September 2022 Salmon River NY report

As I write this this river is in good shape for fish movement.  The gauge at Pineville is at 419cfs at a release of 335cfs.  This water is being freshened by a decent amount of rainfall over the last 2 days and water temps are hovering around 60-66 degrees depending on where you're at.

Over the past week there has been a steady movement of salmon into the river, most of the Kings with a few Cohos scattered in.  Throughout the river there is fish moving in small groups, mostly in the morning in low light conditions and this continues until fishing pressure increases.  Most activity as far as hook-ups go is primarily in the 2A to Douglaston area of the river.  If your plans are to work around Pulaski, you should be able to get into fish.

We look forward to this annual event and at this point it looks to be shaping up fairly well.  As reports spread you can anticipate an increase in fishing pressure, as usual, so if you can get here earlier in the run rather than later you should be able to find some water to yourself, or at least less pressured water.

If it's your first-time back stream wading since last year take it slow, no need to get wet right off the bat.

Hope you get the opportunity to come up this year.  It's worth the trip.

Tight lines

Early September Salmon River NY fishing report

This last weekend ushered in the 'unofficial' start to the salmon season here in Pulaski.  We have had some measurable rain in the past week and a half, so the river is in good condition as far as water flow.  Currently the release is 370cfs with the gauge at Pineville reading 459cfs.  These are respectable flows given that in the past few years they have been considerably lower.  The reservoir is in excellent shape as far as available water so this fall should see good flows on the Salmon River.

As to be expected, and as confirmed by various reports locally, the salmon run is trickling in as usual for this time of year.  One source reported a movement of Cohos but most fish moving into the river are Chinooks.  One interesting bit of information on these early fish is that, over the past few years, these have been wild fish, fish spawned in the Salmon River itself.  These fish have been our early runners over the past 6-7 years and have been on the larger size, 25-30lbs.

Early run King salmon.

If you are looking for salmon for the table this is the time to fish for them.  These early September to late September fish are fresh and good table fair.  Once they set up on the spawning reds they have started to degenerate and will soon die, not anything I would want to eat.  I do most of my fishing for table fair right now, I am ever building a smoker for this year's fish and venison.  See how that turns out.

Well, the moon is a full moon tomorrow and by the next full moon we will be at the peak of the salmon run. From now until then this is the absolute best time to fish the salmon run.   Don't miss out on this annual event, it only happens once a year.  See you on the river.

Tight lines