Otter Creek (Upper)
river in Vermont
The headwaters and upper stretches of Otter Creek provide a dynamic fly fishing environment, transitioning from smaller freestone water to broader, more meandering sections. It's a diverse fishery with opportunities for various trout species.
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
What's working on Otter Creek
- 01Fall Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches and October Caddis are active, particularly during the warmer parts of the day, providing dry fly opportunities for rising trout.
- 02Predatory fish like Walleye, Northern Pike, Pickerel, and Bass are actively feeding on baitfish and crayfish in preparation for winter, making streamer fishing highly effective.
- 03Trout in the upper sections are beginning their fall spawning rituals, increasing the effectiveness of egg patterns and subsurface nymph presentations.
- 04Cooling water temperatures suggest fish are becoming less aggressive, necessitating slower retrieves for streamers and precise dead drifts for nymphs and egg patterns.
- 05The 50°F air temperature and clear conditions indicate a good day for targeting active fish, especially during midday warms.
Past reports week by week
8 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Woolly Bugger (Olive)
A versatile streamer pattern imitating leeches and baitfish, effective for all predatory species including trout, walleye, pike, pickerel, and bass in Otter Creek.
Perch Pattern
An excellent imitation for yellow perch, a common forage fish in Otter Creek, targeting walleye, northern pike, pickerel, and larger perch.
Hot Pink Bunny Leech
The vibrant pink color and movement trigger aggressive strikes from predatory fish like pike, pickerel, and bass, mimicking leeches or baitfish.
Blood Dot Egg
As fall progresses, fish are keyed into eggs from spawning trout and other species, making this a highly effective pattern for trout, walleye, and perch.
Buy at AmazonOctober Caddis (Dry)
Imitates the large October Caddis, a significant fall hatch that can draw aggressive surface strikes from trout, fallfish, and even bass in Otter Creek.
Buy at AmazonPheasant Tail Nymph
A classic and versatile mayfly nymph imitation, effective year-round for trout and opportunistic feeders like perch and walleye.
Buy at AmazonZebra Midge (Black)
Midges are a consistent food source, especially as water temperatures cool. This pattern is effective for finicky trout and opportunistic feeders subsurface.
Baetis Nymph
Matches active Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) nymphs, which are prevalent in fall and a primary food source for trout and other opportunistic feeders.
Where to fish and who to ask
Brandon Section
Public access points around Brandon, offering diverse fishing from pocket water to slower runs.
Danby Four Corners
Upper reaches with smaller water and wild trout, offering a more secluded experience.
East Middlebury Section
Good access with a mix of runs and pools, popular for wading.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Green Mountain Adventures
First Stop Board Barn (in partnership with Endless Brook Outfitters)
Vermont Fly Fishing Orvis Endorsed Guide Service
Stream and Brook Fly Fishing
Get Otter Creek (Upper) reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
Vermont season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Quick answers
Common questions about Otter Creek (Upper).
What flies work best on Otter Creek (Upper)?
Our top scored fly patterns for Otter Creek (Upper) right now are Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun (80% confidence), Hendrickson (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 Otter Creek (Upper)?
Otter Creek (Upper) holds Pickerel, Perch, Walleye, Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Otter Creek (Upper) fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Otter Creek (Upper) each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.