Preseason

[kkirsch]

Was up over the May 14-15 weekend. Typical FC weather, cold

     with soaking rain

    . Funny that the showers

     were not open and charging regular season prices. There use to be a pre and post season rate. If you ever want to figure out

     the "Choice" sites it is a good time to find

     that out. The whole campsite was open and you could find groups of people at the various sites scattered around the ponds. We were on Site 38

     mainly because of exclusion and availabillity to a heated outhouse. There were however people up the creek and in the pines which surprised me. The ponds were about a foot higher than normal and the pipe at the end of spider creek was nearly to the top. The new shoreline project is near completion with what

     appears to be plantings going

     on. Each site has a stone shoreline with stone steps down to the water. I just wonder

     how slippery they will be once the weather starts to warm up. It may be a good idea to bring a good ole Navy brush to knock alge off of those slaps, we will see. They have filled in the washouts so the sites are more accessible and are continuing with their project to plant trees on the site boundry lines.

[Pat Kothe]

Can't wait...camping at Rollins Pond this weekend, rain

     still predicted...any black flies spotted? probably still too cold

     and wet....thanks for the heads up on the no showers

    ....wonder

     if the showers at Rollins will be open....you get what

     you get!

[kkirsch]

We saw some flys but I did not get bitten. My wife did by a couple however. If you get bitten be sure not to scratch the bites. You can rub them but avoid scratching open. If you can avoid doing that they will not become infected and will dissappear sooner. A smokey fire will keep them at bay if they start hatching.
You should find higher water in Rollins but since that is the head waters to the Fish creek it should not be bad. There was a lot of debris on the road to Rollins. That should be cleared by the time you get there.

[Pat Kothe]

Thanks for the info re: flies and bites....if it doesn't stop raining

    , there will be smokey fires for sure. Heard that DEET is the only repellent that will keep black flies at bay....looking forward to being at Rollins again. Hope the showers will be open...we'll post when

     we get back...thanks again.

[kkirsch]

Get yourself some mosquito coils (they work for black flies as well) they are green coils that sit on a stand or in a holder. They burn like inscense and have worked for me even in northern Canada. I would light up a small piece in the tent/ RV for a short period of time to clear the bugs out. I have also place a lit one under my chair while sitting outside.

Other than 100% deet I have also used Old Time Wood

    sman Fly dope http://www.oletimewoodsman.com/ but that is not for everyone because it repels everything.

Remember don't scratch black fly bites. You can rub them but don't scratch open.

[RichandMarisa]

Good Morning all:

Thank you very much for posting current conditons. Myself and my girlfriend will be heading for our annual visit. We had a few questions

     if anyone can help. We were wondering

     if there is dry wood

     available

     locally? How is the fishing, is the ausable river and other streams flooded? Ofcouse any updates on the showers and black fly situation would all be much appreciated insight.
Kind regards
Rich & Marisa

P.S. Bear sightings?

[kkirsch]

fishing generally is poor except for specific spots. Water is high and almost at flood stage in the Ausable and in side streams as well. If you are looking for trout try the various small ponds around the area. Several I can tip you in on are Black pond (the one near Paul Smiths) along with long pond. Good with flies along the shoreline in morning and early evening (you can also try Black and Whey ponds as well over by Rollins). You can also drift worms with some action. I would also imagine Colby would be good as well near the point just past the summer camp in evening mostly or morning trolling (use lake clear wobbler with a trailing tiny trebble and a worm). I am not sure about the depth this time of year but would guess 10 ft should do it. Troll just fast enough for wobbler action. Moose pond was flooded but this would normally be the time for that to be ripe for fishing. There are several brookie streams I know have Fish but you will have to find them for yourself. A stream that may have some action is the one you cross on the way from Donnellys ice cream

     (the old Crystal Springs dairy) going

     towards Saranac lake. I have picked up some Fish there this time of year and may be open for kayaking

    . I also heard that the landlocks are still running in the lake Clear inlets so you may have some luck there. The flies that work best for me have a nymphs with a tiny bit of flash to them. #7s should be the right size. Otherwise crawlers or snails if live bait is permitted.

Dry wood

     can be located

     at the various locations that Dave has listed. There is some trimmings near the ampitheater but that goes quickly. There was a big birch cut down near the bathhouse off of Site 42

     that we were using.

No bears, but you will probably run into some nasty looking snapping turtles looking for good places to make nests.

[CampADK]

Use the 'Ask Ranger Jill

    ' feature for many of your questions

    . She is pretty good at answer

    ing them, and she is available

     24/7. She will show you a map

     ask well for firewood

    . Trading Post

     should be open by next weekend.

Black flies should be getting pretty frisky about now. We're heading up to FCP next Monday likely and expect to arrive just in time for their peak feeding on Canadians like us. We'll try to fill them up before everyone else arrives for Memorial Weekend

[RichandMarisa]

We would like to thank both of you. We have been going

     for the past four years. Last year we were fortunate with warm and dry weather, for the most part. We head up Memorial day weekend and stay the whole week. We have found a few of those streams with Brookies, very awesome, although the last one had leaches. We usually get a bulk load of wood

     off route 30. More bang for the buck, buying from the store would be very expensive for the week. We were just wondering

     if anyone new of any good local sources for a week supply of dry wood. We tent camp, so it helps. Your fishing report was impressive and very detailed, thank you. We only bring Kayaks

     and fish out of them, so trolling would be challenging. More or less we are fairly familular with the Rollins Pond Experience, it's our favorite place in the world. Just figured we'd hop on, say hi, and get some pre trip intel. from anyone on location prior to our arrival late next week. Again thank you for spending the time to give us the 411.

Regards
Rich & Marisa

[CampADK]

Info on firewood

     is located

     on the home page, or visit http://fishcreekpond.com/woodforafire.php

Cheers!

[kkirsch]

Kayak

     trolling would be almost ideal since if trolling with wobblers is really slow. I normally use a rowing canoe

    . The main thing with colby is to do big circles off that one point. If you got there at night you will see others to learn from. When

     bass season opening, colby is also a good place for that. Fish there in the evening between 7PM and dusk. Cast the shoreline on the road side and around the weed bed down that same side. Use tiny spinnerbait with a twistertail or cast fly poppers. It is a bunch of fun. If in Saranac lake keep your eye ouf for wood pallets that the various places put out for free. You will need to break them up but they make great firewood

    .

[RichandMarisa]

Good Afternoon;

Thank you once again for the fishing tips, we will try trolling from the kayaks

    , can't wait. How was this past weekend? showers in rollins open? Keeping our fingers crossed, hoping to get good weather this weekend. thanks again.

Rich & Marisa

[kkirsch]

I have seen rod holders that clamp to the gunwhales of canoes

     and to the deck of Kayaks

    . I know Gander mountain and bass pro have them and probably others as well. One like this http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-PVC-Coated-Rod-Holders/product/7557/-1015466?cmCat=CROSSSELL_THUMBNAIL

[kkirsch]

Just looked online, The campsite is surprisingly near full even for Memorial Day weekend. There are a lot of people camping this weekend. Wonder

     how bad the rain

     will be. Guess I will find out.