Ausable River
river in New York
Runs from the High Peaks to Lake Champlain with outstanding rainbow, brown and brook trout fishing in both upper and lower sections; celebrated for terrestrial and mayfly hatches in summer.
What's working on Ausable River
- 01Trout are becoming more active and aggressive with the dropping water temperatures.
- 02Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches are anticipated, especially during overcast periods, offering dry fly opportunities.
- 03Subsurface nymphing with midge and mayfly imitations remains consistently productive.
- 04Streamers, particularly black and olive Woolly Buggers, are highly effective for enticing larger, predatory trout.
- 05Egg patterns will become increasingly important as trout begin their spawning season.
Past reports week by week
13 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Mahogany Dun
Late summer and fall often see hatches of Paraleptophlebia (Mahogany Duns), providing additional dry fly opportunities for trout.
Buy at AmazonBlood Dot Egg
Fall is prime egg season for trout, as they key into abundant egg patterns, especially in systems with spawning fish.
Buy at AmazonIsonychia Dun
Isonychia mayflies can still be actively hatching in early fall on freestone rivers, providing opportunities for rising trout.
October Caddis (Dry)
Some caddis species, like October Caddis, can hatch in the fall, offering larger dry fly opportunities for aggressive trout.
Buy at AmazonBlue-Winged Olive Comparadun
Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches are common in fall, especially on overcast days, making this low-profile dry fly effective for selective trout.
Flashback Pheasant Tail Nymph
An excellent general searching nymph, mimicking various aquatic insects active year-round and particularly effective as mayflies begin to emerge in fall.
Zebra Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source for trout year-round, becoming even more crucial in colder fall waters. This pattern effectively imitates midge pupae.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Black/Olive)
A versatile streamer pattern that effectively imitates leeches and baitfish, enticing aggressive strikes from trout active in cooling fall water.
Where to fish and who to ask
Ausable Forks / Lower Ausable Access
Lower freestone and tailwater-like runs popular for dries and nymph rigs.
Marcy Field / Feldspar Brook Confluence
Important access and parking for anglers hitting the upper freestone runs and pocket water.
Upper Ausable (Keene Valley Access)
Prime wild trout water with wading access near the Keene Valley trailheads.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Hungry Trout Fly Shop
Master Class Angling
Maple Country Anglers
Schirmers Fly Shop
Get Ausable River reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
New York season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
How to Pick the Right Fly Rod Weight for Any Situation
Master fly rod weight selection with expert guidance on matching rod power to fish species, water conditions, and fishing techniques for optimal performance.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Fly Fishing Nets – Rubber vs. Nylon & Why It Matters for Fish
The net you choose dramatically impacts fish survival. Here's why rubber nets are superior to nylon for catch-and-release success.
Quick answers
Common questions about Ausable River.
What flies work best on Ausable River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Ausable River right now are Mahogany Dun (80% confidence), Blood Dot Egg (80% confidence), Isonychia Dun (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Ausable River?
Ausable River holds Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Ausable River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Ausable River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.