Steelhead Fishing Salmon River NY.
Steelhead fishing on the Salmon River NY is Superb! We have Steelhead fishing from the Lower Salmon River to the Upper Salmon River NY. With all the Salmon and Brown Trout eggs in the Salmon River. It continues to bring in fresh fishing Steelhead into the Salmon River NY for your enjoyment. As everyday pass’s, we are seeing more steelhead enter and run the Salmon River. Offering You Opportunity with a presence of Steelhead. Ye-Haa!
Steelhead fishing will remain good into the Spring on the Salmon River NY thru April. In March and April the Spring Steelhead fishing on the River is Good. For Spring Drop Back Steelhead, April is the Best Time for fishing on the Salmon River NY.
Did you Know? – With the New D.E.C. minimum size of 25 inches to keep a Steelhead. This length size change is going to put 2 more year classes of Steelhead in the Salmon River. Ya-Hoo!
Altmar Fish Hatchery News: The Salmon Egg quota has easily been met with thousands of extra Salmon. Super!
The Salmon River Water Temp. is above 42 degrees, so your Prime Fall Holding Steelhead Habitats are fishing the BEST!
Most of the Steelhead I’m finding are the ones that are Transitioning up the Salmon River and holding in their middle of the day resting spots. (Between approx. 9:30am. and 5:30pm.). Or in their Prime Fall fishing Habitat, where the Steelhead will sit for an extended period of time on the Salmon River NY.
Seeing numerous Jumps, Somersaults, Speeding Bullet Runs and Tail Walks across the Salmon River when Steelhead fishing of late in Pulaski NY.
Some Steelhead are in Transition as they steadily run the Salmon River. – YouTube Video.
Some Steelhead holding in there middle of the day resting spots Video.
Advanced Steelhead and Brown Trout Locations on the Salmon River Video.
#1 place to target in the Water Column for Fall Steelhead. – YouTube Video.
Today, I fought and landed 20 Steelhead in 1/2 hour fishing time. All WORLD RECORD sized 30 lb’rs!
Then I woke up from my dream – har har.
Late to bed, early to rise; fish all day, make up lies………..
You Lie about the size of your fish and I’ll swear to it!
SALMON RIVER FISHING REPORTS
Todd’s Anticipation of what the Salmon River NY Steelhead fishing day would bring?
Steelhead ON and ON
and ON!
Todd’s Biggest was this 16 lb. Fatty Steelhead!
The Steelhead fishing Rewards were Many on the Salmon River in Pulaski NY! Congrats Todd!
Today’s Helpful Tip that some Steelhead fishing anglers don’t realize on the Salmon River NY.
I sincerely hope this helps you to catch more steelhead!
If your a New or Semi-Experienced Salmon River NY Steelhead fishing angler. I see many of you fishing the wrong Habitat (Pools) for Steelhead in the Fall and early Winter.
Fall Salmon River NY Steelhead fishing Tip – Warm Water (above 43 degrees.)
Most of the Steelhead will be in rippled – choppy water 3 to 6 feet deep or the Rapids (heat). Our Steelhead don’t show up in the Pools until the Water Temp. has dropped below approx. 43 degrees.
Winter Salmon River NY Steelhead fishing Tip – Cold Water (below 42 degrees.)
Most of the Steelhead will be in the Pools.
1 – Steelhead want. Deep water for safety from predators.
2 – A food source.
3 – Less current to conserve their energy.
(You can find our Steelhead mapped named pools, parking and access roads. By doing a search on the internet or most of the Local Shops up here have them).
Fishing for a World Record Monster 30lb. Brown Trout?
At one point during the fishing day Bill said, Hey Randy, come here quick. I see a BIG Monster Brown Trout. I walked over and peered into the crystal clear water and looked at what Bill was excitedly pointing at. Look at the size of that one! Bill yelled!
I said, Hmmmm, Bill I don’t see it.
Right there, right off the tip of my rod, don’t you see it? It’s a Monster 30lb. Brown Trout, could be a NEW WORLD RECORD!
As Bill was pointing at it with his rod tip. I noticed his hands were trembling with excitement. At the possibility of bragging rights to his fishing buddies for years to come. If he was able to catch it?
I said, O, now I see it, yes, that is one of the largest Brown Trout I have ever seen! Could be a NEW Fishing WORLD RECORD! That would be a real nice wall hanger! Bragging rights for years. Boy, wont your fishing buddies be jealous!
Both Chris and I started to snicker. Because what Bill was pointing at was a very dead, brown in color and very severely decaying King Salmon. Just laying happily on the bottom of the pool.
We both egged him on and suggested he make a cast for that MONST’A Brown Trout. But shortly there after we explained to him what he was really seeing. His face turned a little red and we all laughed. Of course we were laughing with him and not at him. How long you been fishing this river Bill? Had your eye’s checked lately Bill?
Countless people have been guided by me and most (excluding Bill) have gone on to live normal lives.
Be careful out there or YOU could be this guides next “Fish Tale”.
Was I a Salmon River NY Steelhead fishing Hero or a Zero? – Reading Water 101.
This Salmon River NY steelhead fishing spot had changed since the last time I had fished it. Would it be for better or for worse?
Listen in…. while I discuss what had changed and how we were able to determine (before we fished it) whether this spot would hold good numbers of steelhead and what were the distinguishing features that told us so.
1. The small pool or large pocket was approx. only 40 feet long by about 20 feet wide. I love and specifically look for these tight Salmon River steelhead holding spots. Not much guess work. They are either there or they are not.
2. This location had deepened by a substantial amount. Approx. 9 feet deep! Depth of water can play a very important role in any type of steelhead fishing. The depth of water makes the steelhead feel safer from predators.
3. Many times when the water comes up, if the steelhead are not in a very good current break for that flow. They will slowly slide down the Salmon River looking for a more suitable, comfortable current break to help them to conserve energy and feel safe.
This is a life saving move. This particular Salmon River spot is known to hold steelhead that have slide down from up river when the water level rises. Since the level of water had just jumped to 1,800cfs, I knew (hoped) this spot would be hot as it had been before, under the same scenario.
4. This spot also had a seam running right over the top of the Salmon River hole. (A seam is where the fast water meets the slow water.) It allows the steelhead to conserve its energy in the slower water while never being far from the source of food, faster water.
This Salmon River NY location had 5 fishing current breaks working for it, that Steelhead like.
1. The head of the hole where it was shallower, breaking the current.
2. The actual hole.
3. The seam running over the hole.
4. The tail of the hole, where the water moves slower.
5. And the “hole within the hole”. This is like a magnet for Steelhead and can be exact as fitting a key into a lock. The more current breaks the better, in most cases.
This area (current break) was exactly on the steelhead’s transitional, migration route that they take year after year. The Rt. that they normally take is the deepest part of the Salmon River and where there is the most current. This is what they use to navigate their way up the Salmon River. A holding or transitional holding area (current break) for the steelhead will normally always be in this Rt.
Finally, this steelhead fishing spot was one of those triple your pleasure, triple your fun places.
1. It was a prime lye holding area.
2. A transitional holding area
3. A place for those steelhead that didn’t have a quality current break above this spot, in this increased water flow of 1,800cfs. To slide down the Salmon River into it.
This spot had all the marking’s of a good Magnet to hold a lil or a lot of Ballistic Missile Silver Metal!
So, was I to be a Hero or a Zero?
Sure enough, it was not long before we had our answer after the first cast. “Fish ON!” This continued on for the remainder of our stay.
Eric’s one goal was to land a steelhead on the Salmon River, we accomplished that easily.
Guess we didn’t need the extra 7 steelhead! (yukyuk)
Yesterday Eric used a fly rod set-up for high-sticking (deep nymphing-dead drifting-drift fishing) and hit 8 total steelhead when the water was at a high 1,800cfs. Congrats Dr. Eric!
Comfort Zone – Salmon River NY Steelhead fishing anglers prepared to beat the chill.
By J. Michael Kelly – Post-Standard.
September through April, Randy Jones of Pulaski NY gets to spend five or six days a week on the Salmon River, and he has helped hundreds of anglers to catch the biggest Steelhead of their fishing lives.
That’s the fun part of being a full-time Salmon River drift boat guide. The hard part is keeping reasonably warm on a frigid morning in January or February when the Salmon River is clogged with slush, lake-effect snow is blowing in your face, and your client is nevertheless determined to hook a steelhead or two.
Jones copes with the winter weather by keeping his extremities warm, dressing in loose-fitting layers, eating right and, above all, always making room in his drift boat or back pack for a small propane heater.
“I couldn’t guide in the winter time if I did not have some sort of (portable) heating device,” he said.
He tucks a 20-pound heater in his Salmon River drift boat. The toasty comfort generated by the small unit has been the nemesis of many steelhead, by enabling guide and clients to continue Steelhead fishing on days when they were tempted to quit early.
“Many times it’s the difference between being comfortable or not,” Jones said.
More than a few Central New York ice fishermen wouldn’t leave shore without one of those same propane heaters. Yet when winter is at its worst, ice anglers have it easy compared to steelheaders. Hole-drillers can ward off a chill by wearing head-to-toe snowmobile suits and sitting inside wind-resistant shanties. Mittens can stay on until tip-up flags stand up.
The winter Salmon River steelhead angler, however, almost always pays a chilly price for his infrequent duels with silver-scaled rockets. There is no way to wrap a shanty around a steelheader’s shoulders while he stands knee-deep in water that registers 34 degrees fahrenheit; and that shivering angler has scant room for extra clothes inside his chest waders. Finger tips must always be free to feel any faint tug on the line, and the sport who takes too many breaks on the Salmon River bank is bound to be absent when a steelhead finally decides to bite.
To keep his fingers warm for knot-tying and other steelhead guide chores, Jones wears thick wool Thinsulate fingerless gloves with an attached pull-over mitt and a slit through which his thumb can protrude.
“Those gloves are all I wear,” he said. “They’re the best.”
He also recommends the use of chemical heat pads, available in most Salmon River sporting-goods stores, to warm up frozen hands and fend off numb toes. The pads can be tucked into glove palms or under the toes in boot-footed waders.
Under extremely cold conditions, metal reel seats and rod grips can be painful to the touch, but Jones warms them by simply wrapping them with a couple of turns of athletic tape.
Boot-foot waders are preferred because they leave more wiggle room for the steelhead angler’s toes, and maybe even for a second pair of socks. The roominess helps blood circulation and deters the numbing and cramps that can force steelhead fishermen out of the water or cause an unscheduled stumble and fall.
There are two schools of thought regarding materials for winter steelhead waders, Jones noted. Many anglers, manufacturers and retailers recommend that loose, so-called “breathable” waders be worn over a warm pair of fleece pants and a set of moisture-wicking long underwear. But Jones said he stays comfortable in 5-millimeter-thick neoprene – 1,600 Thinsulate boot foot waders, which are relatively tight-fitting.
Dressing in layers like Grandma always taught you is advisable above the waist, too. Few steelhead anglers wade the Salmon River this time of year without first donning a heavy shirt, sweater and windproof outer garment to cover trunk and shoulders, and Jones can often be spotted with his coat hood pulled up over his favorite baseball cap.
The guide stays in shape for rowing drift boats, netting steelhead and other physical duties by avoiding foods that are difficult to digest and therefore do little to deter a chill.
“I find a nice pasta dish works for me,” he said. “A good breakfast and lunch are also an important ingredient to staying warm in the afternoon while steelhead fishing on the Salmon River.”
A hot thermos of tea, cocoa or coffee can also be a comfort during a day-long float down the Salmon River, but just remember all that fluid can be hard to deal with when you’re wearing neoprene waders. (Post-Standard – Reprinted with permission)
What’s the Forecast for this Steelhead Season? I’m glad you asked!
Good #’s in Lake Ontario this Summer!
They easily met their egg quota last Spring at the Salmon River Altmar fish hatchery with an over abundance of returning Steelhead.
Last Steelhead Season (Nov. thru April) the fishing was over-all pretty good, by most standards.
We didn’t see a bunch of dying steelhead daily, like we all did a few years ago. We saw very normal #’s of 0, 1 or 2 per day on the Salmon River.
The DEC has been working hard for the last few years to try to correct the Vitamin B deficiency that the steelhead get from eating all those alewives in Lake Ontario.
Seems to be working!
In Closing: My Crystal Ball says it will be a Good Steelhead Season. Aren’t you glad you asked?
When is the BEST fishing time for Salmon River NY Steelhead?
The Best Steelhead fishing is Mid-week, but not on or around a holiday on the Salmon River NY.
There really isn’t any BEST for Steelhead fishing, as we always have Steelhead in the Salmon River NY from late Oct. thru May. Its all angler personal preference.
In Nov. we start to see more Steelhead and more Salmon River anglers. It’s the busiest angler Month. Temps. aren’t to cold yet and its also when the steelhead fight the hardest. With speeding bullet runs, tail walks and somersaults.
In Dec. we start to see even more Steelhead and less Salmon River anglers. Most folks are doing business and family holiday stuff. And its a lil colder = Less anglers = more opportunity for you.
The middle of the Winter can be magical with only the most die hard Salmon River Steelhead anglers out. During these colder Mo’s. = Less anglers = more opportunity for you.
Spring Steelhead. (Feb., Mar. and April.) With higher Spring “Run-off” water levels, this brings in the balance of our Steelhead. Adding even MORE steelhead into the river. It starts to warm and we see a few more anglers out, but not as many as November. The Steelhead’s appetites are on fire as they slowly drop back down the Salmon River to lake Ontario. Sight fishing is an optional treat.
Salmon River Brown Trout and Steelhead Fishing Seasons.
Nov. Best – but also Year Round.
Brown Trout. They have entered the Salmon River to spawn in Nov. and will weight from 3-5 lbs. with some reaching 10 pounds!
October 20 – May 1.
Steelhead 8-15 lbs. The Fall Steelhead is without a doubt, one of the hardest fighting Fish that swims in the Salmon River. They’ll take most of your line out in seconds, then jump start your heart with tail walking antics that will live in your memory forever.
Winter Steelhead Fishing on the Salmon River.
This is one of my favorite fishing times of the year. With colder temperatures the crowds disappear. Steelhead continue to come into the Salmon River from the lake. A Winter Drift Boat trip aboard our heated Drift Boat is a great way to learn the Salmon River and experience it’s beauty.
The end of February, March and April are great Steelhead Fishing days as new Fish move into and out of the Salmon River on a daily basis. As the river temperatures rise, so does the aggressiveness of the Steelhead. Often, sight fishing is possible as they move into the shallows.
We can Spin or Fly Fish for Steelhead either by wading or using the Drift Boat.
I invite you to join me and enjoy what is an unquestionably one of the finest fresh water fisheries in the eastern United States.
Where is the BEST place to Fish on the Salmon River for Steelhead and Brown Trout? Enjoy my Expert YouTube Fishing Tutorial Video’s for your Guaranteed BEST fishing opportunities.
3 Basic fishing ways to locate and target Your Salmon River Steelhead.
1. When the Steelhead are running the Salmon River. Fish there “Temporary Transitional Resting Spots” as they make there way up the Salmon River. Otherwise, you are fishing to Steelhead that are not stopping, decreasing your odds greatly. Tutorial Video on Temporary Transitional Resting Spots.
2. Once the Steelhead stop running the Salmon River to hold during the middle of the day. – (From approx. 9:30am. to 5:30pm.) Fish these “Prime Transitional Holding Spots”.
Tutorial Video on Prime Transitional Holding Spots.
3. Once the Steelhead have stopped running the Salmon River. And have found a spot that satisfies all their survival instincts. Fish these “Prime Holding Spots” – (Pools). Normally, the most fish and they aren’t going anywhere soon. Tutorial Video on Prime Holding Spots – Pools.
4 Advanced fishing ways to locate and target Your Salmon River Steelhead.
Tutorial Video on EXPERT Fish Locating Habitat. – (These are areas I look for on the Salmon River when guiding folks like yourself.)
4. Find a spot that is a combination of all 1 thru 3. (Or, a spot that has all 3 in close proximity. So you can jump around according to what the Steelhead are telling you to do.)
5. Combine 1 thru 4 and find a spot above a looong stretch of rapids. The fish get tired after running these Salmon River rapids and will hold here for an extended period of time.
6. Include 1 thru 5 and make sure that your spot has 98% of the Steelhead in a transitional stage. Move into it. (Funnel or Pinch point in the river.)
7. My #1 Spot! Combine 1 thru 6 and pick a spot that compresses and or concentrates them. On a dime, like a sardine can, trash can lid or the size of a Volkswagen beetle or bus. This cuts down on all the guess work. And it allows to to present your offering to all the Steelhead on every drift.
8. The VERY BEST place to Steelhead fish? Is anywhere I’m not! yukyuk
By utilizing the above. You will have the most Steelhead in front of you for the greatest period of time. In a concentrated area offering you the greatest opportunity to present your offering to ALL of them. Fish ON and ON and ON! Now you know what “This Salmon River Guide” look’s for normally.
BONUS Salmon River Pulaski NY Steelhead and Salmon Pictures and Videos.
Check out all the Monster fish you will catch up here!
#1 Place to fish for Steelhead in the Water Column on the Salmon River in Pulaski NY.
Something New for You. – NEW NY D.E.C. Regs. NOW in effect for Steelhead and Brown Trout fishing State Wide.
The new stream limit will be no more than one Steelhead with a minimum size of 25 inches and no more than one Brown Trout per person per day.
*Increasing the minimum size limit for rainbow trout/steelhead to 25 inches (it was 21 inches) to prolong high quality rainbow trout/steelhead fishing opportunities through the winter months on Lake Ontario tributaries.
*Decreasing the brown trout daily creel limit on Lake Ontario tributaries (excluding the Lower Niagara River) to one fish/day (down from three) to maintain high quality brown trout fishing opportunities from fall through the spring. https://www.newyorkupstate.com/outdoors/2020/03/dec-announces-4-new-fishing-regulations-for-lake-ontario-lake-erie-and-tributaries.html
Steve’s Salmon and Steelhead Fishing Report and Testimonial.
Randy: Just wanted to let you know that we all had a good time Salmon and Steelhead fishing while being Guided by you off the drift boat. We learned a lot too. We went back to where we fished with you yesterday and hooked a lot of fish! I hooked a bunch of king salmon (over 10) and I landed two steelhead. One of which was 30 inches and perfectly silver! Thanks for all your help! Steve Saliga – Steve’s Steelhead is as bright fresh as they get. Now you know why we call them Silver Bullets. Congrats Steve!
Thumbs up from this Fishing Guide with a Very Happy Salmon River Steelhead Guest.
The Steelhead fishing of your dreams…… ………… we’ll mak’m reeeeeeeeeeeeeel
The Salmon River, where Memories are Made!
Join me for a guided drift boat fishing trip on the World Renowned Salmon River in Pulaski NY for hard fighting Salmon or Steelhead during our Fall, Winter and Spring.
Enjoy learning Advanced fishing techniques and Exact fish habitats. I always enjoy sharing my wealth of knowledge with all my guest’s.
Salmon River Guide Rates for 1 person $350. Rates for 2 people $450 total.
Book Your Fishing Trip
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1-315-963-2065 CLICK TO CALL
Trips are 8 hours from the time we meet – 2 person Max. on boat. – Please bring your own Lunch, Polarized Glass’s and Chest Waders. – Final payment preferred in cash. – Fishing License and Chest Waders required. – Please make your local lodging reservation A.S.A.P. – Spikes, Korkers, cleats or chains are ok in the Boat.
Reservation and Deposits – Your Reservation is confirmed upon receipt of a $150 Check deposit (per day). It MUST be received within 7 business days from time of Booking.
Check payable and Mailed too: – Randy Jones, 87 Clark Rd., Mexico, NY 13114. (Sorry, no credit cards excepted).
I’ll confirm receipt of Deposit with you by email.
Then 1 to 2 Months before your fishing trip, I’ll email you with meeting time and place. Usually Whitakers Sports Shop and Motel (Rt. 13 in Pulaski) in the dark.
Author Biography – Established in 1980.Randy Jones has over 35 yrs. Total of Pro. Fishing Guide Experience. He is also the Owner, Author and Publisher of Salmon River Fishing Reports of YankeeAngler.com. A Salmon River Pulaski NY based Guide Service and Marketing Agency. Specializing in Expert Salmon and Steelhead fishing. Professional sales and marketing of his vastly successful fishing guide business and local fishery. S.E.O. and Social Media. Randy Jones, 87 Clark Rd., Mexico, NY 13114.
Google My Business.
Distributed World Wide Books: Simon Gawesworth, Spey Casting, First and also Second Editions. Rich Murphy, Fly Fishing for Striped Bass.
Covers, feature articles and guide profiles: Saltwater Fly Fishing Magazine, Fly Fishing in Saltwater Magazine, Albany, Syracuse, Utica and N.Y. Times Newspapers, N.Y. Sportsmen, N.Y. Fishing and Hunting and Salmon River Success Magazines.
Many World Wide Internet Fishing Sites and News Feeds.
Paid featured guest speaker at numerous Sports Shows, Fresh and Saltwater fishing.
Guest speaker at most Trout Unlimited Chapters, fly tying, tackle and Orvis shops around New England and beyond.
Represented the Orvis Corporation as a guide and chief instructor of their 2 1/2 day Cape Cod Saltwater Fly fishing Schools.
(P.S. I don’t discriminate. I also enjoy guiding you spin anglers too! – yukyuk)
FISH ON!
SUPERB!
Catch MORE FISH!!!
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