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Vermont's Best 6-Hour Fly Fishing Float Trip

  • Published Date: July 22, 2025
  • Fishing
  • Arlington, VT
  • $325 - $900 price range

Summary

Join us for a 6-hour guided fly fishing float trip on Vermont's legendary Battenkill river or one of the area's hidden gems. We'll navigate a 14' Smithfly raft, reaching spots most anglers miss as we target browns, rainbows, and brook trout. You'll fish both from the boat and by wading at prime locations. We adapt our tactics based on hatches, conditions, and fish behavior, blending traditional methods with some unique approaches I've developed over years on these waters. Whether you're new to fly fishing or looking to refine your skills, this trip offers a chance to explore some of Vermont's best trout waters. We keep our groups small, with just one guest per trip, ensuring personalized attention and plenty of fishing time. Bring your gear or use ours - either way, you're in for a day of quality fishing in beautiful surroundings.
Vermont's Best 6-Hour Fly Fishing Float Trip

River Runs and Rises

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Photograph of a sea trout caught while fishing in Arlington

Big Big Battenkill Brown Trout on a 3wt. rod!

Impressive rainbow trout caught in VT

VT Battenkill 25" Wild Brown 4/2024!

A group of 4 people fishing in Arlington

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A person fishing in Vermont

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A sea trout caught while fishing in VT

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A scenic Vermont landscape with fishing gear

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Scenic view of Arlington landscape

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Angler holding 17-inch sea trout in Arlington

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Fishing for a Rainbow Trout in Arlington

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Fishing in Arlington

Male Battenkill Brown Trout Spring 2024

Photograph of a sea trout caught while fishing in Arlington

Big Big Battenkill Brown Trout on a 3wt. rod!

Impressive rainbow trout caught in VT

VT Battenkill 25" Wild Brown 4/2024!

A group of 4 people fishing in Arlington

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A person fishing in Vermont

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A sea trout caught while fishing in VT

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A scenic Vermont landscape with fishing gear

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Scenic view of Arlington landscape

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Angler holding 17-inch sea trout in Arlington

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Fishing for a Rainbow Trout in Arlington

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Fishing in Arlington

Male Battenkill Brown Trout Spring 2024

Photograph of a sea trout caught while fishing in Arlington

Big Big Battenkill Brown Trout on a 3wt. rod!

Impressive rainbow trout caught in VT

VT Battenkill 25" Wild Brown 4/2024!

A group of 4 people fishing in Arlington

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A person fishing in Vermont

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Vermont's Best-Kept Fly Fishing Secret

Ready to chase some of the East Coast's wiliest trout? Strap on your waders and hop aboard our 14' Smithfly raft for a day you won't forget on Vermont's legendary waters. Whether you're casting flies on the famed Battenkill or one of our local honey holes, this 6-hour float trip serves up prime spots that'll make any angler weak in the knees. With Vermont Flyfishers, you're not just fishing - you're tapping into decades of local knowledge and techniques that'll put you on fish when others come up empty.

A Day on the Water

Picture this: You're drifting down a pristine Vermont river, mist rising off the water as you cast to rising trout. Our seasoned guides know every bend, riffle, and undercut bank where the big ones lurk. We'll mix it up between fishing from the boat and hopping out to wade the most promising runs. No cookie-cutter approach here - we adapt our tactics to match the day's hatch and fish behavior. From nymphing deep pools to tossing dry flies on glassy flats, we've got a few tricks up our sleeve to entice even the most finicky trout.

Not Your Average Float Trip

Forget about crowded sections of river - our raft gets us to the good stuff that's out of reach for most anglers. We're talking pristine water where the trout haven't seen a thousand flies this week. Our guide's arsenal includes time-tested patterns, some old-school techniques your grandpa might recognize, and a few secret weapons we've cooked up over the years. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting your feet wet, we'll tailor the day to your skill level and make sure you're dialed in on the right approach. Expect to pick up some new tricks that'll up your game long after the trip's over.

What Anglers Are Saying

"Fun day chasing trout. Tough conditions with heavy flow on the river and muddy water but John put me on fish. Great trip, location and day. Highly recommend!" - David

"We had a great time even that the trout didn't cooperate that day. Beautiful river the Hoosick, full of pools." - Emilio

"John is the best guide I've ever had which is why whenever I'm fishing in New England, he's my guy. Knowledge, enthusiastic, positive and very hard working. I always catch a lot of fish with him." - Gary

Trout Trifecta

Brook Trout: These native beauties are the jewels of Vermont's rivers. Known for their stunning colors and feisty attitudes, brook trout thrive in the colder, oxygen-rich waters of our mountain streams. They might not be the biggest fish in the river, but what they lack in size, they make up for in fight and sheer beauty. Spring and fall are prime times to target these guys, when water temperatures are just right and they're actively feeding. There's nothing quite like the rush of seeing a brookie slash at your dry fly in a tumbling pocket water.

Brown Trout: The crafty browns are the challenge many anglers come looking for. These fish grow big and wise in our rivers, often holding in deep runs and under cut banks. They're known for being selective feeders, so matching the hatch and presenting your fly just right is key. Fall is trophy brown season, when these fish get aggressive before the spawn. Hooking into a 20+ inch brown is the stuff of Vermont fishing legends, and it's a real possibility on our waters.

Rainbow Trout: The acrobats of the trout world, rainbows are known for their spectacular fights and airborne leaps. These fish thrive in our faster-moving water sections and are often eager to take a well-presented fly. Spring sees some great rainbow action as fish key in on hatches like the Hendrickson mayflies. Don't be surprised if you hook into a chunky rainbow that takes you for a ride downstream - it's all part of the thrill!

Time to Wet a Line

Look, we could go on all day about the joys of fly fishing these Vermont waters, but nothing beats experiencing it firsthand. Whether you're looking to scratch that fishing itch, learn some new techniques, or just spend a day soaking in the Green Mountain scenery, this trip delivers. Our spots fill up fast, especially during prime seasons, so don't wait to lock in your date. Give us a call, and let's get you out on the water for a day of world-class fly fishing you'll be talking about for years to come. The trout are waiting - are you ready to meet them?

Customer Reviews

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My husband and I went out for a float trip with John. We had never been fly fishing before. John started our session out of the river teaching us the basics of fly fishing which was extremely helpful. Once we were in the water, John was a patient and encouraging teacher. It was fun to learn about something we had never done before from an expert with a wealth of experience and knowledge. During the whole trip, John was attentive and gave very helpful feedback to grow our skills. The best part of the trip was putting everything we had learned into action and catching our first trout. Overall, he took us from no experience fly fishing to being comfortable out on the river. We both want to keep up this new found hobby! Thank you to John for a truly excellent first experience. I would highly recommend taking a trip with John to anyone. 10/10.

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Annie Thornton

July 4, 2022

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John is an excellent guide, a master of the the Vermont waters, and such a joy to be around. For as much knowledge (and hopefully fish) as you will collect on your trip, the most valuable aspect will be the time on the water with John.

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Shaena Foot

October 4, 2022

Trout Chase Triumph

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Fun day chasing trout. Tough conditions with heavy flow on the river and muddy water but John put me on fish. Great trip, location and day. Highly recommend!

DL
David Lord

November 1, 2022

Hoosick River Magic

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We had a great time even that the trout didn't cooperate that day. Beautiful river the Hoosick, full of pools.

EE
Emilio Espejo

April 23, 2023

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Great trip & John was very knowledgeable!

BH
Brandi Houston

July 5, 2023

Catch King John

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John is the best guide I’ve ever had which is why whenever I’m fishing in New England, he’s my guy. Knowledge, enthusiastic, positive and very hard working. I always catch a lot of fish with him.

GF
Gary Furst

June 4, 2024

Learn more about the species

Brook Trout

Vermont's native jewel, the brook trout, is a small but feisty fighter. These beauties usually run 8-12 inches, with vibrant colors that'll knock your socks off. You'll find 'em in cold, clear streams and rivers, often hiding near fallen logs or undercut banks. Early spring and fall are prime times, when the water's cool and they're most active. Anglers love 'em for their striking looks and the challenge of coaxing them out of tight spots. They're also mighty tasty if you decide to keep a few. Here's a local tip: when the water's low and clear, try a small dry fly with a dropper nymph about 18 inches below. Gets 'em every time.

Brook Trout

Brown Trout

Brown trout are the heavyweights of our local rivers, often growing to 20 inches or more. These crafty fish love deep pools and undercut banks, especially in the Battenkill. They're most active at dawn and dusk, feeding on everything from insects to small fish. Fall's the best time to target big browns as they get aggressive before spawning. Anglers prize them for their hard-fighting nature and the skill it takes to fool one. They're also excellent table fare. If you're after a trophy, try this: use larger streamers or mouse patterns at night. The bigger browns often come out to hunt after dark, and that's when you might hook into something truly special.

Brown Trout

Rainbow Trout

Rainbows are the acrobats of Vermont's rivers, known for their spectacular leaps when hooked. They typically range from 12-20 inches and love fast-moving water. You'll find them in riffles and runs, often holding in seams where fast water meets slow. Spring and early summer are great times to target them, especially during insect hatches. Anglers love rainbows for their hard fights and willingness to take a fly. They're also excellent eating if you're looking for a fish dinner. Here's a tip that works well on our local waters: when fishing nymphs, try using a dropper fly about 18 inches below your main fly. Often, the rainbow will take the smaller, trailing fly.

Rainbow Trout

About the Drift Boat

Company vehicle

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 2

Hop aboard our trusty 14' Smithfly raft for a laid-back day of fly fishing on Vermont's scenic rivers. We'll drift down the famous Battenkill or explore some hidden gems nearby that the crowds haven't discovered yet. This sturdy raft gets us to those sweet spots where the browns, rainbows, and brookies love to hide. You'll cast from the boat and hop out to wade in prime fishing holes along the way. We'll mix up our tactics based on what's hatching and how the fish are behaving - using tried-and-true methods, some old-school tricks, and a few special techniques I've picked up over years of fishing these waters. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this relaxed 6-hour float trip is the perfect way to experience Vermont's beautiful rivers and hopefully land some nice trout. Grab your rod, and let's see what's biting!
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On Sabbatical for Spring 2025.

Let's get out and chase some trout and enjoy the beauty southern Vermont has to offer. Questions? jssr1958@gmail.com

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