Trip brief · Ausable River
How to go fish the Ausable River
The months we list for the Ausable River are May, June, September, October. August is outside that window, so this brief is written for September, the next month we list.
September
No USGS gauge is mapped to this river.
Flies to tie — September
Isonychia#12-14
Slate Drake
Blue-winged Olive#18-22
Parachute BWO
Hendrickson#14
Parachute Hendrickson
Access
Wilmington Notch — West Branch
44.346, -73.876parking
Monument Falls — Wilmington
44.320, -73.843parking
Ausable River Association Stretch
44.299, -73.812parking
Jay — East Branch Access
44.388, -73.699parking
Regs — check current rules before you go
New York State fishing license required. The Ausable River is open year-round in most sections below the monument in Wilmington. Catch-and-release only with artificial lures in designated trophy sections of the West Branch through Wilmington Notch — check current NYSDEC Adirondack regulations, which differ from Catskill rules. Brook trout in Adirondack tributaries are subject to special regulations protecting native fish. The Ausable River Association manages conservation easements on key stretches — respect property boundaries.
Pack list
- A current state fishing licence
- Waders and boots you have already leak-tested
- Net, nippers, forceps
- Floatant and desiccant
- Tippet in the sizes the chart asks for
- Water, sun cover, polarised glasses
Generic gear. Anything specific to this water is above.
Full hatch chart, access map and live gauge on the Ausable River page →