Stream: West Branch Ausable River Fishing Report 

Date: 10/12/2025

Flow: 171

Clarity: Clear

Temperature:  45 Degrees at 9am

Weather: High of 62 Degrees F, Mostly Sunny

Current Shop Announcements:  River is up after the rain a few nights ago, thank god. About to surpass the flow from the same time last year, which is not something we have been able to say since June. Fishing should pick up substantially. 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 productive.  We can confidently say to come fish and get a guide. With a guide there are lots of decent options and areas we can travel. It is difficult fishing as a visiting wade fisherman, but over the past week of rain that we’ve gotten things have improved vastly. We are very happy to find that the trout made it through the heat (most of them) and catch rates have been decent when in the right zone. With the water coming up expect to find those trout starting to move around a bit more than they have over the past few weeks, you will still want to focus on the deeper water but the fish will be starting to move around more now that levels are up. With the cooler temps giving us more fish activity, we are seeing much more insect activity as well. Isonychia, and Blue Winged Olive Mayflies have been spotted in better numbers and in more parts of the river as the days go by (BWO’s particularly on the cloudier, cooler days), small Caddis are also in the mix, with Hoppers, Ants, and some Stoneflies rounding things out. Fall fishing is in full swing so it is a great time to come up and hit the Adirondack Rivers!

We still have one left of the new Special Edition Orvis Helios D rods in house! They are a 9’5″ 4wt rod with dry fly presentation in mind going into its construction, but still with enough backbone to fish indicator rigs. We are all blown away by how good this rod feels, and looks, come by and give one a look for yourselves!

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, Mint), 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 has come up a bit and is continuing to rise. With that we do expect the fish to start spreading out and moving out of those deeper pools over the coming days, as we do have more rain ahead in the forecast. While the fishing is still challenging, things have been improving day to day. We are seeing much more insect activity on the water as well. Isonychia and Blue Winged Olives have been spotted in good numbers (BWO’s especially on the cooler cloudy days), along with small Caddis and Stoneflies, and Hoppers and Ants still in the mix as well. Small streamers like Wolly Buggers, Chicago Overcoats, and other small sculpin patterns have been working well in the deep water as well. Now that water levels have come up to where we like to see them for the fall we are looking forward to the fishing picking up as we roll into October, and those Browns and Brookies get all colored up for the spawn!

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 resivoirs 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. With the cooler temperatures those warmwater species are starting to feed heavily in preperation for winter, streamers are becoming increasingly effective. Don’t shy away from some pretty big flies, the Bass and Pike in the area are ready for some big meals.

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!!