Black River
river in Vermont
Flowing through picturesque valleys, the Black River provides diverse fly fishing opportunities. Its cool, oxygenated waters support a healthy trout population, with both wild and stocked fish contributing to the fishery.
What's working on Black River
- 01Trout are actively feeding on aquatic insects in preparation for winter.
- 02Look for opportunities to fish dry flies during intermittent Blue-Winged Olive and October Caddis hatches on warmer, overcast days.
- 03Focus on nymphing deep runs with midge and mayfly imitations.
- 04Streamer fishing with patterns imitating baitfish or leeches can entice aggressive strikes from larger trout.
- 05Egg patterns are highly effective in areas below spawning trout.
Past reports week by week
10 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
October Caddis (Dry)
October Caddis is a significant fall hatch on freestone rivers, and this dry fly imitates the large adult caddis.
Buy at AmazonBlood Dot Egg
Fall is spawning season for trout, and egg patterns are highly effective for opportunistic feeders below redds.
Buy at AmazonSoft Hackle Wet (Partridge & Orange)
This wet fly effectively imitates caddis pupae and emergers, which are active subsurface during fall caddis hatches.
Buy at AmazonMahogany Dun
Mahogany Duns are a consistent fall hatch, providing surface feeding opportunities for trout.
Buy at AmazonComparadun (BWO)
Blue-Winged Olives are a key fall hatch, especially on overcast days, and this pattern effectively imitates the adult stage.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Olive)
Streamers imitating leeches and baitfish are excellent for aggressive trout in fall as they feed heavily before winter.
Midge Larva
Midges are a consistent food source year-round, and their larvae become increasingly important as water temperatures drop in fall.
Buy at AmazonFlashback Pheasant Tail Nymph
This versatile nymph imitates a variety of mayfly nymphs, which are active subsurface in the fall, including BWO nymphs.
Where to fish and who to ask
Perkinsville Dam Tailwater
Below the dam, offering consistent cold water temperatures, which is beneficial for trout during warmer months.
Springfield Gorge Section
More challenging access but often holds larger fish in deeper pockets and faster currents.
Weathersfield Bow Bridge
Popular access with varied runs and pools, good for wading.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Woodstock Fishing Guides
Woodstock Inn & Resort Fly Fishing Shop
The Reel Angler
FLY HAUS
Get Black River reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
Vermont season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
How to Pick the Right Fly Rod Weight for Any Situation
Master fly rod weight selection with expert guidance on matching rod power to fish species, water conditions, and fishing techniques for optimal performance.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Fly Fishing Nets – Rubber vs. Nylon & Why It Matters for Fish
The net you choose dramatically impacts fish survival. Here's why rubber nets are superior to nylon for catch-and-release success.
Quick answers
Common questions about Black River.
What flies work best on Black River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Black River right now are Little Black Stonefly (80% confidence), Hendrickson Nymph (80% confidence), Black Woolly Bugger (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Black River?
Black River holds Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on Black River?
Live USGS streamflow readings for Black River are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is Black River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Black River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.