What images and memories do Lake Placid bring to you? The 1980 Winter Olympics and the “Miracle on Ice?” Or perhaps ESPN's initial Great Outdoor Games? Maybe it's the fabulous trout fishing on the world-famous Ausable River, or hiking or mountain biking the hundreds of miles of trails, or a winter skiing vacation? Or perhaps a visit to the Olympic Center, or leisurely sightseeing boat ride on Lake Placid? How about strolling Main Street and visiting all the unique and quaint shops and/or restaurants? If any or all these might apply, therein lies the magic of Placid, for it does, indeed, offer something for everyone.
Last week a handful of outdoor writers, myself included, visited Lake Placid to partake in some of the various activities available there. Naturally, we leaned heavily toward the excellent fishing opportunities that are so plentiful. Of course, the Ausable River receives the bulk of the attention and coverage by the outdoor media, and deservedly so, for it offers world class trout fishing. But as great as it is, it's just one of the many wonderful places to wet a line in that area, albeit one of the most accessible. Just a relatively short drive or hike off the area's beaten paths are dozens of small lakes, ponds and classic mountain-fed trout streams that harbor trout and offer great fishing amidst a classic Adirondack backdrop. Trout aren't the only species anglers can go after, for the area's larger lakes and some of the smaller ponds contain healthy populations of warm-water fighters such as bass, pike and pickerel.
The visit was choreographed by Margaret Marchuk, Director of Media Relations for the Lake Placid Essex County Visitors Bureau (www.lakeplacid.com). Our base of operations was the historic and recently renovated Northwoods Inn on Main Street. At six stories high, it is one of the tallest structures in the village and offers a breathtaking view of Mirror Lake and the mountains beyond. It's famous for its unique Adirondack furnishings and decor, as well as the fine cuisine served there. The Inn is currently constructing a rooftop hospitality area to host social activities while also offering a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside through the plexiglass security windows that frame the entire rooftop.
Our group consisted of six longtime writers and good friends – Leo Maloney, Mike Seymour, Ron Kolodziej, Leon Archer, Rod Cochran and yours truly. The outdoor media profession tends to be a strong fraternity and usually cements solid friendship ties over the years. That was evident that evening as we enjoyed swapping stories over a sumptuous dinner in the Inn's Northern Exposure Restaurant. The following morning we met with the cadre of guides that Margaret had arranged to lead us on our various discovery trips.
One turned out to be an old friend, Joe Hackett, fellow writer and president of Tahawus Ltd, a highly respected and successful Adirondack guide service in Placid. I waited to see what the various destinations would be so the storyline themes would be less repetitious. As it turned out, the lone theme that differed much from the others was a chance to fish a couple of the numerous mountain native brook trout streams that dot the rugged area to the west. My guide would be Mike Gray, an Orvis-endorsed fly fishing guide who is also affiliated with Jones Outfitters Ltd, in Lake Placid.
As Mike and I traveled west into the higher elevations, there was little doubt that we were in the Adirondacks' more rugged country. The streams there are of two types – either valley bottom flows lined with alders, or splash-and-dash boulder-strewn flows that hurtle down the mountainsides. Mike liked the latter, so we parked near a bridge where one such stream cascaded its way toward the lowlands below. This is a far cry from, say, the fishing on the Ausable, where the banks are relatively flat and open and the current is slower. These mountain streams have carved out deep ravines filled with well-worn boulders, and pools often consist of pothole-like washes, not much larger than your typical bathtub. The brook trout in these picturesque flows seldom exceed a foot long, but their beauty more than compensates for their diminutive size. Although I d carted along my fishing gear, my main objective was to photograph, so I told Mike to do the fishing while I pursued the photo opportunities, which were many in such a beautiful setting. Successfully fishing these moutainside streams demands two things -- stealth and surefootedness. Mike stalked each pool from downstream, keeping a low profile to avoid spooking the fish while also insuring solid footing on the slippery rocks that proliferate in these streams. Short rods and equally short casts are the norm, and Mike expertly worked each pothole pool, starting at the pool s tail waters and gradually working to the headwaters. The water was surprisingly cold yet, the result of lingering ice and snow that was still melting in the high country. No trout were kept as that wasn t our intention, as these dainty natives are far too valuable to catch just once.
Later that morning, as we sat streamside, eating our lunches, I asked Mike if he enjoyed fishing these petite flows as much as he did fishing the Ausable? It s kind of an apples and oranges thing, he mused. I love fishing the big river, but I equally love to get away to these small mountain ones. Both the fish and the scenery are just too beautiful not to enjoy them now and again.
That evening we regrouped at the Hungry Trout restaurant, located right on the river, and swapped stories of our various adventures. Not surprisingly, no one was even moderately disappointed with their individual outings, regardless of where or what for. And that, I‘ll conclude, is what makes the Lake Placid area so unique regardless of what you choose to do or where, you ll never be disappointed.