It's been a while since my last post. Steelhead fishing through the fall has been very good, most of the time. Had a hand-full of days when I was pulling my hair out but those days build character they tell me. The water levels have been acceptable with a few weeks when it was perfect. As I type this the gauge at Pineville bridge reads 560cfs. Last evening into early this morning we picked up about 18" of snow here on the river. This past weekend, 12/22-23, we picked up our first real measurable, sticks to the ground snow, about 12" on the river and probably a good 16" up in the Tug Hills. This is a good thing. After last years snow drought we all know what happened to our river flows this past September/ October. I hope we get a good Lake Ontario influenced winter with normal mind boggling snow falls this winter.
The river temps are in the upper 30's and the steelhead have settled into winter mode. I love fishing steelhead this time of year. The river is quiet, not too many people on it. The areas that receive most pressure are the usual ones, Schoolhouse, Wire Hole, Trestle, Pineville, Ace, Sportsman, Compactor... you get the picture. If your coming up I'd suggest snow shoes or stick to the trails.
This time of year the most important thing to consider is keeping warm and dry. The first thing that helps stay this way is not to over-dress. If you have a considerable walk into where you will be fishing dress light and carry your heavier clothing in a pack. Trudging snow and carrying your gear will keep you warm, once you get to where you will fish add you layer of heavier clothing. Getting sweated up before you get to your fishing is going to keep you cold and miserable all day, if you can stand it that long. Another key to staying warm is breaking the wind (no, that's not what I meant). Keeping the wind off you is crucial to maintaining body heat. New space age materials that are incorporated into today's sportswear are amazing in how good they do their job. I have excellent wind/ rain gear from Simms. Pay a little more for it but will never regret it. Keeps me comfy and helps me concentrate on my clients and the fishing, not on trying to keep warm.
Another thing that can help keep you warm is an auxiliary heat source. Chemical hand warmers have a permanent place in my boat as does a couple of small propane space heaters. You don't need a boat to carry these to the river. Activate the hand warmers at your car and stick them in you coat pockets and most propane space heaters are collapsible and easily packed. A thermos of hot coffee, tea or hot chocolate also goes a long way to keeping you comfortable and happy when it's cold. A lunch or some kind of energy snack is also important to staying warm. Your body burns a lot of calories trying to stay warm so eating or snacking regularly gives your body fuel to burn.
Keeping my feet warm is VERY important. For waders I have a pair of insulated boot-foot 4mil neoprene. Very comfortable, keeps me dry and warm but here again, don't over dress. Too many heavy socks can actually cause you feet to sweat and then they're cold. As for pants under the waders, I have a pair of light-weight fleece. Again many companies now have very good layering clothes for under your waders. Also, as for the soles of your boots, lug soles with korkers sandals or cleats is your safest bet. Most of you already know the common problem with felt soles in the winter is that once they are wet and you walk in the snow, you now have two large ice clumps on the bottom of your boots, not a safe situation whether on land or in the water.
We are moving into a new year in a few days. There is a lot of uncertainty as we cross over into 2013. Not just here in the states but around the world things happen daily that can have a profound effect on each of us. Can't run from this but one thing, for now, is constant, the fishing here on the Salmon River. Doesn't hurt ever once and a while to put the world on hold and do a little fishing, it's a good thing. Hope to see you here.
Tight lines.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Salmon River report - early November
 |
| A lot of CHROME here! |
 |
| Ryan Nobrega with a beautiful chrome male steelhead, solid 16 lbs. |
As for egg sacs, blue, blue, blue. That's all they seem to want. Flies that are working for us right now are Globugs in Oregon Cheese w/ pink dot, Chart. w/ pink dot and solid cherise. I have also been having good success on a tan, double gold bead stone fly tied in size 10.
 |
| Typical 7-8 lb steelhead for this time of year. |
Tight lines.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Salmon River update October 22, 2012 - steelhead report
I have fished the river over the past week from both Altmar to Pineville and Pineville to 2A. There are steelhead in good numbers through out both these areas. Not big numbers, but good numbers. Most of the fish we have hit are chrome, fresh fish. It has been nice also to find very little pressure on the river (the areas I fish with clients) which make it nice. This will change. Within the next week or two as the numbers if steelhead increase and word gets around, the river will become crowded, especially the upper areas around Altmar and Pineville.
Finding steelhead right now is easy, fish the fastwater and pockets with good current. The last few outings have produced action using orange egg sacs and egg pattern flies like Sucker Spawn, Glo- bugs or Nuke eggs.
One problem on going right now is the leaf hatch that has made it near to impossible, at times, to get through a drift. There are still a lot of leaves on the trees around the river yet to fall. We need a couple days of high wind and hard rains.
The river is flowing at 335cfs release and at the Pineville gauge the reading is 489cfs as I post this. If we get no substantial rain this will continue to drop.
The salmon have disappeared very fast over the last week. Any left are either late runners or on death's door.
I'll be on the river steady over the next few months so will keep you posted.
Tight lines.
Finding steelhead right now is easy, fish the fastwater and pockets with good current. The last few outings have produced action using orange egg sacs and egg pattern flies like Sucker Spawn, Glo- bugs or Nuke eggs.
One problem on going right now is the leaf hatch that has made it near to impossible, at times, to get through a drift. There are still a lot of leaves on the trees around the river yet to fall. We need a couple days of high wind and hard rains.
The river is flowing at 335cfs release and at the Pineville gauge the reading is 489cfs as I post this. If we get no substantial rain this will continue to drop.
The salmon have disappeared very fast over the last week. Any left are either late runners or on death's door.
I'll be on the river steady over the next few months so will keep you posted.
Tight lines.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Salmon River - October 18, 2012
Just a short note. The release has been increased to 335cfs, same release as last year this time. Right now the gauge at Pineville is 495cfs. This should go up even more by tomorrow as there is steady rain in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow. Been floating a few time with the 285cfs and rain run-off, but a little rough. Now it's going to seem like a float on the Snake River with all this water.
As for fishing. There are still some salmon in the river. The spawning activity and numbers of fish are starting to drop off noticably. On the other hand the numbers of steelhead are increasing noticably. That's what we like. For steelhead I'd suggest egg patterns, egg patterns, egg patterns... oh yes, and egg patterns.
Will post more during the weekend.
Tight lines.
As for fishing. There are still some salmon in the river. The spawning activity and numbers of fish are starting to drop off noticably. On the other hand the numbers of steelhead are increasing noticably. That's what we like. For steelhead I'd suggest egg patterns, egg patterns, egg patterns... oh yes, and egg patterns.
Will post more during the weekend.
Tight lines.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Salmon River report - as good as it gets
 |
| Slava Voloshin with one of many kings he and his party hooked into this past Saturday. |
The water level is still low despite some rain nearly every day. However the rain is scattered and does not really amount to much even as far as run off from Orwell and Trout Brook go. At Pineville as I type the gauge is at 241cfs. There was a release last night from 8pm to 12 midnight, I'd guess primarily to pull more salmon to the hatchery. Looks as if they'll release again on the same schedule tonight.
 |
| Here's a nice female King landed by Bob Renauld on Tuesday morning. |
We can expect the run to continue for a little while longer into October. As of this past weekend there have been decent numbers of steelhead showing up in the salmon run. During Tuesday's float from Pineville to 2A we fished an indicator for steelhead but no takers, although we did see some steelhead in a few areas.
 |
| Another dandy King landed on Tuesdays float. Good job Bob. |
Tight lines.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Salmon River fishing-late September 2012
The fishing for salmon has been going very well. The salmon continue to enter the river and have made their way throughout the entire river system. This quality of fishing will only get better as we move on into October. You can expect the run to peak around the week of October 15-20. Till then most of the fishing pressure on the river will be for salmon. There is bedding activity setting up in the usual spawning areas; upper Sportsman to the tail of the Ace, the head of the Refrigerator Hole to the bend below the abandoned trestle and the mouth of Orwell Brook up through the tail of the Wire Hole. These areas are loading steadily and with the low water in the diversions you will likely find these main river spawning areas holding more than the normal numbers of spawning salmon.
The water still is low, 208cfs at Pineville as I post this. There is virtually no drift boat fishing due to these conditions, but a few fella have banged their way down through the upper river. We have been getting some steadier rain of late but not enough to raise the river, even with run-off. The forecast for the first week of October is calling for 3-4 days of rain at 30%-40% chance, not promising. One good thing, with this cooler rain being added to the flows here, the water temps are becoming favorable to the salmon surviving their trip up the river. Let's hope the fall rains start to bump up the flows before too long. Also, due to the low water levels the opening of the lower fly zone at Altmar has been delayed by the state DEC till at least November.
There are a lot of fish holding in the deeper pools wait for their clock to send them on into the spawning mode. These fish are difficlt to catch. Since entering the river they have recieved an education and have seen, as we use to say, 'everything Tony's sells'. Back in the 80's and early 90's Tony's Salmon Country (where the Drift Boat Inn is now) was THE major tackle shop on the Salmon River. Back to the salmon, they are line shy and most fish hooked in the deeper pools are fish that have probably been inadvertantly (or intentionally) lined.
Your best opportunities at active, aggressive salmon are fish that have set up to spawn and will respond aggressively to the fly, mostly the male fish. Weighted buggers and leeches are working good, darker colors in low light and brighter colors as the day goes on. By the second and third weeks of October you will want to use some good egg patterns, these can be tied in larger sizes as you'll still be fishing salmon. Steelhead will be showing upper and these egg patterns will work well. Can't wait for these chrome fish. To date this fall season we have bumped into a couple, that's it, but I don't really expect too many right now.
As for the crowds, well, they are here. Just have to start early and move around the river. That is how I deal with it as a guide. Whether on foot or in the drift boat, this time of year you need to move and explore the river. You will find areas that do not recieve a lot of pressure and some days I know we are the only anglers to fish to some groups of fish that day.
This is the time of year we wait for here, the salmon runs. Take advantage of it, you'll not be disappointed.
Tight lines.
The water still is low, 208cfs at Pineville as I post this. There is virtually no drift boat fishing due to these conditions, but a few fella have banged their way down through the upper river. We have been getting some steadier rain of late but not enough to raise the river, even with run-off. The forecast for the first week of October is calling for 3-4 days of rain at 30%-40% chance, not promising. One good thing, with this cooler rain being added to the flows here, the water temps are becoming favorable to the salmon surviving their trip up the river. Let's hope the fall rains start to bump up the flows before too long. Also, due to the low water levels the opening of the lower fly zone at Altmar has been delayed by the state DEC till at least November.
There are a lot of fish holding in the deeper pools wait for their clock to send them on into the spawning mode. These fish are difficlt to catch. Since entering the river they have recieved an education and have seen, as we use to say, 'everything Tony's sells'. Back in the 80's and early 90's Tony's Salmon Country (where the Drift Boat Inn is now) was THE major tackle shop on the Salmon River. Back to the salmon, they are line shy and most fish hooked in the deeper pools are fish that have probably been inadvertantly (or intentionally) lined.
Your best opportunities at active, aggressive salmon are fish that have set up to spawn and will respond aggressively to the fly, mostly the male fish. Weighted buggers and leeches are working good, darker colors in low light and brighter colors as the day goes on. By the second and third weeks of October you will want to use some good egg patterns, these can be tied in larger sizes as you'll still be fishing salmon. Steelhead will be showing upper and these egg patterns will work well. Can't wait for these chrome fish. To date this fall season we have bumped into a couple, that's it, but I don't really expect too many right now.
As for the crowds, well, they are here. Just have to start early and move around the river. That is how I deal with it as a guide. Whether on foot or in the drift boat, this time of year you need to move and explore the river. You will find areas that do not recieve a lot of pressure and some days I know we are the only anglers to fish to some groups of fish that day.
This is the time of year we wait for here, the salmon runs. Take advantage of it, you'll not be disappointed.
Tight lines.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Salmon River report mid-September
Well, if you haven't heard already, their here... For the last week and a half the river has been recieving EXCELLENT numbers of salmon everyday and as of two days ago the cohos have been coming in good numbers. Despite the water level, the salmon are going to spawn, I told you so.
I have been on the river several times in the last week and have to say in 24 years I can't remember a more steadier flow of fish this early in the season. I'll take it!
I have fished mainly late afternoon to sunset and if you hit areas between deeper water, for example, Upper Compactor to Secret Pool, your going to have fish all over the area. You are also going to have company. I can't remember having to share these type of areas with so many fishermen this early before. Areas like the Black Hole, Town Pool, Staircase, Trestle .... are crazy! Sure, lots of salmon, but lots of anglers too.
The only thing that is a downer right now is the amount of dead salmon already. This is no doubt due to the low water AND the warm water temps. The good thing is that the nights have been getting alot cooler lately and there has been some rain, not enough to raise the levels significantly, but enough to freshen the water and help keep the fish moving.
A lot of anglers release fish now with good intent. But the truth is that after fighting a fish of this size in conditions the way they are many released fish end up like the one in this picture, dead. If you are ever going to keep salmon for table fair now is when to do it. They are fresh from the lake, solid meat and will most likely die when you release it anyways. If the water were cooler by even a few degrees and the water level was say, 400cfs or better, then these fish may have a better chance at surviving at least your battle with them. Not to say that they wont die after the next guy hooks and fights it.
Here we are again, another salmon run upon us and when the moon is full the next time we will be in the peak of the salmon run. Time flies.
More to come.
Tight lines.
I have been on the river several times in the last week and have to say in 24 years I can't remember a more steadier flow of fish this early in the season. I'll take it!
I have fished mainly late afternoon to sunset and if you hit areas between deeper water, for example, Upper Compactor to Secret Pool, your going to have fish all over the area. You are also going to have company. I can't remember having to share these type of areas with so many fishermen this early before. Areas like the Black Hole, Town Pool, Staircase, Trestle .... are crazy! Sure, lots of salmon, but lots of anglers too.
 |
| Dead. A common sight now due to the water temps, level and fishing pressure |
A lot of anglers release fish now with good intent. But the truth is that after fighting a fish of this size in conditions the way they are many released fish end up like the one in this picture, dead. If you are ever going to keep salmon for table fair now is when to do it. They are fresh from the lake, solid meat and will most likely die when you release it anyways. If the water were cooler by even a few degrees and the water level was say, 400cfs or better, then these fish may have a better chance at surviving at least your battle with them. Not to say that they wont die after the next guy hooks and fights it.
Here we are again, another salmon run upon us and when the moon is full the next time we will be in the peak of the salmon run. Time flies.
More to come.
Tight lines.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Salmon River Hatchery - Sept 22,2012
National Hunting and Fishing Day
A full day of children's activities, fishing seminars and outdoor programs are planned for this year's open house on National Hunting and Fishing Day, Saturday, Sept. 22, at the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Salmon River Fish Hatchery.
This is the 17th annual open house at the hatchery, located at 2133 county Route 22 in Altmar. The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. There is no admission charge.
"This is the one opportunity during the year where the public is able to access the working parts of the hatchery with a personal tour," said Fran Verdoliva, Salmon River Program Coordinator. "People of all ages can watch migrating salmon in the fish ladder through the underwater camera, see an exhibit on rare and endangered fish, and learn about the many opportunities for fishing and outdoor recreation along the Salmon River."
Visitors can tour the hatchery with DEC staff, learn about fishing for Pacific salmon, and learn about rare and endangered fish. Volunteers will teach how to cast a fishing rod, tie flies, and fly cast and fly fish along the beautiful scenery of the Salmon River Corridor. There are several activities for children, including fish identification, discovery of creatures of Beaverdam Brook, the popular "Backyard Bass" and "Hook and Ladders" fishing games, and the Oswego County Cooperative Extension 4-H laser shooting range. Tours of the hatchery will be given every 30 minutes starting at 10:30 a.m.
Along with the special presentations, many conservation organizations and agencies will provide exhibits and information about outdoor recreation and conservation in the Salmon River ecosystem.
Guests can also visit the nearby Salmon River Falls, a DEC Unique Area located four miles from the hatchery. The 110-foot waterfall offers trails and viewing areas with spectacular scenery.
For more information contact the Salmon River Hatchery at (315) 298-7605.
Post Script - Hope you get a chance to visit the hatchery this fall, it is an educational experience you'll not forget. Bring the family, this is as much fun for the kids as it is for you adults.
It is important to built appreciation in young folk for the tremendous resource here on the Salmon River. The future of this great fishery is going to be in the hands of our children after our role as it's caretakers is finished. Don't let great opportunities like this, September 22,2012, go by without passing something good on to our kids.
Tight lines.
A full day of children's activities, fishing seminars and outdoor programs are planned for this year's open house on National Hunting and Fishing Day, Saturday, Sept. 22, at the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Salmon River Fish Hatchery.
This is the 17th annual open house at the hatchery, located at 2133 county Route 22 in Altmar. The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. There is no admission charge.
 |
| Through the fall seeing salmon migrating upstream is a common sight. Photo credits NYSDEC |
"This is the one opportunity during the year where the public is able to access the working parts of the hatchery with a personal tour," said Fran Verdoliva, Salmon River Program Coordinator. "People of all ages can watch migrating salmon in the fish ladder through the underwater camera, see an exhibit on rare and endangered fish, and learn about the many opportunities for fishing and outdoor recreation along the Salmon River."
Visitors can tour the hatchery with DEC staff, learn about fishing for Pacific salmon, and learn about rare and endangered fish. Volunteers will teach how to cast a fishing rod, tie flies, and fly cast and fly fish along the beautiful scenery of the Salmon River Corridor. There are several activities for children, including fish identification, discovery of creatures of Beaverdam Brook, the popular "Backyard Bass" and "Hook and Ladders" fishing games, and the Oswego County Cooperative Extension 4-H laser shooting range. Tours of the hatchery will be given every 30 minutes starting at 10:30 a.m.
Along with the special presentations, many conservation organizations and agencies will provide exhibits and information about outdoor recreation and conservation in the Salmon River ecosystem.
Guests can also visit the nearby Salmon River Falls, a DEC Unique Area located four miles from the hatchery. The 110-foot waterfall offers trails and viewing areas with spectacular scenery.
For more information contact the Salmon River Hatchery at (315) 298-7605.
Post Script - Hope you get a chance to visit the hatchery this fall, it is an educational experience you'll not forget. Bring the family, this is as much fun for the kids as it is for you adults.
It is important to built appreciation in young folk for the tremendous resource here on the Salmon River. The future of this great fishery is going to be in the hands of our children after our role as it's caretakers is finished. Don't let great opportunities like this, September 22,2012, go by without passing something good on to our kids.
Tight lines.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Salmon River fishing report, early season 2012
It's raining. For all the complaining that we do when rain disrupts our plans or when we have to fish in it, when we go with out any substantial rain fall we worry. For farmers a growing season without rain is a potential disaster, their livelihood depends on rain. For those of us who look forward to a good salmon run we want to see it rain too. The lack of it could spoil our fun. Obviously the needs of the farmer whose income depends on a good harvest and the needs of the recreational salmon fisherman are two completely different situations, still the lack of rain here in central New York has many anglers worried. Don't, whether we get monsoons that fill the reservoir or not, the salmon will run. They have every year since I've been guiding here and as I write this decent numbers of salmon (several hundred) have been moving up the river for the last two days.
The need for salmon to run the river and spawn is, as I like to compare it, to your need to take a dump. Just like you would prefer to have a clean toilet with plenty of tp at the right time, if you don't, you can only hold it for so long. Then you find yourself answering the call of nature, leaning against a tree or sitting over a downed tree limb wiping your butt with your sock, you have to. Same with salmon, they would probably prefer to have a good healthy flow of cool water and their favorite spawning areas under about 2-3 feet of water, but if these are not available they can only hang out in the estuary so long, then they have to run, they have to.
I will be hitting the Salmon River this Thursday morning. I figured I would give the recent fish a chance to get upstream and with the rain that is coming down now and over night, I am sure there will continue to be salmon moving into the river. If you have plans for fishing the river in the next week or so and are worried about the water level, thanks for worrying, we do need more water, but the salmon don't, and they are going to keep coming, they have to.
Tight lines
 |
| Me with a nice female salmon taken in perfect conditions, last September. |
I will be hitting the Salmon River this Thursday morning. I figured I would give the recent fish a chance to get upstream and with the rain that is coming down now and over night, I am sure there will continue to be salmon moving into the river. If you have plans for fishing the river in the next week or so and are worried about the water level, thanks for worrying, we do need more water, but the salmon don't, and they are going to keep coming, they have to.
Tight lines
Monday, August 20, 2012
Fish here, use these...catch these
 |
| Fish here... the riffs at the head of this slow, silt edged run. |
 |
| Nice 12" Atlantic salmon, ID'd by the fork tail. |
The fishing on the BWOs was so good I started to worry that I might sting too many trout and put most of them down before the Hex appeared, so I took a break.
 |
| Use these... Hex compara dun tie on #6 hook |
 |
| Catch these... |
 |
| ...and these |
The Hex spinners started showing up about 7:45 and the trout started doing their thing about 15 minutes later. This went on into the dark and I landed several in the 14" -18" range, nothing bigger.
There were a few White Flies starting to show up last night and it was good to finally start to see them. The hatch should get stronger over the next week or so and they will be around till mid to late September, same as always.
I noticed this past weekend that the trees are not as green as they have been and along some stretches of highway some trees, a few, are showing a hint of color. A look at the calander tells me that in 8 weeks from now we will be past peak color here and the leaf hatch will be choking the Salmon River. 8 weeks from now believe it or not and the salmon fishing will also be past peak and the steelhead fishing will be ramping up for what we are all expecting, another awesome fall on the steelhead.
Tight lines.
Monday, August 13, 2012
They're here...
 |
| This hex spinner decided to land inside my wader bib. |
The hex spinner fall is special, to me. As I watch these browns explode on the spinner like it's their last meal I have to laugh, they are so enthusiastic, like they've waited all year for this fly and now it's Christmas! Really makes me chuckle. These trout are far from starved as most are in robust health, they're beautiful. This evening didn't produce any really big browns, most in the 14"-16" range but I did sting a few that were pushing 20"+.
 |
| Nice healthy brown with a hex comparadun sticking out his gullet. |
We really need a couple weeks of dependable rain fall. The water tables are down and for me, a good water flow ensures a good steady salmon run and I'll be able to float my drift boat with clients. Twice in the past 12 years the water has been so low in the Salmon River that I had to convert my float trips to wade trip. The last time it was too low to float was in 2008. That year the water was so low in the Salmon River that the DEC had to shock fish out of the deeper holes just to get enough fish to the hatchery to have at least a decent eggs harvest.
As for this years salmon run you can feel anticipation for it building locally. Everywhere the local businesses and guides are preparing for it, myself included. I am trying something different this year when it comes to fly fishing for salmon. I'll be road testing it as soon as we get some fish entering the river and if it works as good as I believe it will it should make for some happy clients.
I'll be posting again soon.
Tight lines,
Mark
Monday, July 16, 2012
Salmon River news, river access and other local tidbits
 |
| Nice time of the year for bass fishing. |
 |
| New Short Bridge wall, no it's not a drift boat ramp. |
 |
| Future access to the Schoolhouse Pool is up in the air. |
If you make it up the the river this fall, in particular the Altmar to Pineville stretch you will see 6 fishing line disposal containers set up by LOTAC. Kudo's to them. If you are contentious enough to use them then kudo's to you.In what will seem like a few short weeks the salmon will start entering the river. By my time keeping, we will be at the peak of the salmon run in 3 more full moons.
Stay cool and have fun, fishing.
Tight lines
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Salmon River New York, mid summer report
We're officially a little over a week into summer and it feels like mid-July. We've had predominantly warm/hot weather here and the Salmon River and local streams are very warm. Aside from the smallmouth bass fishing on the Salmon River any Atlantic and Skamania fishing is virtually non-existant. We did have a little push of water last week but not nearly enough to impact the river. Any trout in the Salmon River and area streams are holding in the cold water, spring-fed sections of the river. At present the river is at 252cfs at the Pineville gauge.
For those who fish the river for bass look for them in the faster water areas of the river, basically the head of the deeper runs...the head of the Compactor, Bird House, Sportsman's... you get the picture. The fishing is fun whether with the fly rod or ultra-light spinning gear. If your are using spinning gear 6lb test is max and throwing small Mepps or Panther Martin spinners work well. Also, small floating Rapalas will get the job done. Best times are early morning and late evening, even the bass don't care for the heat and sun shine. Fly fishing with steamers works good... wooly buggers. leeches, matukas and muddlers. Late evening or early morning, low light conditions, are a good time to use poppers and mouse patterns.
I did have a chance last Saturday to put the drift boat in the Redfield resevour. The water level is very good and the fishing (for bass) was fair. I only fished around the launch area in Redfield and being that it was the opening day of bass season the shorelines had been worked hard. I did manage to find a decent school of bass holding about 40 yards off shore in about 12 feet of water. They were holding just off bottom on the outside egde of a deep water weed bed. A Texas rigged 6" Trick Worm in watermelon w/red flakes worked real good. I pegged the weight about 4-5" ahead of the worm to float it just off the bottom and did well. The retrieve had to be SLOW, that's all they wanted. A few bass started to suspend higher in the water column as the sunset and I picked up a few on the drop. I love bass fishing!
I have been fishing local streams for trout, however, with the warm water temps I am reluctant to put too much pressure on them. I did land a beautiful brookie about a week ago just at dusk. He was all of 12-13" and fat. His sides were brilliant scarlet/ orange color and he had a great hook jaw. His colors were so brilliant that the white line of his fins almost glowed in the falling light. When I saw that it was a very nice brook trout I landed it with a net so as not to stress it, took the fly out of it's mouth and as it rested in the net got my phone camera ready to snap a picture. As I lifted the trout out of the net, yep, he slipped back into the stream before I could even think about focusing the camera. No problem, I know were he lives. Like they say "He that fights and runs away shall live to fight another day".
I hope your summer is going well. Enjoy it with friends and family and most certainly, do some fishing!
Tight lines.
For those who fish the river for bass look for them in the faster water areas of the river, basically the head of the deeper runs...the head of the Compactor, Bird House, Sportsman's... you get the picture. The fishing is fun whether with the fly rod or ultra-light spinning gear. If your are using spinning gear 6lb test is max and throwing small Mepps or Panther Martin spinners work well. Also, small floating Rapalas will get the job done. Best times are early morning and late evening, even the bass don't care for the heat and sun shine. Fly fishing with steamers works good... wooly buggers. leeches, matukas and muddlers. Late evening or early morning, low light conditions, are a good time to use poppers and mouse patterns.
 |
| An average sized bass for the Redfield Resevour |
I have been fishing local streams for trout, however, with the warm water temps I am reluctant to put too much pressure on them. I did land a beautiful brookie about a week ago just at dusk. He was all of 12-13" and fat. His sides were brilliant scarlet/ orange color and he had a great hook jaw. His colors were so brilliant that the white line of his fins almost glowed in the falling light. When I saw that it was a very nice brook trout I landed it with a net so as not to stress it, took the fly out of it's mouth and as it rested in the net got my phone camera ready to snap a picture. As I lifted the trout out of the net, yep, he slipped back into the stream before I could even think about focusing the camera. No problem, I know were he lives. Like they say "He that fights and runs away shall live to fight another day".
I hope your summer is going well. Enjoy it with friends and family and most certainly, do some fishing!
Tight lines.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Central New York and Delaware River report
Time flies. I have intended to post a report before this but time moves too quickly.
I have been able to get out on local central New York streams quite a bit and last week on Thursday I had the opportunity to float the East Branch of the Delaware River with good friend and guide Jeff Church. Jeff runs trips for West Branch Angler and recently won the award for top guide in the 2012 One Bug competition, an annual event in support of FUDR. Jeff works hard and the award for top guide is well deserved. The East Branch had plenty of water and no crowds, however, fishing was mediocre at best, no real bugs happening so not alot of action. I did manager to land 5 or 6 nice browns. These are wild fish and fight like it. They were carbon copies of each other, about 14" and fat. Took them on a mix of patterns, Iso duns, BWO emergers, and sulfer duns at dusk in the foam. All in all it was a great day and was good to fish with a good friend.
Locally the trout fishing is super. Lots of trout and some big ones in the mix. Most trout are being taken on BWO drys, March Brown drys (comparaduns) and recently Sulfer drys (thorax).
The water has dropped steadily and the trout are moving into deeper water during the day time. Evening, however, finds them moving shallow feeding heavily in the riffles. I find working a good dry pattern on the current seams where the riffs empty into these deeper pools produce the bigger fish. Often it's not even a matter of matching the hatch so much as it is matching the size and siloette of the hatch. Right now either a BWO comparadun #16- 18 or a March Brown comparadun in #12 do the trick.
I have noticed the Sulfers showing up heavier each time out and have seen a few Light Cahills recently. The caddis hatches are the primary hatches for the trout, every evening at dusk. Soon should see some trico's showing up and I know this is premature, but I can't wait for the Hex hatch to begin here in August. Towards the end of August we are getting not only the Hex but also the White Fly, Potomanthus distinctus. When fishing in late August I can't decide if I want to tie on the Hex spinner or the White Fly spinner, both seem to get the same response from the big browns.
I'll keep posting as the summer moves along. Only 3 months till we start fishing salmon in the rivers again.
Tight lines.
 |
| Jeff Church, top guide. Photo credit to Sam Batschelet |
 |
| Nice chunky brown |
The water has dropped steadily and the trout are moving into deeper water during the day time. Evening, however, finds them moving shallow feeding heavily in the riffles. I find working a good dry pattern on the current seams where the riffs empty into these deeper pools produce the bigger fish. Often it's not even a matter of matching the hatch so much as it is matching the size and siloette of the hatch. Right now either a BWO comparadun #16- 18 or a March Brown comparadun in #12 do the trick.
 |
| Nice 16" brown on a Sulfer #16 thorax. Notice the unique spots. |
 |
| Big 20" brown caught at dusk matching size and siloette |
I'll keep posting as the summer moves along. Only 3 months till we start fishing salmon in the rivers again.
Tight lines.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Bug buffet
 |
| Big Isos like this are on the menu locally, duns like this one and spinners |
Besides the caddis hatch that happens every evening like clockwork, the may flies are abundant in numbers and variety. Isos began to appear about a week or so ago along with some some small BWOs. In the last two evenings I have seen the arrival of March Browns, Green Drakes (duns and coffin flies), Sulfers. None in substantial numbers, but here none the less. This evening the Green Drakes appeared, briefly. I tied on a #12 comparadun and landed 3 browns just like that, and just like that it was over. This is not a stream with any major areas of silt bottoms, but tomorrow evening will see me on a local stream that HAS major stretches of sit/sand and Green Drakes.
 |
| Nice 14" brown this evening on a #14 March Brown sparkle dun |
 |
| Trout like this one are standard for here |
It's funny how trout will key in on different flies from one night to the next. Two days ago I fished a creek and crushed them on x-caddis. Last evening I fished it again and not even a sniff in the caddis, however, a #14 parachute Adams got their attention.
There were plenty of caddis hatching in the riffs but a change in the silhouette got the job done.
 |
| Solid hook up with a parachute Adams |
Water levels here in central New York have been dropping steadily and I noticed this evening that the temperture of the water felt warmer that it has. This will push the hatch activity into a continuous cycle and every evening should be full of options for the fly fisherman. The trout will always know what's for dinner, you and I will just have to figure it out.
Tight lines.
Monday, May 14, 2012
May, a busy month
The month of May in New York state is a busy month for the sportsman who likes to hunt and fish. State wide the trout season has been open since the first of April and for the fly fisherman things are settling into the normal hatch cycles on area streams and rivers. May 1st was the spring turkey opener, which this year was a soaker and May 5th was the state wide walleye and northern pike opener.
For the trout fisherman who throws flies it has been very good fishing. The trout are for the most part tuned into the mayfly and caddis hatches and bait fishing is becoming less productive. For the local streams around home, they are mostly empty of anglers. I have had some great evenings lately, landing probably 35 -40 trout in the last two evenings alone. We have a mix of bugs on the water with the recent arrival of the Iso, the kind you tie on a #10 or #12 hook, the big spring Isos. Most trout I have hooked are preferring 2 flies, one is the BWO #16 sparkle dun which is a comparadun with an antron (poly) tail. This is a very productive pattern here on local streams and I have had excellent success with this pattern out west in Wyoming, Idaho and Montana . The second pattern, and the most productive fly I think I have ever use is an x-caddis. This is a hair wing caddis pattern with an antron or poly tail. The tail is about the same length as the fly body and looks like a caddis trailing it's nymph skin. I use this in a brown size #14 and it doesn't seem to matter what color caddis is hatching, this fly catched fish. I have tied this fly in tan and it works well too.
Some of the trout are hold overs but most are stocked from this year. Their diet is making them fat and their colors are turning more 'traditional' brown trout looking, beautiful fish. Most are very robust and fiesty which is a lot of fun.
For the turkey hunters this season so far has been a 50/50 mix of wet and dry mornings. They (the gobblers) have been vocal at first light but quiet from then on, hard to get them to gobble later in the morning. They still come to the call, just have to stay alert.
Walleye fishing has been good with the focus on Oneida Lake and Oswego Harbor. Trolling stick bait is working well as is trolling worm harnesses. Haven't heard much from the northern pike anglers although I'd like to head up to Lakeview Marsh off Route 3 north of Sandy Pond, I've always had fun on the northern there.
Hope you're enjoying the spring but don't ingore the 'honey-do' list, too long.
Tight lines.
 |
| Nice 16" brown that sipped in a #16 BWO sparkle dun |
 |
| The stockers are fattening up! |
For the turkey hunters this season so far has been a 50/50 mix of wet and dry mornings. They (the gobblers) have been vocal at first light but quiet from then on, hard to get them to gobble later in the morning. They still come to the call, just have to stay alert.
Walleye fishing has been good with the focus on Oneida Lake and Oswego Harbor. Trolling stick bait is working well as is trolling worm harnesses. Haven't heard much from the northern pike anglers although I'd like to head up to Lakeview Marsh off Route 3 north of Sandy Pond, I've always had fun on the northern there.
Hope you're enjoying the spring but don't ingore the 'honey-do' list, too long.
Tight lines.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Trout fishing local waters
Local trout fishing is getting a lot of attention. Recent weeks have seen annual stocking of the local streams around here. With some milder, stable weather many anglers have been taking advantage of the fishery, myself included.
I had the chance the other evening to meet a young man who showed up stream side with a new fly rod, reel and a box of flies. "It's my first time fly fishing. I was here the other night and the fly fisherman was hammering them." He went to Wal-Mart and bought the outfit. I chatted a few minutes with him and enjoyed seeing his new found enthusiasm for something that for as far back as I can remember has always been a part of my life. Made me promise myself never to take it for granted, and to quietly thank my dad who so many years ago gave me my first fly rod. I showed him how to staighten his new line and leader and told him not to drop the rod so far down behind him on the back cast. There was a lot more to tell him but if he sticks to it he'll figure it out, like we all did. Fly fishing is not so much about mastering technique as it is about melding with the hatch, the trout and the river, at least that's what it's about for me. Hope I see him again.
One last picture of a nice native brookie I picked up last night.
Tight lines.
 |
| Victim of a parachute Hendrickson |
Though these trout for the most part are stockers, they quickly adjust their diet to the mayfly and caddis hatches. We have an abundance of caddis hatching, tans and black caddis in sizes from 10 to 18. I have had good success with a #12 and #14 brown z-lon caddis. This is, for me, one of the most productive caddis patterns I've ever used. Both here in the east and out west. Yetserday on the Mad River I had a tremendous evening of dry fly fishing using a #12 parachute Hendrickson. We are pretty much on track here as for the progression of hatches, with trout taking Quill Gordons, Hendricksons and Red Quills eagerly. My favorite, and what I am looking forward to is the Sulphurs.
 |
| Decent size for a stocked brown |
Sulphurs for me signal the beginning of the summer dry fly 'season'. With the emergence of Sulphurs is the arival of the March Brown, and BWOs. Soon to follow is the brief Green Drake hatch, followed by the Light Cahills and Grey Fox hatch. About this time we also get an Iso hatch, these are not the #14- #16s of the late summer/early fall variety, these are the #10 and #12 bruisers that show up every June. The trout hit these with as much gusto as the Green Drakes or the Hex hatch here in late summer.
I had the chance the other evening to meet a young man who showed up stream side with a new fly rod, reel and a box of flies. "It's my first time fly fishing. I was here the other night and the fly fisherman was hammering them." He went to Wal-Mart and bought the outfit. I chatted a few minutes with him and enjoyed seeing his new found enthusiasm for something that for as far back as I can remember has always been a part of my life. Made me promise myself never to take it for granted, and to quietly thank my dad who so many years ago gave me my first fly rod. I showed him how to staighten his new line and leader and told him not to drop the rod so far down behind him on the back cast. There was a lot more to tell him but if he sticks to it he'll figure it out, like we all did. Fly fishing is not so much about mastering technique as it is about melding with the hatch, the trout and the river, at least that's what it's about for me. Hope I see him again.
Tight lines.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Salmon River update
Well, the fat lady may be getting ready to sing here. The release is almost as low as they can take it, 285cfs and Pineville is reading 402cfs which means there is some run off being added by Orwell and Trout Brook. The water temps are still in the low to mid 40s so the steelhead are not going to blow out of the river, not yet. Right now the difference between having fish in the river and not having them is the water temperature. The last few nights have been frosty and daytime temps having a hard time breaking 50 degrees, still only 37 degrees here today. As long as the temps stay cool the steelhead will hang out for a while longer. It does look as though the spring fishing is going to end a little early this year. There is, however, the drop backs out of the hatchery still to make their way down the river so good fishing still exists here, just how much longer is the questions.
The early spring and low water in the river alot of guides are moving their operations out to the lake now and from what I here it is good, browns and lakers. The wind the last few days has been brutal on the river so I can only imagine what the lake boys are dealing with.
I fished opening day of inland trout season here on April 1. From my last post I was thinking warm, dry, mild... not. It was a typical opening day as far as the weather goes. Rain and drizzle, cold and raw. I fished about an hour at the end of the day, walked across my back yard and fished the Mad River. Fished a bead head Hare's Ear nymph (link) under an indie, one drop but nothing there on the hook set. It can only get better.
Anyways, tonights a full moon and according to my time keeping in 6 more full moons we'll be at the peak of the salmon run here, I can't wait.
Tight lines.
The early spring and low water in the river alot of guides are moving their operations out to the lake now and from what I here it is good, browns and lakers. The wind the last few days has been brutal on the river so I can only imagine what the lake boys are dealing with.
I fished opening day of inland trout season here on April 1. From my last post I was thinking warm, dry, mild... not. It was a typical opening day as far as the weather goes. Rain and drizzle, cold and raw. I fished about an hour at the end of the day, walked across my back yard and fished the Mad River. Fished a bead head Hare's Ear nymph (link) under an indie, one drop but nothing there on the hook set. It can only get better.
Anyways, tonights a full moon and according to my time keeping in 6 more full moons we'll be at the peak of the salmon run here, I can't wait.
Tight lines.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Late March Salmon River report
First off, the river is in prime condition, it don't get any better than this. The water release is at 900cfs and the gauge at Pineville is at 944cfs. What this tells you is that at this point there is virtually no run-off adding volume to the river, the water flows from here on out are dependent on what the power company decides. Let's hope they continue to feel generous.
The steelhead are reaching peak or just past peak spawning, a lot of dropbacks in the river and these are not from the hatchery, they have only recently begun to take eggs so we wont see any fish drop out of the hatchery for awhile. This means that there should be good fishing on dropbacks through mid-April.
Swinging flies is becoming very productive in the river now. Spawned out steelies are on a feeding binge so leeches, streamers, sculpins and big meat flies are connecting regularly. If you prefer the indicator, egg patterns, big golden stone fly nymphs and San Juan worms in the fast water will hook you up.
Inland trout season starts Sunday here in New York. The creeks are in good shape, maybe a little low depending on where you're fishing. The forcast is for mid 50's and chance of rain, showers. This should make for a busy day on the trout streams. Most years the opener is about 10-15 degrees colder and often the percipitation is snow. Also, no snow banks to climb over this year and the water is not high or off color as it is many opening days.
I plan to take my wife and head out Sunday afternoon on a local trout stream. I always look forward to the opener, this year a little more than others. Probably has to do with the mild spring so far and knowing that I wont have to throw streamer as there is already some hatching going on. I'll probably try a few small Dark Hendrickson comparaduns and I always like fishing traditional tied Red Quills early in the season. Richard Strolis has a great video showing how to tie the Hendrickson Comparadun, click on his name for the link to some excellent fly tying vids.
Hope your steelheading and trout fishing are good for you.
Tight lines.
The steelhead are reaching peak or just past peak spawning, a lot of dropbacks in the river and these are not from the hatchery, they have only recently begun to take eggs so we wont see any fish drop out of the hatchery for awhile. This means that there should be good fishing on dropbacks through mid-April.
Swinging flies is becoming very productive in the river now. Spawned out steelies are on a feeding binge so leeches, streamers, sculpins and big meat flies are connecting regularly. If you prefer the indicator, egg patterns, big golden stone fly nymphs and San Juan worms in the fast water will hook you up.
Inland trout season starts Sunday here in New York. The creeks are in good shape, maybe a little low depending on where you're fishing. The forcast is for mid 50's and chance of rain, showers. This should make for a busy day on the trout streams. Most years the opener is about 10-15 degrees colder and often the percipitation is snow. Also, no snow banks to climb over this year and the water is not high or off color as it is many opening days.
I plan to take my wife and head out Sunday afternoon on a local trout stream. I always look forward to the opener, this year a little more than others. Probably has to do with the mild spring so far and knowing that I wont have to throw streamer as there is already some hatching going on. I'll probably try a few small Dark Hendrickson comparaduns and I always like fishing traditional tied Red Quills early in the season. Richard Strolis has a great video showing how to tie the Hendrickson Comparadun, click on his name for the link to some excellent fly tying vids.
Hope your steelheading and trout fishing are good for you.
Tight lines.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Salmon River report and more...
Back on the river for the last few days. A lot of bedding activity in the usual areas. Water flow has been at 500cfs for a while but it is scheduled to increase later today to 900cfs. This is due to the weather forecast, 50s -60s into April and no freezing temps at night. This all means that any snow pack left in the Tug Hills will be melting and in all likelihood will be gone completely by the end of this week. I don't expect any heavy run off, there just isn't enough snow to make that happen. However, when this is gone you will see the release cut back, probably down to 335cfs, in about a week from now. Let's hope it doesn't drop lower. Once the snow melt is finished you will see the water temps rising and if they are anywhere close to their forecast we could see water temperatures hit 50 degrees by April 1.
The tributaries west of the Salmon River will loose water fast over the next week if we get no substantial rain fall. Those to the north will get a little more volume as the Tug melts, but once that is done the flows will drop pretty quick. The next week or so should be very good fishing on the tribs north of the Salmon River.
Fisheries Report
This past February the New York State DEC released it's New York's 2011 Lake Ontario Fisheries Program Highlights. To say the least it is a good report. With the focus on the Lake Ontario and eastern basin tributaries here are a few tidbits.
First of interest to me is the tributary creel surveys done by the state.
Total estimated angling effort for all tributaries was 1,111,362 angler hours. The Salmon River accounted for 68% of the total with 751,127 angler hours.
The estimated catch and harvest of Chinook Salmon on all tributaries surveyed were 125,180 and 45,214, respectively; below 2005/2006 estimates. The Salmon River accounted for 68% (85,106) of the catch and 70% (31,516) of the harvest.
Coho Salmon were caught in 11 of the 21 tributaries surveyed, totaling 30,676 fish. The estimated catch increased markedly from the 2005 (18,163 fish) and 2006 (5, 804 fish) surveys. The Salmon River accounted for 95% of the catch (29,113) and 97% of the harvest (10,154).
Chinook salmon Marking Project
In 2008, NYSDEC purchased an automated fish marking trailer (Autofish) which is capable oadipose clipping and/or applying coded wire tags (CWTs) to salmon and trout at a high rate of speed and accuracy. To determine the proportions of wild and hatchery Chinook salmon in Lake Ontario, all Chinook Salmon stocked by New York and Ontario from 2008-2011 were marked with an adipose fin clip. In 2011, preliminary results indicate that 38% of Chinook Salmon harvested by anglers in Lake Ontario were wild. The proportion of wild Chinook Salmon observed in most New York tributaries varied by fish age but was generally low (i.e., 5-12%), except in the Salmon River where approximately 44% of angler-caught Chinook Salmon were wild. (italics mine)
In my view there are 3 factors that contribute to this. One is the pen rearing and stocking of salmon as opposed to hatchery rearing. Non-hatchery fish have proven to be healthier and have better survival rate as compared to hatchery fish. Second is the elimination of snagging back in the early 90s. This has resulted in more fish left to spawn and snagging was only allowed (legally) in probably the best spawning water for salmon, Altmar to Pineville. Third is the required minimum release that was required by the DEC last time FERC licensing was needed. This resulted in spawning beds staying covered during the incubation and alvine stage of a salmons life.
This latter point is why I feel the Salmon River would never sustain any significant steelhead population with out stocking. During the incubation and alvine stage of the steelheads life the Salmon River is flowing at minimum release which means the spawning beds are high and dry. Should the state ever suspend the steelhead stocking programs the steelhead fishery would virtually disappear from the Salmon River. The only Lake Ontario tribs on this side of the lake (US) that could sustain a naturally reproducing steelhead population is the Niagara River, the Black River and possibly the Genessee River. (Back to the state of the fisheries report.)
Projects completed in 2011
A new well site identified in a hydro-geological survey at the NYSDEC Salmon River Fish Hatchery was developed and began contributing approximately 200 gallons per minute to the hatchery well water supply in September.
The Stony Creek angler parking area on Delaney Road (County Rt. 152, Jefferson County) was completed in September.
Projects ongoing
The tributaries west of the Salmon River will loose water fast over the next week if we get no substantial rain fall. Those to the north will get a little more volume as the Tug melts, but once that is done the flows will drop pretty quick. The next week or so should be very good fishing on the tribs north of the Salmon River.
Fisheries Report
This past February the New York State DEC released it's New York's 2011 Lake Ontario Fisheries Program Highlights. To say the least it is a good report. With the focus on the Lake Ontario and eastern basin tributaries here are a few tidbits.
First of interest to me is the tributary creel surveys done by the state.
Total estimated angling effort for all tributaries was 1,111,362 angler hours. The Salmon River accounted for 68% of the total with 751,127 angler hours.
The estimated catch and harvest of Chinook Salmon on all tributaries surveyed were 125,180 and 45,214, respectively; below 2005/2006 estimates. The Salmon River accounted for 68% (85,106) of the catch and 70% (31,516) of the harvest.
Coho Salmon were caught in 11 of the 21 tributaries surveyed, totaling 30,676 fish. The estimated catch increased markedly from the 2005 (18,163 fish) and 2006 (5, 804 fish) surveys. The Salmon River accounted for 95% of the catch (29,113) and 97% of the harvest (10,154).
Seventeen of the 21 tributaries surveyed had reported catches of steelhead. For all tributaries surveyed, the total estimated catch and harvest were 58,846 and 5,366, respectively. The Salmon River had the highest estimated catch (39,697; 68% of total) and harvest (3,657; 75% of total). The release rate for steelhead on all tributaries combined was 92%, and was 91% on the Salmon River. (italics mine)
Chinook salmon Marking Project
In 2008, NYSDEC purchased an automated fish marking trailer (Autofish) which is capable oadipose clipping and/or applying coded wire tags (CWTs) to salmon and trout at a high rate of speed and accuracy. To determine the proportions of wild and hatchery Chinook salmon in Lake Ontario, all Chinook Salmon stocked by New York and Ontario from 2008-2011 were marked with an adipose fin clip. In 2011, preliminary results indicate that 38% of Chinook Salmon harvested by anglers in Lake Ontario were wild. The proportion of wild Chinook Salmon observed in most New York tributaries varied by fish age but was generally low (i.e., 5-12%), except in the Salmon River where approximately 44% of angler-caught Chinook Salmon were wild. (italics mine)
In my view there are 3 factors that contribute to this. One is the pen rearing and stocking of salmon as opposed to hatchery rearing. Non-hatchery fish have proven to be healthier and have better survival rate as compared to hatchery fish. Second is the elimination of snagging back in the early 90s. This has resulted in more fish left to spawn and snagging was only allowed (legally) in probably the best spawning water for salmon, Altmar to Pineville. Third is the required minimum release that was required by the DEC last time FERC licensing was needed. This resulted in spawning beds staying covered during the incubation and alvine stage of a salmons life.
This latter point is why I feel the Salmon River would never sustain any significant steelhead population with out stocking. During the incubation and alvine stage of the steelheads life the Salmon River is flowing at minimum release which means the spawning beds are high and dry. Should the state ever suspend the steelhead stocking programs the steelhead fishery would virtually disappear from the Salmon River. The only Lake Ontario tribs on this side of the lake (US) that could sustain a naturally reproducing steelhead population is the Niagara River, the Black River and possibly the Genessee River. (Back to the state of the fisheries report.)
Projects completed in 2011
A new well site identified in a hydro-geological survey at the NYSDEC Salmon River Fish Hatchery was developed and began contributing approximately 200 gallons per minute to the hatchery well water supply in September.
The Stony Creek angler parking area on Delaney Road (County Rt. 152, Jefferson County) was completed in September.
Projects ongoing
In an ongoing effort to improve Salmon River Hatchery water supplies, the development of a shallow infiltration well will be further investigated in 2012.
To improve public outreach efforts at the Salmon River Hatchery, new aquaria and interpretive displays will be installed in the visitor’s center in 2012. In addition, an underwater camera will be installed in the fish ladder, allowing the public to view fish on a closed-circuit TV monitor. That would be cool!
Final thoughts
We had a awesome fall season on both salmon and steelhead. I believe that we are going to continue to see exceptional fishing here in the Salmon River continue for some time to come. I have been guiding here since 1988 and through the years since the state has put a lot of research and effort into the Lake Ontario fishery including it's tribs, trying to get a handle on the resource and how to sustain it. Seems like it's starting to come together, only time will tell. For now though there are a lot of happy lake and tributary fishermen.
Tight lines.
To improve public outreach efforts at the Salmon River Hatchery, new aquaria and interpretive displays will be installed in the visitor’s center in 2012. In addition, an underwater camera will be installed in the fish ladder, allowing the public to view fish on a closed-circuit TV monitor. That would be cool!
Final thoughts
We had a awesome fall season on both salmon and steelhead. I believe that we are going to continue to see exceptional fishing here in the Salmon River continue for some time to come. I have been guiding here since 1988 and through the years since the state has put a lot of research and effort into the Lake Ontario fishery including it's tribs, trying to get a handle on the resource and how to sustain it. Seems like it's starting to come together, only time will tell. For now though there are a lot of happy lake and tributary fishermen.
Tight lines.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Lake Ontario tributaries report
Spent most of this past week off the Salmon River and fished quite a few tribs with clients. The water level in most of the tribs we fished is in good shape, plenty of water for steelhead. The tribs to the north of the Salmon River were a little higher than those to the west and also tended to be alittle more off color, not muddy but cloudy. As for quantity of fish, not a lot but most did hold fish, both steelhead and browns. A few streams we saw no fish, at least not where we poked around.
We fly fished all these tribs with good success. We indie fished using mostly black stone fly nymphs in #12-16. A lot of small stones flies out on the banks now. Also Copper Johns were working good in # 12-16. We fished these CJ's on the end of the tippet with a dropper run off the hook. I like to run Glo bugs on the dropper as they drift higher in the water column than the CJ's, helps to cover more water.
Didn't see much spawning activity, however, we did land a few steelhead with loose eggs and even landed a couple that were already spawned out. All fish we landed were chrome, didn't hit any that looked as though they had been holding over since last fall. Judging by that I'd believe that the tribs will be seeing a lot of spawning activity very soon.
As for the Salmon River itself the release is up to 900cfs as of a few days ago and the gauge at Pineville is running at 1060cfs at this time. We have had quite a bit of rain and some snow (none sticking to the ground as the temps are above freezing) since this last Wednesday. The reports I got off anglers who did fish the river is that it was SLOW. One fella I spoke to Thursday said they pin fished with a guide, floating from Pineville to the Ballpark. He had ONE bobber drop and landed that one fish. He is a very good fisherman so it's not the man, it's the fish. If your having slow action right now it's fairly typical of this time of the year. The fish are setting up to spawn and their attention, well, they're a little distracted. Work hard and cover alot of water, you'll find fish that will cooperate. I have a good fly pattern for spawning steelhead and will put a post together when I get minute.
We should have very fishable water for this spring. We don't have a heavy snow pack in the Tug Hills so any high, run-off water shouldn't last too long if we get any.
Tight lines.
We fly fished all these tribs with good success. We indie fished using mostly black stone fly nymphs in #12-16. A lot of small stones flies out on the banks now. Also Copper Johns were working good in # 12-16. We fished these CJ's on the end of the tippet with a dropper run off the hook. I like to run Glo bugs on the dropper as they drift higher in the water column than the CJ's, helps to cover more water.
 |
| Spawned out Steelie |
As for the Salmon River itself the release is up to 900cfs as of a few days ago and the gauge at Pineville is running at 1060cfs at this time. We have had quite a bit of rain and some snow (none sticking to the ground as the temps are above freezing) since this last Wednesday. The reports I got off anglers who did fish the river is that it was SLOW. One fella I spoke to Thursday said they pin fished with a guide, floating from Pineville to the Ballpark. He had ONE bobber drop and landed that one fish. He is a very good fisherman so it's not the man, it's the fish. If your having slow action right now it's fairly typical of this time of the year. The fish are setting up to spawn and their attention, well, they're a little distracted. Work hard and cover alot of water, you'll find fish that will cooperate. I have a good fly pattern for spawning steelhead and will put a post together when I get minute.
We should have very fishable water for this spring. We don't have a heavy snow pack in the Tug Hills so any high, run-off water shouldn't last too long if we get any.
Tight lines.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Salmon river steelhead report, late February
After the roller coaster ride we had for a while in early February, the water release had been at 500cfs for the last week and a half. With the run off from rain and some snow melt the gauge at Pineville is at 734cfs. This is a good flow for steelheading on this river. I'd like to see a little more water as we head into the spring as it will give spawning steelhead cover and hopefully result in good recruitment of steelhead fry in the river's spawning areas. Too often as we head into late April, early May these areas are high and dry and any chance of a successful hatch and recruitment is virtually lost.
The fishing has been sporadic as far as when they are active. The only consistant action come at first light and lasts anywhere for an hour or two at best. From then on we have had to fish hard and cover lots of water to stay in the action. The average day is still producing 3-4 fish landed with 6-8 hook ups a day.
Fly fishing with indicators is still producing most steelhead. The flies of choice being glo bugs, black stone flies #8-12 and as of recent have been having some success with the wiggler pattern. I have been fishing the Spring Wigglers, sometime referred to as Michigan Wigglers, in the traditional tie and have used a few hybrids of this pattern in pink and in a green body with black shell. Click on this link for a good pattern for the Spring Wigglers I have had a few spin fisherman and have had consistant success using egg sacks, blue, pink and chartruese all producing. Beads work too, however, I don't have the confidence in them as some fellas do so I stick mainly with eggs, "If it aint broke, don't fix it" you know.
The ice fishing locally has been a disappointment. The weather has cycled warm then cold, with the emphasis on warm, so most bodies of water have never produced consistantly good ice. This past week alone there have been 2 ice rescues on Oneida Lake due to falling through thin ice. Lakes and bays in the north country, Jefferson- St Lawerence counties, have been more stable in the ice making/staying department so most guys have headed north.
I am looking forward to the next 2 months for spring steelheading. There are good numbers of fish in the river and we are already seeing fresh fish entering the river to spawn. As for spawning activity, still pretty quiet although I did come across a few steelhead spawning in the Trout Brook area of the river. I hope the rising gas prices don't have too much impact on those who have to drive aways to get here. Right now if you travel here you can expect to see gas prices in the 3.85 to 3.95 range, not good.
If you're planning to come up this spring and need info feel free to contact me, happy to offer any assistance if I can.
Tight lines.
The fishing has been sporadic as far as when they are active. The only consistant action come at first light and lasts anywhere for an hour or two at best. From then on we have had to fish hard and cover lots of water to stay in the action. The average day is still producing 3-4 fish landed with 6-8 hook ups a day.
Fly fishing with indicators is still producing most steelhead. The flies of choice being glo bugs, black stone flies #8-12 and as of recent have been having some success with the wiggler pattern. I have been fishing the Spring Wigglers, sometime referred to as Michigan Wigglers, in the traditional tie and have used a few hybrids of this pattern in pink and in a green body with black shell. Click on this link for a good pattern for the Spring Wigglers I have had a few spin fisherman and have had consistant success using egg sacks, blue, pink and chartruese all producing. Beads work too, however, I don't have the confidence in them as some fellas do so I stick mainly with eggs, "If it aint broke, don't fix it" you know.
The ice fishing locally has been a disappointment. The weather has cycled warm then cold, with the emphasis on warm, so most bodies of water have never produced consistantly good ice. This past week alone there have been 2 ice rescues on Oneida Lake due to falling through thin ice. Lakes and bays in the north country, Jefferson- St Lawerence counties, have been more stable in the ice making/staying department so most guys have headed north.
I am looking forward to the next 2 months for spring steelheading. There are good numbers of fish in the river and we are already seeing fresh fish entering the river to spawn. As for spawning activity, still pretty quiet although I did come across a few steelhead spawning in the Trout Brook area of the river. I hope the rising gas prices don't have too much impact on those who have to drive aways to get here. Right now if you travel here you can expect to see gas prices in the 3.85 to 3.95 range, not good.
If you're planning to come up this spring and need info feel free to contact me, happy to offer any assistance if I can.
Tight lines.
Friday, February 3, 2012
7 months and counting, 1000 hits
Just a short post to thank everyone who visits this blog. I started this blog 7 months ago and will pass 1000 hits by tomorrow. That's an average of 143 hits a month. Thanks again for your visit.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Salmon River report, late January
If you were not looking at a calander I could convince you that it was late March here. The temps have been in upper 30s to low 40s, almost 50 a few days ago, and what little snow fall we've had is fast disappearing with the temps and rain. Usually I would grumble about having to work on the river in sub freezing temps but these last few outings have been a pleasure to guide. The anchor rope doesn't freeze, my clients don't freeze, the rod guides don't freeze and most importantly, I don't freeze.
The snow on the ground was around 1' deep. Most years I'd have had to use my snow shoes to get around on top of 6'-8' of snow. It's hard to predict what the run-off situation will be this spring, but winters not over here by a long shot. We could still make our average snow fall amounts between February and Arpil . One thing is for certain, there will be no shortage of water from here to May at least. This will mean that substancial flows on the river should be the norm from here on out (subject to the whim of the power company).
As for the fishing, to this point it has been good, not stellar but consistant. Each outing recently has produced 3-4 steelhead landed daily with 8-10 hook ups on average. Most of our fishing is indicator fishing with fly gear and the key to success has been getting down deep. Last post I mentioned shotting so a review of the info on the link I posted would be a good idea. Also I have been using small profile flies as these sink faster than bulky flies. I've been fishing these on a staight 12lb leader about 10' long with a 6lb tippet section, roughly 16" in length. I use a #12 micro swivel between my leader/tippet for various reasons. One is to make the transition from 12lb to 6lb easier, and I place my shot pattern above the swivel so it never ends up down by the fly. As you can see from this picture I am using mostly bead heads and this extra weight helps. Some patterns I am using right now, however, are weighted under the body of the fly.
 |
| Redfield bridge at Rt17 and Waterberry Rd |
The water is up with a release of 1200cfs, but with the snow melting and the heavy rains of last night and this morning, the gauge at Pineville is pushing 1700cfs and I'd speculate will continue to rise, if not from additional release, definitly from run-off. Our spring run-off comes from melting snow in the Tug Hill Plateau, which is collected in the reservior at Redfield, NY. Normal snow fall usually averages any where from 20'-30' a year, however, this has been a LOW snow fall year. I took a ride up to the reservior yesterday and it is near full pool.
 |
| Boat ramp in Redfield, NY |
 |
| Size does matter! Smaller is better. |
Don't let the heavier water flows discourage you from fly fishing this river. Just like the spin and pin fellas love the big water, the fly guy (or gal) can have good success also. Tight lines.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)