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Rivers & Streams

White River Fishing Guide

Vermont

The longest free-flowing river in Vermont with wild rainbows and browns.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to White River for rainbow trout and brown trout. The best months overall are Mar to Jun, Sep to Nov. In October, rainbow trout and brown trout are in season, and Parachute Adams, Blue-Winged Olive and Pheasant Tail Nymph are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 60 miles (2 fly, 10 bait and tackle); the closest is Mighty Minnow Bait Shop in Randolph Center, 9 mi away. Check the live USGS flow and water temperature before you head out. Battenkill River is 51 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Best Months

Mar to Jun, Sep to Nov

In October

Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout

Methods

Fly fishing, Spin, cast & bait

Season at a Glance

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What You'll Catch

White River Species

Rainbow Trout

Prime Now
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Best: Mar to Jun, Sep to Nov

Brown Trout

Prime Now
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Best: Mar to May, Sep to Nov

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

11 picks for October. ● means in season that month.

  • Parachute Adams #12-20

    Fly

    Dry Fly · Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • Blue-Winged Olive #16-22

    Fly

    Dry Fly · Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • Pheasant Tail Nymph #14-20

    Fly

    Nymph · Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • Pat's Rubber Legs #4-10

    Fly

    Nymph · Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • Woolly Bugger #2-10

    Fly

    Streamer · Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • Hare's Ear Nymph #12-18

    Fly

    Nymph · Rainbow Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • San Juan Worm #10-14

    Fly

    Nymph · Rainbow Trout · After rain.

    Shop This Fly

  • Egg Pattern #8-16

    Fly

    Nymph · Rainbow Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • Sculpin Streamer #2-6

    Fly

    Streamer · Brown Trout · Low light and fall.

    Shop This Fly

  • Inline Spinner 1/16 to 1/4 oz

    Lure

    Spinner · Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout

    Shop This Lure

  • Suspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Hard Bait · Brown Trout

    Shop This Lure

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Rainbow Trout

Fly 9 ft 5 wt rod, weight-forward floating line, 9 ft 4X to 5X leader. Add a sink-tip and 3X for streamers.

Spin / Cast 6 to 7 ft ultralight or light spinning rod, 1000 to 2500 reel, 4 to 6 lb mono or fluorocarbon.

Brown Trout

Fly 9 ft 5 or 6 wt rod, floating line for dries and nymphs, sink-tip with 0X to 2X for streamers.

Spin / Cast 6.5 to 7 ft light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 6 to 8 lb line. Jerkbaits and inline spinners.

Matched to These Species

Gear for White River

Fly Rods

Redington Classic Trout Fly Rod

A smooth, moderate-action rod that is forgiving for new casters and protects light tippet.

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Fly Rods

Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod Outfit

A complete rod, reel, and line outfit that covers most trout water and small-stream bass.

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Fly Reels

Redington Behemoth Fly Reel

A strong, sealed drag at a modest price, made in sizes from trout to saltwater.

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Fly Lines

RIO Gold Fly Line

A trout line that casts dries delicately and turns over nymph rigs.

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Fly Lines

Scientific Anglers Mastery Infinity Fly Line

A smooth-shooting, all-around freshwater line.

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Leaders & Tippet

RIO Fluorocarbon Tippet

Low-visibility tippet for nymphs and wary fish in clear water.

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Leaders & Tippet

RIO Tapered Trout Leaders

Nine foot tapered leaders in 3X to 6X for dries and nymphs.

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Waders & Boots

Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders

Durable, breathable waders that hold up to seasons of wading.

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Within 60 Miles

Shops Near White River

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Rivers & Streams · Vermont · 51 mi

Battenkill River

A classic Vermont trout stream near Manchester, home of the American Museum of Fly Fishing.

Brook Trout · Brown Trout

Lakes & Reservoirs · New Hampshire · 62 mi

Lake Winnipesaukee

New Hampshire's largest lake with rocky smallmouth structure and deep lake trout.

Smallmouth Bass · Lake Trout

Lakes & Reservoirs · Vermont · 66 mi

Lake Champlain

Smallmouth and largemouth in the same day, plus pike, salmon, and lake trout.

Smallmouth bass · Largemouth bass · Northern pike

Rivers & Streams · Massachusetts · 77 mi

Deerfield River

A Berkshire tailwater with catch-and-release trout water and wild browns.

Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout