Battenkill River Fishing Report

Just off the river after a wonderful guided trip with Andrew Walker. I consider myself an experienced fly fishing fanatic and I can’t express eloquently enough how magical my 4 hours on the Battenkill played out. Sure, I caught fish. But time with Andrew provided so much more than that. Andrew provided a history of the river, its wildlife and the myriad of artists and craftsmen who made the area their homes. He also provided me with examples and tips leading to more precise casting techniques and advanced ways to read water (find fish). Always measured and not constantly in my ear, Andrew’s guidance allowed me to leave the river a more confident angler and reminded me again of the importance and value of using a local guide. I will not forget this experience and highly recommend Battenkill Outfitters.

Best fly fishing experience hands down! My husband and I booked this incredible experience in VT and we’re so happy we did! Andrew reviewed our abilities before taking us to the river. He gave us lots of pointers to improve our skill, which helped a ton! He took us to a few different spots along the river and was extremely attentive to the way we casted, took candid photographs of us (which have been framed!) and overall gave us the best few hours anyone could ask for! We can’t wait to go back for another adventure with Andrew!

Looking back, I can’t imagine tackling the Battenkill for the first time without Andrew as a guide. It’s hard to know where to start since he does so many things well. Before we even got on the water, Andrew improved my cast with just 20 minutes of observation and instruction. He’s kind, thoughtful and generous; his patience is extraordinary; and he has every piece of gear you could imagine and/or need. His character extends beyond just guiding, though. He truly cares for the natural world and the wonder it holds. He’ll point out birds as they fly over or identify them by their song, all while calling attention to bugs coming off the water as he scouts for rising fish. Plus, he knows the Battenkill and it shows. Netting a beautiful wild brook trout off a dry fly on this water is hands down one of the highlights of my fishing career and I could not have done it without his guidance. I look forward to taking his lessons with me on new adventures and I will certainly be looking Andrew up the next time I’m in the area. It is an amazing way to spend time on the water in a beautiful part of the world.

Booking with Andrew/Battenkill Outfitters is simply a must. Just one half day integrated valuable lessons on both fishing and the environment: reading water, entomology and understanding recent hatches, fish behavior, knot tying, and a helpful focus on casting technique. I am new to fly fishing, and Andrew’s approachable style of teaching really encouraged me to come into my own and develop confidence in my abilities on the river. He is an effective communicator, an attentive guide, has an intimate knowledge of the landscape and the river, and is one of the kindest people I’ve had the pleasure to interact with. Not to mention, lodging at the Battenkill Hollow Cottage is second to none; staying here was such a cozy retreat and really accentuated an already outstanding experience. Truly can’t recommend it enough!

I can't say enough positive things about my experience with Andrew and Battenkill Outfitters. First of all, Andrew picked up the phone when I called, and basically said show up and I will take care of the rest. And he wasn't lying. He arranged for lodging at the Battenkill Hollow Cottage, a 5 star cottage with an epic riverfront setting. Being a beginner, Andrew came to the cottage and helping me with some of the basic knot tying and then we went to a pond to work on casting techniques. The outfitter had new waders/boots and the highest quality fishing set up. The education Andrew provides just adds to the experience. While my guided trip was 1/1, I will be returning with clients soon for a corporate outing.

Fishing two mornings with Andrew on the beautiful Battenkill River were the most magical fishing experiences of our lives! My wife picked Bennington, VT as our destination following our visits to the Finger Lakes and the Niagara Falls because she knew of my love of fishing and she really liked what she read about Andrew and the Battenkill Outfitters in nearby Arlington, VT. She is a very wise person! Learning to fly fish from Andrew was an absolute joy! He took two completely novice fly fishing people and taught us to cast, roll cast, mend the line, and read the water. We are both retired university faculty and, therefore, know something about teaching. Andrew is one of those rare people with a natural gift for teaching. I’m a kayak bass fisherman and, therefore, have a lot of habits that are antithetical to fly fishing, especially in casting. However, Andrew patiently and expertly taught both my wife and I to cast like seasoned fishermen in a short time. I even got to experience the pure joy of catching a Battenkill wild brown trout! Andrew guided me throughout the fight and was just as excited as I was with the fish. His genuine enthusiasm and love of fishing and nature was so infectious that I vowed to learn more about birds and insects in addition to fly fishing, ha ha. Our fishing with Andrew was so enjoyable that we were sad to part ways with him. His enthusiasm and encouragement made both of us to further our interest in fly fishing and look at this area of VT as a potential relocation site😀. We highly encourage anyone interested in fishing the Battenkill River to seek out Andrew to fully enjoy their experience.

Our guided trout fishing trip on the Battenkill River with Andrew was outstanding! He was incredibly patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely kind - clearly passionate about both the river and helping us succeed. Andrew worked hard to put us on fish and made the whole experience both fun and rewarding. We will contact him again when back in the area. Absolute highest recommendation for anglers of any level!

If you’re looking to have an absolutely wonderful fly fishing day you MUST book a day with expert guide Andrew Walker at Battenkill Outfitters. He knows the water, can fish whisper with the finest and is possibly the nicest human being on this planet. Professional, knowledgeable and personable Andrew is a delight to be with in the water or on land. Book an outing with him now. You can thank me later :) Enjoy!

I hired Andrew as a fly fishing guide for my wife and I. We're both in our late 60's and fish frequently, mostly in Connecticut. Andrew met us on time both days and we found him to be very knowledgeable, pleasant and helpful. He was so nice that my wife and I were immediately comfortable and pleased with our choice. He brought us to some great locations where the brookies were abundant and hungry. He showed us his house right by the river and, had we not already had accommodations, we would have stayed there in a heartbeat! Overall, we had a great time with Andrew and we look forward to seeing him again soon. We HIGHLY recommend him as a guide and his house as a place to stay!

Drew is one of the good ones. He knows his fish, knows the water, knows the bugs, and knows the birds looking for the bugs on the water that'll tell you where the fish are. Even if you don't catch a fish (don't worry, you probably will), you're in for a great day with one of the best guys and guides around.

We fished with Andrew while out in VT for a wedding. It was a wonderful day on the Battenkill. There was a wide range of experience within our group, and Andrew supported each person at just the right level, teaching the beginners the basics and offering new skills to those who were more experienced to expand their options on the river. Andrew was fun, friendly, and flexible throughout the day. It was a highlight of the trip - couldn't recommend more highly!

My dad and I had an incredible half day fishing with Andrew on the legendary Battenkill River. My dad is a beginner fly fisherman, and I would consider myself an intermediate wanting to improve my skills. Andrew tailored his instruction to each of us and at the end of our time, I felt like we had had both improved our skills and learned many new techniques. In addition, Andrew has an infectious love and appreciation for the natural world. He excitedly explained what was happening and why - from birds chasing insects, to watching for emerging Caddis flies, to how to read the “seams” in the river where fish may lie in wait. Highly recommend.