Thursday, April 24, 2014

Salmon River report - late April 2014

The past 2 weeks have seen the river at flood stage with the annual snow melt and run-off from the Tug Hills.  A little over a week ago the river was pushing almost 9000cfs and has fluxuated between releases of 2250cfs back up to over 3000cfs.  As of this posting the river is on the drop with the gauge at Pineville reading 3050cfs and the release is scheduled to be at 1800cfs by midnight Friday.  This is the lowest release in over 2 weeks, alot of us are looking forward to being on the river again.

The steelhead are actively spawning and are probably past peak.  This means that the river is holding good numbers of drop-backs and these are active fish.  With the water levels dropping the river should begin to warm up and this can translate into very good fishing.

The inside of the bend can hold good numbers
of fish readily accessible from shore.
The river will probably stay in the 1800cfs range for a fews days and for the bank angler this can limit some of the access to your favorite spots.  There are, however, many areas that will be holding fish and be easily fished from shore.  One area is pictured here, the inside of a river bend.  In heavier currents fish will use the inside of a river bend to gain relief from strong currents, especially fish that are tired and weakened from the rigors of spawning.  Fish the seam created by the faster currents as they butt against the slower current.

Soft water behind this downed tree will hold fish.
Another place to fish that is accessable to the river bank is where trees are undercut by the current and end up laying in the river.  The tree slows the water down below it and this give an area for steelhead to rest.  Areas like this were made for the indi rig.

Diversions are another option when dealing with high water flows.
When the river is up so are the diversions like the one pictured to the right.  These become more like the trout streams most of us are accustomed to fishing and wading.  Diversions off the Salmon River are prime spawning areas.  These areas will have good numbers of steelhead in them.  If you do fish diversions try to avoid the actively spawning pairs, instead, look for the non-dominant males and offer them your fly, they will usually be happy to play.  There is alot of debate over the ethics of fishing in spawning areas, you'll have to make your own decisions as to fish them or not.  I try to avoid the actively spawning pair and focus on the lesser, more agressive males.

Locally the trout streams are in good shape, but a tad on the cold side.  Bug activity is minimal at best and even pounding the water with streamers has been slow.  I did notice today though that there was some activity by the state stocking some of the local streams.  With the snow melt done and if we get a decent string of warm days we should begin to see some Blue Quill and Dark Hendrickson popping.

For you turkey hunters, me being one also, Thursday, May 1 is the long awaited opening of spring turkey season.  The turkeys are very active locally and I have seen more hit by cars this spring than I can remember.

Hope you steelhead season has been good and what ever other outdoor activity you persue this spring will be enjoyable and successful.

Tight lines.