The much anticipated 2016 fall salmon run here on the Salmon River is in full swing. After last years mediocre run many were wondering about this years showing. As of today the fish are showing up in good numbers and I am happy with the return, as a guide. Daily we are getting into good numbers of Kings with a few Coho teasing us from time to time. Most action for where I am guiding is early morning, about the first 3 hours of the day, then as pressure and sun build through the day the fish move more sporadically, after 10 am it tends to be a waiting game.
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| Early morning success |
The water levels, that's the problem from my point of view. All of my trips so far this season have had to be converted to wading trips because the release as most of you know is 185 cfs with the gauge at Pineville averaging about 240's - 250 cfs. Not floatable from my rowing seat. There are a few guides putting in at Altmar and floating/ dragging their way to Pineville, but they could do just as well fish wise in that stretch by wading.
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| Lower Fly Zone just above the bridge at Altmar, NY. |
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| Obey this and you will be fine, not fined. |
One part of the fishery that remains closed is the Lower Fly Zone, above the bridge at Altmar. The state has deemed it as sanctuary water, hatchery water, till further notice. I peered over the side of the bridge the other day and the water in the fly zone is LOADED with dozens up on dozens of salmon as far up the stretch as you can see. If all these make it into the hatchery for egg harvesting should be no worries. Right now (Saturday, 10/15) Starting at 9 pm tonight till 9 pm tomorrow night the release is being increased to 335 cfs, normal for this time of year, no doubt to encourage these salmon to move into the hatchery.
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| Not many of these laying around yet. |
As for the progress of the run. As I mentioned good numbers are in the river and yesterday there was good reports from down stream in Pulaski and lower river of very good fish movement. Tonight is the full moon and according to my time table we are at the peak of the run. Personally I think we will see fresh fish continuing to show up here for the next week or two, as from my perspective things started a little later than normal. Most traditional bedding areas are holding bedded fish, and anglers, and even with the lower water levels I am optimistic that recruitment will be good for wild salmon survival.
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| One last picture of a egg-laden king. |
Some steelhead are beginning to show up which is what we are eagerly looking forward to. I hope you get up here for this salmon run if you haven't already. If you have any questions drop me a line.
Tight lines
