Battenkill River Fishing Report
River conditions, guide insight, and what to fish now.
River Safety Note: Conditions can change quickly. Wading can be dangerous, especially during high or rising water. Always check current flows, weather, and access conditions before fishing, and make decisions based on your own ability. When in doubt, stay out.
Daily Fishing Outlook by Andrew Walker
Updated Tuesday September 8, 9:30am
Good morning from the Battenkill.
We are waking up to another cool morning, with water temperatures starting below 60°F. That is a great way to begin the day and another little sign that fall is starting to work its magic.
Today’s high is expected to reach the mid 70s, so water temperatures should stay below 68°F.
Flows are still low, and the water is clear, so the fishing remains technical. Move slowly, keep a low profile, watch your shadows, and be thoughtful with your wading. The fish can see and feel a lot in these conditions, so the approach matters.
As for bugs, there are a lot of different things in play right now. Isonychia are out and about, caddis have been active, and other mayfly variations are still showing up. I did not see ants in the mix yesterday, but with warmer weather today, I would still have a few ant patterns ready. When they show up, the fish can get locked in quickly.
During the sunniest part of the day, focus on riffles, broken water, seams, and areas with more oxygen and cover. Swinging wet flies, soft hackles, and Zug Bugs through that kind of water can be a great way to cover fish.
Later today, keep an eye out for rising fish and be ready to try a few different flies. These wild trout are picky, which is exactly why the Battenkill keeps things interesting.
Have a great day.
The Hatch
The Trico hatch is still one of the main stories on the Battenkill. These tiny mayflies typically begin showing up around mid-July and can provide some exciting morning dry-fly fishing through August and into early September.
Trico activity generally happens in the morning as the air begins to warm. A good number to keep in mind is around 65°F. On cooler mornings, the action may happen a little later, while warmer mornings can get things started earlier. The real event is often the spinner fall, when huge numbers of these tiny mayflies gather over the river before falling spent onto the water.
Because Tricos are so small, sometimes the easiest way to know they are there is to watch the birds. If you see cedar waxwings, flycatchers, or other birds suddenly swarming over the river in the morning, feeding on something you can barely see, take a closer look at the water. There is a good chance a Trico spinner fall is underway.
Caddis are still very much in the mix and should be part of the plan, especially in the mornings and evenings. You may see adults fluttering around the water, but do not overlook caddis pupa and emergers below the surface when fish are feeding without obvious rises.
Isonychia are starting to show signs of life, with shucks showing up on the rocks. That is always an exciting thing to see this time of year. Isonychias are one of my favorite mayflies, and when they start showing up in better numbers, they can bring some great opportunities in riffles, seams, and broken water. Zug Bugs, Iso-style nymphs, wet flies, and soft hackles are all worth having ready.
We are also seeing other mayfly variations, especially during the last hour of light, when rising fish activity can really pick up if conditions line up.
For Tricos, think small. Sizes 20 to 24 are a good place to start, and careful presentation becomes especially important during a spinner fall when trout may have thousands of naturals to choose from.
What to Watch For
Tricos
Isonychia
Caddis
Other mayfly variations
Stoneflies
Flying ants and other terrestrials
The Fly Box
With Tricos now leading the hatch activity, I would build the box around small dries and spinners, caddis patterns, wet flies, emergers, and dependable subsurface options. Trico spinner falls are the main morning event right now, so small patterns and careful presentation are going to matter.
Caddis are still very much in the mix, especially in the mornings and evenings. Isonychia are also starting to show signs of life, with shucks showing up on the rocks. Isonychia-style nymphs are worth having ready, especially in riffles, seams, and broken water.
A lot of the feeding is still happening below the surface, particularly when fish are not showing obvious rises. Nymphs, wet flies, soft hackles, emergers, caddis pupa, and smaller mayfly nymphs are all good choices right now. I would also keep a few streamers handy, especially if flows bump up or the water picks up a little color after rain.
I’ve been fishing and recommending a number of Fulling Mill patterns lately, and these are a few of my current go-to flies for what we are seeing on the Battenkill.
Dry Flies
Trico dries and spinners, size 20 to 24
Tricos are here and are now one of the main hatches to watch for during the morning hours. Be prepared with both dun and spinner patterns, especially as the air warms and the morning spinner fall gets underway. These bugs are tiny, so sometimes the first sign of a Trico fall is seeing cedar waxwings and other birds swarming over the river and feeding on insects you can barely see.
Fulling Mill options I like:
Woven Trico Male
Indicator Spinner Trico
Indicator Para Trico
Blue-Winged Olive duns and spinners, size 16 to 18
Blue-Winged Olives are still worth having in the box, especially on cooler or cloudy days. Carry both dun and spinner patterns in sizes 16 and 18, especially when trout are feeding selectively.
Caddis dries, size 14 to 16
Caddis are very much on the menu right now. Elk Hair Caddis and other caddis dry fly patterns are good choices when you see adults fluttering around or fish feeding near the surface.
Flying ants and terrestrials, size 14 to 20
Ants, beetles, and other terrestrials are always worth carrying during the summer. When ants hit the water, fish can get locked in quickly, and they may not give much attention to anything else.
Wet Flies and Emergers
General mayfly wet flies, size 14 to 16
When there are mixed mayflies on the water, a simple wet fly can be a great way to cover fish feeding below the surface.
Fulling Mill option I like:
GRHE Wet, size 14
Soft hackles and emergers, size 12 to 18
Soft hackles, mayfly emergers, and caddis emergers are all good choices right now, especially when fish are flashing, splashing, or feeding just under the surface.
Caddis pupa and emergers, size 14 to 16
Caddis are still active, so do not overlook pupa and emerger patterns below the surface, especially when fish are feeding but not showing obvious rises.
Nymphs
Isonychia nymphs and Zug Bugs, size 10 to 14
With Iso shucks showing up along the rocks, I would start carrying Isonychia nymph patterns and Zug Bugs. Fish them through riffles, seams, and broken water where these bugs are active. This can be a great way to cover water during the day and imitate those swimming Iso nymphs.
Fulling Mill option I like:
Zug Bug BH, size 14
Pheasant Tails, size 14 to 18
A Pheasant Tail is still one of my favorite all-around mayfly nymphs. It is a great option under a dry dropper, drifted through riffles, or fished through deeper runs.
Fulling Mill option I like:
American Pheasant Tail BH, size 14 to 16
Small nymphs, size 16 to 20
Small nymphs are always worth having in low, clear summer water. One of my favorite approaches is dropping a smaller nymph under a heavier stonefly or other anchor fly in deeper pools and seams.
Fulling Mill option I like:
Small nymph, size 16 to 18
Stonefly nymphs, size 8 to 12
Stonefly nymphs are always worth having in the box. They are also a good anchor fly when fishing deeper water or running a smaller dropper underneath.
Caddis nymphs and larva, size 14 to 16
Caddis are active right now, so do not overlook caddis larva and pupa patterns below the surface.
Hare’s Ears, size 14 to 18
A great all-around nymph that can imitate a variety of mayfly and buggy subsurface life.
Streamers
Woolly Buggers, size 4 to 8, in olive, black, and white
Always good to have in the box, especially when flows bump up, the water has a little color, or you want to cover banks and deeper seams.
Small sculpin or baitfish patterns, size 4 to 8
A good option when trout are holding tight to structure, banks, or deeper water.
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