Salmon River 2015/2016

[LyNcH]

It is that time of year again when the waters of the Salmon River will start to accumulate fish and the crowds that go along with them. Wondering what peoples plans are as they salmon start to trickle into the river. I am hoping to go up at least one time within the next few weeks to battle the salmon and the crowds. Once the early October crowds clear out, then I'll be venturing on a regular basis to chase the fresh chrome, most likely starting on Columbus day itself. Some of my best steelhead days have been during Columbus Day week when most are chasing and snagging salmon in the given holding waters and narrow fast seams. I will usually fish below the crowd with a lighter egg pattern setup targeting the steelhead that are watching and waiting for the eggs to flow.

Has anyone been up yet? Any big changes in Pulaski....? Yeah right.

 

[sunsignarcher]

Ive go the second two weeks of Nov off n plan on spending all of it up there with the exception of a long hunting weekend for IL shotgun.

 

[eddavidson9]

Had 4 discouraging and 1 encouraging day on the salmon this week (all swinging). Sun-Weds had a total of 2 pulls. Had a friend lose 1 fish and land 2 smolts/parr over those 4 days, mostly egg/nymphing. Only saw 1 other hookup in that time as well. Water was low (release 350) the first couple days but came up Tuesday. Things finally started to turn yesterday, probably to do with the weather (first cloudy day). Had 3 pulls yesterday, landed 1 nice 30+ inch buck. Lost another that found the other side of a boulder, smart fish. Fished trooper, 2A, sportsmans, pineville, UFZ. Had to come back for a few days but will hopefully see some more time after Tday. Word from Malinda is flesh flies & the like were the only things really working for swingers. Most of my tugs came on light cream/white/grey.

 

[Bigfishy]

Thx fer the report!!! That sounds about the same as I found the 1st week of nov. with the exception being that black stones were the only thing drawing hits fer me....We spent more time on the Oswego with some decent catches and some very impressive witnessed catches..,like a few 30+"browns and a pair of 35"lakers with some 20-25" rainbows mixed in and very few fresh steel.....If they EVER get water for an extended period up there, mite make a weekend trip....

 

[Andy]

I fly fished the Salmon at Pineville the week of November 16 and only caught one 14" brown and an Atlantic salmon smolt. Only saw three fish caught the whole week and they were on egg sacks. I've been steelheading since the early 1980s and from my point of view there doesn't seem to be a lot of fish in the river. My most recent experience equaled that of the 1990s when the fishery crashed.

The only anglers who appear to be catching a few fish are the center-pinners and spin fishermen using floats and egg sacks from drift boats or wading. Even they report the fishing is slow and it seems like you have to be lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time to intercept a run of fish moving upstream. Both the Whitakers and DSR reports have been consistently reporting slow fishing.

The word on the river is that the zebra mussel population has increased to the point where it is adversely affecting the forage base and upsetting the ecosystem. I've been told that the fish in the lake are dying because of a vitimin deficiency and the DEC is stocking siscos in the lake to try to overcome this. Melinda is very knowledgeable on this subject and anyone wanting more information should stop by her shop.

 

[eddavidson9]

I fly fished the Salmon at Pineville the week of November 16 and only caught one 14" brown and an Atlantic salmon smolt. Only saw three fish caught the whole week and they were on egg sacks. I've been steelheading since the early 1980s and from my point of view there doesn't seem to be a lot of fish in the river. My most recent experience equaled that of the 1990s when the fishery crashed.

The only anglers who appear to be catching a few fish are the center-pinners and spin fishermen using floats and egg sacks from drift boats or wading. Even they report the fishing is slow and it seems like you have to be lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time to intercept a run of fish moving upstream. Both the Whitakers and DSR reports have been consistently reporting slow fishing.

The word on the river is that the zebra mussel population has increased to the point where it is adversely affecting the forage base and upsetting the ecosystem. I've been told that the fish in the lake are dying because of a vitimin deficiency and the DEC is stocking siscos in the lake to try to overcome this. Melinda is very knowledgeable on this subject and anyone wanting more information should stop by her shop.

Numbers are down, no doubt, but I think that stretch of poor fishing was really more related to the conditions. Most people I saw were reporting a couple picks per day last week, but everybody was working hard for them. Thursday it was like a switch flipped, at least to me. The fish that had been hunkered down became active.

Granted I was in the UFZ thurs, but crossing the shallows in the morning I saw at least a dozen good sized steelhead. I think also that the mortality last year left an impression of seeing a lot more fish that don't "seem" to bee there now. They're tougher to see when they're not floating along or rolling on the bottom. Not saying there aren't fewer, but I wouldn't be surprised if it isn't that drastically different. OTOH, size seems to be up this year, compensating for quantity.

That's all just my impression and speculation though. The annual reports do provide some insight as well.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/lou2014hilights.pdf

 

[Andy]

Besides my lack of hookups, the fact I saw only three steelhead caught and the uninspiring fishing reports, another of the reasons I believe the numbers of returning fish are down in the river is the amount of dead salmon I saw. In past years dead salmon were everywhere and you had to wade through numerous carcasses getting into the water. This year I didn't see very many. In my mind this is an indication that there could be something wrong with the fishery and the zebra mussel problem sounds like the logical cause.

 

[flyman23]

I was up last Thursday-Sunday. My experience and everyone one we spoke with was the Salmon River was very slow. Hit a couple of tribs further north and got into a good amount of fish. Doing a bit of exploring turned a poor trip into a good one for me.

 

[fshgde47]

which tribes? I am going up next weekend and wondering if the smaller tribes may be more active.

 

[JeffK]

The thing about fishing runs is that you never know where the fish are for sure (except the LFZ) and every day is different. Therefore, you just have to travel around a lot and/or pester people when you are there for the daily scoop. Then again, when the pods of fish show up in the smaller tribs few people will tell you, so you still may have to check things out for yourself. A rain event that raises water levels will bring fish into the smaller tribs, so that is the higher probability time to try.

That said, the bigger tribs, like South Sandy and Sandy will draw fish first. More towards spawning and with higher water the smaller ones like Trout Bk, Orwell Bk, and Little Sandy etc will have a few. On rarer days the tiny tribs can have a run as well. Traveling anglers fish these less. One hint is if there are an unusual number of beat up cars with NY plates parked near some little trib. Word spreads fast among the locals and a bunch of people at a little fished spot may be a tip off to a fresh pod of fish.

However, it still comes down to exploring. The downsides are lots of miles and skunks. That is why most traveling anglers settle in the UFZ, regardless of the crowds. The upside though is finding that bunch of fish and having them all to yourself.

 

[browntrout27]

which tribes? I am going up next weekend and wondering if the smaller tribes may be more active.

The Little Hebrew, The South Sioux, and Mighty Cherokee.

 

[mayhem]

Go to the upper fly zone. Lots of fish

 

[flyI4]

I've been up a lot this year- 5 or the last 9 weeks. Fishing is the toughest I've seen it since starting up there in 2010. Fish aren't there in numbers and the upper river is so crowded it is almost unfishable unless u like going full goon style with lines overlapping and people fishing directly across from you. Had a couple decent days in DSR earlier in the year and that was pretty much the highlight of the season for me. Haven't even seen other people hooking up much and if you are hooking 1-2 fish a day you are doing pretty damn good. Have tried exploring but haven't hit the water right and missed the few spikes we had this fall. Its going to take a bit to get the issues figured out with the vitamin B and other issues they are dealing with up there and it will require patience. I still enjoy going and will keep going regardless. Just hate the lower fly zone and can't do it anymore. Would rather flog the open water downstream and hook 1 fish a day and feel accomplished about it.

 

[sunsignarcher]

Just hate the lower fly zone and can't do it anymore. Would rather flog the open water downstream and hook 1 fish a day and feel accomplished about it.

x1000

Haven't set foot in there yet this year and won't.



On a side note, the worse the fishing gets the more money I burn at Malindas. If things don't improve by next year Im gonna need to mortgage something...

 

[eddavidson9]

Blanked on Monday; clear skies and low water. Rain yesterday and swung up 2 freshies. Still raining, hope to get another pull out 2 today. The fishing may be slim this year but conditions are still everything. There are fish throughout the river even if there aren't a ton of them. Just gotta get the right day.

 

[theartoflee]

I am getting tired of reading the reports of how losey the fishing is. When I was up the first week of November swinging flies I was happy. Ended up getting into at least a fish or a grab each day with the exception of the first day. I also had a friend up fri-monday who got into atleast a fish a day from Saturday on. We both fished no higher than mid river. To me that is on par for the conditions which were low water and bright light with tortured fish. There are definitely around in good numbers! However the fish that are entering the river IMHO are entering at night and due to the low water and are blowing through the DSR and running up to mid river at least before resting.

Its hard to catch fish that are not holding and when they are holding they seem to be spread out between the fast water and the slow water which is not typical for November or when water temps are still were on the high side. The other mistake I see a lot of people that swing flies make is that they are using flies that are too big for the conditions fishing the same pools day after day with tips that are too heavy. They are then blaming their lack of success on the collapse of the fishery.

As a group I think we should be happy that the system has as many fish in it as it does right now with the water being as low as its been all season. I expect a good bump in flow and lower water temps the fishing will come alive and all the naysayers might be happier.

 

[flyI4]

Wylie, I agree low water has been a definite factor for tough fishing, however its undeniable that the numbers are down with the hatchery conceding that 50% of the fish were lost last year as a result of the vitamin B issue. Are there still fish around, sure, but not in numbers. Spey guys hook a fish a day and think thats good fishing so the perspective/expectations are different. Also, with less fish its arguably a better method to be fishing with right now because you cover water and find the fewer, but aggressive fish in the river. Covering water is critical right now with fewer fish. I don't think the river is barren by any means, but its been tough. I refuse to believe these fish are all coming in at night. The dsr has been absolutely dead for the entire season- and thats a sign numbers are down too. Literally no hookups many of the days from almost all anglers u see. DEC knows there are issues they have been all over this year sampling. It is what it is and as I'll be going up regularly regardless .

 

[eddavidson9]

Got a few more days on the Salmon (as well as hitting the Catt, Niagara, and a few others) over the past few weeks. Fishing was not on fire (for us) anywhere, but managed to grab fish here and there. I spent as much time as possible swinging, but also threw some nymphs, eggs, and even spinners (niagara). White, brown and olive were the successful swinging colors across the board, no surprise there.

 

[Andy]

I guess I must be spoiled. I'm used to 12 to 25 hookups per day with perhaps an average of 7 - 9 or more steelhead landed. Daily success measured in the form of "one or two pulls" or "one fish or a grab" simply does not turn me on, nor does it imply to me that there are lots of fish in the river. Sorry... my apologies for disagreeing with anyone thinking otherwise.

The first year each of the fly zones opened they were fun places to fish. They are always packed with fish but have now become way too crowded. I detest the combat fishing they have to offer and would rather fish the open water for a true steelheading experience. The smaller tribs like the Grindstone and Sandy were never reliable enough for all the time I put in.

 

[CTobias]

Lets be realistic here.

You guys have had it really good the last few years, in terms of fish numbers.

When I was growing up, two or three fish caught or hooked, was a good day. The numbers were lower then, but the fish were much bigger on the average.

Hopefully a few "down" years keeps the fair weather fisherman off the water and allows more room for the people who truly appreciate the fishery.

There is a reason it is called fishing, and not catching.

 

[eddavidson9]

I guess I must be spoiled. I'm used to 12 to 25 hookups per day with perhaps an average of 7 - 9 or more steelhead landed. Daily success measured in the form of "one or two pulls" or "one fish or a grab" simply does not turn me on, nor does it imply to me that there are lots of fish in the river. Sorry... my apologies for disagreeing with anyone thinking otherwise.

The first year each of the fly zones opened they were fun places to fish. They are always packed with fish but have now become way too crowded. I detest the combat fishing they have to offer and would rather fish the open water for a true steelheading experience. The smaller tribs like the Grindstone and Sandy were never reliable enough for all the time I put in.

I've only got 8 seasons under my belt out there, and never fished the lower fly, but I have only ever had 1 day like you are describing over that time. So yes, I would agree that you are spoiled. But I don't disagree that numbers are down from what I have seen over the past few years; I just dont think it is at a catastrophic level. Nowadays I swing flies relatively high in the water column. That's a low percentage game. When conditions were good this year, I was getting regular grabs. When they were shitty, so was the fishing. I think we more or less agree on how tough the fishing has been, but we also have different expectations obviously.

On a side note, got an update from a buddy who did pretty well nymphing one of the smallish erie tribs over the weekend.

 

[sneelhead]

On a side note, got an update from a buddy who did pretty well nymphing one of the smallish erie tribs over the weekend.

I'm increasingly tempted to make an erie trip lately just can't get over the quality of fish on the SR.. they are downright prettier and obviously larger specimens which in comparison make erie fish look like pequest broodstock. i think ill stick to my 1 fish a day in pulaski

 

[CTobias]

I'm increasingly tempted to make an erie trip lately just can't get over the quality of fish on the SR.. they are downright prettier and obviously larger specimens which in comparison make erie fish look like pequest broodstock. i think ill stick to my 1 fish a day in pulaski

If you have the time to watch the weather and water, and hit an Erie Trib right, you can easily put 50 fish on the bank.

We got lucky one year and caught the water on the drop. The creek we were fishing was packed so tight with steelhead, you thought the hole was empty, until you saw the big dark spot all move at once. Between three of us, we landed well over 100 steelhead. That's a conservative estimate.

On an average, you should be able to easily bank 10-15 steelhead on an Erie Trib when they are in there.

 

[sneelhead]

If you have the time to watch the weather and water, and hit an Erie Trib right, you can easily put 50 fish on the bank.

We got lucky one year and caught the water on the drop. The creek we were fishing was packed so tight with steelhead, you thought the hole was empty, until you saw the big dark spot all move at once. Between three of us, we landed well over 100 steelhead. That's a conservative estimate.

On an average, you should be able to easily bank 10-15 steelhead on an Erie Trib when they are in there.

that does sound fun and a likely scenario in the near future given the mild temps and huge increase in flows were currently dealing with

 

[eddavidson9]

I'm increasingly tempted to make an erie trip lately just can't get over the quality of fish on the SR.. they are downright prettier and obviously larger specimens which in comparison make erie fish look like pequest broodstock. i think ill stick to my 1 fish a day in pulaski

Ontario fish trend larger but not necessarily prettier in my experience. But I guess it's all in the eye...