Ausable River Fly Fishing Report
Wilmington, Essex County, New York · Last Updated: July 16, 2026
The West Branch of the Ausable in the Adirondacks is one of New York's finest wild trout streams, known for its technical dry fly fishing and beautiful mountain scenery. The famous Ausable Wulff fly was designed specifically for these boulder-strewn waters.
Today's Trout Fishability
Conditions at a Glance
The Ausable River near Wilmington shows very low flows 77-83% below average across nearby USGS gauges, with the main stem at 215 cfs.
- Below-average, getting skinny
- Rising post-front pressure
How Do You Fish a 5/10 Day?
See the fly patterns built for today's conditions, where the fish are holding, and how to work the 5:30 AM - 9:00 AM, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM window.
Today's Weather
See hourly conditions, wind speeds, barometric pressure, and 5-day outlook
USGS Water Monitoring
Real-time data from 3 monitoring stations
See station-by-station details, historical ranges, and trend analysis
What's Hatching This Month
Northeast — typical for July
Sources: FlyFishFinder — New York Hatch Chart,Jerry Bartlett Angling Collection — Esopus Creek Hatch Chart
5/10 Today — See the Full Ausable River Breakdown
Free account unlocks fly patterns, a hatch forecast, and tactics matched to today's exact flows. 3 reports a month, no credit card.
Ausable River Fly Fishing — FAQ
Is the Ausable River fishing well right now?
DriftWise scores the Ausable River every morning on a 0–10 fishability scale that weighs real-time USGS flow and water temperature, National Weather Service forecasts, and lunar data. Check the live fishability score and condition summary above for today's rating before you head out.
What is the current water flow on the Ausable River?
The Ausable River's flow is tracked by USGS streamflow gauges near Wilmington, Essex County, New York and refreshed daily in the condition summary above. Flow is reported in cubic feet per second (cfs) and compared against the seasonal average so you can see whether the river is running high, low, or normal.
What is a good water temperature for trout on the Ausable River?
Trout feed most actively when water temperatures sit roughly between 48°F and 62°F. DriftWise reads live Ausable River water temperature from USGS sensors near Wilmington, Essex County, New York — see the summary above for the current value.
When is the best time of day to fish the Ausable River?
The most productive windows shift with the season: cold months fish best around midday (10 AM–2 PM) once the water warms, while summer rewards early mornings and evenings. Each Ausable River report factors in the current season.
Do I need a fishing license to fly fish the Ausable River?
Yes. A valid New York fishing license is required to fish the Ausable River. Check current New York regulations for seasons, limits, and any special catch-and-release or fly-fishing-only sections before you go.
Is the DriftWise Ausable River fishing report free?
Yes. The daily Ausable River condition summary — flow, water temperature, weather, and fishability score — is free. A free account (3 reports per month) unlocks the full AI analysis with fly-pattern recommendations and a detailed hatch forecast.
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