Salmon River report mid-September 2026

 Fishing on the river has picked up in the last week, so has the fishing pressure.  The rain we received last week didn't impact the river flow but did freshen the water out of Trout Brook and Orwell Brook.  This did have an impact on the fish holding in the estuary and downstream.  We have been getting nice movement on the river but have yet to seem any big push of fish upstream.  The river is still at 185cfs release and the gauge at Pineville is at 225-230cfs as I type this.  There are fish throughout the system, most substantial numbers below the Sportsman's Pool, however, you will likely find fish in most any pocket water on up to Altmar.

Paul Meshy with an early morning salmon

The best time to fish these areas is early morning from first light until the sun gets on the runs or until fishing pressure gets too much for them.  The salmon will push out of these areas of pocket water, usually found at the head of runs and move up the next pocket.  Also helping keep the fish moving up the river is the cooler temperatures we've had over the last 3-4 nights, in the mid to upper 40s to mid 50s.  We have also been having overcast day with very little sun light breaking through and that keeps the salmon comfortable. I am mostly fly fishing with clients, and we do well right now with Buggers and Zonkers in black, brown, purple and olive colors.  Tied on size 6-8 salmon fly hooks.  There is not much need for weight right now.  weighting the fly and maybe 1 or 2 small split shot about 2 feet above the fly work well.  I am using 3 feet of 12-16 lb tippet attached to around 6 feet of 20 lb leader, everything monofilament at this point.  

With in about 10 days, we will have a full moon and the full moon at this time of year, later September - early October, has always marked what I consider the peak of the salmon run.  I expect the run to ramp up fairly quick between now and the full moon.  Like last year we may not get the water flows we would like to see, but spawning for a salmon is like when we need to take a dump, we may hold it for a while but eventually you have to go.  The salmon may hang out in the lower river waiting for the ideal water conditions but eventually they are going to run and spawn.

Look forward to seeing you on the river.

Tight lines