Stream: West Branch Ausable River Fishing Report
Date: 9/19/2025
Flow: 110
Clarity: Clear
Temperature: 57 Degrees at 9am
Weather: High of 65 Degrees F, Partly Cloudy
Current Shop Announcements: Fall has arrived in the ADK with crisp, dewey mornings and leaves changing colors. With the return of cold temps, all of our regional waters are good to go for trout for full day outings. We are back on our private water which has been very very productive. A recent trip with Chris Brennan landed 18 trout on a variety of dry flies from Chubbies, to small BWO emergers. We can confidently say to come fish – which is a wonderful thing to say considering the drought conditions and how warm our rivers got this summer. We are very happy to find that the trout made it through the heat (most of them) and catch rates have been decent. THE CAVIAT. You need to be be hunting deep water and covering more stretches of river than you are used to. If you find the deep holes, you will find fish. The standard beats (like Fox Farm Stretch behind the HT) are fishing horribly – so don’t bother. But across the street below the flume, which is narrower and steeper gradient, has been fishing well.
Hatches: Isonychia, Stoneflies, Hoppers, BWO, Midges, Flying Ants
Hot Flies: Dry Flies: Ausable Wulfs and Ausable Bombers, Isonychia parachute #12, Chubby Chernobyl (Purple: 12-14, Peacock: 16-14, Golden Hopper: 16-12, Black/Orange: 10-12, Golden Stone: 10-8), Hoppers: 14-10, Flying Ants: 16-12, Parachute Mahogany: 12-10, BWO Parachute: 18-22 Nymphs: Black Stoneflies 12-16, Girdle Bug Coffee/Black: 10-12, TJ Hooker: 10-14, Frenchie: 14-18 (Original or Pink), Pheasant tail 10-18, Prince Nymph: 12-18, Copper Johns: 12-18, Perdigons: 12-18 Caddis Pupa’s: 12-18, Sexy Waltz Worms: 12-18, Duracell Jig 12-18 (Darker colors), Juan’s Kryptonite Caddis sz. 16-18, Mop Flies: 10-14 (Cream or Olive), Iso Jig: 14-10, RS2: 18-22 (Black, Olive) 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), Headbanger Sulpin (mini or regular) Warm Water: Bombshell Popper: Sz. 6 (Damsel Blue, Chartreuse, Black, White, Olive), Goodall’s Popper (Green/Black/White), Gallup’s Bangtail: Sz. 1/0, Drunk and Disorderly (Chartreuse/White, Fire Tiger), Sparkle Minnow: sz. 4-6 (Conehead, Jig, and Articulated), Madden’s Foam Scorpion (Blue, Lemming, Yellow)
Fishing Outlook: Cold water and recents rains have things healthier then they were a week ago. The river is still low, but for a few days we were at average flows which was nice. Fishing has been decent and expect to cover a lot of water and focusing on the deep water stretches. Definitely important to stop by the shop and pick our brains and get a map. It’s not that easy to jump on the river and find good water if you are not that familiar, but we can point you in the right direction. We are surprised with how good the fishing has been considering how hot it got this summer, and the persistent low flows. We are not alone – We spent a week in Montana recently and they are experience 100 year low flows……so there’s that…..
Warm Water: Bass Season has been great here in the Adirondacks. Our favorite big streamers, poppers and crayfish patterns are all on the menu, and stocked up here at the shop ready for Bass season here in the Adirondacks. We have been having some great action on poppers for Smallmouth in the lakes and rivers, and for Largemouth in the ponds just to the west of us with streamers being as effective as ever for them. The Saranac River has been treating us to some great Bass action over the last few weeks, floating the river in rafts or canoes is the best way to cover some water and get onto some fish, but there are plenty of shore/wade fishing opportunities along the Saranac. The Franklin Falls and Union Falls Ponds have been a great section of the Saranac system to spend some time targeting Smallies, and in the evening we have been seeing some great Walleye getting caught. Poppers have still been effective in the early mornings, with Stonefly dries and nymphs filling out the middle of the day along with streamers. We have also been getting into some great Pike fishing recently with some seriously big fish taking big streamers. Recently we have been seeing the pike sticking to slightly deeper water, looking for drop-offs along shore lines, islands, rock piles and in the channels for those big fish sitting in that deeper water ready for an ambush. As fall progresses, expect the warm water species to become very active, as they feed heavily to get ready for winter.
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: Guide trips are going out everyday and we have plenty of availability. Our trips are flexible with scheduling, we do offer mornings, evenings and full day.
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!!
