The entire month of April was pretty much a washout on streams in the Adirondacks. Lots of rain, too much snow and cold weather kept the rivers just about unfishable. During the last few days of April, however, the river began to drop to reasonable levels and the fishing picked up considerably. Lots of fish were stocked in both the West Branch and East Branch of the Ausable this past week and another stocking of two year olds is scheduled for the first week in May. These fish will average around fifteen to eighteen inches.

Right now, the hot flies are beadheads and flashback emergers. A number of two and three pound fish were taken this weekend on rusty orange beadhead muddlers, picket finn beadheads, flashback beadheads and orange flashback nymphs. Next week if the weather doesn't throw another curve at us, we should see some Hendrickson nymphs in the water. If the water temperature rises a few more degrees, there may even be some action on top with dry flies. I suspect the best chances of taking fish will continue to be beadheads, flashback nymphs, Hendrickson emergers and small dun Haystacks for the next week unless we get a real warm stretch of weather. You might even entice a few lunkers to the surface with a larger size Ausable Wulff.

The catch and release section of the West Branch was also stocked heavily over the past couple of weeks with fish to eighteen inches. Lots of smaller fish around eight inches were stocked at the Wilmington beach and at the dam. For those who want to fish from a canoe, put in at the Wilmington beach and fish from there down to the bridge in town or all the way upstream to the headwaiters below the Flume. There are some real lunkers in the dammed up section . If you don't have a canoe, you are able to rent one from the Adirondack Sport Shop on Rt 86 about a mile west of the village of Wilmington.

Anyone visiting the area this week, remember to stop at the Adirondack Sport Shop and enjoy a free barbecue on May 6th. Fran is celebrating the start of his second 35 years of business. Lots of specials will be available with great discounts on St. Croix rods and his custom outfits. The recommended flies for the coming week are beadhead Picket Finns, flashback emergers, beadhead rusty orange mini muddlers and Hendrickson emergers. If the weather warms, then go to dun Haystacks, Gray Wulffs and Ausable Wulffs.

For those coming into the area and requiring a guide or instructor, The Adirondack Sport Shop has four new guides and six instructors. We are always ready to give you a free casting lesson or let you try out one of our new custom rods. Rentals are also available at the shop. We go all the way to make sure your visit to the area will be productive. For up to the minute information on fishing conditions, hatches etc., call (518) 946-7809. This is the number of the Adirondack Sport Shop and Fran or one of his experienced personnel will be happy to assist you.