Fish and Fishing in the Rivers and Streams
in the Salmon River, NY Area
Introduction to The Salmon River Area
The Salmon River, located in the Tug Hill region of New York, is famous for its fall Chinook (king) salmon runs and is gaining popularity for its exceptional steelhead and brown trout fisheries. As the principal angling stream in the region, it offers unique opportunities for anglers due to its consistent water flow and heavy stocking of Chinook salmon from the local hatchery.
Fishing Opportunities in the Salmon River
Chinook, Coho Salmon, and Other Fish Species
The Salmon River offers fishing primarily for Chinook and Coho salmon, steelhead, and brown trout. Anglers can also find Atlantic salmon, as well as smallmouth and largemouth bass. Chinook salmon typically weigh between 15 and 25 pounds, steelhead average between 5 and 15 pounds, and brown trout range from 10 to 15 pounds. These large, aggressive fish provide a challenge and thrill for anglers.
History of the Salmon River
Atlantic Salmon Legacy
The Salmon River originally received its name due to the once-abundant Atlantic salmon runs. By 1900, these salmon disappeared due to overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction. Lake Ontario, previously home to the largest population of Atlantic salmon, lost this species as early as 1872.
Early Stocking Efforts
Stocking efforts began in the late 1800s with the introduction of Chinook salmon into Lake Ontario, but the attempts were unsuccessful. Rainbow trout were stocked in the early 1900s, and some fish survived, but the sport fishery remained insignificant until the 1960s.
Revitalization of the Sport Fishery
Stocking Programs in the 1960s
In the 1960s, New York State began revitalizing the Lake Ontario watershed's sport fishing opportunities. In 1968, Coho salmon were stocked in the Salmon River, followed by Chinook in 1969. Steelhead and brown trout were added in 1973, and lake trout followed in 1974. Today, approximately 1.6 million Chinook, 250,000 Coho, 50,000 landlocked Atlantic salmon, and 800,000 steelhead are stocked annually in Lake Ontario and its tributaries, including the Salmon River.
Salmon and Trout Fishing Zones
Anglers can fish for salmon and trout along approximately 12 miles of the Salmon River, from its mouth to the dam at the Lighthouse Hill Reservoir. The dam halts all salmonid migration, and there are no efforts to allow fish to bypass the obstruction.
Salmon River Fish Hatchery
Significant Fish Production
The Salmon River Fish Hatchery, which opened in 1981, is located near the lower fly-fishing-only section of the river. It produces approximately 250,000 Coho salmon, 3.2 million Chinook salmon, 750,000 steelhead, 300,000 brown trout, and 150,000 landlocked Atlantic salmon annually. These stocking efforts help maintain the river's robust fish population.
Snagging Ban
Snagging, a practice involving large weighted treble hooks violently jerked back to catch fish, was once permitted in parts of the Salmon River. However, the practice was heavily criticized, and in 1993, the DEC banned all snagging, improving the sustainability of the fishery.
Flow Management for a Healthy Ecosystem
The regional power company, Orion Power (formerly Niagara Mohawk), operates the hydroelectric power stations at two dams along the river. The lower reservoir is the Lighthouse Hill Reservoir, while the upper reservoir is the Salmon River Reservoir. The scenic Salmon River Falls lies between these two reservoirs.
The flow of the Salmon River is controlled by Orion Power, which releases water based on rainfall and ice melt-off. Anglers can call a hotline for real-time flow information, with one gate (750 cfs) producing moderate flow, and a half gate considered ideal for fishing. During heavy flow, such as two gates, wading becomes nearly impossible in many areas.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Licensing
In the mid-1990s, the power plants along the Salmon River were relicensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The new agreements required minimum flow levels to be maintained throughout the year, which has led to improved aquatic life, insect activity, and natural fish reproduction.
Whitewater Releases
As part of the relicensing process, five "whitewater" releases are mandated each year to support recreational activities like kayaking. These releases occur during the summer months, and the final release, often around Labor Day, may trigger the first Chinook salmon run of the season.
Challenges to Chinook Salmon Populations
Alewife Depletion and Stocking Adjustments
In the early 1990s, declining numbers of Chinook salmon led to concerns among anglers and fisheries managers. A drop in alewives, the primary forage food for Chinook, forced New York and Ontario to reduce Chinook stocking by over 60%, while lake trout stocking was reduced by 50%. Steelhead stocking increased slightly, but maintaining a balanced and sustainable fishery remains a challenge in the ever-changing environment of Lake Ontario.
Public Access and Fishing Easements
New York State has acquired public fishing easements along most of the Salmon River, outside of the Douglaston Salmon Run area. These easements ensure that anglers have easy access to prime fishing locations, making the Salmon River a highly accessible and attractive fishing destination.
Health Advisory for Fish Consumption
Health Recommendations
The New York State Department of Health has issued an advisory recommending that people consume no more than one meal per month of smallmouth bass taken from the Salmon River. Although there is no current advisory for Chinook salmon from the river, the state advises against eating Chinook from Lake Ontario.
Fish Species of the Salmon River
Species Below the Dam
Below the dams on the Salmon River, anglers can fish for Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, brown trout, Atlantic (landlocked) salmon, and two strains of steelhead. Each of these game fish offers unique challenges and excitement for anglers, making the river a top destination for sport fishing.
Species Above the Dam
Above the dams, there are opportunities to catch native rainbow trout and brook trout. Although the migratory salmonids do not reach these areas, the native trout provide excellent fishing in the upper sections of the river.
Fish of the Salmon River Area
Chinook Salmon
The Chinook or King Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) of the region are derived from the chinook of the Pacific Coast of North America. They spawn in the fall, generally between October and November. The female creates a "redd" in the gravel by pushing away the stream gravel with her tail. Once the nest is built, one or more male salmon fertilizes the eggs. The female then buries the eggs by pushing gravel loose just upstream of the redd. These salmon die after spawning.
In the late 1960s the New York DEC began to aggressively stock chinook in Lake Ontario. The eggs hatch in November and December and the fish are placed into the rivers as three inch fingerlings in May or June to be "imprinted" with the scent of the stream. This imprinting allows them to return to the stream in which they were released. Typically a fully-mature Chinook which has returned to spawn is either two or three years of age and will weigh between 15 and 25 pounds. Sometimes juvenile Salmon, known as "jacks", will make "false" spawning runs and be found in the river along with mature fish. Occasionally four year old chinook will be found in the rivers. The current Great Lakes record Chinook Salmon was taken from the Salmon River in 1991 and weighed in at 47 pounds and 13 ounces.
Male salmon and steelhead can generally be identified by their hooked lower jaw. The closer they get to spawning, the more pronounced the hook in their jaw. Typically females have a blunt or rounded nose which does not deform during spawning.
Chinook are bright silver while in Lake Ontario and as they enter the river, and become darker the longer they are in the river. A chinook can be differentiated from other salmon and steelhead by its black mouth and black gums. It also has spots all over its tail.
Recent studies indicate there is considerable natural reproduction of chinook salmon occurring in the Lake Ontario tributaries in general. Many native chinook have recently been found in seines of the Salmon River. Research is continuing to attempt to assess the levels of natural reproduction in these waters.
Coho Salmon
Coho or Silver Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) are smaller cousins of the chinook and adults average 7 to 10 pounds. They were first stocked regularly into Lake Ontario in the late 1960s along with the King Salmon. Cohos are stocked in the Spring at about 18 months of age, after spending more than a year in the outdoor raceways of the hatchery. They are about 5 to 6 inches long when released. Most returning coho are two years of age. Coho spawn slightly later than the chinooks, and they too die after spawning.
The coho salmon can be identified by its black mouth but white gums. It also has spots only on the upper half of its tail.
The current Great Lakes record coho salmon was also taken from Lake Ontario off Oswego in 1998 and weighed in at 33 pounds and 7 ounces.
Atlantic Salmon
Atlantic or landlocked salmon were once native to Lake Ontario and the Salmon River. Since 1996 there have been serious efforts to reintroduce this species into the Salmon River. However, they seem to be more susceptible to adverse conditions and their survival rate has been lower than the other salmoniods stocked in these waters.
Atlantic salmon run the rivers from June through November. They spawn in the fall, generally later than chinook salmon. Since they are summer runs, they provide an opportunity, along with the Skamania steelhead and native brown trout populations, for a summer fishery in the Salmon River. Like steelhead, Atlantics often survive the spawn to return another year.
Adult Atlantics average from 12 to 30 inches in length. The state record was taken from Lake Ontario in 1997 and weighed 24 pounds and 15 ounces.
Atlantics can be easily confused with brown trout. Both brown trout and Atlantic salmon have white mouths and gums. The maxillary or jaw area of the Atlantic salmon typically extends on the edge of the eye, while the maxillary of the brown trout typically extends significantly past the rear edge of the eye. Another distinguishing feature is at the caudal peduncle, which is the area of the fish just ahead of the tail. On an Atlantic, this area is narrow and tapered, while on a brown trout it is thick and stocky. As a result, an Atlantic salmon can often be "tailed" (i.e., held by grabbing the fish just ahead of the tail), and a brown trout cannot. The tail of the Atlantic is also slightly more forked; the tail of the brown trout is square.
Steelhead
New York State stocks two strains of steelhead in the region. Both strains are derived from stock taken from the Pacific Northwest. They are commonly referred to as "lake run rainbow trout" and are anadromous, which means they migrate into streams to spawn. Steelhead can survive the spawn and may return to the river multiple years to spawn.
The strain which is stocked in greatest numbers and which has been stocked the longest is known as the Chambers Creek winter run strain. They begin entering the streams in mid to late October. They often hold in the rivers until April and sometimes into May. Often warm weather and high water flow triggers another run. Most winter run steelhead are ages three, four or five. These fish average 7 to 12 pounds in the rivers and streams. The state record steelhead (recorded as a rainbow trout) was taken in 1985 and weighed in at 26 pounds and 15 ounces.
Winter run steelhead spawn from mid-March through April.
Skamania steelhead are newer to the region, and are "summer run" steelhead. Although they too spawn in the spring, they are bred to run in the river during the spring and summer months. This program is relatively new and its success is still being evaluated. It is hoped that with the stocking of Skamania steelhead, and the more consistent river levels during the summer mandated by the recent relicensing, there could be a viable fishery for steelhead during the summer, together with Atlantic salmon and native brown trout. Skamania steelhead first return at age three, and four year olds dominate the runs.
Unlike the salmon, both strains of steelhead often survive after spawning and return to the Lake.
Steelhead often have a reddish streak along their midline. They have a white mouth and white gums. The longer they have been in the river, the darker they tend to become.
Brown Trout
Brown Trout are not generally anadromous and therefore do not regularly run the rivers like the salmon and steelhead. Nonetheless, some brown trout from Lake Ontario make their way into the river and are taken, usually later in the fall along with steelhead. The DEC is also attempting to develop a population of resident brown trout, to provide a summer fishery. It is hoped these resident brown trout would be in the 15 to 18 inch range during the summer months.
Lake run browns, which lived in the lake and made their way into the river, can be large and in the Salmon River they average 7 to 8 pounds. They spawn in the fall. There is also typically a run of brown trout in the Salmon River in late June or early July.
Etiquette
Proper etiquitte is essential for maintianing good landowner relations, improves the image and reputation of anglers, and makes the experience more enjoyable for everyone involved. We suggest the following points to consider when fishing:
- Upon arriving be sure you have parked in an approved area (see river and stream descriptions) and make sure your vehicle is off the road. Do not park on anyone's lawn and do not block any roads or driveways.
- Most of the streams and rivers are on private property. If you are fishing on private property, ask permission to fish if you can identify the landowner. Consider offering the landowner a fillet or to clean up the area in return for the privilege of fishing on his or her property.
- If the water you are fishing is near houses or a residential area, remain quiet, especially at dawn.
- Walk in or along stream beds as much as possible; avoid private lawns as much as possible. Keep flashlights pointed at the ground.
- Never "relieve yourself" within sight of any person or home. Nothing will make the landowner mad faster.
- Be courteous to those already on the water. Walk behind other anglers and out of the water if possible. If you must stay in the water, walk with a minimum surface disturbance. Do not walk through the area where others are fishing. If the area is deep, you should probably be fishing it, not walking through it.
- When conditions are crowded be aware of your fellow anglers. Watch where you cast to avoid tangles and injury. Remember tangled lines happen even to the best anglers; just be patient and offer to untangle the lines.
- If you have the good fortune to have a prime fishing spot and are therefore able to hook up multiple fish, consider rotating out of that spot. You may find it far more gratifying to let a frustrated angler have the spot and watch him or her catch a fish than for you to catch your twelfth fish while others are catching none.
- Just because you were "there first" does not mean you can continue to fish as large an area as you please regardless of how many other anglers arrive. Fish an area appropriate for the number of people fishing around you.
- In crowded conditions, play your catch only as much as necessary.
- If your are inexperienced, the best education is from watching those who are successful. Crowded stream conditions seem to form a cooperative camaraderie among anglers that can be enjoyed even when it is "elbow to elbow." Many anglers are more than willing to assist you if you ask.
- Foul language is unnecessary, especially around younger anglers.
- Be tolerant of the inexperienced angler . . . remember we were all beginners once.
- If in a crowd, alert others when you have a "fish on." If another angler is fighting a fish, bring in your line and, if necessary, move out of their way to let them land the fish, just as you want the same consideration if you were fighting the fish.
- Leave with everything you bring. Litter can be a real threat to our fishing privileges. Good anglers will demonstrate their respect for the fishery and the river by picking up even what they did not leave behind.
- Do not keep any more fish than you are realistically going to use. If you do not think you will eat the fish, put it back gently and give someone else the opportunity to enjoy the catch. These fish are not an inexhaustible resource.
- Do not clean fish in or around the streams. It is discourteous to residents and other anglers, and it is prohibited by the Fish Commission.
Fishing Seasons
Summer Fishing
During the summer, anglers may find Atlantic salmon, resident brown trout and Skamania steelhead. With the recent minimum river flow requirements, and the increased emphasis on stocking these species, the opportunities for summer angling are improving considerably.
Anglers may also fish for smallmouth bass in the river during the summer, and for northern pike in the estuary. Both can be very good fisheries.
Fall Fishing
Chinook salmon are king in the fall. Each year these monsters enter the rivers in early September to spawn. When the runs will start, and how long they last, varies year to year. Typically by mid-October the main runs are over and many dead salmon will litter the sides of the river. The coho runs generally coincide with the runs of chinook, and coho and chinook are often interspersed in the same parts of the river.
Often the runs will follow significant rain events or major releases of water on the Salmon River. After the water rises and as it begins to drop, the salmon will make a run. These runs of fish will then make their way up the river. Thus, one day these could be large numbers of fish in Douglaston Salmon Run area, the next day they are past Pulaski headed for Altmar. Because the flow of the Salmon River is controlled by the outflow from the upstream dams, a large release of water by the power company can simulate a rain event and also cause a run of salmon.
By October the Steelhead will also begin to enter the rivers and streams to feed on the salmon eggs from the spawning salmon. Brown trout enter the rivers and streams between mid-October and the end of November.
Winter Fishing
During winter the fishing is mostly for steelhead. The Salmon River remains open most of the winter because of the constant discharge from the bottom of the reservoirs upstream. During the dead of winter the fishing pressure can be very light.
Streams other than the Salmon River may freeze during the winter and become unfishable. During the coldest periods, fishing the Salmon River can also be difficult as ice and slush form, especially further downstream from the dams.
Spring Fishing
Spring fishing is also primarily for winter run steelhead. In late spring, anglers may also find Atlantic salmon in the rivers. Steelhead fishing can be very good in March and into April. Once the water warms, the steelhead make their way back to the lake to feed during the summer. Generally the winter run steelhead fishing ends by mid-May.
When to Go Fishing in the Salmon River
The Salmon River is a great spot for fishing all year long, but the best time to catch certain species depends on the season. While there’s always something to fish for, different fish are more active at different times of the year. If you’re curious about what fish are currently in season, you can stay updated by visiting the Salmon River fishing reports.
Species |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Atlantic Salmon |
Weak |
Weak |
Weak |
Weak |
Fair |
Good |
Great |
Great |
Great |
Great |
Good |
Fair |
Brown Trout |
Weak |
Fair |
Fair |
Good |
Great |
Great |
Great |
Great |
Good |
Great |
Good |
Fair |
Chinook Salmon |
Weak |
Weak |
Weak |
Weak |
Weak |
Good |
Good |
Great |
Great |
Great |
Good |
Weak |
Coho Salmon |
Weak |
Weak |
Weak |
Fair |
Good |
Great |
Fair |
Weak |
Good |
Great |
Good |
Fair |
Smallmouth Bass |
Weak |
Weak |
Fair |
Fair |
Good |
Good |
Great |
Great |
Great |
Good |
Weak |
Weak |
Steelhead |
Fair |
Weak |
Weak |
Weak |
Good |
Good |
Good |
Good |
Good |
Great |
Great |
Good |
The table above outlines the prime fishing times for various species. Fall is especially active on the Salmon River, particularly for Chinook Salmon. The Chinook run during fall is fast and fierce, attracting numerous anglers. If you’re looking for a quieter experience, consider booking a guide or fishing from private land to avoid the crowds.
If you prefer warmer weather, summer brings Atlantic Salmon along with Smallmouth Bass and Skamania Steelhead that stick around after the spring run. Steelhead fishing thrives from fall into winter.
Drift Boat Fishing
The Salmon River can be fished with a drift boat. These are sturdy aluminum watercraft (known as McKenzie River drift boats) with a turned-up bow, oars and a heavy anchor. Drifting is a great method for covering a lot of area, and reaching the middle of pools that are difficult to reach by wading. Even if you do not fish, they are a relaxing and enjoyable way to explore the river valley.
Many local guides fish from drift boats. They permit anglers to fish by casting from the boat, by back bouncing (often with plugs), or they pull out and permit anglers to wade fish in target areas.
Spinning Gear for Chinook and Steelhead Fishing
Spinning gear is still widely used on the streams, although fly fishing is growing in popularity. When fishing for chinook, spinning setups typically involve larger gear than most inland stream fishing.
Hook, Line, and Sinker
Fishing line
Anglers often use line ranging from 12 to 20-pound test, with 14-pound line being a common middle ground. The key is to use the lowest visibility line possible. A great option is to use a fluorocarbon leader of at least 3 feet attached to the main monofilament line. This setup creates an almost invisible presentation for the fish.
Recommended Monofilament: Berkeley Trilene XT Monofilament Line
Recommended Fluorocarbon: Seaguar STS Salmon Fluorocarbon Leader
Terminal Rig and Swivel Usage
While the state previously required a "terminal rig" with a swivel above the hook, this is no longer mandatory except in the DSR (Douglaston Salmon Run). Many anglers still prefer this method. A swivel several feet from the hook provides an easy way to attach a tippet or a dropper for weight. Some use pencil lead for added weight. Getting the bait near the bottom is essential, as both salmon and steelhead tend to hold low. The size and amount of split shot needed will vary based on the water flow. Carrying split shot from size BB to 7/0 covers most conditions.
Recommended Swivel: FishUSA Premium Rolling Barrel Swivel
Recommended Splitshot: Bullet Weights Reusable Split Shot
Weight and Slinkies
To avoid snagging on the river bottom, some anglers use "slinkies," which are pieces of parachute cord filled with lead pellets. These are attached to the line with a snap swivel. Others prefer pencil lead or a dropper rig with a lighter test line for weight. This way, if the weight snags, only the dropper is lost, leaving the rest of the rig intact.
Recommended Snap Swivel: FishUSA Welded Ring Ball-Bearing Swivel Snap
Recommended Slinky Weights: Danielson Slinky Weights
Recommended Pencil Weigths: Dave's Tangle Free Steel Stick Weights
Hook Selection
There is no consensus on the best hook for chinook, but many anglers use traditional salmon or steelhead hooks, which are thicker with a short shank and eye-up design. Hook sizes generally range from size 2 or larger for chinook. When switching to steelhead and brown trout, lighter gear is typically used, with lines of 6 to 8-pound test, and even 4-pound test in clear or low conditions. For steelhead, size 4 hooks are usually sufficient, but smaller hooks like size 10 or 12 work better in clear water. However, landing fish with such small hooks can be more difficult.
Recommended Salmon Hook: Mustad ADX Advantage Salmon Hook
Recommended Steelhead and Brown Trout Hook: Raven Specialist Hooks
Recommended Steelhead and Brown Trout Leader: Seaguar STS Trout/Steelhead Fluorocarbon Leader Material
Rod Selection
The ideal rod for spin fishing chinook is usually long, ranging from 7 to 10 feet. These rods are designed for lines between 12 and 20-pound test. If the rod is too light, landing a large chinook becomes nearly impossible. For steelhead and browns, anglers opt for lighter rods by winter. Many steelhead anglers prefer extra-long rods, designed for 4 to 8-pound test lines. The once-popular "noodle rod," known for its extreme length and soft action, has become less common. Most anglers now prefer rods that allow for a better drift while maintaining control over the fish.
Steelhead are known for taking hooks lightly, so a sensitive rod is advantageous. However, since they are aggressive fighters, a rod with some backbone is also essential. It’s not uncommon to see anglers using spinning reels on fly rods, as the long, sensitive fly rod paired with a short butt-end provides both the reach and control needed for drift fishing.
Recommended Salmon and Steelhead Rod: FishUSA Flagship Salmon & Steelhead Spinning Rods
Reel Selection
When targeting chinook salmon, a large-capacity spinning reel with a reliable drag system is critical. These fish can be large, and when a 30-pound chinook heads downstream, you’ll appreciate having enough line on your spool. A front-drag reel with a capacity of at least 120 yards of 15-pound test line is usually sufficient for chinook.
For steelhead, reel size is less crucial. A medium-sized reel with a smooth drag and the capacity to hold at least 120 yards of 8-pound test line will work well. Anglers using ultra-light gear for steelhead may be pushing their luck, but a balanced setup with a quality reel ensures a good chance of landing fish.
Recommended Salmon and Steelhead Reel: Okuma StormRunner Spinning Reel
Bait and Flies
Common baits used for spin fishing for chinook salmon include the following:
- Egg sacks (of either salmon or steelhead eggs)
- Skein (of either salmon or steelhead eggs)
- Night crawlers (usually not used during the winter)
- Artificial salmon eggs (like Crazy Eggs and Jensen Eggs)
- Power Bait
- Sponge (many do not consider this a "bait" but as merely a way to satisfy the requirement that there be something on the hook)
Common baits used for spin fishing for steelhead include the following:
- Live or salted minnows
- Power bait or power nuggets
- Egg sacks (of either salmon or steelhead eggs)
- Skein (of either salmon or steelhead eggs)
- Night crawlers (usually not used during the winter)
- Single salmon eggs (the variety in the small jars in oil, or the loose eggs found at the bait shops)
- Grubs (a.k.a. maggots)
Lures are not too commonly used in the streams. However, J-plugs are fairly commonly used for chinook by either spin fishermen or when back trolling from a drift boat. These lures can also be abused as a means to snag salmon.
Fly patterns for salmon tend to be flashier than other flies. The most common flies for salmon are the Estaz Fly, Comet, Woolly Buggers, Egg Sucking Leaches and Glo-Bugs (imitates a salmon egg; tied with Glo-Bug yarn). Typical fly sizes range from size 2 to size 8.
The two most common flies for steelhead are the Glo-Bug (imitates a salmon egg; tied with Glo-Bug yarn) and the sucker spawn (imitates sucker eggs). Sizes 10, 12 and 14 are the most popular.
The local bait shops will carry the popular baits and lures. For fly patterns, check the Flies and Lures page on this site.
Fishing Techniques for Salmon and Trout
Understanding Water Flow and Fish Location
Salmon and steelhead fishing in rivers and streams heavily depend on water flow. During or right after a run, fish can be anywhere—pools, riffles, deep water, or shallow. However, without a recent run, fish tend to stay in the deeper pools or in spawning areas like riffles. In low, clear water, the fish typically hold in the deepest parts of the pools.
Drift Fishing for Salmon and Steelhead
Drift fishing (also known as "dead drift" fishing) is one of the most popular techniques for both salmon and steelhead. The goal is to cast your line across and upstream, letting it drift naturally downstream. Salmon and steelhead usually stay near the bottom, so it’s crucial to get your bait or fly down to where the fish are holding. If you don’t feel the bottom occasionally, you may not be fishing deep enough. Too many hang-ups? Reduce the weight on your line.
Typical Spinning Rig Setup
A common spinning rig without a float includes a single hook tied directly to the line, with several split shots placed 12 inches or more above the hook. The weight should be enough to get your bait down to the fish without getting constantly stuck on the riverbed. Some anglers also use a swivel 2 to 3 feet up the line with a lighter leader, placing the weight above the swivel or on a dropper.
Using a Float for Better Control
Another rig option is to add a small float above the hook, which works well in deeper pools. Using a float helps avoid losing tackle to the bottom and lets you manage your presentation more effectively. Keep the float as close to the hook as possible and minimize slack in your line. Since surface water moves faster than deeper water, the float can get ahead of the hook. This leads to a less natural presentation, reducing the chance of a strike.
Fishing in Low Flow Conditions
When water flow is low, the fish are more likely to hold in deeper pools. Spawning fish can be spotted on gravel beds, with one female usually surrounded by several males. After a run, target the pocket waters and deeper runs. Brightly colored flies and lures work well in low light, but when the sun is bright, switch to more subdued colors.
Fly Fishing Techniques for Salmon and Steelhead
Fly fishing for salmon and steelhead requires getting your fly down deep. Very few fish are caught using dry flies, especially in colder water. Anglers often use weighted flies or split shot to achieve the desired depth. A float or strike indicator can help you monitor your presentation.
Sight Fishing for Chinook
While chinook salmon don’t feed once they enter the rivers, they will still strike at bait or a fly out of instinct, anger, or to protect their redds. Placing your bait or fly near the fish is key, and polarized glasses can help spot the fish in clear water. Chinook strikes can be subtle, so if your line suddenly stops, lift your rod tip—if a fish is on, you’ll know quickly, especially with a 25-pound chinook on the other end!
Regulations on Snagging and Fair Hooking
Snagging fish is illegal, and fish must be released if they are not hooked in the mouth. A fish foul-hooked in the side will often bolt away quickly. If hooked in the fin or tail, the fish will be tough to reel in. You can tell when a fish is fair-hooked by how it behaves—fair-hooked fish come in headfirst, allowing you to guide them toward you.
Controversy Over "Lifting" Technique
"Lifting" refers to drifting the hook into the fish's mouth as it breathes and then lifting the line to hook it. While some anglers consider this method unsportsmanlike, others view it as a fair way to catch fish when they aren’t striking readily. However, under current DEC regulations, this technique appears to be classified as illegal "snatching."
Landing a Chinook Salmon
Hooking a chinook salmon is one thing—landing it is another. For the first few minutes, all you can do is hang on. Chinook are powerful fighters, and you’ll need to let them run until they tire out. A common technique is to lift the rod, reel down, and repeat. If the fish makes a dash for fast water or the lake, you’ll have to follow it downstream carefully. Alert other anglers to avoid tangles and collisions.
Steelhead Hooking and Fighting Techniques
Unlike chinook, steelhead are often feeding in the streams, except when spawning. Steelhead can strike lightly and quickly, so setting the hook promptly is crucial. Once hooked, steelhead put up an impressive fight, rivaling any inland trout. Many novice anglers lose fish because of overly tight drag or by trying to muscle the fish in. Set the drag just tight enough to hook the fish, then play the fish until it tires. Using your drag properly and leveraging the bend in the rod are essential to landing a steelhead.
Additional Resources
Special thanks to Fran Verdoliva, New York DEC Salmon River Project Coordinator, for his assistance with this description.