Loss of a Saltwater Ambassador

I was saddened to hear of  the sudden death of well known fishing show host Jose Wejebe, who died in a plane crash on Saturday, April 7, 2012. Wejebe was host of the popular fishing show 'Spanish Fly.'

As a kid, I always preferred to watch fishing programs over cartoons and other kids shows. There was nothing like finding a program that focused on the education of the sport, as opposed to strickly fish catching. Jose always put on a good show, demonstrating enthusiasm toward the sport, while educating viewers. We have lost one of the great saltwater fisherman and you will be missed. R.I.P. Jose.
                     

River Change

With water temps in the mid 30s and 40s on the West Branch of the Ausable, the levels are nice for wading. It is also a great time to learn the river again, as there are many changes. Such changes are obvious every couple of years. For me as a guide, this means identifying new dangers, both on the land and water; safety is my #1 priority.

I have noticed that many fishing spots on the local rivers have a depth no greater then 5ft at this time of the year. While these places may be appealing to trout at various times, the deep, slow pools tend to be my first choice during this time of the year. These pools often hold giants and may be of more importance on the West Branch. Why? Stay tuned.
               
Note: Watch out for Thornapple bush on the river. It loves waders, as I sit here and pull a 1 inch thorn from my hand!
                  

Where to Fish Today

With a thin coating of snow on the ground, I awoke to the always tough decision of where to fish today.  The weather has been rather mild and sunny but snow squalls, while brief, are still common for this time of year.

For those seeking  throwing, streamers such as Magog Smelt and Mickey Finn's are not bad options; preferably with a long shank streamer hook for a bigger profile. Landlocked Salmon can be a good option when the weather is not so mild. These silver bullets tend to hit quite well in foul weather, such as wind,snow,and rain.

Adk Weather

Sporadic weather and an immediate snow squall, combined with wear on my fingertips begin to push me off the West Branch of the Ausable. I am left with a common early season strike but it feels like my line got hung up on the bottom. One cannot be fooled by these subtle strikes, which are most likely Browns on the West Branch. Many believe Browns do not jump. While true to an extent, I have witnessed early season giants come clear out of the cold (35 F) water on multiple occasions. This idea is not a rule, as there are no rules here in the Wildlife.                                                                                  

This time of year is a great time to hone those streamer fishing skills with a guided trip, while also getting what many believe is the best opportunity to catch the biggest Browns. With over 20 years of guiding experience, I am able to offer clear and professional instruction and would be happy to provide you with guiding services. Whether a tune up in a particular skill area, or a trip to get to know the local waters better, feel free to call or email me with any questions. I would be happy to customize a guided fishing trip for you. For additional information, please visit http://www.adkwildlife.com/ or email me at ken@adkwildlife.com.

Mud Season

Its funny how most of us call this time of year Mud season. However, this years' mild weather, lack of rain and snow have subdued this reference. The stick cased caddis crawling on the bottom of Ausable don't seem to mind the early spring, as when the afternoon sun hits the water, these cream larva seem to just want to burst out of their cases. A closer look reveals a few Early Black Stoneflys fluttering on the waters' surface; much like their big brothers (Giant Black Stoneflys) that show up end of August, beginning of Septemeber.

Did you know a Stonefly is where many Trout get 75% of there protein source? Stonefly =T bone steak.                                 

Getting some good reports of  some big lakers caught in Placid, and some of the other bigger lakes.Keep you Posted.   

So much water, so little time

With another evening bringing a dusting of snow, the 5mm neoprene waders should do the job keeping me warm today. The fishing options for today include the West Branch of the Ausable. However I enjoy taking advantage of small windows of oppurtunity, such as the mighty Landlocked Salmon, as they stuff themselves full of smelt while running up the mouths of streams and rivers throughout the north country during this time of year. These fish can be very acrobatic when hooked, not to mention they are just stunning to view.

2012 NYS Trout Season Now Open

The first day of NYS trout season on the West Branch of the Ausable brought easy wading levels, good water clarity and water temps in the high 30s - low 40s. The order of big flies fished deep and slow in slow moving pools and is strongly recommended. Size 2s and bigger are not out of the ordinary, however I prefer hanging up on the bottom here and there. Big flies = big fish!