Stealhead Fishing in Central New York's Salmon River
Big Hen Steelhead from today.
Perfect.
Steelies in the ladder system at the Salmon River Fish Hatchery.
This guy let us get pretty close to him and snap some picturess and video.
This morning at 4:30 when I left my house, the temperature was a bone chilling 15 degrees. I was thinking that it would warm up quickly once the sun came out, but that wasn't the case! I was fighting ice in my guides until about 11:30 AM.
The fishing seemed to pick up at the same slow pace as the temperature. Early on there wasn't much action going on. I couldn't spot many fish in the smaller sections of the Salmon River and the fish I did see kept getting spooked from the guy above me who was constantly crossing the stream. I held my ground, and waited for everyone to leave so I had the place to myself. That is when I started seeing fish cycle up and down the stream. Some were fighting, some spawning, and some were in there for relief from the swollen main stem of the Salmon River.
I hooked 3 fish today, landing one. I thought that was a pretty good ratio for the fish I saw and could make casts to. It is so cool being able to see these fish swim over and actually take your fy. It takes a lot of patience and intense focus. I only had hook-ups on Glo Bugs, but my friend Ryan Monaco hooked two fish on Pheasant Tails, so they are taking some different things.
After we called it a day on the Salmon River, we stopped by the hatchery to see the Steelhead in the ladder system and the small creek. The ladder system is FULL of fish, all good sized steelhead. It was awesome watching them try and jump up into the last holding pool before they reach the hatchery.
All pictures from today are on the right! I'll be up there again tomorrow, so be sure to check back.
Tight lines.
Artie
