Saxtons River
river in Vermont
The Saxtons River flows through scenic landscapes, offering a delightful fly fishing experience. Its clear, cool waters and diverse structure make it an excellent home for both wild and stocked trout, providing consistent action.
What's working on Saxtons River
- 01Fall hatches of Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) and Isonychia are providing consistent dry fly opportunities for selective trout.
- 02October Caddis are making their presence known, offering a chance to entice larger fish with substantial dry flies.
- 03Streamer fishing for aggressive Brown Trout is a high-percentage play as fish become more territorial.
- 04Nymphing with general attractors and midge patterns will remain effective throughout the day, especially in deeper pockets.
- 05Foggy and overcast conditions can prolong dry fly action, making presentations crucial.
Past reports week by week
7 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Bead Head Woolly Bugger (Olive)
As water temperatures drop in the fall, trout become more aggressive and predatory. An olive Woolly Bugger effectively imitates leeches and baitfish, enticing strikes from larger fish.
Baby Brown Trout
Larger brown trout become highly territorial and aggressive in the fall as they prepare for spawning. A 'Baby Brown Trout' streamer is an excellent imitation for smaller parr and baitfish, provoking strikes from trophy fish.
Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun
Blue-Winged Olives are a classic fall hatch on freestone rivers throughout Vermont, providing a consistent food source for trout. The Comparadun style is excellent for selective fish keying on emergers and adults.
Flashback Hare's Ear Nymph
This is a versatile, year-round searching nymph that imitates various aquatic insects, including mayfly nymphs, which are consistently active in the current, making it effective when specific hatches aren't obvious.
Isonychia Dun
Isonychia are actively hatching in the fall on freestone rivers, making this a prime pattern for rising trout looking for larger mayflies.
Zebra Midge
Midges are a consistent food source throughout the year, especially in colder water. A Zebra Midge is a reliable subsurface pattern for finicky trout, mimicking abundant midge pupae and larvae.
Buy at AmazonOctober Caddis (Dry)
The October Caddis hatch is the largest caddis hatch of the year in many regions during the fall, and its large size makes it an irresistible meal for opportunistic trout.
Buy at AmazonMahogany Dun
Late summer and fall often see hatches of Paraleptophlebia (Mahogany Duns), providing additional dry fly opportunities for trout keying on adult mayflies.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Bellows Falls Section (upper)
Accessible upstream of Bellows Falls, with varied water for different techniques.
Grafton Village Area
Picturesque sections with public access, known for its healthy trout populations.
Rockingham Section
Good stretches with varied water, including deeper pools and faster runs.
Fly shops within 40 miles
The Reel Angler
FLY HAUS
Orvis Retail Store
The FLY HAUS
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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 Saxtons River.
What flies work best on Saxtons River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Saxtons River right now are Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun (80% confidence), Mother's Day Caddis (80% confidence), Elk Hair Caddis (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Saxtons River?
Saxtons River holds Brown Trout, Brook Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Saxtons River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Saxtons River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.