To start with, the steelhead fishing on the Salmon River came to a quiet end a couple weeks into May this year. These were for the most part drop-backs out of the hatchery. These fish had very little pressure as most folks had move onto other outdoor activities. Over all the steelhead fishing from January to mid-May left a lot to be desired. With the vitamin B deficiency plaguing the fishery and the brutal weather and temperatures, a lot of anglers became discouraged with the fishing and abandoned the river in search of other fishing opportunities like cable TV. There were good days on the river, but this winter/spring saw more slow days. Fishermen handle less than perfect fishing conditions in 3 ways. The pessimist has a negative view and sees the situation as hopeless. The optimist hopes things change for the better. The realist takes what they're dealt, adjust accordingly and keeps on going, as a guide, that's what you've gotta do. Of course I do look ahead and hope thing change for the better.
We have a few months now to let the salt wash out of the wounds left by last falls salmon run (or lack there of) and the frustration and panic of seeing our steelhead fishery literally dying before our eyes and feeling helpless to do anything about it. One event that may help the healing process is the annual
Spey Nation spey clave on the Salmon River to be held at the Pineville boat ramp/ parking lot. This year it is June 27, 2015 and has continued to grow in sponsors and attendees every year.
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Isonichya comparadun in #10 and 12 right now.
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Trout fishing is another remedy to salve the wounds. Locally the creeks are in excellent shape due to plentiful rainfall and the bugs are popping too. Right now area streams like the Mad River have good Caddis fly hatches daily. BWO and Sulphers are beginning to show up now, for about the last 2 weeks. Some of the larger streams are blessed right now with great Iso hatches. Iso patterns I prefer are Comparaduns tied in sizes #10 and #12. If you don't have any Isos in your box a parachute Adams in the same sizes will work in a pinch.
I did manage to get down to the Willowemoc Creek in Roscoe, NY 2 weeks ago on a Saturday afternoon and evening. The Caddis fly hatches were phenomenal. One particular hatch that developed during the evening was a small, bright yellow stone fly, about #16, that had me wishing for my Yellow Sallys. They were, however, about 3 hours away in my western fly boxes. I met a good friend of mine down there and we had a great time. Traveling to a different fishery is always a good way to 'break' the routines that seem to control our fishing habits. I seem to frequent the same trout runs on the same creeks, not a bad thing, but sometimes I need to break free and see new water.
Have a great summer and don't give up on the Salmon River. See you there in a few months.
Tight lines.
