First off, thank you to everyone who came out for the Otter Creek Classic last weekend. It’s pretty humbling to realize we’ve made it 18 years, and we’re already looking ahead to OCC19, scheduled for April 9–11, 2027. With around 95 anglers on the water, we gathered some great early-season feedback.
Water levels across Addison County are running a bit high after recent rains, and it looks like we may get another bump tomorrow. The Otter is currently flowing at 1,760 cfs in Middlebury and is pushing silt back into the freestone tributaries for a few hundred yards upstream. Clarity will vary quite a bit depending on how far you are from the Otter, so it’s worth driving around and checking different sections—fortunately, there are pull-offs every few bends, making that easy. The Otter will likely stay in this condition for the next few weeks. It’s not completely off the table, but caution is key. Wading isn’t recommended until flows drop and clarity improves. A few anglers spent time on the White during the OCC, with most reporting colder temps, very clear water, and limited fish activity. We’ll begin floating the White in the coming weeks and will share more detailed reports as we gather intel. On a more positive note, the Otter Creek tributaries are shaping up nicely. The Middlebury looked great this morning—flows were elevated but manageable, and clarity was around 24 inches once above the silted sections. Water temperatures are climbing into the low 50s, and bug activity is starting to pick up. Expect that trend to accelerate with air temperatures pushing into the 70s today and settling into the 60s next week. We’re already seeing small brown stoneflies and caddis regularly, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see baetis, blue quills, quill gordons, and even Hendricksons starting to show soon. All signs point to fishing improving steadily. After we get past tomorrow’s weather, conditions should trend upward day by day. As water temperatures rise, fish will become more active and may begin moving into faster “A” water—especially if food availability supports it. Stonefly nymphs remain a strong option this time of year, offering a substantial meal for fish looking to bulk up. That said, with so many bugs in play and more on the way, it’s important to stay flexible. Carry a range of nymph patterns and experiment—fish may start keying in on specific hatches as things progress.
Best,
Steven
