West Ausable trip ? Too early?

[Rabbit051977]

Hi ,
I was looking to see if it's too early to go up to the West Ausable ? My brother and I were looking to go up next Friday...3/27 .. And I was hoping to see if I could get some local advice on the river conditions. Or should we wait another month or so ?

Thanks,
John

 

[smp928s]

Hi John,

I was up in Wilmington and Lake Placid last Sunday. They were still skiing up there which means there is still a ton of snow to come down off that mountain. It is way to unpredictable up there for me this time of year. Parts of the river were open and didn't look to bad, others still had alot of ice. If I lived up there I might tempt fate but I am heading South this year for the opener. I think the general consensus for the Ausable is May to Mid May for any long productive outings. I am in NO WAY an expert fly fisherman, just my honest opinion. Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[DoubleHaul]

TCO Fly Shop Online

Bring your auger & tip-ups

 

[Rabbit051977]

Hey ,
Thanks for the heads up. I was hoping the recent "warm" weather might open an oppertunity. Ah well. Off to the Battenkill instaed.

How are the black flies in June/July up there ?

-john

 

[DoubleHaul]

This is a live webcam in Ausable Forks
NOAA's National Weather Service (East Ausable Forks, N.Y. River Camera, USGS River Gauge 04275000)

How are the Blackflies in June?.......HUNGRY!

 

[smp928s]

The Press Republican - Countdown to fishing season

 

[afishinado]

AccuWeather.com - Lake Placid, NY - Weather Forecast - Local Weather Forecasts

 

[kindanewbie77]

like someone said earlier, bring your auger and tip ups!

 

[CTobias]

looks wide open to me!

 

[Rabbit051977]

Double Haul,
Thanks for the link and info , the river doesnt look to bad, but the trip up will be another day.
I talked to a guy that just came back from Lake Placid, he works at the local fly shop down here (scotia), he said he was suprised to see the river this low this early. But with warmer weather on the way ,I am sure the snow melt might be a factor soon??

Well I am going to the Battenkill Wednesday after work, and maybe Friday too. I cant wait to get out there.


-John

 

[CTobias]

he works at the local fly shop down here (scotia)

Scotia!! Do they sell 40oz and night crawlers at that fly shop?!? :music:

Just kidding.

 

[Rabbit051977]

Na,
Just good ole Utica Club and minnows...

but seriously ...all that is just across the river in Schenectady....

-John

 

[CTobias]

Na,
Just good ole Utica Club and minnows...

but seriously ...all that is just across the river in Schenectady....

-John

Haha. I know. I was just busting your balls.

 

[Rabbit051977]

CT,

I like your avatar !

....that's what I am in search of this summer..BIG FISH !

I hope to explore up north this year..see what I could get. This is my first year fly fishing....I have already lost a majority of my flys on my first outing in the trees behind me. But I am getting the hang of it. (Kinda)
:beer:


-John

 

[smp928s]

TCO Fly Shop Online

 

[Simms]

I was in Wilmington a 3 weeks ago skiing and there was absolutely NO snow..Only snow was on Whiteface. Once this melts, river is going to come up, however it wont be major. The Ausable only starts to get stocked begining the first week in May. Been going up that weeks for YEARS now. If they do stock, its ALOT of fish, however they are not huge by any means. We make a 2 day trip to the St. Regis as well that week and its NYMPH fishermans paradise! The river is INCREDIBLE! This too is stocked when the Ausable is. The ST Regis seems to hold alot more fish over the winter. May6th last year the St Regis was stocked, we were there the 5/6th and go hold overs..NICE FISH. If I can offer one piece of advice, it would be wait till end of may. I head up again the week after Memorial Day and the fish are INCREDIBLE! The fish are average 15+'' and they have since stocked for the "2 fly contest", TONS of fish 18+''...Head to the St Regis then, and youll be in HEAVEN when you see your indicator dart under behind the big boudlers, with a nice 17'' brownie on the other end!

The Saranac River is AMAZING throughout may...Early on, they stock hundreds of fish at each bridge along the Saranac, however once end of may reaches, 16''+ fish are stocked and its UNREAL! Swing your Matukae down stream and hold on!!! YEEE HAWWW!
Bottom line, wait till midmay earliest. But if you can hold out, go end of May! I head up early may to chaperone a trip...Like I said, early may is hit or miss, but fortunately we have been lucky for the most part. small to medium fish, but there are a TON!

Apparently there are holdovers thoughout the whole Westbranch/East Branch of the Ausable, however its hard to believe. Being up there snowmobiling a few weekends each wtiner, the river is FROZEN SOLID...Only open water is the mini gorge below TCO...And if you know where im talkin about, youknow thats RAGING during the season! Once winter hits, its only 3 feet wide, and a mere trickle...If i were to go up early early, I would head to the forks and fish the confluence...During the season we take our BIGGEST fish there...


We stay at the Wilderness both times! Paulie is awesome! and is the staff!