The Battenkill Lodge owns two miles of water on the New York Battenkill Trophy area. Easy access is provided for our guests. These waters contain wild Brook and Brown trout with no hatchery stocking. Fishing with artificials is the only method permitted. Each day, the abundant insect hatches promise opportunities to fish multiple rises.
A short drive takes our guests to the Hoosic River. The lodge presently owns and maintains over three miles of river frontage, most of which is double bank. The upper part of this water is fed by the Walloornsac River. This cold water tributary provides the main Hoosic with most of its’ wild Rainbows and Browns.
As with all of our property, there is full driving access with easy entrance to all pools. Each beat has tables for tackle preparation or a riverside lunch. The Hoosic is isolated and private and therefore has minimal angling pressure. Brown trout to 24 inches and Rainbows to 20 inches are taken regularly, which has earned this property the nickname “Jurassic Park”.
Additionally, Battenkill Lodge also owns a half mile of the Owlkill River another Hoosic, tributary. Recent improvements to our double bank section have created excellent holding pools, abundant with Brook Trout, perfect for afternoon fishing with its shaded runs and riffles.
Sheep Meadow
Sheep Meadow consists of approximately one half mile of fishing with four named pools. There is considerable variation in the character of each pool, though all yield fine catches. The Sucker Pool consistently produces large fish, especially when the Yellow Drakes are on. Moving upriver, you will come to the famed Grocery Pool, another consistent producer of large fish. Considerable bank management has been undertaken in recent years to preserve this pristine water and to make all of the upper beat accessible.
The run leading into Bernstein’s pool provides fine Brook Trout due to the cold water seepage along the north bank. Three quarters of a mile and three pools downriver will bring you to the Lodge Pool, and our picturesque Gazebo, overlooking the Battenkill. This pool produces blizzard hatches of Hendricksons in season. It offers easy wading, as the bottom is gravel-strewn, and permits fishing from mid-river to both banks.
The Battenkill Wulff Beat
This half mile beat contains three pools, including the Wulff Pool. In years past, the famed angler Lee Wulff lived on the North Bank. A cold spring at the head produces some of the largest Brook Trout in the river. This section is also home to a small population of river otter and mink. At the Ledge Pool, large Browns are often taken in the evening hours. Below, the Boulder Pool has excellent Rusty Spinner falls each warm evening from late spring to autumn. Easy river access, well maintained paths and comfortable tables make this area a top choice of our returning guests.
The Hoosic Upper Beat
This area produces some of the largest trout on the river. At the top, the Walloomsac feeds the Confluence Pool. The tributary is some six degrees cooler and later in the season this pool becomes most productive. Its’ five pools and runs offer excellent dry fly fishing. The Bend Pool exhibits excellent White Fly Hatches and offers good evening fishing well into September.
The Hoosic Lower Beat
Starting at the cornfield, High Bank Pool offers good Blue Winged Olive hatches all season, particularly on cloudy days. Four pools all have easy access, easy wading, riverside tables, and panoramic views. Fishing on the lower beat is particularly enjoyable when the afternoon Caddis are on. The Hog Pool, a favorite of the larger Rainbows, produces Rusty Spinner falls all season long. This pool is our favorite for evening fishing.
The Hut
A new English country fishing hut is now located on the banks of the Hog Pool, with a full outside covered deck.
I fished the mayfly season on the River Avon and Test in England this spring. In viewing their huts, we came up with our compilation of the best in England. Guests can take a picnic cooler of food and refreshments, and spend the entire day on the Hoosic.
The Owlkill
The Owlkill River is a major nursery tributary for the Hoosic River. Its entrance to the main river, provides a steady supply of wild Rainbows and Browns. Battenkill Lodge owns a one half mile, double bank beat, featuring good holding pools and undercut banks. Though most fish are ten to twelve inches, Browns of fourteen inches or more are taken on nymphs. The river shades over early in the day and provides excellent afternoon dry fly activity. After soaking rains cause the larger rivers to run high, the Owlkill will produce larger Trout on Muddlers and Woolly Buggers.
