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Battenkill 2005 (submitted by Doug Lyons 12/2005)
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The Battenkill fished reasonably well in 2005. A few hardy anglers did well in
April throwing big streamers on sinking or sink tip lines. Early hatches of
Hendricksons came fast and furious as our chilly April gave way to a warmish
early May. There were a couple of notable evenings when the air was filled with
flies and the trout cooperated by poking their noses through the surface to grab
a fly as it drifted by.
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The balance of May brought the standard fair of caddis and mayflies. Fishing
success could be found not so much by looking for rising trout but putting your
fly in a likely bit of water. Those adept at nymph fishing or were willing to
fish an old fashion soft hacked wet fly were rewarded best. Soft hackles are a
good choice of fly on the 'kill.
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June brought variable weather with river flows occasionally out of sorts due to
periodically heavy rain. Still, fishing remained good, particularly if you were
willing to do a little exploring. Hatches of caddis and mayflies continued as
they always do on the Battenkill ... a little hot and cold. Some nights great
and others far more quiet.
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Our summer of dry weather began in late June and continued right through the
middle of September. There were a few timely thunderstorms that brought the
river up just when things were beginning to look a bit dire and overall the
'kill made it through the summer with no major problems. One bonus of the dry
summer was that trico fishing was excellent again this year. The summers of
2003 and 2004 were quite wet and the tricos were not as prolific as normal but
this year saw a return to normal consistent hatches and spinner falls. Trout
were on the trikes as early as the end of July and the flies continued on
through late September and the fish were up on the flies nearly every morning.
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Then the rains came, and came, and came. In between the deluge there were a few
report of big fish being taken but all in all October was not a great time to be
on the river.
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With heavy rains and an early snow pack the springs that feed the river should
be recharged nicely for 2006. Only a few months till Opening Day!!!!
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