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Experience the Thrill of Fly Fishing for Smallmouth Bass on the Salmon River, NY

Looking for an exciting new angling adventure this season? Join us for a guided fly fishing trip for smallmouth bass on the Salmon River in Upstate NY! Known for its world-class salmon and steelhead runs, the Salmon River also boasts an incredible smallmouth bass fishery that peaks during the warmer months. Our experienced guides will take you to the river's prime spots, offering tips and techniques for targeting these hard-fighting bass. Whether you're a seasoned fly angler or new to the sport, you'll appreciate the power and acrobatics of smallmouth bass as they explode on surface flies and streamers. We provide everything you need, including top-quality fly fishing gear, custom-tied flies, and expert instruction. Choose from float trips or wade trips to suit your style, and get ready to chase bronzebacks through riffles and pools surrounded by the scenic beauty of the Salmon River. Book your guided smallmouth bass fishing trip today and discover why the Salmon River is a must-visit destination for fly anglers in Upstate New York. Tight lines await!  

Brown Trout

       Experience Epic Trout Fly Fishing in Eastern NY! Join us for an unforgettable guided trip on the West Canada Creek or Hoosic for a drift boat adventure or explore the legendary West Branch Ausable River on a wade trip! Whether you're chasing wild browns or perfecting your cast, we’ve got the knowledge and experience to put you on fish. ✅ Float Trips & Wade Trips Available ✅ Perfect for Beginners & Experienced Anglers ✅ Stunning Scenery & Trophy Trout ✅️ Trout Spey 📅 Book your trip today—let’s get on the water!  

Spey Gear Prep Tips

As swing season approaches on the Salmon River,  it’s essential to get your spey gear in prime condition for steelhead. Here are some tips to make sure you’re ready:   1. Check Your Rod & Reel Inspect for Damage: Look for any cracks or wear on your spey rod, especially around the ferrules. Reel Maintenance: Clean and lubricate your reel. Ensure your drag system is functioning smoothly. Backing: Check your backing for knots, tangles, or signs of wear. Replace it if necessary. 2. Line Prep Change or Clean Your Line: A clean fly line casts better. If it’s old, consider upgrading to a new spey line or Scandi/Skagit head. Leader & Tippet: Stock up on tapered leaders and fluorocarbon tippets in varying strengths (10-15lb range). 3. Flies & Sink Tips Organize Your Fly Box: Have a mix of traditional steelhead patterns (Intruders, Muddlers, etc.) in various sizes and colors. Sink Tips: Make sure you have an array of sink tips for different water conditions (e.g., intermediate to heavy sink rates). Make sure the loops have no cracks in them. 4. Casting Practice Dial in Your Cast: Get out on the water or lawn to practice your spey casting technique. Focus on smooth, controlled casts to maximize your swing. 5. Plan Your Spots Scout the River: With constantly changing river conditions, familiarize yourself with high-percentage steelhead holding spots. By preparing your gear now, you’ll be ready to hit the water with confidence when the steelhead start running strong!

Fall Streamer Float trips – Big Browns

        Chasing Big Browns with Streamers This Fall - Fall is prime time for targeting aggressive, pre-spawn brown trout. As the water cools and fish start moving upstream, streamers become the go-to. Larger patterns mimic baitfish and provoke reaction strikes from big browns looking to fatten up before the spawn.     Tips: Use varies sinking lines to get where the big fish are hiding. Vary your retrieves—start slow, then mix in some quick strips to trigger an attack. Target deep pools and undercut banks where browns stage before moving into shallow riffles. Keep changing streamer colors until you find what they want. Interested in a afternoon streamer float trip this fall? Hit me up to book your spot and let’s chase those fall giants!

Float Trips

Floating 1 to 5 miles of river with no one in sight.   Fast water nymph eater   Float Trips Have you ever found yourself yearning for the perfect fishing spot, a place where you can escape the crowds and immerse yourself in pristine waters teeming with fish? Look no further than a well-known central NY creek, where our spring and summer have been nothing short of magical. With serene floats and exceptional fishing, we’ve been covering a lot of water, and the results have been incredible. Let’s dive into our recent adventures and share some tips for both seasoned anglers and those just starting out. A Serene Angler's Paradise This West Canada Creek, a true gem, has provided us with unparalleled fishing experiences this spring and summer. Most days, we find ourselves alone on the water, surrounded only by nature and the promise of an exciting catch. The solitude enhances the experience, offering a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The creek’s scenic beauty, combined with the thrill of the catch, makes every outing unforgettable. The Bounty: Brown Trout Galore The creek’s bounty has been truly impressive, with incredible brown trout ranging from 12 to over 20 inches. These fish have been the highlight of our outings, offering both a challenge and a reward for our efforts. Whether you're a seasoned angler or new to the sport, the opportunity to hook into these magnificent trout is an experience you won't want to miss. Techniques that Deliver: Soft Hackles and Streamers Our success on the water can be attributed to a few tried-and-true techniques. Swinging soft hackles with a trout spey rig has produced some thrilling grabs, [...]

Trout Fishing

  Trout fishing remains good throughout CNY and Adirondacks. There has been plenty of bugs coming off for the dry fly fisherman and early mornings the nymphing/streamer game is really good.  We've been floating the West Canada Creek recently and having some good days. For the trout spey angler swinging #10 -#14 soft hackles and been the ticket on a clear intermediate poly leader in the faster riffles when there is no active bugs. Once the hatch starts you can target rising fish swinging wet flies with a mono leader.   Interested in booking a trip, click here or call/text 518-495-2965.         ​

Guide Flies

Lance Egan's thread frenchie. Guide Flies, We all have those quick, simple and effective flies that catch fish.  The thread frenchie are super quick to tie and catch trout just about everywhere.  You can fish them with a tight line rig, dry dropper or under a indicator. Tie a few up and give them a try.   Hook: Umpqua XC400BL Thread: UTC  70 Denier - Olive Bead: Slotted Tungsten Beads  Tail: Whiting Coq De Leon - Dark Pardo Ribbing: Semperfli Tying Wire - 0.2 - March Brown Hot Spot: Ice Dub - UV Pink or orange thread for a quick tie.

Trout Trips – Float Trips

  Fly Fishing Float Trips on West Canada Creek: A New Adventure for 2024! At Paul's Guide Service, we are thrilled to announce an exciting addition to our range of outdoor experiences for the coming year. As of 2024, we are introducing guided fly fishing float trips on the majestic West Canada Creek, utilizing our NRS raft. If you are an avid angler seeking a unique and rewarding adventure, this is an opportunity you won't want to miss! Immerse Yourself in the Beauty of West Canada Creek Imagine gliding along the crystal-clear waters of West Canada Creek, surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of upstate New York's beautiful wilderness. With our NRS raft, we are able to provide you with an immersive fly fishing experience, enabling you to access areas of the creek that were previously unreachable. Expert Guides to Enhance Your Fly Fishing Skills We possesses an in-depth knowledge of the West Canada Creek. With our guidance and expertise, you'll learn the intricacies of fly fishing while honing your skills in one of nature's most captivating settings. Whether you're a seasoned angler or new to the world of fly fishing, our guides will tailor the trip to suit your individual needs and goals. A nice West Canada Creek brown trout on the swing. Prime Fly Fishing Opportunities West Canada Creek is renowned for its abundance of wild trout, making it a prime destination for fly fishing enthusiasts. As we drift along the creek's currents, you'll have the chance to cast your line into some of the best trout waters in the region. From the exciting challenges of  landing a brown trout to the thrill of hooking into your first trout, our fly fishing [...]

Fall Steelhead

        Terry with one of many on a recent trip   Steelhead season is in full swing now and with the recent snow on the ground and flows increasing its setting up for a great rest of the season.  Swinging flies has been pretty consistent now with number of fish in the river. I'd say 90% of my clients are changing over to swinging flies and taking on the challenge of trying to catch a steelhead the hardest way to catch one.  Nothing like swinging down a run with a fresh blanket of snow on the ground.

Trout Fishing

Trout fishing is pretty good on the West Branch Ausable as well as the West Canada Creek.  Euro Nymphing, Dry Fly or swinging flies with a trout spey are all producing plenty of fish. Looking to book a trip, give me a call, text or shoot me a email.

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