I spent the last 3 days in a cabin on the bank of the West Branch of the Ausable River. During that time I never even strung up a rod. This afternoon I told my friend it was difficult but the truth is it really wasnt.This trip wasn’t about fishing. It was a family camping trip with my wife, kids, and parents. I am not saying I didn’t think about it. I even laid out clothes a few nights in case I woke up extra early. Which I did do one morning but the thought of the dogs waking the wife and kids at 5 am as I tried to sneak out of the cabin was enough to make me roll over and go back to sleep.I wanted to take the boys fishing bit they were more concerned with the playground and swimming pool. That is of course until we were leaving and they realized they never used their fishing rods. I know one thing we are doing tomorrow.I could have snuck out in the dark and tried throwing a mouse in the famed flume pool. I had left the mouse rod at home and was more than happy to sit with Amanda by the fire.I had packed 3 fly rods and my vest in the truck just because it felt like the right thing to do. I knew they weren’t likely to be used but I had to bring them. I was camping right on the Ausable after all.When it comes down to it, contrary to my wife’s belief, fishing isn’t all I think about. Sharing my love for the Adirondacks with my family means more than catching a few trout.In a few years the boys will be fly fishing the Ausable with Amanda and I. We just have to catch that short window before they have to make a decision between the evening hatch and the cute girl they met at the pool. I still remember making that decision myself. I was 15 years old and we were leaving in the morning. Boy did we catch some nice fish that night.
Posts Tagged ‘Wilmington New York’
The Hungry Trout Resort Review Part 2 – The Resort
Posted in Product Reviews, tagged Fishing lodge, Fly Fishing, Fly Fishing New York, Hungry Trout Resort, lake placid, Wilmington New York on July 26, 2016| Leave a Comment »
In the end of June I had the pleasure of staying at the Hungry Trout Resort in Wilmington, New York for 3 nights. It is one of the nicest fishing “lodges” I have stayed at. The rooms are clean, comfortable, and affordable.
If you are bringing the family along they have a pool and playground area. Also hiking and biking trails are just across the river from the property.
Yes the West Branch of The Ausable River runs right along their property. You can walk from your room right to some very good pocket water behind the resort. In fact our last morning I caught 2 nice browns back there after all the spots we planned on fishing already had people fishing them.
There is even a fly shop on site. Along with a pub and restaurant that serves up delicious meals and cold drinks. I will be reviewing them in later posts.
Overall as a fishing resort I rate The Hungry Trout Resort 10 out of 10. Everything you need is on site including the river. The staff is friendly and I started to wonder if being a fisherman/woman is a requirement to be hired. Also it’s a great place to bring the wife and kids. You can walk to the river leaving them the car to explore the many near by attractions. That is assuming they don’t fish.
Hungry Trout Review Part 1 Brook Trout Adventure
Posted in Product Reviews, tagged Adirondacks, brook trout, Fly Fishing New York, Hungry Trout Fly Shop, Hungry Trout Resort, streamer fishing, trolling, Wilmington New York on July 24, 2016| Leave a Comment »
It has been almost a month since Jamie and I went on a guided fishing trip with the one and only Matthew Delorenzo. Matt works for the Hungry Trout Resort and took us on their Brook Trout Adventure to their private Twin Ponds area. I had been wanting to do this trip for 20 years and this year I decided was going to be the year.
We requested Matt as our guide because after following him on Facebook for a couple of years I thought his personality would fit us well. I was right. He is a great guy and a lot of fun to fish with. He has great knowledge of the waters and the fish as well. An added bonus is his expert loon call.
It was going to be a bright clear hot day so we needed to start early and met Matt at 5 am. It was far from ideal trout fishing weather. He drove us to the ponds where we put the canoe in and he explain what our strategy for the day would be. In true Adirondack fashion we would be trolling streamers on sinking line. I was excited as I have always wanted to troll for brook trout and I have always wanted to catch a big brook trout.
We did exactly that. Our second fish of the day was a 5 pound monster that Jamie landed. It was also the only fish he landed but he wasn’t complaining. I landed 8 catching a nice 3 pounder as my last fish of the day. I had caught the biggest brook trout of my life 3 times that day. It was awesome each time a bigger one came to the net.
If you want to catch big brook trout but don’t have the time or the gear to hike back to a remote pond you need to book this trip. It doesn’t get any better. The ponds are in the middle of no where but you will be taken to them by vehicle. You will most likely leave catching the biggest brook trout of your life. It is well worth the money spent. Jamie and I have already booked our trip for next year with Matt. Next year he will be stuck with us for 3 days.
I don’t normally endorse other guides but in this case Matt is not direct competition even though we both guide in New York State. We guide different waters and even if he did also guide on the Salmon River in would still have written the same review.
Wayne-o's Guide Service 