This month, I am going to write more about "a grand time to be in Vermont."  Of course, that would be the fall, when colors are changing from the many shades of green to the brilliance of an artist long used palate. 

By fall the crowds have all left the favorite fly fishing waters, the men are deer hunting, the family working their way into the holiday season, and the water is nice and low, but not too low (except drought years).

  The fish are ready to rise to a fly!

Vermont, one of the best kept fly fishing secrets in the country - just a few short hours from Boston, Hartford or New York City.   Miles and miles of beautiful trout water.  I like the location of Stowe, Vermont to work from.  It is central to most all the trout water, and close to the larger airport in Bloomington, if that is of important to you. 

To better know the state, click here  for a list of the main trout rivers, and a click on each will take you to the information about that particular river, and just a cursor over the river's name will show the river's location on the Vermont map!  How cool is that?

Often fall fly fishing is a chance to pitch some larger flies to some much larger trout!  Oh yes, the falling leaves stick to the leader and line, the fly often lands on a leaf rather than the water, but right under that leaf is a trout watching for the fly to slide off (if the hook does not penetrate the leaf) into the water!  The prices for lodging and food in Vermont are always reasonable, and the people glad to have "tourist" come into their business places!  At night it is cool enough for a fire at the pub, or in the room if so equipped.  There is no need to rise early, and the day will be plenty long enough to leave you ready for a warm meal, a good drink, and some time to visit with locals.

One of the many excellent fly fishing guidebooks to Vermont, is the book published by Wilderness Adventures Press, Fly Fisher's Guide to Northern New England by Steve Hickoff and Rhey Plumley. There are many other good books to guide you in your fly fishing choice - Fishing Vermont's Streams & Lakes: A Guide to the Green Mountain State's Best Trout and Bass Waters (Backcountry Guides) (Paperback) by Peter F. Cammann , Hatch Guide for New England Streams   by Thomas, Jr. Ames , and there are numerous online articles that can assist the traveling Vermont fly fisherman.  The Vermont Fish and Wildlife offers a vast amount of information also.

Happy fall fly fishing where ever you are!