Book a Gift Trip

Need a gift for a fisherman...buy a gift trip or custom tied flies....it's easy, call or email me with credit card information and I'll mail or email you an "OPEN ENDED" gift cerificate. Open ended means the person you give it to sets up the date and fishing details. It is looking like winter finally today....I really am looking forward to icefishing...please tune into my icefishing blog for update conditions and details. www.vermonticefishing.blogspot.com

OFF SEASON

Deer season was a bust...well, I was very causal about it and really didn't spend that much time at it...been preparing for icefishing season, tying a TON of flies including custom orders for bonefish....and have started booking trips with my A-list regulars....Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned here and on my icefishing blog....I am excited to get on the ice this year! Thanks for staying tuned!

2011 Vermont Trout Season

The 2011 Vt regular trout season closes tonight....you can still fish several areas including Lake Champlain for trout year around and bass closes Nov. 30th....I sadly winterized my boat this weekend before the snow storm...please stay tuned to the blogs because I will continue to share information. I have opened the 2012 calendar and "pick of the litter" dates are available.

IT IS BIRD SEASON

GOT FLIES???

Check out my fly blog at http://www.customfishingfliesforsale.blogspot.com/
you will need to copy and paste this into your browser because blogger won't let me hyperlink it...or go to the top right sidebar for a direct link....I will gladly tie you anything you want or need....

Fall Trout fishing

The water levels have dropped to a very fishable fall level. Hot flies this week include bead head nymphs size 12 and 14....conehead woolly buggers in black and in olive size 10, tungsten bead head muddlers, fall caddis dries, fall caddis pupa....the fishing is very decent and the weather lately has been awesome....I got a little more color yesterday...the light is very crisp...ITS FALL!!! Call me if you want to go...I have some openings for both fishing and bird hunting....as always thank you for following...

The roads in Vermont

Most of the roads in Vermont are back...Rte 30 from Brattleboro to Manchester is open again, Rte 4 is also open....and the fishing is greatly improved too...we caught Wild Brown Trout on Beadheads in the main stem Battenkill in Arlington Yesterday....Grouse season opens this coming Saturday and Woodcock opens on Oct 1....Come up the Vermont....The fishing is fine and the bird hunting will be excellent!
Thanks for the visit, give me a call I have way too many prime open dates...

The fishing in Vermont is fine

The main river are just a touch high, the roads east and west are getting better every day....for the best road information copy and paste this into your browser
www.aot.state.vt.us

There is no reason not to come and fish in Manchester Vermont....the Trout are fine and the weather is settled, hell we don't even need to get up early anymore....

Yellow Adams Wulff

This is a killer High Vis fly which works very well as a strike indicator in front of a Black Ant wetfly

Champlain Nymph

We continue to hammer fish on the big pond. Today we caught: Largemouth, Smallmouth, Bullgills, Mediumouths, White Perch, Yellow Perch, Crappie, Pumpkinseed, and a Drum....don't miss the boat Trout guys!! Life is good, fish more often...

Vermont side of the Battenkill

We currently have the following insects making up the buffet on the Battenkill: Tricos, BWO in a size 16, black ants, beetles, tan caddis 14-18, morning spinners, and olive midges. I have been having good sucess fishing down and across in riffles until about 11 am then its time to go home or go to the mountain brooks. Canoe and tube pressure has not been very heavy this year during the week. Had a client caught a huge Brown a week ago on a size 16 dark brown beadhead...It awesome seeing the waxwings working the bugs again....Life is short= Fish often!

TRICOS in Southern Vermont

I had a lake trip meeting place yesterday at the Pawlet Church on Rt 133....it happens to be next to Flower Brook....I have been right out straight running Bass trips on the lake....so sitting there reading a book my new honey gave me and I saw cedar waxwings going crazy....taking a quick walk across the road I find a HUGE ball of Tricos doing their sunshine dance....LIFE IS GOOD, go fishing!!!

Southern Vermont Fishing

I have been going back and forth between Trout fishing rivers with flies and Bass fishing lakes with spin tackle....last week several of my long time Trout clients gave lake fishing a try.....you just can NOT tell me throwing a Champlain Nymph on a 5 foot rod with 4 lb test is NOT a shit load of fun....Bull Bluegills, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow & white Perch and both species of Bass....and almost a hit on every cast....It is really like being a kid again.....tomorrow I have a trip on the Mettawee for Trout and then Thursday I am taking my new girl friend Tina Marie to the big lake for the first time....The sac is happening can you say blood worm, the kill should start seeing Tricos any day, Otter is still producing (even Brookies in "ford")....so do you know what I call a Champlain Nymph????? A couple guys do....thanks for the view and following my blog.....Life is good again and the garden is a crazy jungle....please stay tuned...

Vermont Fly Fishing

It is very hard to believe it is going to be July this weekend....its been a crazy ride so far....water levels all over the place and nothing has been normal....we had very wet, then very hot, then it started to get normal and repeat the rain cycle....overall if you pay attention to USGS flow gauging stations, or listen to your guide:))) The fishing has been very good! Currently the Battenkill is unfisahable and will suck this coming weekend....the OTHER RIVER USERS better beware...ITS RIPPING....the Sac, Otter and Wee are in great shape. Would say it looks like May levels but water temp are in the low 60's.....the fish will chase stuff....down and across, chuck & duck, dryflies with wetfly trailers are all techiques that are working....I have had a bunch of guys even stripping streamers....AND DON'T FORGET....THE LAKE FISHING IS ALSO HOT!!! Its mainly morning mode now, half or three quarter day trips...bugs, the state insect is still hungry. We have tan and dun caddis, ants, beetles, lime stones, rusty spinners....Hy Vis dry trailed by an ant wetfly is a really good place to start....in closing, the "Wee" seems to be back!!! Thanks for following my blog.

SUMMER FLIES on SALE

SUMMER (Nymphs, dryflies, and streamers ) FLY SALE!!!!
2 March Brown Nymph, 4 Caddis pupa, 4 Black Ant wets,2 BWO wets,4 Beadhead Nymphs, 2 BWO and 2 Yellow Adams Wulffs, 4 Caddis emergers, 2 BWO Dries, 2 Rusty Spinners 1 BH Olive woolly buggers,1 Black Nose Dace, plus 4 FREE Black Foam Beetles SUMMER SPECIAL $ 50.00 includes free shipping
PLEASE CALL TOLL FREE AT: 1 (800) 682-0103...with shipping and credit card information or email me at ckashner@msn.com

Vermont Fly Fishing first week of June

THESE ARE HATCHING PUPA SOFT HACKLES....THEY ARE HOT PATTERN RIGHT NOW!!!

Overall the fishing is pretty good for most people. I think I am done now on the Black river in Ludlow....its bottom is getting pretty green and it is SLIPPERY....without our felts...lets all thank Rep. David Deen for not being able to wear felt bottom boots in Vermont....Mr. Deen lives in Putney, Vt.....East Creek in Rutland is another target I am thinking about moving away from....those fish are BEAT UP!!!.... The Battenkill, Walloomsac, Otter Creek and Mettawee are my main targets now....the little mountain brooks are going good too....most of you know how blunt I am....the month of May this year SUCKED....high water, Champlain is still over its banks....the guys who are fishing the KING are fishing in the woods...Benson still has a 22" of water where I like to park.... its been busy....I have some openings and can always fill your fly order needs....I have been tying lots of saltwater flies for guys lately....changed the wheel bearings on my boat trailer recently and taking motor to get a tune up....In my world if it isn't broke>>>>IT WILL BE SOON...fishing full time is not as easy as some of you think....my hot fly of the week has been a Hatching Pupa soft hackle behind a hide a bead nymph....Caddis emergers and pupa have also been getting the string tight for people....thanks for following....I have done a website remake on www.vermontfishingtrips.com check it out...new homepage, rates page, links page, some new photos and the fishing report page puts you into the blogs....GOOD LUCK and wade careful!!!

Southern Vermont Trout fishing

Water levels have dropped and are very near normal for this time of the year....the leaves and sun are both out....and it has been pretty warm the last two days....I have a huge red quill spinner fall going here at home on Endless Brook. Starting tomorrow I have a small run of trips upcoming....the fishing will be excellent....LET'S GO FISHING!

Rollercaster water levels in Southern Vermont

Last week was a wild ride... with the ground holding all the water it could handle....and rain every day....water levels were a rollercaster....we need SUN....I think its a bright warm thing that is sometimes seen in the sky....these two graphics are in feet instead of CFS that I always refer to....

Vermont Trout Season

After a very WET April and early May....we are finally having some decent weather....Air temps swing from 40's early in the morning to 70's in the afternoon...Hendrickson are pretty wide spread. State of Vermont hatchery trucks have been to the trophy areas of the: Black River in Ludlow, Otter Creek in Danby, and East Creek in Rutland. There are 21" Brown Trout in the mix on two of the three. As always big Rainbows love eggs for breakfast in the month of MAY (a post spawn and spawning thing)....Iliamna pink is a HOT color, McCheese is another favorite....On Otter Creek cast and strip streamers especially FLASHY FLIES and SNAP CRACKLES, Black and East Creek chuck and duck with an indicator....by the end of next week I would bet we will see rising fish on the Black.....Walloomsac is fishable, Battenkill (main stem) in Arlington is HIGH....boys on NY side are hammering hatchery fish on the kill....the Vermont side of the Battenkill is all WILD....upper Battenkill in Manchester is fishing OK....Tomorrow is the first FULL DAY trip for the guiding season....up to this point it's been half and three quarter days.....BLACK RIVER here we come....A egging we will go!!! Don't forget your bug dope>>>>BLACK FLIES are among us<<<< after you get on the stream it's fine but you will see them putting waders on....I have a whole bunch of open dates still...so call me and lets go fishing!!

SPRING FLY SALE

SPRING (NYMPH, WETFLY AND STREAMER) FLY SALE!!!!
2 Hendrickson nymph, 2 March Brown nymph, 4 San Juan worms,6 Tungsten BH nymphs,4Soft hackle wetflies, 6 Hares Ear Nymphs, 2 Olive woolly buggers, 1 Black woolly bugger,1 Shushan postmaster streamer, 1 Muddler minnow, 1 Blk Nose Dace,
plus 6 FREE Glo bug eggs
SPRING SPECIAL $ 50.00 includes free shipping

SPRING DRY FLY SALE!!!!
6 Caddis emergers,6 Caddis dries,6 High Vis Wulffs(ausable, yellow, and royal), 4 usuals(rusty & sulfur),4 Rusty Spinner,2Adams Parachute,1 Adams,1Lt.Cahill
plus 3 FREE Vermont Caddis
SPRING SPECIAL $ 50.00 includes free shipping

PLEASE CALL TOLL FREE ME AT: 1 (800) 682-0103…with shipping and credit card info

Vermont Hendrickson Hatch

I saw a bunch of Hendrickson hatching on the Branch of the Battenkill....here in Southern Vermont. I was guiding a pair of total beginners so it was an instructional half day fish....so I did not spend any time looking for rises. The weather finally broke yesterday....I actually got a touch of a sunburn on my arms and neck....Today is looking to also be extremely nice so it has finally begun....Lets go Trout fly fishing in Southern Vermont!

April fishing in Vermont

Alot of the larger rivers (main stems) Battenkill, Otter, Black, Walloomsac are HIGH< COLD and are really unfishable right NOW....April in Vermont is a wild ride though....things change quickly....Ice is out on most of MY playground: St. Catherine, Bomo, Champlain, Dunmore are all fishable....Mountain ponds like Colton or Kent still have ice....Next week the Trophy area of East Creek will get stocked....I am guessing but the Danby section of Otter should get hit too....
Bug wise the upper kill is getting Blue quills, Black midges, and Black Caddis in the afternoons when its warm and the sun is out.....Below was a little fish on Lake St. Catherine for Brown Trout....and yes I let a few actually eat my fly.....I don't personally do that very often....please stay tuned....a couple weeks ago the blog had 10,000 hits....THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING!!!!!

Spring in Vermont

There is NO FREE LUNCH in a Brook Trout's world

A wild Brook Trout are AWESOME!!!


Cold and clean mountain brooks in Vermont are loaded with wild Brook Trout


A nice little Brook Trout pool in my backyard on Endless Brook

Vermont Trout Season opens April 9, 2011.

Trout season here in vermont opens this weekend!!!! In 2 1/2 days....I have gear, tackle, flies, waders and rods in various stages of preparation all over my house...Lake St. Catherine and many of the lakes still have some ice.....one of my IDIOT buddy's is still icefishing....not in this camp....Saturday morning, I will be sticking wild Rainbow Trout with little black stones on a trib of the Mettawee, then I am going to catch some Brookies on the west branch of the Battenkill....next week the weather guy is talking mid 50s -low 60s.....there will be a black midge and blue quill hatch within about a week....Looking ahead, East Creek will be the place to be on April 26th....please stay tuned and as always....EAT, SLEEP and FISH!!!!!!!

The Black River in Ludlow is my favorite May target

Vermont Fly Fishing

Trout Season opens in 27 days from today!!!! It's been a very long winter and I am looking forward to fishing small streams for Brook Trout this April.


Matt Jarvis with a nice little Wild Brookie out of Otter Creek

Vermont Trout Season

It has been a tough winter....lots of snow and cold weather....at times it wasn't even possible to icefish with all the snow. BUT....there is a light at the end of this winter tunnel, TROUT SEASON OPENS IN 40 DAYS!!!! I have a bunch of very prime dates to fish the Trophy areas on the Black River and East Creek, or to Dryfly fish the Walloomsac or hammer the rainbows on Otter Creek.....Think Spring!!! Forty days we will be nymph fishing small streams....

Want big Vermont Brook Trout????

I know a pond that has some pretty big Vermont Brook Trout. The time frame is between April to end of June. I would bet this pond gets a Hex hatch but I can not testify to it. These are really nice Brookies!!!!


This is my late girlfriend Cathy McIntyre. Cathy had a heart attack at Dartmouth Hitchcock and died. We did alot of trips together and she will be missed by many.

Have you ever fished through a hole....

Grog's Index of Fishing Knots

Cut and paste this into your browser for a really good knot tying tutorial

http://www.animatedknots.com/indexfishing.php?LogoImage=LogoBoatUSAngler.jpg&Website=www.boatusangler.com

Hide a bead nymphes

This is my year in year out favorite fly to produce action. For those of you who tie flies please find bead size chart below. When you buy these from me, I use the following: Size 16 hook 3/32 bead, size 14 hook 1/8 bead, size 12 hook 1/8 bead, size 10 hook 5/32 bead, size 8, 6 hook 3/16 bead.
When you carry these in brass, tungsten and unweighted....you can combine them to always catch fish.