Ottauquechee River
river in Vermont
Flows through central Vermont with a mix of dam influences, spring inputs and classic freestone sections prized by fly anglers.
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
Cool
- 01Cool, clear conditions with a noticeable chill in the air at 47°F.
- 02Potential for fall Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches, especially on overcast days.
- 03Expect the impressive October Caddis hatch, a substantial meal for hungry fish.
- 04Look for Mahogany Dun activity, another important fall mayfly.
- 05Focus on deeper pools and slower runs where fish conserve energy and find subsurface forage.
- 06Use slower presentations for nymphs and streamers to entice colder-water fish.
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.
Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun
Fall BWO hatches are a strong possibility, especially on overcast days, with trout keying in on these low-profile adults.
Mohogany Dun
Late summer and fall often see hatches of Mahogany Duns, providing good dry fly opportunities for trout.
Zebra Midge
Midges are a consistent food source year-round, especially as water temperatures drop in the fall.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Olive)
A versatile streamer, effective for imitating leeches and baitfish, which are consistent food sources in colder fall waters for both trout and bass.
Hellgrammite Fly
Hellgrammites are a year-round food source on rocky rivers, appealing to smallmouth bass and opportunistic trout.
Pheasant Tail Nymph
Excellent for imitating active BWO nymphs and general mayfly nymphs, a key food source for trout and bass in the fall.
Buy at AmazonOctober Caddis (Dry)
The largest caddis hatch of the year occurs in the fall, making this a prime pattern for trout.
Buy at AmazonBlood Dot Egg
Fall is egg season for trout below spawning salmon, making egg patterns effective for opportunistic trout.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
North Hartland Reservoir tailwater
Tailwater below North Hartland dam can produce steady cold-water trout fishing when flows are favorable.
Quechee Gorge / Quechee village
Accessible deep pools and pocket water near the gorge; good trout concentrations and scenic access.
Taftsville / downstream stretches
Familiar local stretch with runs and deeper pools that hold larger brown trout and brook trout.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Woodstock Inn & Resort Fly Fishing Shop
Woodstock Fishing Guides
TBC Guides
First Stop Board Barn (in partnership with Endless Brook Outfitters)
Get Ottauquechee 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
Quick answers
Common questions about Ottauquechee River.
What flies work best on Ottauquechee River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Ottauquechee River right now are Trico Spinner (80% confidence), Tungsten Bead Pat's Rubber Legs (80% confidence), Zebra Midge (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Ottauquechee River?
Ottauquechee River holds Trout, Bass. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on Ottauquechee River?
Live USGS streamflow readings for Ottauquechee River are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is Ottauquechee River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Ottauquechee River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.