Stream: West Branch Ausable River Fishing Report
Date: 7/5/2026
Clarity: Clear
Temperature: 60 f AM
Weather: high of 79 degrees, Mostly Sunny
Current Shop Announcements: June gave us some fantastic fishing, but as we get into July temps will be climbing, so make sure you are bringing your thermometer even for those morning outings. We are getting lucky with some very good overnight temperatures, giving us some chances for some morning outings over the next few days. Fish have been taking a variety of dries, patterns like Chubby Chernobyls, Parachute Sulphurs, Elk Hair Caddis and Stimulators have been working well for us. We have also been fishing a lot of Dry Dropper rigs recently with attractor nymphs or emergers below a dry, and that has been the ticket on those more difficult fish to commit. It was a much wetter June than last year and we shall see what July has in store for us, but we are getting to that point in the year where the river starts to heat up quickly once the sun hits it. Making sure you are checking temps frequently, getting out early, and changing up locations or target species is the best way to make the best of your day of fishing in peak summer. The small Blue Line streams in the area do provide us a chance to target Brookies a little deeper into the summer time of the year for some morning fishing, not to mention river Smallmouth fishing over on the Saranac and Raquette.
Other Rivers in the area have been getting great reports, especially the Saranac. It has been fishing well consistently and on high water days the reports have been productive fishing the eddies and tail outs of larger pools. With Bass season opening recently expect to be seeing more regular updates on the Saranac River Bass Floats as we get those going in the next few days here!
Available Dates: July: 12, 16, 20, 25, 26, 28 (Some dates have more availability than others so give us a call here at the shop and we’ll be happy to get you set up with a trip!)
Hatches: Caddis, Sulphur, Stoneflies, Yellow Sally, Iso
Hot Flies: Dry Flies: Elk Hair Caddis (Tan, Brown, Black, Olive: 16-20), High Rise Foam Caddis (Olive, Yellow Sally: 14-16), Chubby Chernobyl (Brown, Gold Hopper, Peacock, Golden Stone, Purple: 8-14), Stimulators (Royal, Yellow, Orange: 8-16), Parachute Adams (10-16), Sulphur Parachute (18-16), Iso Parachute (10-14) Nymphs: Girdle Bugs (Black, Coffee/Black, Brown: 8-16), Pheasant Tail (Natural, Black (12-16), Prince Nymph (12-18), Duracell Jigs (Original, Olive: 12-16), Caddis Pupa (Tan, Olive: 12-18), Waltz Worm (12-18), Hare’s Ear (Natural, Olive: 14-18), TJ Hooker (Black, Tan/Black: 10-14) Streamers: Wooly Buggers, Sparkle Minnow (Conehead, Articulated, and JIG), classic Mickey Finns and Grey Ghosts, Dhali Lama (olive and brown), Galloup’s Dungeon (mini and regular sized, black, olive, and White) Godzilliz Sculpin: 8-6, Chicago Overcoat: 14-10 (Sculpin, Black, White, Mint), Headbanger Sulpin (mini or regular)
Fishing Outlook:
West Branch: We are getting to the point in the season when temps begin to climb, thankfully over the next few days we will be getting some good cool over night temps, giving us some morning action opportunities. Make sure to be checking temps consistently, as the West Branch heats up quickly once the sun is on it later on in the mornings. Consistent rain has been keeping flows at good healthy levels for us, giving higher water for a day or two at most, so there have been some opportunities to fish larger nymphs and streamers on those days where the river is rising and on the drop. On those sunnier days after the flows have stabilized fishing dry dropper rigs with large stoneflies like Chubby Chernobyls and Stimulators is a terrific option. Nymphs like Girdle Bugs, Waltz Worms, and Pheasant Tails make excellent droppers but attractor patterns like Duracells and Princes work well too. There have also been some mixed hatches in the mornings and evenings of Mayflies (Iso, Sulphurs, PMD) and mixed Caddis, putting an emerger on in these moments is usually the ticket to getting more hook ups.
Other Rivers: We have been getting great reports from the Saranac River over the last week with people getting some great action on dry flies and streamers, along with it fishing well in high water situations. We have even gotten reports of great Rainbows being caught right in the village of Saranac Lake, and bass fishing in town is really picking up as it gets hotter so heading just to the west of us is something to consider if you want to change it up and have the chance at a multi species day! With summer heat starting to come on targeting Smallmouth Bass on the Saranac becomes one of our favorite things to do, giving those browns in the Ausable a little break.
The rivers to the North of us like the Salmon and Chatuguay have been fishing well, with reports of lots of fish being reported caught on dries and small streamers.
Small Streams: The Brook trout fishing in our blue line streams is really starting to come into its own at this point in the season. With those streams staying cooler right now it can be a great alternative for a morning outing on a day where we have high temperatures, but it is still very important to be checking temps in these small creeks as well. The Brookies in these streams are very active and are feeding aggressively, that being the case it is a great chance to use some of your favorite attractor dries or classic streamer patterns. With Brookies being so aggressive and possessing a talent for inhaling flies we do recommend sizing up a bit even for those little natives. Having so many of these little blue line creeks in the area opens up LOTS of opportunities for beautiful fish as long as you’re willing to do a little bit of hiking!
Warm Water: Bass Season is officially open across the region! Poppers are an awesome way to target Smallmouth here in the early part of the season, especially in a river setting. Targeting Bass in the rivers can be a great way to spend the day when the Ausable starts to run hot. Floating with one of our guides can lead to a day of crazy fishing as you are able to cover lots of water very effectively. When it comes to deep water Smallmouth we have that game dialed too, we have gear rigged and ready to go so you can target those suspended fish in the lakes. These suspended fish are the ones we like to go after with sink lines and bigger streamers imitating baitfish or even crayfish. So far the river Smallie fishing has been fantastic with some larger fish than usual getting reported to us here at the shop. Meanwhile the Saranac Lake chain and Lake Colby over in the village of Saranac Lake are fishing awesome, lots of great topwater action on Colby, while the deeper water game on the Saranac system is heating up. There are also lots of small lakes in the area for some shore fishing opportunities like Mirror Lake, Black Pond, Franklin Falls and Union Falls Ponds along with others. This is also the time of year where we start to see the Hexagenia hatch on some of the lakes and ponds in the area giving you the chance to catch a multitude of species on dry flies.
If you have Pike and Musky on the brain, check out this great article from Fly Lords about selecting flies for Northern Pike (and Musky) here in the Adirondacks, featuring our own Max Hogg and our good friend Fred Schroeder of First Cast Flies! You can find the article at the link here. With it being warmer recently we do expect the pike action to pick up quite a bit as they start moving around more and looking for that big meal.
For the most up-to-date reports or if you have any questions regarding fishing strategies give us a call here at the Fly Shop at 518-946-2117.
If you are interested in guided trip or would like more information, please Call 518-946-2117 or email flyfishing@hungrytrout.com for guide inquiries. Thank you and see you soon!
Guiding: Booking for 2026. Record snowpack has the region prepared for an amazing spring.
2 Hour Family Learn-To Fly Fish: For those interested in trying fly fishing but have no idea where to start, we have the perfect adventure for you. Our two hour learn-to fly fish is the perfect choice for you. One trip covers four people, full outfitted, two hours with your very own private guide, instruction, and of course fishing. It is the perfect way for those who are interested in fly fishing to give it a try, or for families looking for an Adirondack fishing experience. We have 4 time slots daily throughout the summer months, 8-10, 10:30-12:30, 1-3, and 3:30-5:30. No prior fishing experience or gear required, we will fully outfit you with all of the necessary fishing equipment. For those interested in booking or have any further questions give us a call here at the shop (518) 946-2117.
For any questions regarding Adirondack Fishing give the Fly Shop a call at (518) 946-2117 a call and we will get everything squared away, and dial you in for your Adirondack Fishing Adventure.
We look forward to seeing you in the shop and on the water. Tight lines!!
