Advice needed for Lake Placid area fly fishing

[rckrego]

Hey guys- My mom's family is from the captial district. We're headed up to Lake placid for a week to celebrate my grandmother's 80th birthday. I'm in charge of taking the men fly fishing. I know the Au Sable is right there and intend on giving it a go. Any useful info about spots or what not would be most apprecitated.

It is my understanding that the Au Sable gets lots of pressure, though. As such, I'm wondering what other rivers and/or streams are near by that I can give a shot. I've heard that the Upper Hudson and Indian Rivers are good spots. Any advice, again, would be most appreciated. Thanks!

Oh, if there's a good spot for some wild brookies that someone wouldn't mind divulging, that's be cool too.

Thanks!

 

[Green Butted Skunk]

If you are in Placid, you prolly want to fish the Ausable. While the West Branch may be crowded, the East Branch will be empty.

There are many opportunities all around the Placid area for Wild Brookies. Just pick a brook, pretty much any brook and you'll find some native specks.

If you want particular names of brooks, send me a PM

GBS

 

[Green Highlander]

Hi,

I've always have done really well with trico spinners (flashabou wings) on the Ausable at this time of the year fishing from the monument pool downstream through the trophy section. Each pool handles a few fishermen so if you're going with an entourage it may be best to split up into smaller groups. The bridge pool near the ski jump can accomodate a group and I usually fish that pool last because it gets hammered with fishermen. If the weather is warm, get to the river early (first light) or you may miss the spinners. After the spinner fall ends, go to the A&W and load up on chili dogs and root beer, and then brake out the soft hackle wets and hit the river again. Towards the evening you may be fortunate enough to get a spinner fall and don't forget to pack some spent caddis.

Green Highlander

 

[Fly Ty R]

Look to the upper Saranac branches as well. They are close enough to Lake Placid, and offer some really wild fishing out in the boonies. Good mix of small stream water in the branches to big roiling rapids in the main stem, depending on which section you fish. There's not nearly the pressure on Saranac as there is on the Ausable...

 

[rckrego]

Any local shops that you recommend stopping in, or books to read up on?

 

[rford]

I also used to live in Capitol District ( clifton park ny).

As an FYI, its still almost 2. 5 hours on a good day with a tailwind from Albany proper, just a heads up. Its ( being the Ausable ). With that said its worth the drive for the pictures , the fish are an added bonus.

 

[rckrego]

We've rented a house up there for a week, so don't need to worry about the drive. We used to go up to the adirondacks a lot, but mostly in the winter. I'm psyched to try the west branch of the au sable, but just want to have some back ups if that's a zoo.

 

[afishinado]

Good info from other posters. I’ve fished up there a bit. Good advice to try the Saranac as well as the Ausable.

Attached are links to two shops. Stop in and see Fran Betters – good guy – very knowledgeable and has custom patterns to fish. Also TCO has a shop up there next to the “Hungry Trout”.

(sorry i am unable to post the links - forum rules > 20 posts)

Also attached is the USGS stream flow info for the Ausable. Check the flow. It is near normal for this time of year. The Ausable River gives new meaning to the words “high gradient” river – it moves! Bring plenty of weighted stone flies and other weighted patterns along with heavier rods to pitch them.


(sorry i am unable to post the links - forum rules > 20 posts)



Good luck.

 

[BIGBOW]

I always hit Fran Betters Adirondack Sport Shop for some flies. A little pricey, but the man's a living legend and having some of his Ausable Wulffs, Usuals, or Haystacks in your box can be helpful down the road. I guess I just enjoy having these flies tied by the man who invented them. The Hungry Trout fly shop is also right down the road and has a great selection for your needs. Their restaurant is killer!! Last time I had a quail appetizer and a venison steak with wine sauce... blew my mind. Best of luck and let us know how the trip goes.

 

[BIGBOW]

Whoops.. didn't read afishinado's post