The Salmon River's dam was running the minimum flow, 185 cfs, to support the fishery. Reports from the previous two weeks said that there were still salmon coming up and increasing numbers of steelhead and browns were following them. Local intel had it that there were fish to be caught but a heavier flow of water would carry a stronger scent of freshly-laid salmon eggs to entice more big trout to leave lake Ontario and make their way upriver to feast.

 

Here's a look at the stretch of the river that we fished:

 

 

 

 

The first day we fished, October 26, we caught mostly salmon in the last stage of their life cycle.

 

 

Aaron sorted through them and found a steelhead.

 

 

The next day was cold with light to moderate rain but who cared? There were more trout passing by:

 

 

My first. 

 

 

Don's brown did not want a photo op but it finally settled down enough for me to get this shot.

 

 

Aaron displays a chunky brown.

 

When we got to our spot the next morning there were several others there who had traveled from Hoboken. Their guide had set them up with egg sacs under floats. They were happy Hobokeners because they hammered the steel steadily for the first hour.

 

They left about 1:00 and I was able to work the spot that I particularly like. Not a whole lot happening the rest of the day but I did land one . 

 

 

 

Another brown for Don.

 

 

Break time for senior steelhead slayers. Ron from Connecticut relaxes on the right. Ron knows more than a little bit about Salmon River steelhead and is known as "Guru" by the rest of his gang because that's what a newspaper reporter called him when he won a trout derby on Candlewood Lake. Another member from CT, Dave, is referred to as "a machine" due to his efficiency hooking and subduing these magnificent fish. No pic of Dave this year but if you look up last year's post, you can see him in action. And let's not forget Lou and Eric who were not able to make it this year: they're both top sticks. Note to Lou: I used the Drennan fluoro and had only one break-off and it wasn't at the knot.

 

Alright, break time's over. Let's say goodbye to this fine fish. Hope to see you next year!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nice trip. I’m going Nov 16 for a few days. Hopefully the bite is on then. It’s not like bass fishing where you can have 50 fish days but the few hookups are worth it. 

That looks like a great river to fish and a great time had by all.  The rivers here in my state are just getting started at the moment for the steelies.  I plan on making more than a few trips out between now and April.

Good report! From what I researched the Salmon River is one of the best places in New York to fish for salmon and steelhead.