Salmon River report, Columbus Day weekend

Well, the biggest weekend of the year for the Salmon River fishery has arrived, Columbus Day weekend.  Over the years it has been viewed as the height of the salmon season and the grand finale.  Despite these views, the salmon run is just reaching a crescendo that will last another 2 weeks, possible 3, before it all winds down for another year.

To date it has been very good, somedays great.  As of this posting the river is holding salmon throughout its length and the tribs, thanks to some good rainy days, are up and holding good fish.

New wing wall at Altmar boat ramp, 

it's deep out there.

If you plan on fishing the next few days you can expect a lot of salmon in spawning areas and ALOT of fishing pressure, but we expect and accept this, it's tradition at this point.

The fly zones are loaded and if you are fishing the lower fly zone for the first time this year you'll notice a slight change at the Altmar boat ramp, a new wing wall to give drift boat launches a relief from the currents that, in the past, trended to push against the ramp making launching a boat interesting.  I have seen more than 1 boat drifting empty down stream from the ramp with a panicked guide chasing it down the river,

Water is flowing at 488 cfs at Pineville with a release of 335 cfs through Sunday, October 7.

Have fun if you come and talk to the fisherman beside you, he's like you.

Tight lines.