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.

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Salmon River estuary for Pike

 Rowed the drift boat around the estuary just over a week ago.  I was fishing with a good friend, Carlton Schumaker.  I met him years ago when I was Pro-staffing for G Loomis, Carlton was one of the sales reps I worked regularly with.  He is now the Eastern Regional rep for Korker boots .  We were fishing with one of Carltons salesmen and Karl and Rick of Pineville Sports Shop.  

The day started out overcast and gradually broke into full sun and blue skies.  Carlton was throwing a huge pike streamer and the other boat was working spinner baits.  Everybody did well!

NICE Chain Pickeral.

First fish for Carlton was the nice Northern Pike

Carlton landed this nice Pickeral pictured above.  He said it was the biggest he's caught, told him to get out of New Hampshire more.  It is not uncommon to catch Pickeral like this in the eastern Lake Ontario areas.  I have caught several Pickeral in this size fishing here and in the St Lawrence River.  Aggressive fish for sure.

The lake fishery here gets most of the publicity and rightly so, it is a tremendous fishery.  But don't overlook the Salmon River itself during the summer as there are excellent opportunities for fish like this.

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Salmon River water forecast

Straight on view of the falls.

 I had an opportunity to take a ride with my wife over to Pulaski about 2 weeks ago, while there we visited the Salmon River falls and was nicely surprised to see it running some good water.  We had been getting fairly heavy rain fronts moving through the area on a weekly basis giving the upper river a good flow.

 

From the lookout abreast of the falls.

We headed on up to the reservoir at Redfield and was surprised at the amount of water, well above full pool.  This is nice to see.  If they stay with minimal flow through the summer, with a few high-water weekends worked in we should have good water for the fall runs.  Currently the flow at Pineville is 281cfs with a 185cfs release.  

Water in the trees around the reservoir

Bass season is in, and the Salmon River reservoir is home to some very nice large and small mouth bass populations.  Most of my fishing for both species is with a wacky rigged senko in black with blue flakes or a Texas rigged trick worm in black.  Early mornings will see a spinner bait or jerk bait working well.  As the weeds grow towards the surface of the water, I use top water plugs, a lot.

Nice 'Largie' on a slow crawled trick worm along a weed edge.

Hope you all enjoy the summer.  The summer and fall fishing prospects look good here on the Salmon River, try to get here and take advantage of it.

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May 5, 2022 Salmon River area report

Spring has been having a hard time getting off the ground here. Our temperatures are seasonal but only 2 nice days in the last week or two. Our snowpack here in the Tug Hills was gone (for the most part) by the end of March, so I was hoping for a fairly easy season for steelhead through April, but frequent heavy rains and a couple of measurable snow falls and the river flows between 4000cfs and 1500cfs (on average) throughout April.  Currently the river is running at 304cfs at Pineville gauge at a 185cfs release.

The spring season mirrored the fall fishing, mediocre at best.  We had some nice fish in the fall but no big numbers that we have become use to.  Even the salmon run was dismal to mediocre, unless you were in Eliss Cove and upper river areas.  Steelhead season, at this point, has quietly faded into dreams of this coming fall's run (fingers crossed).  

A nice State land bird from a few years back.

May 1, saw the start of walleye/pike season statewide.  This is a new arrangement and will continue from here on.  Previous years had seen the start of pike season on the first Saturday in May.  It will be interesting to see what feedback comes of this change being that spring turkey season starts on May 1 also.  I'd bet many guys who are diehard pike fishers, especially walleye, are also diehard turkey hunters.  I for one am in the latter group and would never miss the turkey opener, no matter what.  I turn down guided steelhead trips every year for the turkey opener.

Another beautiful gobbler.

Local trout streams have been receiving modest pressure, probably due to the fact that the streams have only recently dropped and are now easier to wade.  Behind my house the Mad River has just started to see hatches, and as of yet I have not ventured a cast at it.  I will this weekend.  Next week we are expecting temperatures in to the 70s/80s all week so the bugs should start popping in earnest.

I'll try to post regularly from here on out.  Although I enjoy writing and posting to the blog, I have kind of lost focus on it these last few years.  I want to change that.

I am looking forward to the coming Spring and summer, Hope you are too.

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Salmon River Fish Hatchery Improvements

 

The Salmon River fish hatchery's  new fish ladder is almost ready.  Construction crews have been working since last summer to modify the main hatchery drainage plumbing and to remove the old fish ladder that was in need of replacement.  The new ladder is now in place and should be fully operational by the upcoming fall salmon run.

Make sure to include a visit to the hatchery in you fall trip to the Salmon River.

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Salmon River NY fall salmon run forecast

Here it is, Labor Day weekend, what some consider the official start of the fall salmon run here on the Salmon River.  All of us who make a living here on the river are looking forward to the upcoming season.  We have had more than enough rain this summer to keep the reservoir full, or at some points, above full pool.  So we should not have a repeat of last years low water conditions.  As I type this the release is 750cfs till tomorrow evening and then the flow is cut back to 350cfs, which I would anticipate to be the regular release through November.  Things can change, but with the levels in the reservoir currently, I can't foresee any major changes.

Water level recently at the boat launch in Redfield, NY

Water level at boat launch a year ago.

 

There are reports of salmon in the river as one would expect, however, not in big numbers.  We are experiencing fall-like weather right now so with cooler temperatures at night (low 40s to 50s) and decent water flows, we should see the steady movement of salmon into the river from here on out.  Look for the 3rd week of September to see things really start to pick up.

Reports from the lake indicate that in the past few days salmon have been moving closer the the river's mouth and off 9 mile point.  Fish are being caught in 50-110' in these areas.  As always, they will come and we will have a blast.

Hope you get the opportunity to visit the salmon River this fall.  See you soon.

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Winter steelhead fishing February 2021

This is the time of year that the die-hard steelheaders manifest themselves. These are not the same woosies who think ice fishing in their heated shanties is tough. These are the guys and gals who stand in freezing water and are willing to freeze their fingers and toes until they hurt so bad they feel like throwing up.  These are the anglers who make 2 or 3 casts then clean the ice out of their rod guides and in 2 or 3 more cast do it again, and again, and again,  all the while smiling and chatting with their partner,  These are the guys and gals who are willing to trudge through 2-3 feet on new lake effect snow to get to their fishing spot. These are the anglers who willingly sit in an open drift boat with no protection from a westerly head wind all day.   

The last few weeks have seen several -0 starts to the day and later starts to the day due to skim ice on the river. However, the fishing is very good and we are having some nice days on the upper river from Altmar to Pineville.  Right now the flow is 494 cfs at the Pineville gauge with a release of 350 cfs. This is very fishable for both the boating angler and the wading angler. Typical flies for this time of year are your go to trout nymphs like the Copper John (try these in red, green, Chartreuse and hot pink - size 12), GR Hares ear in #12, Flash Back Nymph #12 and, of course, a Globug in Cherise or Chartreuse with a pink dot producing well. If you are bead fishing a 10mm bead on Chartreuse or Cherise are working too. If you want to fish eggs, fresh steelhead roe is the way to go. Tie these in a blue or pink netting and you should get some action. 

 Of course, the water temperature is hovering just above freezing most of the time now so be careful wading is the rule. If at all possible fish with a friend and wear some sort of spikes or cleats. As the sun begins to show itself more regularly and higher in the sky the algae bloom in the river will also increase, this is as slippery as it gets for the angler. A fall in the river right now can be life threatening and at the least, a temporary interruption to your day until you can get into some dry clothes and waders.  You also want to take a break every so often to warm up and have something hot to drink as well as eat something with high carbs to fuel the body.

This is a great time to fish steelhead, and soon we will see these fish setting up to spawn, kickung off the spring season.  Take some time to fish the Salmon River this spring and please stay safe.

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