Wilderness Trails - Quechee, Vermont
At Wilderness Trails you will enjoy a great variety of adventures, each tailored to the desires of your own family or group. |
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The Vermont Fly Fishing School and Wilderness Trails
Canoeing, Kayaking/ Fly Fishing
by Marty Banak
I believe most of us who have found our way to Vermont over the years have done so in large part because we love open spaces and the great outdoors. For some it's the golf, for others maybe the mountains, for me it's the rivers. The three different rivers within minutes of our Wilderness Trails base in Quechee, Vt. allow us to offer a wide variety of canoeing, kayaking, and fishing experiences for all ages and abilities. I began teaching fly fishing and renting canoes at The Marshland Farm in 1983 and now offer daily guide and shuttle services on local waters from May through October. Below I try to provide a general idea of the unique opportunities that I have discovered over the years and which exist just minutes from your door.
THE OTTAUQUECHEE RIVER - Our "Home Stream"
The Ottauquechee River flows right through the village. It is a relatively small and shallow "user friendly" river after the April run off and provides great fun early in the season as it is stocked with rainbow trout in mid- May. Finding the deeper pools where the trout hide can be tricky, but the clean water has healthy populations of aquatic insects and bait fish so some of the largest trout we catch (over 18" not uncommon) each season come from the scenic little Ottauquechee. Based at The Quechee Inn, we have taught and guided fishermen on this river for over 25 years.
With the warmer water of early summer the Ottauquechee River begins to get quite shallow, but can still provide a wonderful kayak experience as stream flows subside after a thundershower passes through our small valley. At this time we use the Ottauquechee in three sections: the lower section, Taftsville to Quechee is about 3 1/2 miles with smooth steady flows / the middle section, Woodstock to Taftsville is similar in length and very quiet and scenic as it meanders through the back pastures of Billings Farm / and the upper section, Bridgewater to The White Cottage ice cream stand is shallow but longer and faster. It is great fun for kids with a treat at the end! With our fifteen hybrid bike rentals, we have by request, arranged to meet our bikers upstream for a kayak trip back down to Quechee. It is a great way to see the area as never before!
As an added bonus, the Ottauquechee flows into the 3 1/2 mile long, narrow, secluded North Hartland lake accessable at the U.S. Army flood control dam (open daily 8:00am - 8:00pm) just a short drive from Quechee.
This calm water lake is home to nesting blue herons. Bald eagles, deer and beaver are commonly seen, and occasionally a moose sidles down the steep banks for a dip in the cool water. Mornings and evenings are best for boating while the water is misty flat and wildlife active. Wilderness Trails rents canoes and kayaks at the lake so if you haven't already seen it, don't miss this little gem right in our neighborhood!
THE WHITE RIVER - One of Vermont's real gems.
The White River is just minutes north of Quechee Village and is New England's longest unimpeded river; free flowing, no dams! Larger and longer than the Ottauquechee River it too is stocked with trout in May. Though many trout reside in the deep pools of the White river, the insect hatches tend to be rather sparse so when guiding we tend to recommend more subsurface weighted flies imitating bait fish and crayfish, the primary food items for these fish. Further, as this river is used extensively by canoers, kayakers, and tubers, it can be important for fishermen to select areas of the river and times of the day to keep intrusions to a minimum. When compared to the Ottauquechee, the larger, deeper waters of this river offer quality trout fishing experiences later into the warm summer season and the smallmouth bass can provide a pleasant surprise.
For canoeing and kayaking, the White river can be superb. Optimum water flows and comfortable temperatures arrive in mid-May and extend through most of the summer. The eight mile lower section from West Hartford to White River Junction is the easiest. Primarily knee deep with many riffles over small rock ledges and some fun swimming holes, the lower White river is often the best choice for family kayak trips with youngsters enjoying the fun and freedom of their own boat on moving water for the first time. Several take out options allow this trip to be tailored to a group of youngsters with differing levels of strength and energy. Keeping everyone happy is our job one!
The central section of the White River between the towns of Sharon and West Hartford is for the more adventurous. Under proper flow conditions this section has some exciting class two and three rapids and a few tricky turns so we suggest people be fit and prepared to get wet. Our kayaks are recreational models that allow for easy exit and life jackets are always required. Many of our customers have come back again and again to play on this wonderful stretch of clear, clean water.
THE CONNECTICUT RIVER - "The Big Easy"
The Connecticut River is a uniquely wonderful river that some people in our neighborhood have learned to fully appreciate. As a smallmouth bass fishery it is second to none and the fish get large! Employ a few basic tricks and these bass can be caught consistently by almost anyone. When a youngster has a good one on the end of a fishing line it can be hard to tell just who is pulling whom. Kids don't soon forget the experience. The occasional trout can be up to 26" long. Only limited opportunities to wade this large river exist as the Wilder Dam upstream causes rising water levels on an almost daily basis. For this reason paying attention to experienced advise is important and fishermen wading should be with a guide.
Canoes and kayaks can be put in on the lower White for a short glide downstream into the Connecticut River. Passing under a few bridges you soon paddle a smooth, leisurely flow into farming country. Intermittent islands along the way offer the opportunity to stop for lunch and the favorite island sports a fine natural sand beach. The currents move steadily along as the river winds between wooded banks to the first take out at the mouth of the Ottauquechee River, six miles from the starting point. One can choose to continue paddling beyond the Ottauquechee, past the large hen and chick boulders to check out the eagle’s nest (10 young eagles from 2004 -2009) before taking out at the portage trail sign eight miles from the start. These trips are arranged for you privately so you can enjoy a wonderful afternoon on the river with nobody else around. A short shuttle back to Quechee and the whole trip can last between two and four plus hours,a depending on your wishes.
So, when you want a little quiet time on any of our local rivers this season, call us at Wilderness Trails (802) 295-7620 and I will tailor a trip to your needs and provide all the equipment for an enjoyable and memorable experience fishing, canoeing, kayaking or biking within minutes of your home in Quechee, Vt.
by Marty Banak
I believe most of us who have found our way to Vermont over the years have done so in large part because we love open spaces and the great outdoors. For some it's the golf, for others maybe the mountains, for me it's the rivers. The three different rivers within minutes of our Wilderness Trails base in Quechee, Vt. allow us to offer a wide variety of canoeing, kayaking, and fishing experiences for all ages and abilities. I began teaching fly fishing and renting canoes at The Marshland Farm in 1983 and now offer daily guide and shuttle services on local waters from May through October. Below I try to provide a general idea of the unique opportunities that I have discovered over the years and which exist just minutes from your door.
THE OTTAUQUECHEE RIVER - Our "Home Stream"
The Ottauquechee River flows right through the village. It is a relatively small and shallow "user friendly" river after the April run off and provides great fun early in the season as it is stocked with rainbow trout in mid- May. Finding the deeper pools where the trout hide can be tricky, but the clean water has healthy populations of aquatic insects and bait fish so some of the largest trout we catch (over 18" not uncommon) each season come from the scenic little Ottauquechee. Based at The Quechee Inn, we have taught and guided fishermen on this river for over 25 years.
With the warmer water of early summer the Ottauquechee River begins to get quite shallow, but can still provide a wonderful kayak experience as stream flows subside after a thundershower passes through our small valley. At this time we use the Ottauquechee in three sections: the lower section, Taftsville to Quechee is about 3 1/2 miles with smooth steady flows / the middle section, Woodstock to Taftsville is similar in length and very quiet and scenic as it meanders through the back pastures of Billings Farm / and the upper section, Bridgewater to The White Cottage ice cream stand is shallow but longer and faster. It is great fun for kids with a treat at the end! With our fifteen hybrid bike rentals, we have by request, arranged to meet our bikers upstream for a kayak trip back down to Quechee. It is a great way to see the area as never before!
As an added bonus, the Ottauquechee flows into the 3 1/2 mile long, narrow, secluded North Hartland lake accessable at the U.S. Army flood control dam (open daily 8:00am - 8:00pm) just a short drive from Quechee.
This calm water lake is home to nesting blue herons. Bald eagles, deer and beaver are commonly seen, and occasionally a moose sidles down the steep banks for a dip in the cool water. Mornings and evenings are best for boating while the water is misty flat and wildlife active. Wilderness Trails rents canoes and kayaks at the lake so if you haven't already seen it, don't miss this little gem right in our neighborhood!
THE WHITE RIVER - One of Vermont's real gems.
The White River is just minutes north of Quechee Village and is New England's longest unimpeded river; free flowing, no dams! Larger and longer than the Ottauquechee River it too is stocked with trout in May. Though many trout reside in the deep pools of the White river, the insect hatches tend to be rather sparse so when guiding we tend to recommend more subsurface weighted flies imitating bait fish and crayfish, the primary food items for these fish. Further, as this river is used extensively by canoers, kayakers, and tubers, it can be important for fishermen to select areas of the river and times of the day to keep intrusions to a minimum. When compared to the Ottauquechee, the larger, deeper waters of this river offer quality trout fishing experiences later into the warm summer season and the smallmouth bass can provide a pleasant surprise.
For canoeing and kayaking, the White river can be superb. Optimum water flows and comfortable temperatures arrive in mid-May and extend through most of the summer. The eight mile lower section from West Hartford to White River Junction is the easiest. Primarily knee deep with many riffles over small rock ledges and some fun swimming holes, the lower White river is often the best choice for family kayak trips with youngsters enjoying the fun and freedom of their own boat on moving water for the first time. Several take out options allow this trip to be tailored to a group of youngsters with differing levels of strength and energy. Keeping everyone happy is our job one!
The central section of the White River between the towns of Sharon and West Hartford is for the more adventurous. Under proper flow conditions this section has some exciting class two and three rapids and a few tricky turns so we suggest people be fit and prepared to get wet. Our kayaks are recreational models that allow for easy exit and life jackets are always required. Many of our customers have come back again and again to play on this wonderful stretch of clear, clean water.
THE CONNECTICUT RIVER - "The Big Easy"
The Connecticut River is a uniquely wonderful river that some people in our neighborhood have learned to fully appreciate. As a smallmouth bass fishery it is second to none and the fish get large! Employ a few basic tricks and these bass can be caught consistently by almost anyone. When a youngster has a good one on the end of a fishing line it can be hard to tell just who is pulling whom. Kids don't soon forget the experience. The occasional trout can be up to 26" long. Only limited opportunities to wade this large river exist as the Wilder Dam upstream causes rising water levels on an almost daily basis. For this reason paying attention to experienced advise is important and fishermen wading should be with a guide.
Canoes and kayaks can be put in on the lower White for a short glide downstream into the Connecticut River. Passing under a few bridges you soon paddle a smooth, leisurely flow into farming country. Intermittent islands along the way offer the opportunity to stop for lunch and the favorite island sports a fine natural sand beach. The currents move steadily along as the river winds between wooded banks to the first take out at the mouth of the Ottauquechee River, six miles from the starting point. One can choose to continue paddling beyond the Ottauquechee, past the large hen and chick boulders to check out the eagle’s nest (10 young eagles from 2004 -2009) before taking out at the portage trail sign eight miles from the start. These trips are arranged for you privately so you can enjoy a wonderful afternoon on the river with nobody else around. A short shuttle back to Quechee and the whole trip can last between two and four plus hours,a depending on your wishes.
So, when you want a little quiet time on any of our local rivers this season, call us at Wilderness Trails (802) 295-7620 and I will tailor a trip to your needs and provide all the equipment for an enjoyable and memorable experience fishing, canoeing, kayaking or biking within minutes of your home in Quechee, Vt.
