The Onion River has recently been restored by the efforts of the DNR and our friends in Trout Unlimited and the FFF.

There are two places on the lower reaches of this stream where you can park and fish.

The first is at the Winooski Cemetery, which is west of County "N" on County "U" on the north side. The ground is solid and grassy on the east end of the cemetery. It's a short walk north to the stream. Much of the creek here is without obvious cover so you must probe tree root areas and undercut banks. The ground around the stream is soggy and full of holes so watch your step.

The second area is upstream from the cemetery and is more heavily fished. The parking is on a gravel pull-off on the north side of the stream, which is visible from the road. The bank is steep here so check the ground BEFORE you pull off the road. There are stream improvements just north of the parking area in the form of cribs and some boulder placement. Approach very cautiously. The ground is soft and the fish are easily alerted. Fish the cribs by drifting lightly weighted chocolate hare's ear nymphs (size 14-18) under them. After you have drifted the nymph, guide it to a waste water area with your rod and make your retrieve. Don't pull it in and out of the cover.

Downstream from the parking area is a lengthy boulder garden. This is a good place to fish dark caddis dries (size 16-18) early in the season and Adams parachutes (size 16) later. Also, you can occasionally pick up a fish using dark green rock worm (caddis larva on a scud hook, size 14) dead drifted around the boulders. The best spot is farther downstream under a rustic farm bridge. This is approached from downstream using dries late in the day or very early in the morning. The area under the bridge is loaded with suckers but there are some nice trout (14" browns) mixed in with them.

Another good area is off of Cty Hwy "E." Upstream is always good and since TU has rebuilt the area downstream to Cty Hwy "U" it is also good. (Just a little note here: The landowner upstream form "U" cuts his grass and welcomes anglers. The only problem you'll have with him is that once he sees you he will usually come out to talk and he won't go away. He's too friendly.) He has a few hundred yards of stream going through his yard and much of it is good trout water with some pretty large fish in it.

The Onion River is a small stream that is difficult to fish and gets hammered in the early season. You really are better off fishing from mid-June on and in the early morning. Approach carefully and rest the water often to calm the fish. And don't forget that the DNR stocks after opening season also.