Reports

12/20/09
Boy what happend ? I had a problem uploading and when salmon season hit all heck broke loose so here is the last 2 months in review. Salmon season came quick this year and we had plenty of fish from labor day right through Oct. Then it was time to hit the woods for the winter harvest of game. Some folks wanted nothing more then to try to catch a big Lake Ontario brown trout . A very good return of lake browns came and we were rewarded . So now it's December and steelhead & ice fishing is the top priority . Everything is coming together far better the expected, plenty of steelhead in the river and by Dec. 13th we were walking on a solid 5" of ice in the ADK's.
Opening abound if you are looking to fish the hardwater for trout & pike or open water for steelhead. Just give me a call and I'll set you up with a cure for those winter blues...
       Just a few pic's from the great 2 months past:







                                       
9/11/09
As you all know the salmon season has begun. A large push of salmon came into the river last sat and if you were there that was the day to be on the river. Every day since has brought a few more, in ones & two but no big numbers. It could break wide open at any moment due to the large number holding out in front of the SR. Still it is IMO the best time to be fishing with low crowds & a good amount of fish already in the river. Right now the brook trout fishing is heating up and while I have the chance , thats where my efforts will be located.
 Get out there while you can and good luck on the water.


 8/16/09
Not much to report, the weather has finally turned HOT!! and the fishing cold. Even the bass are lying low. No fishing in my forcast until Sept. 4th and we will be on a scouting mission in the DSR of the Salmon River. The Kings are still running in about 160' out in the lake so aside from the stray fish I would expect the usual push of fish around 2nd week of Sept. Another great option we will explore will be pike in the estuary, what an under rated fishery there. Plenty of very nice pike & bass to turn a slow day on the river into a great day in the canoe. Also on tap will be some fall brook trout fishing. It will be a challenge as is in the spring to juggle all the great fishing opportunities out there but they are there for the taking and we will not miss out.
So in a closing sales pitch...   Want to Salmon fish ?  Want to fish for brilliantly , stunning fall brook trout ? A 2 night wilderness camping/fishing trip ?  Fall fishing for spawning browns on the Ausable ?   Don't let it slip by, I sure wont....
8/2/09
Need some stimulus ?  I am a full time 7 days a week outdoor guide.
Here it is, for the entire month of Sept. I will offer 2 for 1 guided fishing rates on the Salmon River. Yes that's 2 anglers for $225.00 (single angler rates apply) and if thats not enough, I will still include the DSR pass (if available) until Sept.18th. This is big folks, with all the rain and cool weather we fully expect large numbers of fish in the river early. All rods, flys and streamside lunch will be provided. Now get this, I do not, never have or will, limit your fishing time aside from current regulations, property rules or weather conditions. You fish until your arms are sore!!
Trips are considered booked when deposit is received and all prior booked Salmon River trips will benefit this offer.
                                  7/25/09
Ok folks the time is now. Some salmon have already entered the SR, yup you heard me , kings are in the river ! Before you jump in that car and drive like crazy there is no run of fish, just a few lost souls. However judging from the lake reports it won't be long now before we see a steady trickle of fresh kings. If you have not booked your dates for a guided trip HURRY up !!! I am once again offering DRS pass included with my rate until Sept. 18th. It looks like it going to be an awesome time to be on the river early.
Here is my Salmon River Style 101:
The most important thing on fishing a migratory fish is learning the water and travel patterns. We as anglers are always faced with ever changing conditions and flows of hydraulics , and so are the fish. They must still navigate the same rivers & streams but when the waters rise and fall they will surly use different holding and moving tactics. That is where a good angler will prevail knowing how the fish are responding to the water.
If there is only 1 thing to do that will help your success it is learning the patterns of the fish in each high and low water flows.
Low>Normal flows:
In 750CFS or less the Salmon will use natural funnel systems as staging holding points. The best approach is to set up in these locations where the fish will stage/hold breifly before moving . These areas will have a depth of 4-5 and broken water for the fish to feel safe while staging before moving to the deeper pool. Cast to them as they first enter the hold, it is especially good if they come in a pair or group as these fish will be jockying for position and aggressivly take your fly. If after about 5 casts swinging your fly to these fish there is no interest then it is best to just let them be until another fish or group move in. Another approach is to follow their movement to the next hold and repeat.
High water:
In higher flows above 750CFS, the fish will usually blow right through these areas and their first stop will be at the tail of a run or pool. Position yourself just above the tail so when you swing your fly it will finish just above the funnel. Fish are most responsive when they first enter the tail.
So Why Use A Fly Rod?
Since you will be making short casts to targeted fish a fly rod excels in this. No casting out/reeling in, No dragging bottom and getting hung up. It is just a much easier and effective tool for the angler. A 9' 8wt rod with weight forward floating line works best. Add a leader & tippet of 6-8' in length and you will have total control of your fly. Suggested tippet should be of 10lb or higher as the fish should see your fly first and generally are not line shy. If you are fishing the proper water it is all about an instinct reaction from the fish.
Flies:
While there are so many flies that will catch fish I find it necessary to only use 2 patterns in only 2 cycles of a salmon's time in the river.
1. Moving,staging salmon: When fish are migrating the lower river I only use large size #4 streamers as to provoke a reaction strike. Flies such as the comet or bunny leech are by far proven patterns. When using synthetics such as Krystal Flash for tying comets be sure to tie them sparse because synthetic material is not water absorbing. A sparse fly will sink much quicker without a bunch of added weight then a bulky fly w/weight. Rabbit strip is a water absorbing material that has a lot of action and will get a bulky fly down to the fish level quickly.
2. Spawning fish: If fish have changed over to spawning the the most effective tactic is to use a natural pattern such as a size # 4 crayfish. Fish will protect their territory and attack natural invaders.


7/14/09
A quick report here and later in the week I will be discussing Salmon fishing in detail so please stop back.
Sat July 11th was as of now (openings are available) my last guided trip to a fantastic trout season in the Adirondacks until fall. I must say after fishing there for almost 40 years now I have never seen conditions like this in July, EVER !!! Water flows are super and the stream temps are in the low to mid 60's... Fishing still remains great but hatches are sparce, just before dark is when you will find light Cahill's but other then that BIG streamers rule.
Here are some parting shots:

I should be able to walk across to the point in July                    Browns are eager to big flies
                  
7/4/09
First off I wish everyone a very happy Independence Day !  Yesterday I took a break from the trout fishing and was invited to join a friend and one of the best bass fishermen I know to a place he calls Lunkerville. BB is without a doubt the king of big bass. Be it stripers or freshwater bass he loves his lunkers. So with that I was truly blessed to join him only thing was I had been blind folded and taken over various twists & turns on our way to lunkerville. This place holds huge fish, most all the bass here are over 5 lbs. and the pickerel which were very aggressive were the biggest I have ever seen or caught in my life. They would give a pike a run for their money. I'll be back on the trout and starting to gear up for Salmon (only a little more then a month away folks ) but will not forget our day at lunkerville for a long time.  Thanks for the memories !!!!



           
   6/27/09
After spending 9 days on the Adirondack waters it's time to do a little website clean up. I cleared most past reports but left up some pictures to enjoy and dream about catching. So here is the fishing update :  The Ausable , Saranac & surrounding streams have been nothing short of fantastic. Lots of rain has kept the water levels up but most important the stream temps low. The fish are loving this and responding well. Any hatches have been sporatic with most just before dark. Some drakes have been out so that would be a good choice along with big spinner falls in the morning. The best bet for a fly fisher would be to use streamers, remember big fish like big meals not tiny flies. The bigger fish are feeding on minnows & crayfish , sure you will catch them on other baits or flies but that would be my choice of presentation. Brook trout ponds however have slowed and going deep is where they are. Full sinking lines or trolling with a wobbler is the methods needed. Closer to dark you may catch them near or on the surface .
On a final note, Fall tributary fishing is fast aproaching and I would encourage booking now for the best dates to secure a trip and lodging. Once again this looks like a banner year for Salmon , Steelhead & Browns.  See you on the water:
                                                         Adirondack fishing at it's finest
              

                   
                                    6/9/09
Wow another late report. Sorry for the lack of updates but when the fishing is so hot the reporting gets pushed aside. For sure I will do my best to keep everyone updated on the latest happenings on the water. Ah the water, it can't get no better then this. Many folks are waiting for the summer and warmer temps, I wish it would stay like this forever. Very good water temps. and the fishing could not be better. The Adirondacks are on fire ponds are a little slow and are showing signs of warming but the streams are prime. The Ausable & Saranac rivers are producing some great catches of large brown & rainbows. Now is the time people and sad to say it won't last forever.
Current hatches are a tailing off of March Browns and on coming of the Drakes. Blue Wings are always present but the big fish like big meals. An adapt angler will shine, don't be afraid of throwing big streamers and oh gosh, some metal or plastic. Hey they catch fish .
Here are the latest photo's.   Remember Play hard time is short. Openings still left for this seasons trout, Salmon season is fast approaching and will be filling. As per last year I will offer DSR pass included from Aug-28-09 thru Sept-18-09 .

Here we fished a new pond in search of brookies and found this monster
 

Now on to the river:


 
4/28/09
Another banner day for steelhead with my guest. While I had not planned on another trip chasing these awesome fish I just could not resist giving my guest his first opportunity to land a steelhead. But yes, that was the end because I now have brook trout calling. For those who are still seeking steelhead there are PLENTY of fish in the tribs now. Don't be late because with the rising water temps they will very soon be on their way back to the lake.
One last look at our spring lake run rainbows. From here on out it will be all about stream & pond trout....
                                                                                                
                                 
                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                         
                                Can You Say Steelhead in Febuary ?
                       
                     

                                        Some happy first time salmon fishers

                     

 
 
                                     Joe's first time to the river and using a fly rod