| Subject: Salmon River Report and Article |
Author:
Randy Jones
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Date Posted: 14:48:05 01/22/02 Tue
Salmon River - Pulaski, NY. Reports and Ramblings:
I hope you find my reports and articles entertainingly informative and mildly educational
Countless people have been guided by me and most have gone on to live normal lives!
(The high was 16 degree's this day - See Photo)
Salmon River Report
Fish are still in transition and entering the lower river on a daily basis. My guess is only a few each day with the low water level. Hardly anyone down river.
With water temperatures colder down river, this normally slows the fish up and sometimes holds them in the lower end of the river. Remember last year?? (Hint) Add in slush, anchor ice, shelf ice and it's not surprising to find the best fishing down river.
Arriving as the slush is clearing is just one of the many keys to unlocking the magic this area has to offer during the pristine splendor of Winter Steel Head Fishing.
Below are a few more tips on making your trip here fun, safe, enjoyable and hopefully memorable in many ways.
(Bill and Julie spend an intimate moment with a fish - See Photo)
Fishing in Jan. and Feb.? Are you Nuts? -Yup:
Here are some things to consider when fishing here in the winter. The Salmon River is a dam-released river, so it never totally freezes over.
Slush - Planning your fishing day around it:
No it's not the stuff you put in a cone and eat but rather a winter occurrence that causes certain area's of the river to be unfishable.
Knowing current water -air temp. current water and future water flow level's, tonight's predicted lows with tomorrow's highs will help you decide where to begin your day of fishing.
Sample:
Water temps. are 34 deg. up top and the flow is 285 cfs. Evening lows are swinging around 5 deg. and daytime highs are around 32 deg. (No heavy snow is forecast) The Key here is the nighttime low. Normally if the low is below 20 deg. you will have slush from Pineville down. If the low is only 20 deg. then you may not have any slush the entire length of the river.
When slush is present at these air temp?s then normally by 10-11 A.M. the lower part of the river will clear out and make fishing possible. If you're ever not sure, than do what I sometimes do and go to the short bridge in town and have a look for yourself, before planning your day. If air temp?s do not rise above 20 for the daytime high then you may have slush down river all day.
If I'm planning to start my fishing at dawn, then I'll start up top. And then later possibly move down river once the slush has had a chance to clear. If certain areas of the river are slushed up and you are the first to arrive after it has cleared than the chances of hooking-up are good. You will be the first angler fishing to fresh fish that have not been disturbed or pressured.
This same condition occurs on the smaller creeks and streams North of the Salmon in early-late winter. Many an early A.M. trip North has ended with a return trip when slush was not considered. I will always check air temp's the day before I plan fishing the creeks. Often, I will arrive at 10 A.M. and fish while the last balance of slush is clearing and getting first shot at the prime spots. Fish-on!
(See Photo)
If you wanted to fish during the prime time during the winter than here are a few things I would consider. (Work and family schedule must be flexible)
1. 3 day warming trend. If there is run-off expect fresh fish in the lower end!
2. Drop in water level
3. Fish around a holiday, not on it.
4. Mid-week
5. Springtime creeks and streams- Wait till ice out and fish them on the rise or fall of water levels. If you fish them after they have cleared for to long they tend to get fished out. If you can find your honey hole when the water is up, then the fish will be there.
If you arrive and the air temp's are in the low 20?s for the high then here are a few tip's to staying warm and catching some fish!
1.The days of me fishing a full 8 hours with these air temps are almost over, unless there is sun and no wind. It is actually very pleasant under these conditions.
2. Only fish the most productive part of the day. Normally this occurs during the warmest part. 4 hr's is sufficient between 11-3.
3. Fish spots where the sun is shinning on you, instead of fishing spots where you are in the shadow of a cliff or tree's.
4. Where dark clothing so the suns warm rays can be absorbed into your clothing.
5. Use a spinning rod. I'm a fly addict, but when it's cold, I love my spinning rod! Hands can stay warm in gloves, guides ice up less frequently, my fly is in the water more due to the mechanical nature of a spinning rod which allows me more chances of hooking up.
(See Photo)
6.By yourself a pair of fleece wind blocker fingerless gloves with a pull over mitt and slit for your thumb. I'm out in this weather a lot, and these gloves are all I wear, they are the best! I use (URL Removed)
7. Put heat pads in your gloves and underneath arch of toes in wader boots. These are sold at most tackle shops in the area.
8. Treat yourself to a pair of 4-5 mil neoprene boot foot waders preferably with a polypropylene wool insert that wraps your feet. You work hard so you deserve it - right? Make sure they are 1-2 sizes bigger than normal as air circulation is key to keeping warm.
(See Photo)
9. Wear high tech. under garments that insulate as well as breath. I use (URL Removed) and have found them to work great!
10. Being in a drift boat with a big heater is always a treat.
11. You all know about eating right. Stay away from things that take along time to digest. I find a nice pasta dish works for me. A good breakfast and lunch are also an important ingredient to staying warm in the afternoon.
12. A nice flask of your favorite beverage to sip at day's end is a great way to take the chill out of your bones, and to get the day's fish stories started. Just don?t start too early or you could be the fish story.
( Looks like Bob started a lil early? See Photo)
13. I find that when my toes and fingers start to sting, it's time to actively start moving them and think of warmer places.
(Ooopp'ssss - How'd SHE get in here!- See Photo)
14. Take breaks to your car or local restaurant to warm up.
15. Keep moving from spot to spot only hitting the most productive areas in each hole.
16. Start the morning off with a nice long walk to one of your favorite spots. There is nothing like a little exercise to warm you up. This warmth will also stick with you for awhile.
17. Looking for the best in solid - feather light, heavy metal strength from cleats or chains to keep you on your feet on even the most slippery rivers and ice? I recommend (URL Removed)
Hope this helps and also add's a smile to your day,
Randy Jones
www.yankeeangler.com
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