Fly Fish the Adirondacks

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  "name": "Fly Fish the Adirondacks",
  "guideName": "Richard Garfield",
  "slug": "fly-fish-the-adirondacks",
  "bio": "Richard Garfield has been guiding fly anglers throughout the Adirondacks for 30 years, building deep expertise across the region's signature rivers: the West Branch of the Ausable, Saranac River, Salmon River, Raquette River, and smaller technical streams around Wilmington and Lake Placid. He targets brown trout and wild brook trout in spring and fall, shifts to smallmouth bass on fly from May through October, and transitions to ice fishing in winter—a true seasonal generalist who reads the Adirondack calendar like few others. His approach spans wade fishing, drift boat work, and stillwater techniques, making him equally comfortable on cold spring creeks and warm-water flats.",
  "yearsExperience": 30,
  "descriptionShort": "Fly Fish the Adirondacks is a year-round fly fishing operation run by Richard Garfield in Wilmington, NY. Specializing in technical fly fishing across the Adirondack's premier rivers—the Ausable, Saranac, Salmon, and Raquette—Garfield guides for native brook trout, brown trout, and aggressive smallmouth bass, with seasonal ice fishing trips in winter.",
  "descriptionLong": null,
  "editorialPitch": "Richard Garfield has spent 30 years mastering the Adirondacks' seasonal rhythms—from spring trout awakenings on the Ausable to summer smallmouth explosions on hidden streams and winter ice fishing beneath frozen skies.",
  "fishinessRating": 5,
  "rating": null,
  "reviewCount": 0,
  "vertical": "guide_service",
  "isOutfitter": false,
  "hasMultipleGuides": false,
  "guideType": "fly_guide_freshwater",
  "tripStyle": "serious_angler",
  "fishingTypes": [
    "fly fishing",
    "wade fishing",
    "ice fishing",
    "trout fishing",
    "bass fishing",
    "smallmouth bass fishing",
    "brook trout fishing",
    "warm water fishing",
    "boat fishing"
  ],
  "bestFor": [
    "fly-fishing",
    "freshwater",
    "advanced",
    "intermediate",
    "catch-and-release",
    "solo",
    "couples",
    "groups"
  ],
  "hasGoogleMaps": true,
  "qualityTier": "excellent",
  "thinData": false,
  "possiblyClosed": false,
  "city": "Wilmington",
  "stateProvince": "NY",
  "countryCode": "US",
  "country": "US",
  "timezone": "UTC-4",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://flyfishtheadirondacks.com/",
  "tripAdvisorUrl": null,
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  "openMonths": [
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    2,
    3,
    4,
    5,
    6,
    7,
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    10,
    11,
    12
  ],
  "peakMonths": [
    5,
    6,
    7,
    8,
    9,
    10
  ],
  "fishingSeasonsNarrative": "My guiding year in the Adirondacks is a dynamic dance with the seasons, each offering a unique flavor of fly fishing. Spring begins with the melt and the awakening of the rivers, bringing opportunities for trout as they become more active. As summer heats up, I focus on the cooler, shaded small streams, a refuge for native brook trout and wild fish seeking solace from the sun. This is also prime time for warm-water species like smallmouth bass, which are aggressive and provide thrilling action on the fly rod from mid-May through late October. The fall brings a crispness to the air and a renewed vigor to the trout, especially on the private water, offering a more serene yet productive fishing experience. Winter transforms the landscape into a frozen wonderland, and I shift my focus to ice fishing, a true Adirondack pastime, where we can still find willing fish beneath the ice.",
  "meetingPoint": null,
  "providesGear": true,
  "gearNotes": "All fly rods, reels, waders, boots, and flies are provided. Clients are welcome to bring their own gear if preferred. Specialty patterns and ice fishing equipment are included on guided days.",
  "kidFriendly": null,
  "skillLevel": null,
  "cancellationPolicy": null,
  "licenseInfo": null,
  "whatToExpect": "Days vary by season: spring and fall trips focus on technical dry-fly and nymph work on the Ausable and private trout water, with wade fishing through classic Adirondack pocket water. Summer brings smallmouth bass action on fly from mid-May through October, often on smaller streams and warm-water systems. Winter trips shift to ice fishing beneath the frozen landscape. All trips include expert instruction and sight-casting coaching; streamside lunch and full gear support are standard.",
  "status": "enriched",
  "profileTier": "standard",
  "pipelineId": 313,
  "createdAt": "2026-06-08T18:23:50.005Z",
  "updatedAt": "2026-06-15T17:14:27.591Z",
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      "credentialType": "state_fishing_license",
      "issuingAuthority": "NYS",
      "licenseNumber": "1235",
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      "source": "extract-guide-facts",
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  ],
  "geom": {
    "type": "Point",
    "coordinates": [
      -73.8159104,
      44.3904208
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  "tags": [
    {
      "slug": "advanced",
      "name": "Advanced",
      "tagType": "ability"
    },
    {
      "slug": "intermediate",
      "name": "Intermediate",
      "tagType": "ability"
    },
    {
      "slug": "couples",
      "name": "Couples / Honeymoons",
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    {
      "slug": "drift-boat",
      "name": "Drift Boat",
      "tagType": "boat_type"
    },
    {
      "slug": "shore-only",
      "name": "Shore / Wade Only",
      "tagType": "boat_type"
    },
    {
      "slug": "fly-fishing",
      "name": "Fly Fishing",
      "tagType": "fishing_style"
    },
    {
      "slug": "wade-fishing",
      "name": "Wade Fishing",
      "tagType": "fishing_style"
    },
    {
      "slug": "year-round",
      "name": "Year-Round",
      "tagType": "season"
    },
    {
      "slug": "dry-fly",
      "name": "Dry Fly",
      "tagType": "technique"
    },
    {
      "slug": "nymphing",
      "name": "Nymphing",
      "tagType": "technique"
    },
    {
      "slug": "streamer",
      "name": "Streamer",
      "tagType": "technique"
    },
    {
      "slug": "full-day",
      "name": "Full Day",
      "tagType": "trip_format"
    },
    {
      "slug": "wade-trip",
      "name": "Wade Trip",
      "tagType": "trip_format"
    },
    {
      "slug": "float-trip",
      "name": "Float Trip",
      "tagType": "trip_format"
    },
    {
      "slug": "instructional",
      "name": "Instructional",
      "tagType": "trip_format"
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    {
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      "name": "Catch & Release",
      "tagType": "trip_format"
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      "name": "Gear Provided",
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    {
      "slug": "lunch-included",
      "name": "Lunch Included",
      "tagType": "trip_inclusion"
    },
    {
      "slug": "flies-provided",
      "name": "Flies / Lures Provided",
      "tagType": "trip_inclusion"
    },
    {
      "slug": "freshwater",
      "name": "Freshwater",
      "tagType": "water_type"
    }
  ],
  "faqs": [],
  "destinations": [
    {
      "slug": "ausable-river",
      "name": "Ausable River",
      "type": "river",
      "primary": true,
      "confirmed": true,
      "relationship": "nearby",
      "distanceMeters": null
    },
    {
      "slug": "saranac-river",
      "name": "Saranac River",
      "type": "river",
      "primary": false,
      "confirmed": true,
      "relationship": "nearby",
      "distanceMeters": null
    },
    {
      "slug": "raquette-river",
      "name": "Raquette River",
      "type": "river",
      "primary": false,
      "confirmed": true,
      "relationship": "nearby",
      "distanceMeters": null
    },
    {
      "slug": "chateaugay-river",
      "name": "Chateaugay River",
      "type": "river",
      "primary": false,
      "confirmed": true,
      "relationship": "nearby",
      "distanceMeters": null
    }
  ],
  "primaryDestinationSlug": "ausable-river",
  "accommodations": [],
  "species": [
    {
      "slug": "brown-trout",
      "commonName": "Brown Trout",
      "category": "freshwater",
      "availableMonths": [
        1,
        2,
        3,
        4,
        5,
        6,
        7,
        8,
        9,
        10,
        11,
        12
      ],
      "peakMonths": [
        4,
        5,
        6,
        9,
        10
      ],
      "seasonalityNotes": "Trout fishing is excellent throughout the year, with spring and fall offering prime conditions on the rivers. Small streams provide a cooler alternative during the summer heat, and the private water is particularly good for wild brown trout in the spring and fall.",
      "notes": null
    },
    {
      "slug": "smallmouth-bass",
      "commonName": "Smallmouth Bass",
      "category": "freshwater",
      "availableMonths": [
        5,
        6,
        7,
        8,
        9,
        10
      ],
      "peakMonths": [
        5,
        6,
        7,
        8,
        9,
        10
      ],
      "seasonalityNotes": "Smallmouth bass provide fantastic action on the fly rod from mid-May through late October. May is particularly good for pre-spawn fish in shallow, warming waters, and late October sees them feeding heavily for winter.",
      "notes": null
    },
    {
      "slug": "brook-trout",
      "commonName": "Brook Trout",
      "category": "freshwater",
      "availableMonths": [
        4,
        5,
        6,
        7,
        8,
        9,
        10
      ],
      "peakMonths": [
        5,
        6,
        7,
        8
      ],
      "seasonalityNotes": "Native Adirondack brook trout are a highlight of small stream fishing, especially during the summer months when the shaded streams offer cooler temperatures and consistent action.",
      "notes": null
    },
    {
      "slug": "bluegill",
      "commonName": "Bluegill",
      "category": "freshwater",
      "availableMonths": [
        5,
        6,
        7,
        8,
        9,
        10
      ],
      "peakMonths": [
        6,
        7,
        8
      ],
      "seasonalityNotes": "Sunfish provide reliable action throughout the warm water season, making them a great target for anglers of all skill levels.",
      "notes": null
    },
    {
      "slug": "red-salmon",
      "commonName": "Red Salmon",
      "category": "anadromous",
      "availableMonths": [
        4,
        5,
        6,
        9,
        10
      ],
      "peakMonths": null,
      "seasonalityNotes": "Landlocked salmon are mentioned as a target species, suggesting availability during certain seasons, though specific months are not detailed.",
      "notes": null
    },
    {
      "slug": "rainbow-trout",
      "commonName": "Rainbow Trout",
      "category": "freshwater",
      "availableMonths": [
        3,
        4,
        5,
        6,
        7,
        8,
        9,
        10
      ],
      "peakMonths": [
        5,
        6,
        9,
        10
      ],
      "seasonalityNotes": "Rainbow trout are available in the region, often found alongside other trout species and sometimes present in the private water.",
      "notes": null
    }
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