Walloomsac River
The Walloomsac River near Bennington offers accessible fly fishing for wild brown and rainbow trout in a pastoral Vermont setting. With a two-mile trophy section featuring fish ranging 16 to 20 inches, the Walloomsac provides quality fishing close to town.
Current Conditions
Overview
The Walloomsac River flows through southwestern Vermont near Bennington before joining the Hoosic River. A designated trophy section near Bennington features larger trout and attracts anglers seeking quality fish. The river is fairly shallow and easy to wade, making it accessible to anglers of varying skill levels.
Water Characteristics
Freestone stream with good water quality. Gravel and small cobble bottom. Good insect diversity supports healthy trout populations.
Wading & Float Guide
Fairly shallow and easy to wade. Gravel bottom with moderate current. Accessible for beginning waders and less mobile anglers.
Not typically floated
The Walloomsac is primarily a wade-fishing stream due to its size and depth.
Rod & Tackle Guide
Walloomsac River
- Rod
- 9' 5-weight
- Line
- Weight-forward floating
- Leader & Tippet
- 9' tapered to 4X or 5X
Standard trout setup works well on the Walloomsac.
Seasonal Fishing Guide
Spring
Opens second Saturday in April. Caddis and Blue-Winged Olive hatches provide good dry fly action. Trophy fish feed aggressively in spring.
Summer
Summer brings terrestrial fishing along grassy banks. Evening caddis hatches are productive. Fish early morning and evening during hot weather.
Fall
Fall fishing can be excellent with Blue-Winged Olives returning. Trophy brown trout become more active as temperatures cool.
Fishing Pressure & Local Tips
Moderate pressure on trophy section due to large fish potential. Other sections receive light to moderate pressure.
Local Knowledge
Focus on the trophy section for chance at larger fish. Use standard freestone tactics with focus on drag-free drifts. Stealth important in clear water.
Species Present
Rainbow Trout
The rainbow trout is Montana's most widespread and popular gamefish, celebrated for its explosive surface strikes, aerial acrobatics, and willingness to take a well-presented dry fly. Native to Pacific Coast drainages from Alaska to Mexico, rainbows were first introduced to Montana's waters in the late 1800s and have since established thriving populations in nearly every major river system in the state. On legendary waters like the Madison, Missouri, and Bighorn, wild rainbow trout grow fat on prolific insect hatches and provide some of the finest dry-fly fishing in North America. Rainbow trout in Montana display remarkable variation depending on their home water. Fish in nutrient-rich tailwaters like the Missouri River below Holter Dam can exceed 20 inches with regularity, their deep bodies and broad tails reflecting the abundant food supply. Freestone river rainbows, such as those in the upper Madison and Gallatin, tend to be leaner and more athletic, shaped by faster currents and colder water temperatures. In many Montana rivers, rainbows spawn in the spring from March through June, and anglers should be mindful of spawning redds during this period to protect future generations of fish. Rainbows are arguably the most versatile trout species for fly anglers. They respond well to dry flies during hatches, aggressively chase streamers, and feed heavily on nymphs subsurface throughout the year. Their fighting ability is legendary: a hooked rainbow will often launch itself completely out of the water multiple times during a battle. Montana's catch-and-release regulations on many blue-ribbon streams have produced exceptional rainbow trout fisheries with high densities of large, healthy fish that continue to draw anglers from around the world.
Brown Trout
The brown trout is the most cunning and elusive trout species swimming in Montana's rivers, and it rewards patient, skilled anglers with some of the state's most memorable catches. Originally native to Europe and western Asia, brown trout were first introduced to North American waters in 1883 and arrived in Montana shortly thereafter. They have since established robust, self-sustaining populations in virtually every major trout stream in the state, from the legendary spring creeks of the Paradise Valley to the sweeping runs of the lower Madison and the deep pools of the Bighorn. Brown trout grow larger than any other trout species in Montana, and fish exceeding 24 inches are caught with regularity on premium waters. The lower Madison River, the Missouri River below Holter Dam, and the Bighorn River are particularly renowned for producing trophy-class browns. Unlike rainbows, brown trout spawn in the fall (October through November), and their aggressive pre-spawn behavior creates an exciting window for streamer fishing as large males become territorial and attack anything that enters their domain. Browns are notably more nocturnal than other trout species, and many of the biggest fish are caught during low-light conditions. What sets brown trout apart from other species is their wariness and selectivity. Large browns are notoriously difficult to fool, often refusing flies that are even slightly off in size, color, or presentation. They tend to establish and defend prime feeding lies (undercut banks, logjams, deep pools, and boulder gardens), and an angler who learns to read water and identify these holding spots will consistently catch more and larger fish. This combination of difficulty, size potential, and intelligence makes the brown trout the most prized quarry for many serious Montana fly fishers.
Brook Trout
The brook trout is widely considered the most beautiful freshwater fish in North America, and catching one in a pristine Montana mountain stream is an experience that captures the essence of backcountry fly fishing. Despite their common name, brook trout are not true trout at all; they are a species of char (genus Salvelinus), more closely related to lake trout and Arctic char than to rainbows or browns. Native to eastern North America from Georgia to Hudson Bay, brook trout were among the first salmonids introduced to Montana's waters in the late 1800s and have since established self-sustaining populations in cold, high-elevation streams and lakes throughout the state. In Montana, brook trout thrive best in small, cold headwater streams and high mountain lakes where competition from larger trout species is minimal. In these environments, they are often the dominant, or only, salmonid present. The trade-off is size: Montana stream-dwelling brook trout typically range from 6 to 10 inches, with fish over 12 inches considered noteworthy in most waters. What they lack in size, however, they more than make up for in beauty and willingness to eat a fly. Brookies are aggressive feeders that will strike attractor dry flies, nymphs, and small streamers with enthusiasm, making them an ideal species for beginning fly anglers and a delightful quarry for anyone who appreciates small-stream fishing. Brook trout do present a conservation paradox in Montana. While they are a beloved and beautiful gamefish, they are non-native and can negatively impact native species, particularly Yellowstone and westslope cutthroat trout. In headwater streams, brook trout often outcompete cutthroats for food and spawning habitat due to their higher reproductive rate and earlier maturation. As a result, Montana FWP has implemented brook trout removal projects on some streams to restore native cutthroat populations. In many waters, liberal harvest limits for brook trout are encouraged to reduce their numbers and benefit native fish. Anglers can enjoy excellent brook trout fishing while actively helping conservation by keeping a few for the pan.
Hatch Chart
| Insect | Suggested Fly | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) afternoon | Parachute Adams | ||||||||||||
Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) afternoon | BWO Emerger | ||||||||||||
Caddisflies (various) evening | Elk Hair Caddis | ||||||||||||
Hendrickson afternoon | Parachute Adams | ||||||||||||
Terrestrials (ants, beetles) afternoon | Chubby Chernobyl | ||||||||||||
Stoneflies (various) all day | Pat's Rubber Legs |
Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis): Spring BWOs. Size 16-20.
Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis): Fall BWOs. Size 18-20.
Caddisflies (various): Summer caddis hatches. Size 14-18.
Hendrickson: Spring Hendrickson hatch. Size 12-14.
Terrestrials (ants, beetles): Terrestrial patterns productive. Size 14-18.
Stoneflies (various): Stonefly nymphs. Size 8-12.
Recommended Flies
Parachute Adams
Top PickUniversal dry fly for trophy section.
Best in spring
BWO Emerger
Top PickBWO emerger for spring and fall hatches.
Best in fall
Elk Hair Caddis
Top PickCaddis dry for summer evening hatches.
Best in summer
Pheasant Tail Nymph
Top PickPheasant Tail nymph effective year-round.
Best in spring
Woolly Bugger
Top PickStreamer for trophy brown trout in fall.
Best in fall
Also Effective
Access Points & Boat Launches
Bennington Trophy Section Access
Wade AccessEasyAccess to the designated trophy section near Bennington featuring brown and rainbow trout ranging 16-20 inches. Shallow, easy to wade. Special regulations apply. Popular for quality fish potential.
North Bennington Access
Wade AccessEasyPublic access north of Bennington providing wade fishing to productive Walloomsac water. Good brown and rainbow trout populations. Fairly shallow and accessible to beginning waders.
Pownal River Access
Wade AccessEasyLower Walloomsac access near Pownal before river enters New York. Good fishing for brown and rainbow trout. Less pressure than trophy section upstream.
Regulations
Regulations
Trophy section (2 miles near Bennington): Special regulations apply, check vtfishandwildlife.com. General trout season: second Saturday in April through October 31. Vermont fishing license required.
Always verify current regulations with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks before fishing.
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Quick Facts
- Region
- Southern Vermont / Bennington County
- Water Type
- Freestone
- River Length
- 15 miles fishable; 2-mile trophy section
- Difficulty
- Beginner-Intermediate
- Best Seasons
- spring, summer, fall
- Trout Per Mile
- 300-500; trophy section has larger fish
- Record Trout
- Brown trout 16-20 inches in trophy section
- Species
- Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout
- USGS Gauge
- 01334500
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