Ausable River Fly Fishing Report - August 8/23/2025
AUSABLE RIVER FLY FISHING REPORT
West Branch — Adirondacks, New York
Report Date: August 23, 2025 | Next Update: August 30, 2025
Current River Conditions
Important — Heat stress advisory for trout: Recent readings show late‑summer water temperatures elevated (mid‑70s °F in some stretches). Local guides recommend avoiding catch‑and‑release trout fishing during warm periods — target early morning/evening windows, cooler tributaries, or alternative species until temperatures drop.
Flow & Clarity
Flow: Typical late‑summer low to moderate flows (variable by section)
Clarity: Generally clear to slightly stained after localized runoff events
Notes: Expect lower summer flows; watch for bright sunny days that warm shallow runs fast.
Flow: Typical late‑summer low to moderate flows (variable by section)
Clarity: Generally clear to slightly stained after localized runoff events
Notes: Expect lower summer flows; watch for bright sunny days that warm shallow runs fast.
Water Temperature
Current spot checks: ~74°F (23°C) reported in some reaches
Threshold: Trout become thermally stressed above ~68°F; sustained temps in the low‑70s raise mortality risk for released fish.
Trend: Warming through late August; overnight cooling may help mornings only.
Current spot checks: ~74°F (23°C) reported in some reaches
Threshold: Trout become thermally stressed above ~68°F; sustained temps in the low‑70s raise mortality risk for released fish.
Trend: Warming through late August; overnight cooling may help mornings only.
Weather
Forecast: Warm and mostly sunny with occasional breezy periods through the weekend.
Angler tip: Fish early (pre‑sunrise to mid‑morning) and late (after dusk) when temperatures and fish activity are most favorable.
Forecast: Warm and mostly sunny with occasional breezy periods through the weekend.
Angler tip: Fish early (pre‑sunrise to mid‑morning) and late (after dusk) when temperatures and fish activity are most favorable.
Access & Logistics
Access: Public parking and trailheads open (check trail conditions)
Permits: NY State fishing regulations apply — confirm special regulations for sections of the West Branch
Safety: Bring water, sun protection, and plan for limited cell service in backcountry reaches.
Access: Public parking and trailheads open (check trail conditions)
Permits: NY State fishing regulations apply — confirm special regulations for sections of the West Branch
Safety: Bring water, sun protection, and plan for limited cell service in backcountry reaches.
Hatch & Insect Activity (late August)
| Insect | Size | Activity | When to Fish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midges (all life stages) | #18–22 | Moderate — consistent in calm runs and tailouts | Mornings & evenings; use emerger/dropper tactics |
| Small Mayflies (BWO/PMD) | #14–18 | Light — pockets of activity on cooler mornings | Early morning and overcast conditions |
| Caddis | #14–18 | Light — evening skitters possible | Evening/low light |
| Terrestrials (hoppers, ants, cicadas) | #8–14 (terrestrial sizes) | Moderate — best in warm afternoons along brushy banks | Afternoon to dusk; effective when trout are forced to bank edges |
| Stoneflies / Salmonflies | #6–10 | Low to localized — not a consistent pattern this time of year | Use only where historically present; check local reports |
Recommended Flies (linked to available patterns)
Below are practical fly choices for the current conditions. If trout fishing, prioritize cool windows and handle fish minimally. Links go to exact patterns you can tie or buy — pack a mix of sizes.
Dry Flies & Terrestrials
- Parachute Adams — reliable attractor for sporadic mayfly rises (#14–18)
- Parachute - Blue Wing Olive — use on cool mornings when BWOs flicker (#16–18)
- Bionic Hopper / Fancy Pants Hopper (hopper patterns) — excellent for bank‑feeding trout when terrestrials are present (sizes 8–14)
- Project Cicada — use if cicadas are present; deadly on late summer afternoons
- Corn‑fed Caddis (CDC) — skittering caddis for evening activity (#14–18)
- Libby's Salmonfly — carry if you fish stretches known to hold large stonefly/salmonfly populations (use with caution — regionally specific)
Nymphs & Emergers
- Pheasant Tail (Tungsten) — workhorse nymph for searching classic runs (#14–18)
- Tungsten Pat's Rubber Legs — great for stonefly/nymph representations where stones are present (#6–12)
- Egan's Warrior Perdigon (Rainbow) — tight, fast‑sinking perdigon for deep seams
- Black Zebra Midge (TBH) — tie on when fish are keyed to midge emergers (#18–22)
- Tungsten Split Case Nymph (PMD) — use when PMD activity picks up (#14–16)
Streamers & Big Patterns
- Coffey's Articulated Sparkle Minnow — Sculpin — scour structure and deep runs with slow strips
- Sculpzilla (Natural) — excellent for larger browns holding on headwater structure
- Cheech Leech — Black — classic large profile for lowlight or dirty water streamer work
Tactics & Tips — What to Do This Week
Ethics first: If water temps are above ~68°F at your location, avoid catch & release on trout. Photograph quickly and revive fish in current when necessary — better yet, target alternatives until cooler conditions return.
Morning plan: Fish pre‑sunrise to mid‑morning. Focus on deeper seams and pocket water with tungsten nymphs or small perdigons. Use longer leaders (9–12') and 4X–6X tippet for subtle presentations.
Afternoon plan: When banks warm, look for terrestrials under overhanging brush. Short, accurate casts to foam lines with a hopper or cicada pattern can be very effective.
Evening plan: Skitter caddis dries and small PMDs as light falls — switch to dries/ emerger rigs if surface activity appears.
Streamer approach: In low light or cloudy conditions try large sculpin and leech patterns along rock gardens and tailouts — slow strip, pause, twitch; read current seams and target structure where trout can shelter from warm water.
Gear notes: 9' 4–6 wt rods cover most water; 6–8 wt if you plan to throw larger streamers. Bring sinking tips for deeper runs and a small shore‑wader kit for long casts in riffles.
Morning plan: Fish pre‑sunrise to mid‑morning. Focus on deeper seams and pocket water with tungsten nymphs or small perdigons. Use longer leaders (9–12') and 4X–6X tippet for subtle presentations.
Afternoon plan: When banks warm, look for terrestrials under overhanging brush. Short, accurate casts to foam lines with a hopper or cicada pattern can be very effective.
Evening plan: Skitter caddis dries and small PMDs as light falls — switch to dries/ emerger rigs if surface activity appears.
Streamer approach: In low light or cloudy conditions try large sculpin and leech patterns along rock gardens and tailouts — slow strip, pause, twitch; read current seams and target structure where trout can shelter from warm water.
Gear notes: 9' 4–6 wt rods cover most water; 6–8 wt if you plan to throw larger streamers. Bring sinking tips for deeper runs and a small shore‑wader kit for long casts in riffles.
Quick Check List for Your Day on the Ausable (Aug 23, 2025)
- Check river temp at your section — if >68°F avoid releasing trout.
- Pack at least one terrestrial, a small midge/mayfly dry, two nymph sizes (one tungsten), and a streamer.
- Fish early and late; seek shaded runs and deep lies during heat of day.
- Minimize handling time and keep fish in water when possible.
