Salmon River Update 10 December 2015

Here’s the up front bottom line: if you work hard you will be rewarded with a Salmon River Trophy. Since Salmon season started in September, fishing conditions for all Lake Ontario tributaries have been merely okay. Anglers are reporting low numbers and speculating that there are not many more fish in the lake. As for the anglers who are blessed with having the opportunity to just get outdoors, they have enjoyed some of a most beautiful fall and a mild starting winter. Many anglers have put many hours on the stream this year with many one or two fish days. That trend is continuing this December on the Salmon River. We have had our spurts here and there, but fishing has been “slow” compared to what anglers have experienced for many years.

Over the past week, we have seen the water temperature drop significantly. Water temperatures have been averaging around 41 degrees. Fishing has been a slow steady pick with most of the action happening in the Lower Fly Zone. That is the center of all the craziness. But if having a high number day is a must, it’s the place you need to go. Down on the Douglaston Salmon Run, there have been a steady number of fishermen reporting average fishing. The fish that have been caught on the river are fresh “hot” Steelhead and have been very entertaining for all anglers who have hooked up.

The reservoir had two releases this week, bumping the flow up to 750 and then to 1000 cfs at the Pineville Bridge. With the extra amount of water, expect fish to be make their way up the river with much less resistance. Also, anglers will start to see the fish spread out more.