Fly Fishing the Hudson River in the Adirondacks

Benjamin Moxley
Aug 18
2 min read

Updated: Sep 6

I’m incredibly lucky to live where I do. Within just an hour of stepping out my door, I can be in the heart of some of North America’s most pristine wilderness. The Adirondacks are home to moose, bears, deer, wolves, the Miracle on Ice—and most importantly to me—countless mountains and rivers. No matter how many times I get out here, the landscape never stops amazing me.

A Different Side of the Hudson

When most people hear “Hudson River,” they picture the wide, industrial waterway running through New York City. But up here near its headwaters, it’s an entirely different river. I spent my morning at a quiet pull-off just north of Gore Mountain, only a few miles from where the Hudson begins.

At this point, the river is only about 100 yards wide—roughly 1/60th of its widest stretch. In August, the water runs slow, clear, and shallow, rarely more than four feet deep. Surrounded by green peaks like Moxham, Starbuck, and Gore, it’s a peaceful stretch of water. The riverbed is rocky, which makes wading a patient process. A pair of deer were drinking upstream when I arrived, barely noticing me.

Getting Set Up

I pulled in around 7:30 a.m., slid into my Orvis waders and boots, and organized my Simms chest pack. Most of my gear has come from Backcountry.com, and Orvis has more than proven itself when it comes to durability.

That said, you don’t need premium brands to enjoy fly fishing. Waders from Walmart or Dick’s Sporting Goods will catch just as many fish. But one piece of gear I’d recommend to anyone is the Simms chest pack. At under $100, it makes life on the water a lot easier — my phone and keys in one pocket, flies and leader in another, with easy clips for nippers and forceps.

Solitude on the Water

I only started fly fishing this year, but this was by far my best outing yet. The central Adirondacks don’t see nearly the same crowds as Lake Placid, which meant I had the river to myself. For three hours, it was just me, the current, and the rhythm of casting.

No trophy fish came to hand, but that wasn’t why I was there. Fly fishing is about more than numbers — it’s about slowing down, connecting with the water, and learning through every cast.

Final Thoughts

By late morning, I packed up and headed out, already planning a return trip. It was a fantastic day on the Hudson — quiet, scenic, and grounding. I’ll definitely be back before the snow falls.