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Angling Publications - Index

Angling Publications - may2008 - Index

50
are active. During some cool and wet years, we won’t see water temps
over 70 degrees F., but as a general rule you’ll want to have a stream
thermometer with you. Water at 72 degrees F. has only half the dissolved
oxygen content as water at 63 degrees, so hooking a fish in warm water
is like running the 100-yard dash on top of Mt. Everest!
When water temps do reach into the 70s, there’s still some outstanding
fishing on the Winooski for smallmouth bass. While there
are a few smaller bass around and below Richmond, the water from
Williston downstream through the city of Winooski offers anglers a
chance at 30 fish days, with heaps of 10- to 15-inch smallies and an
impressive number of 2- to 3-pounders. The biggest bass I’ve caught
here weighed 5 pounds and measured 21 inches. These fish love whiteand-green
Clousers, white marabou streamers, crayfish patterns, and
most anything big and gaudy. Poppers work well in the evening.
The Winooski does not become fishable until at least May 1,
and some years high flows can delay good fishing downstream of the
Middlesex Dam through Richmond until the end of May. Above
Middlesex Dam to the headwaters, the river will fish much better