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Anglers heading north by northeast this summer might want to check out the new Northeast Kingdom Outfitters in Derby, Vermont, hard by the Quebec border, just off I 91. The new group is headed by Francis Smith, a fine young man with a degree in Environmental Science who truly loves his sport. An excellent fly tyer to boot, Smith offers guided trout fishing trips on the Lamoille, Missisquoi, Black, Willoughby, Clyde and other headwaters. He also guides anglers looking for smallmouths and/or trout on the area’s major lakes namely, Seymour, Echo and others. Trout fishing in the lakes occurs mainly earlier and during the big Hexaginia limbata hatch which begins at the end of June or early July and lasts a week or more. It’s a tough one to predict and hit, however.
Smith fishes half days or full (eight hours) days and suggests in summer that you break a full day into morning and evening shifts, thus hitting both the hatches on the streams and the most active feeding times for bass in lakes. That will leave you with siesta or touring time during the middle of the day, which can be warm even up on the Vermont Quebec border.
Smith has been guiding guests at Seymour Lake Lodge (*) on the lake of the same name. The lodge was written up in the September, 1992 issue of The Angling Report, and is an excellent place to stay in the area. Room rates run $40 per person per day, or $75 for two people. Seymour Lake has excellent smallmouth fishing virtually out the front door of the lodge, and Smith gets you in on the action.
Smith also offers fly casting/fishing lessons for beginners ($55 for a three hour session) and intermediates ($95 for a five hour course). He offers trips for one to four persons, and enjoys working with family or friends. Prices range from $75 for one person for a half day, to $125 for one person for a full day. Should a group of three or four anglers want more individual attention, Smith’s father, Dave, a skilled angler and fly tying instructor, is also available for booking by advance arrangement.
For a detailed rate breakdown sheet plus answers to your specific questions, contact Northeast Kingdom Outfitters (*). Jerry Gibbs.