploring the rivers and small streams of Southern Vermont with the kind of focus and curiosity that sets great anglers apart. She’s developed a particular mastery of Euro nymphing techniques and is just as passionate about entomology, river ecology, and fish behavior as she is about putting clients on fish.
As a guide, Margie is patient, observant, and tuned in to the needs of the anglers she works with. She has a gift for instruction and especially enjoys helping beginners build confidence and connection through thoughtful, hands-on learning. That said, experienced anglers will find just as much to gain from a day on the water with Margie. Her technical skills and strategic approach offer plenty of depth for those looking to refine their craft.
Margie also serves as a trustee of the American Museum of Fly Fishing and contributes to their acquisitions team, reflecting her deep commitment to the sport and its history. Around town and on the water, she’s earned the nickname “Troutlady”—and if you’ve had the pleasure of fishing with her, you know exactly why.
We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Margie to the Battenkill Outfitters family. She’s an exceptional angler, an inspiring teacher, and a true steward of the sport.
Planting with Purpose: A Community Conservation Effort on the Battenkill
A look back at our community tree planting event on the Battenkill—where volunteers, partners, and friends came together to restore vital riverbank habitat and close out the Battenkill Fly Fishing Festival with purpose.
On the final day of the 4th annual Battenkill Fly Fishing Festival, Battenkill Outfiitter’s gathered with volunteers, conservation partners, and community members for a special event rooted in stewardship: a riparian tree planting on the banks of the Battenkill. Held at our Battenkill Hollow Cottage property—three acres of riverside land in West Arlington—this effort aimed to restore and protect the vital habitat along the river’s edge.
Led by the Battenkill Watershed Alliance, Trout Unlimited staff, and the Southwestern Vermont TU Chapter, this hands-on planting was more than just a day in the dirt. It was a collective investment in the long-term health of the river and the wild trout that depend on its cool, shaded waters. Volunteers came ready to dig, learn, and connect—helping to plant the seeds of future resilience along the riverbank.
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who made this possible—especially Jim Henderson, the dedicated teams from the Southwest and Northeast Chapters of Trout Unlimited, and all those who lent their time and energy. With shovels in hand and boots in the mud, you helped turn a morning of work into a lasting legacy for the Battenkill.
Thank you for closing out the festival with us in the spirit of conservation, connection, and care for the waters we love.
Learn more about our involvement in conservation at battenkilloutfitters.com/conservation.
Season Opener On the Battekill
After a long, true Vermont winter, the Battenkill is open once again. With spring comes fresh anticipation—questions about the season ahead, the first signs of the Hendrickson hatch, and a deep appreciation for the changing rhythms of life on the river.
The 2025 season is officially underway. Opening weekend on the Vermont section of the Battenkill has come and gone, and with it, the first signs of spring are beginning to take hold. Winter held on this year—and we’re glad it did. We saw a true Vermont winter: steady snowfall, cold temps, and a landscape that kept its white coat deep into March. It made for some beautiful moments on the river.
One of my favorites moments was a bluebird day after a heavy snow, the Battenkill draped in white and glowing in that low, bright winter light. It reminded me just how lucky we are to live here.
Life in Vermont moves with the seasons. You feel them coming—sometimes subtly, sometimes all at once—and right when you’re ready for the next, there it is. That shift brings excitement, anticipation, and a fresh start. This time, it’s spring.
Last season brought hot days and low water. Now, after a proper winter, we’re all watching to see how the river responds. Will it be a strong year for bugs? Will the trout be feeding hard? There’s plenty of speculation, and that’s part of the fun. The truth is, no one really knows. And that’s what keeps it interesting.
Red Quill - Male Hendrickson Imitation
First up: the Hendricksons.
The Hendrickson hatch is one of the most anticipated events of our season—a true marker of spring on the Battenkill. They typically begin to emerge in late April and run into early May depending on water temps, and they’re one of the first major hatches to bring big fish consistently to the surface. As one of the largest mayflies we see all year, they bring big browns to the surface in a way that makes every cast count. It's arguably the best time to target these rising fish, and for many of us, it's the hatch that sets the tone for the rest of the year.
Living on the river, we’re keeping a close eye on the water every day. Watching, waiting. It's a funny thing—after months of dormancy, both fish and angler are shaking off the rust. The real challenge with fishing the Hendrickson hatch isn't just technical. It's emotional. You've been watching a fish feed for days, waiting for the timing, the angle, the right fly... and now you’re finally in position. But you're buzzing with excitement just to be back in your waders. The stakes are high, the bugs are coming off, and you’ve got one shot to make it happen.
When it all comes together—when your cast lands just right, the drift is true, and that brown rises—it’s pure magic. And when it doesn’t, or when you blow it entirely, well… that’s part of the magic too. It keeps you honest. It keeps you coming back.
The look when it comes together.
No matter how the season unfolds, we’re grateful to be here. Grateful to guide folks into the outdoors, away from the noise and into the moment. Fishing or not, there’s a lot to learn from time spent on the river. We're excited to share it with you.
See you out there.
— Andrew
Battenkill Outfitters