Fishing Season: Second Saturday in April to Oct. 30 (See Year Round Season Special Regulations)

White River - VT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Temperature 45°

Temp:

45°

Water Temp:

52

Woodstock Inn's Tip of the Week

The White looks good at 1600 CFS as of Tuesday afternoon. The river is still high in spots-use a wading stick. Warmer days may get fish moving around and feeding. Get out and explore, there are new holes and runs that are holding fish. Bugs have been spotted especially in the warm afternoons, Hendricksons, Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies and BWO have been spotted. The Lower River has been stocked. From Woodstock Fishing Guide COLIN MACMILLAN: Spring is here and fishing has been great as of lately. Nymphing has been consistent, don’t ignore the riffles, fish are slid up chewing nymphs this time of year. There’s has also been great streamer fishing windows. Lower light periods are your best bet (dusk, dawn, and overcast days). Jigging small streamers has also been productive. Look to do that near structure like log jams or big boulders, a large fish can’t often resist a small streamer in its zone if presented properly. Dry fly fishing has been inconsistent with bugs sited but no fish rising to them. Hopefully that will change soon! Midweek and Weekend updates can be found on Instagram/Facebook at @woodstockfishingguides. THE FLY SHOP @ THE WOODSTOCK INN & RESORT is open daily from 9am-5pm. We are located in our Spring/Summer/Fall location in the Activity Center (located behind the Woodstock Inn & Resort on Cross Street). Orvis clothing and flies are 20% off! WHITE RIVER OPEN IS MAY 11th. Register online or in person on May 10th from 6-7:30 PM in the shop. https://www.woodstockinn.com/do/events/white-river-open-0 After Hours: May 16 5:30-7 PM Join our Orvis Endorsed Guide Team and learn Basic Fly Casting and other fundamentals (equipment, gear & strategy), plus a different advanced topic at each gathering! Interested in Fly Tying? We will have a guide on the vise. Socialize and meet other anglers and “talk fishing.” We will test cast the new Helios rod this day. These events are free and open to the public. Please RSVP, walk-ins are welcome as space allows! Call 802-457-5530 or email fish@woodstockinn.com

Directions open in app

Map of White River

Water Flow Data

5-Day Outlook as of 5/7/24

Flows are up and slightly off-color but very fishable. Rain off and on Wednesday through Saturday. Nice weather to fish with a few rain showers here and there. "If it looks good, fish it" will be our motto for this year! Safety first-use a wading staff. Ponds have been stocked and are fishing well. The Lower White has seen some stocking and we are waiting on confirmation from the state on the Black and Ottauquechee. Midweek and Weekend updates can be found on Instagram/Facebook at @woodstockfishingguides. THE FLY SHOP @ THE WOODSTOCK INN & RESORT is open daily from 9am-5pm. We are located in our Spring/Summer/Fall location in the Activity Center (located behind the Woodstock Inn & Resort on Cross Street). Orvis clothing and flies are 20% off! WHITE RIVER OPEN IS MAY 11th. Register online or in person on May 10th from 6-7:30 PM in the shop. https://www.woodstockinn.com/do/events/white-river-open-0 After Hours: May 16 5:30-7 PM Join our Orvis Endorsed Guide Team and learn Basic Fly Casting and other fundamentals (equipment, gear & strategy), plus a different advanced topic at each gathering! Interested in Fly Tying? We will have a guide on the vise. Socialize and meet other anglers and “talk fishing.” We will be test casting the Orvis Helios rods! These events are free and open to the public. Please RSVP, walk-ins are welcome as space allows! Call 802-457-5530 or email fish@woodstockinn.com

Techniques & Tips as of 5/7/24

From Woodstock Fishing Guide, OWEN WARD. Nymphing and stripping streamers close to the bottom offer the best chances at finding fish. If you are struggling to control a traditional indicator rig in high flows try tight lining or euro-nymphing. These techniques minimize the amount of line on the water offering the least amount of drag and the most control over your drift, ultimately allowing your flies to find the bottom quicker and stay in the strike zone longer. Weighted streamers can be fished in a similar manner on a tight line setup or on sinking lines with slow retrieves. Stripping streamers is a great option for covering lots of water and can allow you to safely remain close to the bank. Baitfish imitations, crayfish, and hellgrammites represent high calorie meals for trout. Don't be afraid to throw the big streamers in the winter, but you got to get them down! From Woodstock Fishing Guide COLIN MACMILLAN: Midweek and Weekend updates can be found on Instagram/Facebook at @woodstockfishingguides. THE FLY SHOP @ THE WOODSTOCK INN & RESORT is now OPEN DAILY 9AM-4PM in our winter location at the Woodstock Nordic Center at 76 South Street. WINTER SALE 20% All Fishing Items! Fly Tying Nights: Experienced and beginning fly tyers are welcome to join us from 6-8 PM. Snacks/Beer/Wine/Cider will be available for purchase. Great time to social and meet local anglers. Just show up-No charge. Located in the Fairway Grill in the Woodstock Nordic Center. Orvis fly tying kits, Fulling Mill hooks and beads, and Loon fly tying tools available for purchase. Thursday, March 21 6-8

Local Species Available Second Saturday in April to Oct. 30 (See Year Round Season Special Regulations)

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    Brook

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    Brown and Rainbow trout

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    Bass

Woodstock Inn's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer Black 8
Bead Head Hare's Ear Nymph Tan 8
Prince Nymph N/A
Klinkhammer N/A
Wooley Bugger Black/Olive 8/10
Schroeder's Hi-Vis Hopper N/A
Tungsten Cone Head Woolly Bugger Black 6

Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer

Every angler needs an assortment of these weighted attractor Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer flies.

2.49

Item #0311

Buy Now

Woodstock Inn's Recommended Gear

Description: About White River

If you're not fishing during the open season for trout (2nd Sat. in April – Oct. 31), the White River is open year-round for trout fishing for Catch & Release with only artificial bait, lures and flies. White River: From the Connecticut River boundary upstream to the bridge on Route 107 in Bethel. The sections of streams listed below are open to trout fishing year round according to the following rules: Only artificial flies or lures are permitted outside of the open season for trout (2nd Sat. in April – Oct. 31). Catch and release only (trout must be immediately released where caught), except during the open season for trout. During open season for trout, follow normal size restrictions, daily limits and possession limits. The White River is a free-flowing, undamed, 60mile long tributary of the Connecticut River. It begins near the crest of the Green Mountains, flows east through the towns of Granville and turns south along Route 100 through the towns of Hancock and Rochester. This upper river section is home to wild Brook trout and Rainbows. The river follows Vermont Route 107 through the town of Stockbridge downstream to the town of Bethel, where the Third Branch enters the White River. The main stem of the river will continue past the Second Branch in Royalton and the First Branch in South Royalton. Brooks will feed the White from South Royalton to the confluence with the Connecticut River in White River Junction, VT.

Nearest Airport:

Rutland Regional, Lebanon, NH, Burlington, VT, Boston, MA

Best Stretch:

Upper: Rochester, Stockbridge. Lower: Royalton to West Hartford.

Best Access:

Bethel Bridge, South Royalton Bridge, Broad Brook Access, West Hartford Bridge