Adirondack Fly Fishing | Battle Fish Charters

Published Date: July 17, 2025
Fishing

Tupper Lake, NY, USA
$80 - $850 price range

Summary

Looking to cast a line in the stunning Adirondack mountains? Battle Fish Charters has you covered. We'll take you deep into the backcountry for prime fly fishing spots that are off the beaten path. With a small group size of just two guests, you'll get personalized attention and plenty of space to perfect your technique. Our guides know these waters like the back of their hand and can help you target the local trout species. Want to take your experience to the next level? We offer custom-built fly rods, or you can even try your hand at building your own. There's something special about fishing with gear you've crafted yourself. Whether you're a seasoned angler or new to fly fishing, we'll make sure you have an authentic Adirondack adventure. Just bring your sense of adventure – we'll handle the rest. The mountains are calling, and the fish are waiting.

Adirondack Fly Fishing | Battle Fish Charters

Adirondack Angling Action

Caught a magnificent Northern Pike in NY

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Massive Northern Pike caught while fishing in Saranac Lake

Winter Pike coming in! Saranac Lake, NY.

Photograph of a 33-inch Northern Pike caught while fishing in NY

Northern Pike in Saranac Lake, NY on winter.

A northern pike fish caught in Saranac Lake

Winter fun in Saranac Lake, NY.

Fly Fishing the Adirondacks: Rods, Reels & Rapids

Get ready to wet a line in some of the most pristine waters the Northeast has to offer. Battle Fish Charters is your ticket to world-class fly fishing in the heart of the Adirondack mountains. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just starting out, we've got the know-how and the spots to make your day on the water one for the books. And hey, if you're feeling crafty, we can even set you up to build your own custom fly rod. How's that for a unique fishing tale?

Trip Overview

Picture this: You're standing knee-deep in a crystal-clear mountain stream, surrounded by towering pines and the occasional curious deer. That's what you're in for with our Adirondack fly fishing trips. We keep things intimate with a max of two guests per trip, so you'll get plenty of one-on-one time with your guide. We'll hit up some of the best spots for brook trout, smallmouth bass, rainbows, northern pike, and browns. Fair warning - once you've tasted the thrill of landing a wild Adirondack trout, you might be hooked for life.

What to Expect on the Water

Fly fishing in the Adirondacks is all about reading the water and making the perfect cast. We'll start by getting you dialed in with the right gear - whether that's one of our top-notch rods or the custom beauty you built yourself. Then it's time to hit the water. We'll cover everything from basic casting techniques to the art of "matching the hatch" with the right flies. Expect to do a bit of wading, so pack those waterproof boots. And don't worry if you're new to this - we've got a knack for turning rookies into river masters in no time flat.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

It's not just about the fish (though they're pretty spectacular). Our guests rave about the whole package - the crisp mountain air, the rush of landing that first rainbow, and the satisfaction of improving their skills. Plus, there's something special about learning to build your own rod. It's a craft that connects you to the sport in a whole new way. And let's be real - nothing beats the bragging rights of landing a monster brown on a rod you made with your own two hands.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Brook Trout: These little fighters are the jewels of the Adirondacks. They're native to these waters and known for their stunning colors - we're talking fiery orange bellies and blue halos around red spots. They love cold, clean water and put up a scrappy fight for their size. Spring and fall are prime time for brookies, when the water's cool and they're most active.

Smallmouth Bass: Don't let the name fool you - these bronzebacks pack a punch. They thrive in the warmer, slower sections of our rivers and lakes. Pound for pound, they're some of the hardest fighting fish you'll tangle with. Summer's your best bet for smallies, when they're aggressive and hungry. Watching one of these guys smash a topwater fly is pure adrenaline.

Rainbow Trout: If you're after acrobatics, rainbows are your fish. These high-flyers are known for their spectacular leaps when hooked. They're not native to the Adirondacks but have made themselves right at home. Look for them in faster-moving water, especially below waterfalls or in deep pools. Spring and fall are great for rainbows, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look.

Northern Pike: Now we're talking toothy critters. Pike are the ambush predators of our waters, lurking in weed beds and striking with lightning speed. They're not your typical fly rod quarry, but that's what makes them so exciting. Hooking into a big northern on a fly rod is like tying into a freight train. Early summer and fall are prime pike times, when they're cruising the shallows.

Brown Trout: The wise old men of the river, browns are often the trickiest to fool. They're known for their selective feeding and tendency to grow to impressive sizes. A big brown trout is a true trophy, and the Adirondacks have some monsters. These guys love structure, so look for them around fallen trees and undercut banks. Fall is magical for browns, when the big boys come out to play during spawning season.

Time to Book Your Spot

Listen, the Adirondacks are calling, and those fish aren't going to catch themselves. Whether you're after the thrill of battling a pike on the fly, the delicate presentation needed for a wary brown, or the satisfaction of building and fishing your own rod, we've got you covered. Our trips fill up fast, especially during prime seasons, so don't wait to lock in your dates. Give us a shout, and let's get you out on the water. Trust me, once you've experienced fly fishing in the Adirondacks with Battle Fish Charters, your fishing stories will never be the same. See you on the river!

Learn more about the species

Brook Trout

Brook trout are the jewels of our Adirondack streams. These little fighters average 8-12 inches but can reach up to 2 pounds in our bigger waters. You'll find them in cold, clear streams and pools, often hiding near logs or undercut banks. Spring and fall are prime times, when water temps are cool. Brookies are a blast on light tackle - they'll hit small spinners, flies, and worms with gusto. Anglers love 'em for their beautiful colors and feisty nature. Plus, they're darn good eating if you want to keep a few. My go-to trick is to use a small bead-head nymph dropped off a dry fly. The brookies can't resist that combo, especially in faster runs. Just remember to step lightly - these guys spook easy in shallow water.

Brown Trout

Brown trout are the wily veterans of our Adirondack streams. They average 12-16 inches but can reach 20+ in bigger waters. You'll find them in deeper pools and undercut banks, often coming out to feed at dusk. Fall is prime time when the big boys get aggressive before spawning. Anglers love browns for their selective feeding and hard fights. Expect powerful runs and acrobatic leaps when hooked. They're excellent eating too if you keep a few. Fly fishing with streamers or nymphs is popular, but small spinners work well too. My local tip: Try swinging wet flies down and across the current on cloudy days. The browns can't resist that classic presentation.

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout are a favorite target in our Adirondack streams and lakes. They typically run 12-20 inches and put up an amazing fight on light tackle. You'll find them in cool, clear waters - often near riffles and deep pools. Spring and fall are prime seasons when water temps are ideal. Anglers love rainbows for their acrobatic leaps and hard runs. They're also beautiful fish with that distinctive pink stripe. Fly fishing with nymphs or dries is popular, but spinners and small spoons work well too. For a real thrill, try mouse patterns on the surface at night. My local tip: Focus on seams where fast and slow currents meet. The rainbows love to hang there and ambush food drifting by.

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass are some of the scrappiest fish in our Adirondack waters. They average 1-3 pounds but can top 5 in big lakes. Look for them around rocky points, drop-offs, and submerged logs. Early summer is great when they're in the shallows, but they'll move deeper as it heats up. These bronzebacks fight like crazy - expect acrobatic jumps and strong runs. Anglers love targeting them with topwater lures at dawn and dusk. They're also excellent table fare if you want to keep a few for dinner. My favorite local trick is to use a small jig tipped with a piece of nightcrawler. Hop it slowly along the bottom near rocky structure and hang on tight!

Northern Pike

Northern pike are the apex predators in many Adirondack lakes. These toothy missiles average 24-30 inches but can top 40 in big waters. Look for them in weedy bays and around fallen trees. Spring and fall are prime, but they'll hit year-round. Anglers love pike for their aggressive strikes and powerful fights. Expect violent head-shakes and blistering runs. They're not known for great eating, so most folks release them. Big spinners, spoons, and jerkbaits are go-to lures. My local trick is to use a white bucktail jig with a pork rind trailer. Work it slowly through the weeds and hold on tight when that pike slams it!

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