Fido in the field = Rolling Thunder

With winters grip holding tightly today and water levels very high, we opted to do some work on the river. I'm not sure how smart this was but we did save some work for a day with lower water levels.

As the weeks have past, most of my days have consisted of fishing, dog training and all of the other healthy stuff that makes up the wildlife.

Dog training and dogs is something we live here, with a focus on the Field Retriever and Flushing Dog training.

With air temps nice and cool for running Retrievers on long retrieves, I contemplate the option of running a wonderful k9 companion at my feet. These retrieves will be put on by the Lake Champlain Retriever Club (LCRC) and hosted by Peaceable Hill Pheasant Preserve and Hatchery. Both the club and the preserve are on my links page at www.adkwildlife.com. This event is the annual LCRC singles competition and the event is a lot of fun and judged on the dogs' ability to remember were a single retrieve fell, regardless of distance. Retrieves can end up falling at distances as long as 400 yds.

I always love the people and the dogs in the field dog world. The bonus is the location, as I am a dog handler at this top notch preserve, owned by great people.

Whether your a hunter or just a dog lover, check this stuff out at LCRC. These dogs cant do anything but think about retrieving 24-7.Great stuff!

Good fishing /Good weather

Now that the mix of snow,and rain has stopped.River levels are now much more stable,and temps are starting to rise.

As the past few days fishing has been good despite cold water temps, it will still be a few days at least before any Dry Fly opportunities on the Ausable again.

The past couple of days I have had my best luck fishing Stonefly Nymphs deep in size 10.

Back on track

As the region continues to see off, and on snow flurries or rain for the third day.River temps have dropped back in to high 30s on some waters,as we seem to be now back on are typical North Country spring schedule.

Fish Eyes

With snow blanketing the banks of the West Branch of the Ausable,the Fish seem to have moved closer to the bottom and tighter to the banks.This I would attribute to water temps having dropped into low 40s,and air temps having dropped into the30s.Yesterdays off, and on showers have raised the water a little.However  wading levels  are still very comfortable.


Through many seasons, I have come to prefer the most high quality polarized glasses I can get my hands on,and for  most Guides are #1 piece of equipment are polarized glasses.For spotting Fish,and also safety.


Now as the water has warmed, and Fish have been more active this past week, I have spotted many Fish suspended in the water column with today that not being the case.I find many times when I do not see any Fish suspended in the water column or any other activity,this is a good indicator of Fish having stopped feeding.This being usually due to drastic change in weather.

Dont forget your rain gear

As the Clouds thicken, with an occasional sprinkle showing up, the Rain to be expected this weekend  is very welcome. Although fishing has been good this week, a good shot of rain should get insects a little more activel which should equal fish being more active.

With the West Branch of the Ausable water temps running between the low 50s to 60 degrees and the Saranac Rivers running 60 to 65 degrees, things are setting up nicely for fishing in the region this weekend.

For those of you hesitant to fish in the Rain, consider this. I have had many very successful days under rainy conditions, especially warm Rains; more then I can possibly remember.

Fish under these conditions tend to be much less wary and even more so with a rise in the water level.

Enjoy your weekend.

The Mighty Saranac

With things very dry, a shot of rain before the weekend would be very welcome. Now that air temps have stabilized, fishing seems to be getting active again in most places.

I have been receiving reports from many other waters, while expanding my operations to some of the other major rivers in the region. That said, my main focus throughout the season will still be out my backdoor; the West Branch of the Ausable and the Saranac Rivers.

For those of you not familiar with the Saranac Rivers, they are fishing quiet well as we speak. This river is well spoken of in many well noted books on Fly Fishing. I highly recommended considering my fishing guide services for the Saranacs, as this river system is Black and White and much different than the Ausable. One thing that stands out  most is the feeding habits of the Trout. What they eat and how they eat in the Saranacs can be very different than many Trout rivers.

On the West Branch of the Ausable, both water and air temperatures have been cooling the last couple days, driving fish deeper. Water temps are holding between the high 40s and low 50s. Insect activity and fishing seemed to slow with the cooling weather.  The river is a little low and a good level for wading.