Battenkill River
Manchester · Arlington · Salem
SW Vermont / NE New York, USA
Open live forecast →Target species: Brown.
Stream gauge: 01329500. Flow and water temperature update on every refresh.
Weekly AI Outlook as of 06/05/26
Peak sulphur season arrives with prime 80°F+ afternoons triggering strong emergence through Friday. The Battenkill's selective browns will key on size 16-18 duns during the 2-6pm window, with soft hackles deadly in the film afterward. Saturday's rain may muddy things up temporarily, but Sunday's clearing should reset conditions beautifully.
- Conditions: Hot start to the week with 80°+ afternoons perfect for accelerating sulphur emergence. Saturday's rain may temporarily impact clarity.
- Hatches: Prime sulphur time — size 16-18 Comparaduns and CDC patterns during afternoon emergence, soft hackles for post-hatch feeding.
- Water Temp: Mid-60s range ideal for sustained sulphur activity. Hot afternoons will drive emergence timing to the 2-6pm sweet spot.
- Best Window: Mid-afternoon emergence window (2-6pm) when sulphurs lift off. Early mornings before heat stress also productive for dry fly work.
Generated weekly from live USGS gauge readings, weather forecasts, and recent fly shop reports. Updates Friday mornings.
About this Water
- Freestone
- Best months: May–Oct, peak May–June
The lower Battenkill below the New York state line continues the river's character — a low-fertility freestone running through the Washington County countryside before joining the Hudson. The New York reaches offer wild brown and brook trout fishing in classic Eastern character: pocket water, gravel runs, and undercut banks under hemlock and silver maple. The river is technical and rewards anglers willing to fish small flies precisely. Hatches mirror the Vermont reaches: Hendrickson, Sulphur, Cahill, and good caddis activity through summer.
The Battenkill is one of only a handful of rivers that crosses a state line and remains a Blue Ribbon-class fishery on both sides — Vermont and New York anglers fish the same wild browns, just under different state regulations.
Hatch Calendar
| Insect | Peak | Active | Size | Productive Patterns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hendrickson Ephemerella subvaria |
Apr, May | Apr, May | #12–14 |
|
| Blue Winged Olive Baetis spp. |
Apr, Oct | Apr, May, Sep, Oct | #18–22 |
|
| Sulphur Ephemerella dorothea |
May, Jun | May, Jun | #16–18 |
|
Access & Approach
Cambridge, NY and Greenwich, NY are the New York side bases. Public access at multiple DEC-managed sites. New York fishing license required. Catch-and-release regulations apply on designated stretches.
Nearby Fly Shops
- Flyhaus VT
Regulations & License
Fishing in New York requires a current license. Always verify season dates, bag limits, and any special-regulation waters before you fish.
New York fishing regulations & license →
Nearby Waters
Closest Waters
About Current
Battenkill River conditions on Current combine real-time flow data (USGS, WSC, CDEC, CEHQ), weather, tide predictions, hatch probabilities calibrated to this specific water, and recent fly shop reports from the area.
Battenkill River is one of 245 hand-curated waters in Current. The app and web forecast also generate AI outlooks for any unlisted river, lake, or saltwater flat anywhere in the world — drop a pin or paste a name and Current produces a fresh seasonal outlook with weather, flow context, and recommended techniques.
Open the live forecast for today's numbers and the 7-day outlook, or download the iOS app to carry it with you on the water.