Salmon River

[fishon42]

Ok, dont tell me I'm the only one here that goes up to Salmon River during the Fall and goes for steelies,browns, salmon, etc.

Pulaski here I come...




Fish On

[brijones1]

I'm to spoiled fishing erie tribs for steelhead to try pulaski again.  I'm use to hooking up 40-50 times a day with steelhead an landing close to 30 with some days even more.  Guys are lucky if they land 2 steelhead a day in the Salmon river.  However, I might try for salmon before steelhead come in up there.  I went later in the season last year for steelhead and you could not walk 10ft without tripping on dead salmon. 

[FinItalia]

Myself and family have been going up to pulaski for 17 years.  Usually the third extended weekend in October.  Always have a great time and can't wait to eat at the Ponderosa!!!!

[rugman]

i am taking off to fish friday and six others from this site and my other one , cant wait

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Rugman,

Good luck on the trip ...

Is there a website that releases information about river flow rates, etc.?

Also, for folks like me, can you explain a little about the conditions you look for when deciding when to fish for salmon, browns, etc.?

Novice freshwater guy,

Ed

[fishon42]

Capt Ed,
 Ive only fished Salmon river for about 3 years now. Not fully experienced, I would have to ask my dad about that since he knows exactly what hes doing and limits out every single time he goes. I do my best when it drizzles/light rain to be honest with you. Best time for salmon is the end of September through November. Steelhead is probably from the beginning of November all the way until April. You can still catch them in October though.

If you were to go up to the river today there are still native rainbows and browns in the river, but as far as the salmon, etc. goes there still in the Lake. An occasional King Salmon right now is possible as they are the early spawners. Had a few reports of a few 20-30 lber's caught south in Salmon River already here in August. I will be heading up the 1st week of October for about 4 days. Be staying somewhere in Pulaski, probably right off Route 13 as its right by the river. Last year my cousin and I stayed in Watertown which is about 21 miles north of Pulaski. It was a ride in the morning to get to Salmon River. Never do that again. 





Fish On

[Pops Soul]

Fish On
I use to go to Oswego on the wall for many years then we switched to the Salmone river towing up our small boats. We always had a blast and was a cheap trip with guys shareing hotel rooms. We stopped going due to game  wardens putting more pressure on fisherman. Good luck and catch um up

[brijones1]

Hi Rugman,

Good luck on the trip ...

Is there a website that releases information about river flow rates, etc.?

Also, for folks like me, can you explain a little about the conditions you look for when deciding when to fish for salmon, browns, etc.?

Novice freshwater guy,

Ed

Whitakers has a website that gives daily updates on fishing conditions and has a link for the water flow of the Salmon river.  If the water is flowing faster than 1000 cfs, don't bother heading up.  http://www.whitakers.com/cgi-bin/htmlos.cgi/001822.1.471712088300019827

[brijones1]

Starting around the first of August, schools of chinook and coho salmon begin staging in Mexico Bay. This is deep water, down rigger fishing. By mid August a few "eager" male salmon begin to appear in the salmon river. Weather conditions dictate how many fish and how soon. Cool weather, offshore wind, and heavy rains all "move" fish. Minimum river flow at this time of year is 185 cfs.

Labor Day weekend signals the start of salmon season. River flow will be increased to 750 cfs. for the weekend, and this change of flow moves fish. The flow for the rest of September, October, November, and December will be 335 cfs. But this can vary due to rainfall or drought. During the super dry fall of 2003 we fished in 110 cfs. - Great for sight fishing but really tough on the fish. Many fish spawned in the lower section of the river instead of migrating upstream. Lots of rain last fall meant lots of many 750 cfs. flows - Lots of fish moving with the higher flow and moving fast. It's surprising how far and how fast the fish can move when they have good water and mother nature calls. Most of the true spawning areas/gravel bars are upstream of the Pineville bridge and that's where the bulk of these fish end up. Chinooks and Coho are fall spawners and they all die after spawning. By November they are pretty much gone.

Steelhead are spring spawners, but the first of the winter run fish show up with the salmon. These fish are here to feed on the abundance of salmon eggs in the river. Schools of lake trout also often move into the lower section of the river to feed on salmon eggs. Know your fish because different regulations apply to different species!

November and December see more steelhead entering the river system.

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Brijones1,

Thanks for helping me understand a bit more.

Ed

[brijones1]

If your spin fishing, which I only do during faster water conditions, eggs sacs are the weapon of choice.  See below pictures on how set yourself up.  Some people use floats, while others let it drift without them.  You will need some weight depending on conditions since you want to bounce your bait off the bottom.  I've also done well with minnows and worms.  Also they may only take single eggs, so make sure to have small egg hooks (size 18)  Finally, make sure you use fluorocarbon leader, steelhead are very line shy.  I use 4lb fluoro and have no problem landing a 10lber.  Using a lighter line means more hook ups, trust me, you will have people wondering what your using.  If you flyfish, let me know because thats my specialty  

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Brijones1,

When I have a chance, I play with the long rod in the salt. Never has the chance in fresh water ... I will have to make time!

Thanks for starting the education!

Ed

[fishon42]

It's worth it to take a trip up there for a few days... trust me





Fish On

[brijones1]

I don't disagree, but in NY the average run for stealhead for the year is around 6,000 and in the PA smaller streams is around 50,000 that return each year.  Both places get very crowded but it is definitely worth driving 2 more hours to fish erie.  I would only fish the salmon river for salmon not steelhead.  It is beautiful in Paluski and still makes for a good trip.  I'm just spoiled fishing erie, if I catch less than 10-15 steelies a day, it was a bad day. 

[rugman]

hi , capt ed , i am om this site ,FISHGRVTA .COM AND I AM HEADING OUT FRIDAY t^THE BOAT IS TAKING OFF 1:00 PM , SO WE WILL SEE

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Rugman,

Best of luck ... someday ... I have to add that to things to do like Alaska.

All the best,

Ed

[rugman]

Hi Rugman,

Best of luck ... someday ... I have to add that to things to do like Alaska.

All the best,

Ed

i hear you love to go there , one day . we will post some pic of the pinkys

[rugman]

tell you what i will never fish the rivers up there . i was up there two years ago and they can be right by you and you would never know , that is the DEC. the have a van waiting to take guys away for picking the rod up the wrong way. and they hide in the woods watching poeple on the river . this act is killing the fishing up there  . no one wants to go and put up with it .this is why i am going on a charter this time.luckydutch@earthlink.net

[Sam3]

I've heard alot of great things about fishing Erie too. My cousin goes up with his kids every year. Maybe this year.

I am fishing with Rugman this weekend in Pulaski. However, we will be fishing on a charter for two and a half days. Should be alot of fun. 

[fishon42]

You are going on the Lucky Dutchman chartars ? If that is the guy with the white mustache and and the white hair, and always wheres a hat. I went on with him a few years ago. Ask him if he remembers the Muzer's. Adam, Kyle, Mark and Mark. Haha, we stayed in his cabin next door or down the road from his house. Nice little place. Capt Bill I think his name is, pretty sure.
He takes you out in Lake Ontario I think.


Good luck



Fish On