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Salmon River Report 2012
- Thread starter LyNcH
- Start date
flyI4
Fishizzle, I use worms but I'm looking to upgrade!
hit the salmon Friday-sun.......friday had lower river to myself literally did not see another person, but the fishing wasnt very good either. Saw little fish movement in the mornings and only had a couple hookups fishing hard til a bit after noon. Headed up river a bit and fishing was a little better. Ended up with 3 fish on friday, all of which came in that last push that usually occurs in the evening. Saturday/Sunday stayed up river. Fishing was decent , but definitely a lot of fish around. Took fish on nymphs, sucker spawns, and in the afternoon did best with streamers on a downstream swing to draw aggressive strikes when fish seemed to stop taking dead drift presentations. Overall, probably landed a dozen fish and lost a good amount more, but fishing was not as good as I expected for this time. Mornings were hit and miss by reports, and fish were not active throughout the river, you had to move around to find find fish willing to take. On a positive note, I did catch my biggest steelhead ever on saturday. The fish was mid- upper 30's in length and atleast 15lbs, absolutely gigantic it looked like a king salmon when I first saw him in the water. Fish took a large egg sucking leech pattern and made the trip.
CTobias
Professional BS'r
No picture?!
flyI4
Fishizzle, I use worms but I'm looking to upgrade!
Camera was DEAD once we beached him....which may have been a good thing bc as I was pulling my camera out of my vest the guy next to me who helped me land the fish lost control of the fish and he swam back in the river...it woulda hurt more had the camera been working. Shit happens but would have loved to been able to look back at this fish it truly was a gargantuan mutant of a steelhead, very chrome too which made him even more impressive looking.
CTobias
Professional BS'r
sneelhead
New member
fished the staircase with a buddy on saturday 11/3. water was up around 350-400 i think..rain/sleet/snow all day, just how i like it. we went 3/12 on steel, 0/2 browns, and i got taken for a ride by a large ~20 lb coho that almost took my entire line/backing before i popped it on purpose. fish were taken on pale yellow sucker spawns thruout the day with the morning/evening having the most action.
highlights of the day were landing a 17lb skamania on my 3rd cast and then later setting the hook on a 20 or so lb. pink coho that put on an aerial show and then torpedo'd downstream almost taking my entire line/backing. all fish were taken in mouth using 8lb fluoro with a couple split shot under indicators.
all in all a great time and it was good to get out of the destruction that is NJ however not sure if i can handle the one suicide trips anymore, i am still exhausted. can anyone recommend a really cheap hotel/motel? thinking about solo tripping this weekend.
thanks
highlights of the day were landing a 17lb skamania on my 3rd cast and then later setting the hook on a 20 or so lb. pink coho that put on an aerial show and then torpedo'd downstream almost taking my entire line/backing. all fish were taken in mouth using 8lb fluoro with a couple split shot under indicators.
all in all a great time and it was good to get out of the destruction that is NJ however not sure if i can handle the one suicide trips anymore, i am still exhausted. can anyone recommend a really cheap hotel/motel? thinking about solo tripping this weekend.
thanks
Philthy Phil
more fish than posts
Did a couple suicide runs solo last year and probably won't again...shit got sketchy and you're beat for work the next day.
There will be a group of us up this weekend, feel free to link up...details have yet to be ironed out but rooms are reserved...I'm guessing the storm and the state of NJ have set people back, or maybe Beetle did somehow undermine the BASH...fear not we will fish on.
More details in the BASH thread
LyNcH
Dries, wets, nymphs and streamers...it's all good!
Sounds like everyone has been doing very well. The water is a little low for swinging in some of my favorite areas, but will make for some nice indicator fishing. Starting my 6 day trip tomorrow at the DSR. They don't open until 7am now, so I don't have to quite get up so early. On Thursday I will be bringing my brother, who has yet to catch a steelhead, up to the FZ's. I assume the LFZ opened as scheduled?
I am hoping I can get into another nice large male brown so I can photoshop it for TT again. I know how much he appreciates my work.
Suicide day trips are awesome! But I only live 2+ hours from the river. I can't even imagine how many of the 52,000 miles on my car are from going back and forth to the SR.
I am hoping I can get into another nice large male brown so I can photoshop it for TT again. I know how much he appreciates my work.
Suicide day trips are awesome! But I only live 2+ hours from the river. I can't even imagine how many of the 52,000 miles on my car are from going back and forth to the SR.
Twism
Troop Leader
Check weather.com the storm is staying near the coast. Nothing happening up there.
thrashers.wheat
New member
fished saturday 11.10 through monday 11.12 - weather was great with highs in the 60's and flows steady all three days at about 425 in pineville. without runoff, neither trout nor spring brook were adding much flow to the river downstream of the gauge. would LOVE to see some more water up there. i love fishing 750, 1000 & 1250 flows.
11.10 - got to the river at 8:45 am from leaving my house in hunterdon county at 4:30 am. i fish the lower end of the river and got right in to the spot i wanted. fished for a few hours there with two other guys. i went 4/5 there, all chromers except for 1 crusty, colored up steel. all on egg patterns. a gentleman i'm friendly with, from the both of us frequenting the same spots, arrived at about noon and hooked 1 fish. tried a bunch of other familiar spots that afternoon with no luck. all hook ups on egg patterns.
11.11 - the dsr unfortunately opens at 7 am which ultimately ruins your chance to fish at first light. the fella's who run the place are top notch but it KILLS me to walk down those steps with any sort of visibility. went 1/4, all hook ups, like saturday, were in the same run. i made another familiar spot pay & hooked 4 fish within a few hours. had an older gentleman watch me play the fish, i had corralled the chromer within the smaller, VERY discreet tailout for some time but he broke loose & made a run downstream in to the rapids. i literally had to run after this fish, hopping from one rock to the next. finally beached her at a small island in the middle of the river. when i got back to my spot, the guy fishing well above me gave me the thumbs up - nothing like sacrificing your body to land a steelhead. hooked three on egg patterns, but did get my first nymph hook up of the season. spoke to several people i frequently see at the river - all reported sloow days and reported only seeing a few hook ups throughout the day.
11.12 - fished four hours on monday. went 1/4. made another familiar spot pay for the first time this season. fresh chromer in a run that is usually good for 1-2 fish throughout the day. all on egg patterns. rain came in that night and rose the river about 100 cfs......i just missed it. but i did manage to go 6/13 in 20 hours of fishing. kind of slow. i had put that thought in perspective while thinking about fishing at work yesterday - if i were to ever grow the nuts & fly to prince george, drive to smithers and fish the morice, bulkley, kispiox, telkwa, suskwa rivers i'd be ecstatic with a 6/13 3 day trip. so to put things in perspective, fishing was great, the la fin du monde was cold and the weather was pleasant.
11.10 - got to the river at 8:45 am from leaving my house in hunterdon county at 4:30 am. i fish the lower end of the river and got right in to the spot i wanted. fished for a few hours there with two other guys. i went 4/5 there, all chromers except for 1 crusty, colored up steel. all on egg patterns. a gentleman i'm friendly with, from the both of us frequenting the same spots, arrived at about noon and hooked 1 fish. tried a bunch of other familiar spots that afternoon with no luck. all hook ups on egg patterns.
11.11 - the dsr unfortunately opens at 7 am which ultimately ruins your chance to fish at first light. the fella's who run the place are top notch but it KILLS me to walk down those steps with any sort of visibility. went 1/4, all hook ups, like saturday, were in the same run. i made another familiar spot pay & hooked 4 fish within a few hours. had an older gentleman watch me play the fish, i had corralled the chromer within the smaller, VERY discreet tailout for some time but he broke loose & made a run downstream in to the rapids. i literally had to run after this fish, hopping from one rock to the next. finally beached her at a small island in the middle of the river. when i got back to my spot, the guy fishing well above me gave me the thumbs up - nothing like sacrificing your body to land a steelhead. hooked three on egg patterns, but did get my first nymph hook up of the season. spoke to several people i frequently see at the river - all reported sloow days and reported only seeing a few hook ups throughout the day.
11.12 - fished four hours on monday. went 1/4. made another familiar spot pay for the first time this season. fresh chromer in a run that is usually good for 1-2 fish throughout the day. all on egg patterns. rain came in that night and rose the river about 100 cfs......i just missed it. but i did manage to go 6/13 in 20 hours of fishing. kind of slow. i had put that thought in perspective while thinking about fishing at work yesterday - if i were to ever grow the nuts & fly to prince george, drive to smithers and fish the morice, bulkley, kispiox, telkwa, suskwa rivers i'd be ecstatic with a 6/13 3 day trip. so to put things in perspective, fishing was great, the la fin du monde was cold and the weather was pleasant.
CTobias
Professional BS'r
Yeah, but the fish out there live in the ocean, are wild, and a lot bigger.
thrashers.wheat
New member
Fished the salmon river 11.24 & 11.25. Perma-flow around 450 cfs in Pineville. WIND was nasty saturday. Nasty, if we weren't getting in to fish, the more beer would have flowed sooner.
Fished with a buddy Saturday - he had a few more hook ups but we both landed two fish. Mostly chromers with a few colored up fish. Again, mostly egg patterns with 1 nymph hook up. It was very quiet at the Doug that day, in comparison to the other weeks in Nov. I went 2 for 5.
Managed to be the first one down the upper steps at the Doug Sunday morning. Said hello to Petey Owens & had a great day of fishing. Weather was much better Sunday. Winds had subsided and lake effect weather dumped about a half foot of snow throughout the day. It was great because there was only a few others there. It seemed from my random sampling, big boys entered the lower river that morning. All chromers, with the majority of fish I got in to at or above the 30" mark. Two fish I can recall getting in to absolutely schooled me. Some nymph hook ups on hare's ears and stonefly nymphs of varying colors. I went 3 for 10 but all missed fish were lost after lengthy battles.
Bitched out Sunday morning and drove home.
It was (and still is) time to be thankful and thankful I am for wild steelhead!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fished with a buddy Saturday - he had a few more hook ups but we both landed two fish. Mostly chromers with a few colored up fish. Again, mostly egg patterns with 1 nymph hook up. It was very quiet at the Doug that day, in comparison to the other weeks in Nov. I went 2 for 5.
Managed to be the first one down the upper steps at the Doug Sunday morning. Said hello to Petey Owens & had a great day of fishing. Weather was much better Sunday. Winds had subsided and lake effect weather dumped about a half foot of snow throughout the day. It was great because there was only a few others there. It seemed from my random sampling, big boys entered the lower river that morning. All chromers, with the majority of fish I got in to at or above the 30" mark. Two fish I can recall getting in to absolutely schooled me. Some nymph hook ups on hare's ears and stonefly nymphs of varying colors. I went 3 for 10 but all missed fish were lost after lengthy battles.
Bitched out Sunday morning and drove home.
It was (and still is) time to be thankful and thankful I am for wild steelhead!!!!!!!!!!!!
CTobias
Professional BS'r
Psssssst. Steelhead are stocked.
Simms
New member
LyNcH
Dries, wets, nymphs and streamers...it's all good!
I would be happy with even a bump to 500cfs. I wanna swing this weekend!
LyNcH
Dries, wets, nymphs and streamers...it's all good!
Maybe he meant wild in terms of their fight....
thrashers.wheat
New member
Toby,
My two favorite tributaries to Lake Ontario are not stocked. The state has documented natural reproduction in both of these streams.
Also, why the need to call me out? What in the world would make you any sort of authority on anything related to the biological processes of any water dwelling species?
You called me out on my last post speaking about the Skeena system. Have you ever been there? Have you ever fished for steelhead in any of the Pacific drainages? Do you have any knowledge of the process of anadramous fish from the Pacific? Do you have any experience in anadramous research?
Did you know that steelhead are stocked out west, too? Does that make them less than wild? I'd love to hear you fish for rainbow trout exceeding 20", as many western states define their steelhead, and say that they were not wild fish. I just don't understand your berating posts, bro.
My two favorite tributaries to Lake Ontario are not stocked. The state has documented natural reproduction in both of these streams.
Also, why the need to call me out? What in the world would make you any sort of authority on anything related to the biological processes of any water dwelling species?
You called me out on my last post speaking about the Skeena system. Have you ever been there? Have you ever fished for steelhead in any of the Pacific drainages? Do you have any knowledge of the process of anadramous fish from the Pacific? Do you have any experience in anadramous research?
Did you know that steelhead are stocked out west, too? Does that make them less than wild? I'd love to hear you fish for rainbow trout exceeding 20", as many western states define their steelhead, and say that they were not wild fish. I just don't understand your berating posts, bro.
Simms
New member
he is kidding
thrashers.wheat
New member
by the way simms, how does toby taste?
CTobias
Professional BS'r
So what makes you an expert? Just because a tributary is not stocked doesn't mean stocked fish don't enter the system. The only place I know of with a high percentage of natural reproduction is Cattaragus Creek and that is a tributary of Lake Erie.
I'm not saying there aren't wild steelhead in NY. But the conditions for successful natural reproduction do not exist in the majority if tributaries in Lake Ontario on the New York side. I'd be interested to know which tribs you are talking about. In fact since it is documented by he state I would like to read the study. Especially since almost all of the tribs I know of get way too warm in the summer for any smolts and yearlings to survive. If natural reproduction was so prolific why would the state stock such high numbers? There is not enough forage base in Lake Ontario for stocked fish and wild fish to compete.
Unless you are fishing in Canada( who's biologists claim 40% of their returning steelhead are from natural reproduction
http://www.ontariooutofdoors.com/fishing/trout/?ID=36&a=read ) then I would bet the majority of your fish are stocked fish that ran up what ever trib they came across.
I do know they stock fish on the west coast. Hatchery steelhead are killing off the wild steelhead out there. Throwing more money and weaker hatchery fish at a dwindling wild steelhead population isn't the answer. Closing the fishery and letting Mother Nature run her course is.
Take a look at the steelhead stocking numbers in these counties alone. Don't be surprised if you see your creek on there.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/23245.html
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/23240.html
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/23239.html
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/23248.html
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/23252.html
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/23219.html
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/23271.html
Now tell me if you still think all of those fish you are catching are wild.
If biologists in New York thought steelhead natural reproduction was high they would cut stocking numbers. Have you ever been to a state of the lake meeting?
thrashers.wheat
New member
I do not critique each post you enter on this site, never claimed to be an expert / never will. I do understand that although a trib is not stocked it does not mean that stocked fish do not enter. But, you must apply this same train of thought to our Pacific trib's, also. Therefore, there are no wild steelhead out west!? That is an illogical, misinformed train of thought. Fantastic that you not only know of the Catt but would selfishly publicize your knowledge of a sensitive fishery on the internet.
Well the almighty tobias concedes that there are wild steelhead in NY! Just not in the streams I fish. Because we've fished together and have shared our favorite spots, right? Although I never claimed the natural reproduction to be prolific, I'll address your misguided question of why the state would continue to stock even IF there were prolific natural reproduction. MONEY. A significant portion of the economy of Oswego County. The ethics of fishing for salmonids coming from Lake O would never allow fish to do their thing, either. Regardless of the forage present within Lake O, the unethical lifting of as many steelhead as possible sitting on a redd in xxxxxx Brook would never allow them to be successful. I have heard of baitfish populations decreasing in Lake O...which would ultimately hurt both stocked and wild fish. Typically, non-native fish out-compete native fish. The only example I can think of that contradicts this scenario is the bull trout.
I, too, agree that the majority of fish I catch are not wild. But there must be some distinction between a fish released in to a river system as a juvenile, as they are in the SR, in comparison to fish released as an adult from a hatchery.
You do know they stock steelies out west? Yet your idea that because they stock on the east, in an area featuring limited natural reproduction, these fish are not wild. But, although they stock out west, in an area now featuring limited natural reproduction, these fish are wild? I do not get it. I have spoken with our Nation's foremost anadramous researcher's about this one and their take on it would surprise even the most scrupulous individual, such as yourself.
Closing the fishery is not the answer, and you're a damn fool if you believe that. Like Pulaski, there are towns out west that rely on salmonid fishermen to boost local businesses. Aside from these folks losing a lot of business, the fishery in itself would most likely not repair itself. A separate, specific measure is numero uno when talking about reviving the steelhead returns out west.
The two streams I mentioned earlier do not receive stockings. They're not on the lists you've wasted your time presenting. I'm sure one of your chronie's read through them, though. Which I bet they're very grateful for - wild charts speaking of stocked fish.
Again, I never thought, nor claimed, that all of the fish I catch are wild. Actually, I just said that I'm grateful for wild steelhead. You had to chime in with your intellect and state that fish are stocked.
Again, I'd be surprised if the State were to cut stocking numbers based on research indicating high levels of natural reproduction. I think the area is no way a legitimate candidate to push for going completely wild. Again, aside from hurting the local businesses tailored to these sportsmen, the lack of ethics involved in fishing in this area would destroy any attempt at reducing stocking counts.
Well the almighty tobias concedes that there are wild steelhead in NY! Just not in the streams I fish. Because we've fished together and have shared our favorite spots, right? Although I never claimed the natural reproduction to be prolific, I'll address your misguided question of why the state would continue to stock even IF there were prolific natural reproduction. MONEY. A significant portion of the economy of Oswego County. The ethics of fishing for salmonids coming from Lake O would never allow fish to do their thing, either. Regardless of the forage present within Lake O, the unethical lifting of as many steelhead as possible sitting on a redd in xxxxxx Brook would never allow them to be successful. I have heard of baitfish populations decreasing in Lake O...which would ultimately hurt both stocked and wild fish. Typically, non-native fish out-compete native fish. The only example I can think of that contradicts this scenario is the bull trout.
I, too, agree that the majority of fish I catch are not wild. But there must be some distinction between a fish released in to a river system as a juvenile, as they are in the SR, in comparison to fish released as an adult from a hatchery.
You do know they stock steelies out west? Yet your idea that because they stock on the east, in an area featuring limited natural reproduction, these fish are not wild. But, although they stock out west, in an area now featuring limited natural reproduction, these fish are wild? I do not get it. I have spoken with our Nation's foremost anadramous researcher's about this one and their take on it would surprise even the most scrupulous individual, such as yourself.
Closing the fishery is not the answer, and you're a damn fool if you believe that. Like Pulaski, there are towns out west that rely on salmonid fishermen to boost local businesses. Aside from these folks losing a lot of business, the fishery in itself would most likely not repair itself. A separate, specific measure is numero uno when talking about reviving the steelhead returns out west.
The two streams I mentioned earlier do not receive stockings. They're not on the lists you've wasted your time presenting. I'm sure one of your chronie's read through them, though. Which I bet they're very grateful for - wild charts speaking of stocked fish.
Again, I never thought, nor claimed, that all of the fish I catch are wild. Actually, I just said that I'm grateful for wild steelhead. You had to chime in with your intellect and state that fish are stocked.
Again, I'd be surprised if the State were to cut stocking numbers based on research indicating high levels of natural reproduction. I think the area is no way a legitimate candidate to push for going completely wild. Again, aside from hurting the local businesses tailored to these sportsmen, the lack of ethics involved in fishing in this area would destroy any attempt at reducing stocking counts.
