LOCALadk Magazine

38 Spring 2018 LOCALadk Magazine LOCALadk In the Adirondacks, there's always life on the water. Road cyclists zip past the motorized boats that troll our biggest lakes, lines are cast from canoes that glide silently through the rising morning mist as campfire coffee brews on shore, and people in waders stand thigh deep in cold mountain streams, nodding to hikers who cross the nearby shallows. There is something magical about the water here. Maybe it's the boulder-lined shores skirting our ponds, which make natural clearings for pine-scented picnicking, diving, and fishing. Or maybe it's the vantage point the middle of a large lake provides — mountaintops peek above the green canopy and there's no better place for observing wildlife. And sure, winter is cold, but there is something special about the way shanties appear, springing up like little villages on the ice. Upstream from the ponds and lakes, mountain streams rife with deep pools spill through mossy gorges and cascade over vertical ledges. It seems every step forward unveils an entirely new perspective, and it's all incredible. Nature appeals to different people in different ways, but one thing is certain: This dramatic scenery lends itself to a myriad of habitats and the species that live here. Between the region's lowest geographical point — the vast Lake Champlain — and the rocky tops of the High Peaks, there are too many streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds to name. Some offer the opportunity to park and cast; some require a half-day hike to reach. That's good news for people who like to fish, and more good news is the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation stocks some of our most accessible waters, making this a land of plenty for anglers of every skill level and ability. Learn more about some of the Adirondacks' most sought after fish species, and then come join us on the water! Shaun Ondak | ROOST by Shaun Kittle Powered by ROOST

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