Spring is trying hard to come here on the Salmon River but winter is not giving up, not yet. The roller coaster ride of 2-3 days of warming and back down to 2-3 days of sub-freezing temperatures has been the norm here for the last couple weeks. It look as though, however, that winter is loosing it's grip, finally. Warm temperatures are forecast from here on out with some daytime temps nudging 50-60 degrees. Once the night time temps start to stay above freezing we will see thing really start to change. Right now the release is 350cfs with the gauge at Pineville reading 518cfs as I write this. As temperatures begin to warm up during the day the flows will begin to spike in daytime and drop at night. I do expect to see the release begin to climb with in the next week as steadier warmth is forecast. As for the annual run-off, when it happens your guess is as good as mine but I'll predict the third week of April this year. When it does come, it will probably be major as there is alot of snow in the Tug Hill from this past winter.
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Traditional streamer tied to imitate
Alevin work well swinging. |
Spawning activity is in full swing and there are even a few drop backs being hooked. This will be the case from now to the end of April. Swinging flies is beginning to produce both with actively spawning fish as well as drop backs. One fly that I rely on heavily this time of the year is the alevin pattern. The river is full of salmon alevin and the steelhead will target these readily. There are many patterns that can be found on the internet, some very sophisticated and some simple ties, I prefer the simple patterns. I use basically 2 patterns for both swinging and indicator fishing. A traditional steamer pattern such as Black Nose Dace, Black Ghost tied with a red collar or the Pearl Rabbit Streamer, all tied in #10 or 12 work well swinging.
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| Doesn't get much simpler or deadlier. |
For indicator fishing I like a simple Mylar and globug yarn pattern pictured below. Easy to tie and in a size10 or 12 is very deadly for both drop backs and actively spawning fish. I found this pattern on the internet a few years ago, don't remember where, but to the guys who posted it, thanks.
The area streams are for the most part locked in ice. There are a few that show signs of melting do to run off but it could be a week or so before they are open and fishable.
The end of the spring fishing on the river will be wrapping up before you know it. I did, however, see the full moon last week and according to my time keeping we will be up to our proverbial neck in salmon in just six short months.
Tight lines.
