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Rivers & Streams

Wood River Fishing Guide

Rhode Island

One of Rhode Island's top trout streams, with wild brookies and stocked trout.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Wood River for rainbow trout, brown trout and brook trout. The best months overall are Mar to Jun, Sep to Nov. In October, rainbow trout, brown trout and brook 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; the closest is Hope Valley Bait & Tackle in Wyoming, 1 mi away. Check the live USGS flow and water temperature before you head out. Narragansett Bay is 18 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, Brook Trout

Methods

Fly fishing, Spin, cast & bait

Season at a Glance

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What You'll Catch

Wood 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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F
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A
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Best: Mar to May, Sep to Nov

Brook Trout

Prime Now
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Best: May to Oct

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

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

  • Woolly Bugger #2-10

    Fly

    Streamer · Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • 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

  • Hare's Ear Nymph #12-18

    Fly

    Nymph · Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • Pat's Rubber Legs #4-10

    Fly

    Nymph · Brown Trout, 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 · Brook Trout, 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.

Brook Trout

Fly 7 to 8 ft 3 or 4 wt rod, floating line, 7.5 ft 5X leader.

Spin / Cast 5 to 6 ft ultralight spinning rod, 1000 reel, 2 to 4 lb line.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Wood 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.

Check Price

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 Wood River

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Saltwater & Coast · Rhode Island · 18 mi

Narragansett Bay

A large bay with spring schoolie stripers, summer blues, and fluke.

Striped Bass · Bluefish · Flounder

Saltwater & Coast · Rhode Island · 24 mi

Block Island

An island known for trophy striped bass and fall albies.

Striped Bass · Bluefish · False Albacore

Saltwater & Coast · Connecticut · 29 mi

Long Island Sound

Reefs and river mouths that hold stripers and bluefish all season and fall albies.

Striped Bass · Bluefish · False Albacore

Saltwater & Coast · New York · 31 mi

Montauk

The tip of Long Island, a legendary fall blitz destination for stripers, blues, and albies.

Striped Bass · Bluefish · False Albacore

Saltwater & Coast · Massachusetts · 57 mi

Martha's Vineyard

An island known for surfcasting and a fall derby for stripers, blues, and albies.

Striped Bass · Bluefish · False Albacore

Rivers & Streams · Massachusetts · 62 mi

Swift River

A small, cold tailwater below Quabbin Reservoir with selective trout and year-round fishing.

Rainbow Trout · Brook Trout