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Fly fishing in the Adirondacks: 8 spots to explore

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There's no shortage of great fly-fishing rivers in the Adirondack Park, and most lists start with the fabled West Branch of the Ausable River.
 
Located near Lake Placid and Wilmington, the river draws thousands of anglers every year from all over the country. But the Ausable is just one of many rivers that are home to great fishing.
 
Below is a list to get you started, as you plan your next fishing adventure. It contains easy to access river and more remote ones for experienced outdoorsmen. 
 
West Branch of the Ausable River
 
Located in Essex County, the West Branch of the Ausable River is likely the most popular fly-fishing spot in the Adirondack Park. The river appears to anglers because of its scenic nature and it's very accessible. Many of the sections are located close to the road and can be accessed in just a few minutes. The river is stocked heavily with large rainbow and brown trout.
 
Saranac River
 
The Saranac River runs from the village of Saranac Lake to Lake Champlain through the counties of Franklin and Clinton. The river holds a wide variety of fish, ranging from pike to brown trout. Much of the river is a warm water fishery, but some of the more remote or faster-moving sections hold cold-water species like trout and salmon. The section near Bloomingdale has some areas close to the road. Much of the river near Saranac Lake can also be fished by canoe or kayak.
 
Hudson River
 
The Hudson River is known for being the site of great rafting trips, especially in the spring, but the waterway is also used by fishermen looking to catch some nice trout. The area near Newcomb has opened to the public in recent years and offers wilderness fishing for adventurous anglers. However, visitors should be aware that the section below Indian River is subject to dam releases in the morning hours during the summer. That causes the water to rise, but there are plenty of other fishing holes to try out in the Newcomb area above Indian River.
 
St. Regis Canoe Area
 
All fishing lists related to the Adirondacks contain the St. Regis Canoe Area near Lake Clear. The canoe area contains dozens of ponds that hold a variety of different species. Try fly fishing from a canoe along some of the shorelines of some of the more remote ponds for best luck. Bring a lightweight canoe, so you can carry between ponds. If you don't have one, try out the ponds in the nearby Saranac Lake Wild Forest that allow some motorboat usage.
 
Sacandaga River
 
This is an ideal spot to go for anglers looking to visit the southern part of the Adirondack Park. The section of river between Wells and Speculator is heavily stocked with brown trout, and is worth exploring during the trout fishing season.
 
East Branch of the Ausable River
 
The East Branch of the Ausable River is often overlooked by visitors who instead go straight to the West Branch of the Ausable. However, anglers can find some pockets of the river that hold trout during colder summers. During warmer summers, it can be a challenge to find the fish. But in recent years, anglers have had some good success in the river.
 
Schroon River
 
Located in the eastern part of the Adirondack Park, the Schroon river is a popular spot among fly fisherman hoping to catch one of the many stocked trout. This river is a nearly 70-mile tributary of the Hudson River. It holds rainbow, brook and brook trout.  
 
Boquet River
 
The Boquet River near Willsboro is a popular spot for salmon in the spring and fall months when the fish run upriver during freshets. Anglers can also find trout in  sections of river. Overall, the Boquet river is one of the more interesting rivers in the Adirondacks. It starts in the High Peaks and goes through a variety of terrain before emptying into Lake Champlain.
 
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