Cracking the Code on the Battenkill River with Doug Lyons
Episode 172 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – June 5, 2026. Our destination is the Battenkill River — one of New England's most iconic freestone stream, with Doug Lyons, author of The Fly Fishing Guide to the Battenkill.
Episode 172 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – June 5, 2026.
Our destination is the Battenkill River — one of New England's most iconic freestone stream, where wild brown and brook trout test even the most patient anglers.
Joining me is Doug Lyons, author of The Fly Fishing Guide to the Battenkill, conservationist, and self-described "professional recreationist" who has fished this river for over 50 years. Doug breaks down the Battenkill's seasonal hatches, the wading techniques that make or break your day, and the habitat restoration work that's brought this river roaring back.
In this episode:
• Why the Battenkill's reputation as a "tough" river is earned — and why anglers keep coming back
• The complete hatch chart: Hendricksons, Grannom Caddis, Sulfurs, Isonychias, Cream Drakes, Tricos, and BWOs
• Wading and approach tactics that get you within 30-40 feet of feeding fish
• How to read the rise — and why Doug carries binoculars on the river
• The limestone influence that makes the Battenkill's bug life so rich
• Conservation wins: how habitat restoration produced a 500% increase in fish numbers
• Local intel: Wayside Country Store, Mulligan's, nearby blue lines, and more
With host Steve Haigh | Destination Angler Podcast — THE podcast for anglers who travel.
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Contact Doug: ddclyons1@aol.com | https://www.battenkillfishingbook.com/
Flies on the Fly — 123 Perry Hill Road, Perry Hill, VT (self-serve fly shop — 3 flies for $10) in Shushan, located a mile from the Spring Hole on the way to Salem and Rte 22.
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Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Recorded Apr 25, 2026
Key Takeaways:
00:00 — The Battenkill's Reputation & Doug's 50-Year History
05:32 — Why This River Humbles Anglers 07:29 — Wading: The Single Most Important Skill
10:14 — Casting, Targeting & the Down-and-Across Approach 13:41 — Geography, Limestone & River Sections
16:47 — Manchester VT, Scenery & Local Culture
23:07 — Historical Figures: Orvis, Gordon, Lee Wulff
26:22 — Spring Hatches: Hendricksons, March Browns, Grannom Caddis
30:13 — Reading the Rise with Binoculars 35:07 — Rusty Gates & the Au Sable Hex Hatch
40:26 — Summer Hatches: Sulfurs, Isonychias, Caddis
44:29 — Cream Drakes, Hexes & Wet Fly Strategies
01:02:03 — Tricos: "The Best Hatch on the River"
01:06:20 — Fall BWOs, Flying Ants & Terrestrials
01:07:42 — Conservation: 500% Fish Increase & Habitat Restoration
01:19:34 — Local Eats, Microbrews & Nearby Rivers 01:27:00 — How to Reach Doug & Closing Thoughts
