Southern Vermont advice

This board has never given me anything but the best of travel advice, so I’m looking for more. I’ll be in southern Vermont…specifically around the Plymouth area, during the last week of September. I’ve never been to Vermont before, so I’m open to any and all suggestions. I’m sure I’ll go by Manchester to pay homage with my credit card at the Shrine of Orvis, but have no other firm agenda than that for now. I’m guessing I probably have two or three days’ fishing time.

Can anyone recommend rivers, streams, guides, tackle, or information on what to expect? I figured on packing my 1, 3, and 5 weights, and any other gear I can cram into my luggage.

As always, thank you all in advance!

A couple of years ago I camped just outside of Manchester right next to the Battenkill. It’s a beautiful area and while the fish weren’t co-operating it was still a good trip.
The Orvis store in Manchester had the information on flies and water conditions. Also, if you haven’t visited, the American Museum of Fly Fishing is right next door. Well worth a side trip.

Regards

If you go another 1/2 mile down the road past Orvis, they have a discount store, with blems, and overstock at 40% off. Guy thet runs it is real nice, and helpful. If you don’t find what you want, ask, he has a big back room. Tell him a short, ugly, old man, with a white mustash, and a dirty hat sent you. If you are really lucky, you might hit the tent sale. Hoooooo-Weeee

There was recently another thread covering the same general area,

Fishing Vermont? - FAOL BB

If you drop me a line a week or two before you arrive, I might be able to show you around a little. If my schedule prevents a day on the water, I’ll certainly point you in the right direction.

Mike D.
http://battenkill.tripod.com

Bill certainly take Mike up on his offer. I fish the NY side of the Battenkill often, never the Vermont side. I don’t believe Vermont has stocked fish for years so it is wild fish throughout their side. If can be frustrating sometimes, but well worth your time and effort when its all said and done. I wouldn’t trade a day on the Battenkill for any other river I have fished.

Thanks so much for the advice, both private and posted here. I’ll call ahead, and hopefully will be able to take Mike up on his kind offer. Even if we don’t hookup, the offer was more than generous.

As always, I love this board!

Bill if you can’t take Mike up on his kind offer a friend and I hired John Morawski, an Orvis endorsed guide. I had very little experience and my friend never fly fished. We fished the Hoosic River south of Burlington. We each caught 6 nice Browns. The time frame for us was late Sept.
Mr. Morawski is a very easy going knowledgeable guide who I recommend to anyone going there to fish. When are you planning on going, we may be going to Burlington in Sept.

John Morawski
470 Jonnycake St.
Manchester,Vt 05255
802 362-2072
www.outdoorswithjohnmorawski.com

Good luck