Salmon River NY, Steelhead die off

 

Nutritional Deficiency Strongly Implicated in Increased Steelhead Mortality in Lake Ontario Tributaries

Adult steelhead eturning from Lake Ontario to the Salmon River in Oswego County are exhibiting signs of stress and elevated mortality rates due to an apparent thiamine (vitamin B) deficiency, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens announced today.

DEC scientists enlisted the help of fish health experts in other agencies and academia to determine the cause of this disorder. DEC staff submitted moribund Salmon River steelhead to the Cornell University Aquatic Animal Health Program for testing. Results indicate that fish pathogens are not responsible for the abnormal behavior and mortality. DEC also sent steelhead samples to the U.S. Geological Survey’s Northern Appalachian Research Laboratory for further lab testing. Results strongly indicate a severe thiamine (vitamin B) deficiency, which means it is likely contributing to the steelhead mortality.

“Lake Ontario steelhead are an important component of Lake Ontario’s sport fishery and DEC is deeply concerned about reports of steelhead stress and mortality in the Salmon River and other Lake Ontario tributaries,” Commissioner Martens said. “Steelhead provide high-quality sport fisheries in the open lake and are especially sought after by anglers who fish in tributaries from fall through spring. DEC staff will continue to work closely with federal agencies, Cornell University and other stakeholders to identify the cause of the current situation and strategies to ensure a robust steelhead population.”

In mid-November, DEC fisheries staff began to receive reports of steelhead swimming erratically in the Salmon River and higher mortality of the species. More recent reports indicate similar behavior in steelhead in other Lake Ontario tributaries.
Steelhead are an important component of Lake Ontario’s sport fishery, which a Cornell University study valued at over $112 million in angler expenditures in New York annually.

Great Lakes fish predators (including salmon and steelhead) that feed primarily on alewife are prone to thiamine deficiency. Alewife, an invasive bait fish in the Great Lakes, are known to contain thiaminase, an enzyme that degrades thiamine. A thiamine deficiency can impact egg quality and the survival of eggs and newly hatched fish, and, in severe cases, can cause the death of adult fish.
DEC is taking steps to meet its spring 2015 steelhead egg-take targets at Salmon River Hatchery, and will work with Great Lakes agency partners to provide assistance in meeting egg take quotas, if needed. Staff from DEC’s Rome Fish Disease Control Unit and Salmon River Hatchery are preemptively injecting adult steelhead returning to the hatchery with thiamine. Thiamine-injected fish will be held in outdoor raceways at the hatchery and fed a diet fortified with vitamin B to improve the likelihood of successful steelhead egg collections in 2015.
However, little can be done to alleviate the mortality of adult steelhead that are unable to ascend the river and reach the hatchery’s holding facilities. Although moderate thiamine deficiencies are not uncommon in top predator fish such as salmon, lake trout and steelhead in Lake Ontario and other waters, this year’s acute deficiency is atypical in its severity. DEC staff will continue to collaborate with experts to further understand the circumstances leading to this year’s mortality.

For more information, contact DEC’s Bureau of Fisheries (Cape Vincent Fisheries Station) at (315) 654-2147.

A great day fishing, with a good friend

I know, it's been awhile since my last post.  Guiding has been busy, fishing has been so-so.  We've been averaging 2-3 fish landed per outing. Compared to fall steelhead fshing over the last few years, these days test even the dedicated steelheader.  However, we're steelhead fishing on the premier steelhead fishery east of the Mississippi so things are good.

Today was a day off from guiding so, I went steelhead fishing with my very good friend and fellow guide Gary Edwards.  We had a great day, not because of the fishing, but because we rarely get the opportunity to fish together anymore.  I caught my first Salmon River steelhead fishing with Gary and today in the same area I caught that fish, I landed an other steelhead, a beauty!  It didn't 'make the day', but it definitely made it memorable.   

I had fun today!

For an actual report on the fishing today it was slow.  The river bumped up to 750cfs release (1050 on the gauge at Pineville ) from 500cfs for about the last week.  This can cause fish to shut down and the water temperature at the Ace-in-the-Hole was 34*, pretty cold for a steelhead.  We fished down to the Sportsman before we got any action.  By then the sun was hitting the water and about 1:30 pm the fish started to turn on. I myself had 4 takes in 20 minutes, only one hooked but it was the 'right one'.  This big boy pushed all of 18lbs, and, we landed it!  Hope you enjoy the picture as much as I did posing for it.

Tight lines

'Are we there yet'... Salmon River report early October 2014

Salmon fishing on the Salmon River for the past month has not been reflective of the last three years during the same period.  The salmon run has been a slow, steady trickle of fish, not the blast of hundreds for days on end.  They are moving in, most are wild fish, but the expectation of most early season anglers has been disappointing.  However, the key word in that sentence is 'early season'.  We are now into October and the salmon will be pushing into the river soon, as is normal for the Salmon River here is New York. 

The hatchery ladders are filled with big salmon and the spawning areas are slowly filling with early runners.  We have been slugging away at them from both boat and shore and we are having consistant success, granted not like the last few years were the early season waters were filled with epic numbers of salmon, but still consistantly bringing fish to the net daily. 

Can make your life easier.

Most salmon are being taken by my clients on flies swung throught the head and tail-outs of the runs.  This type of fishing is targeting migrating salmon the switch rod has been working well.  In the current water flows, 397cfs at the Pineville gauge with a release at 350cfs, we are setting up with weighted flies and useing a Rio VersiLeader with a 5.6 IPS to get the job done.  This is a nice set up as it eliminates the use of split shot and most anglers can pick up the slower casting rythm for hauling weighted flies and heavy leader quickly, as opposed to fighting the awkward and most of the time, frustrating cast associated with heaving split shot 30-40 ft.

We just past an anniversary here on the Salmon River.  You may remember 4 years ago on October 1, 2010 the Salmon Rivers reached water levels over 20,000cfs.  It is still mind boggling to look at the pictures of this.  Every spring during run-off we typically hit the 8000-9000cfs flow, but 20000cfs, that's crazy water. A few pics to remember the day.


Short bridge in downtown Pulaski.



Taken from the Altmar drift boat parking lot looking north.

Fishing at the Pineville drift boat ramp.




 

As for the salmon run, it's October 3, 2014.  The peak of the run is still ahead of us.  The next full moon October 8th and traditionally the run will be in full force and getting better till the end of Columbus day week.  This weekend looks to be promising as a cold front is moving in this evening and will be with us into early next week.  Most importantly about this is the rain it is bringing with it.  They will come, as they always do.  See you on the river

Tight lines

Salmon River report - early September 2014

As of this writing there are a few salmon in the river, nothing major as of yet.  There has been rumors of a later than usual run, but I expect the main runs to begin when they usually do, in the 3rd and 4th weeks of September.  This leaves enough time to tie some more flies and get the salmon gear prepped.

The river is running good enough to encourage a few salmon to come, with a release of 350cfs and the gauge at Pineville reading 433cfs.  Water temps are in low 60's and will continue to drop in the river as the days and nights continue to cool down.  This coming weekend they are forecasting a significant cool down with daytime highs barely breaking the 50's and in areas around home here enjoying over night temps in the upper 30's.  These conditions will continue to set the river up for good runs soon.

I finally updated my web site, there are revisions from the old one so check it out: Upland Guide Service

This past Monday was the full moon, the Harvest Moon.  This means that in less than 30 days the salmon runs will be peaking, hard to believe.  As I posted before, expect very good returns and big fish.  See you on the river.

Tight lines

Salmon River Fish Hatchery open house - September 27,2014

The 19^th annual NYSDEC Salmon River Fish Hatchery open house will be held Saturday, September 27, 2014. The hatchery is located at 2133 County Route 22,  Altmar,  NY.  Beginning at 9am to 4pm rain or shine, attendees can take advantage of fishing and hunting demonstrations, environmental education programs and displays as well as fly-tying, fly-casting, stream ecology for kids. A fish petting zoo will also be set up.  Admission is FREE and tours of the hatchery will be offered every 30 minutes beginning at  10:30am. Guests can also visit the nearby Salmon River Falls, a DEC Unique Area located 4 miles from the hatchery on Route 22. The 110 foot waterfall offers trails and viewing areas with spectacular scenery.  For more information you can call 315-298-7605.

Tight lines

Late summer Salmon River report 2014

It's Labor Day weekend, you know what that means?  It's the unofficial start of salmon season here on the Salmon River.  A few fish have been trickling into the river, what with the very decent water levels we've had for the last week or so and the below aveage, fall like, temperatures for the overnight, conditions are good for fish movement.  Fishing has been good on the lake and it seems as if we will be seeing another year class of big fish.

Hex, what we're looking for,
few to be found  this year.

Things here are moving towards fall very quickly now, temps are cooler, trees are showing more color daily and it's dark now by 8:15.  I am excited for this change in season.  Most of the activities I enjoy most happen during the fall.  I do enjoy the fishing/guiding the most but I also look forward to hunting waterfowl and deer, although, I get very few opportunities to hunt as it conflicts with the guide work.


I have been fly fishing area streams alot recently, hoping to hit a good Hex hatch.  Been into a few hatches but they are weak compared to previous years.  Still, the fishing has been very good.  There is a good White Fly hatch every evening just before dark and the fish are tuned into this.  Usually about 20 minutes before the White Flies start the trout are taking caddis eagerly.  Most of my success on the caddis hatch has been with a dark brown x-caddis in size 12.



Nice late summer brown trout, fat and colorful.

 

We'll be into the salmon fishing soon, and I look forward to it.  If you are planning a trip here to fish this fall you wont be disappointed.  Have a great fall and hope to see you on the river.

Tight lines

Salmon River early August 2014 report

We have had rain almost daily here in the Salmon River area.  For the fishery and the upcoming salmon run this is a good thing.  This weekend was a release weekend so at the present time the river is running at 801cfs at the Pineville gauge with a release of 750cfs till tomorrow evening.  Then its down to 350cfs till Friday, then the drop to 185cfs.  At this time the Redfield reservoir is at or very close to full pool and this should mean a good release through the fall if nothing changes significantly as far as our weather here goes.

Boat launch at Redfield, excellent water level.

There has been no reports of fish entering the river with these releases,  reports from the lake boats put the salmon at 130'-140' of water and catching is good.  We should see larger than average salmon running the river again this year, everyone is anticipating another awesome salmon season here with big fish and big numbers, can we do it three years in a row?

Another view of the reservoir.

Local trout streams seem to be in flux.  this past winter produced some severe scouring of  local streams and many seem to be void of normal insect activity.  There are fish to be caught but the bait fishers seem to be harvesting most fish as there is not the insect populations for the trout to feed on. 

In 4 weeks time from today we should begin to see salmon trickle in to the river.  In 8 weeks from today the run will be in full swing with spawning activity beginning to show.  Time goes fast and soon we'll be wondering where summer went.  Fall is a great time to be here on the Salmon River.  Hope to see you here.

Tight lines.