A Strange Start to this salmon season with good flows that should have triggered a steady run of fish that was spotty, at best during the last two weeks of September. Cohos showed in great numbers with two nice runs each of these two weeks with great action for those that were able to follow them up the river on their quick migration runs. Then the Kings entered the DSR in fair numbers only to fall back to the estuary almost daily with 350 to 500 cfs flows. The major push starting when high water hit on September 29th with plenty of large Kings. Drift boating was productive, with most being broken off with the swift currents and some areas of bank and wade fishing, even though limited, also had similar results. Then just before the holiday weekend the flows dropped to become again a safe wadable river with many fish making easy targets in the 500-750 cfs flows, but only lasted until October 22nd, then we woke up to 1800- 2200 cfs which is still happening. With all this going on, it seemed to be a great salmon season lasting a short 3 weeks, but with all this water in came the Steelhead and by October16th, we had pods of chrome located through the river and by the 23rd, chrome was now becoming the main target with salmon upstream of them.

Fly Fishing Tactics: The high water conditions proved difficult for the novice, but using the Traditional Nymphing Method with either a high quality weight forward long belly floating line (salmon steelhead tapers), an Orvis Streamer Streamer Stripper line, or my custom 5' density compensated vertical tipping line had all my clients enjoying many hookups and landings.

The Easiest and an Effective Way: For many Fly Rodders it's probably best to use the above mentioned floating lines first, which are easier to cast and mend, then advancing to the mini sink tip lines, only when you're ready and comfortable.
Attach a 9' to 10' tapered leaders (0X to 3X) with 3-4 feet of 1X to 4 X tippet material, size depends on species and water flows. Add a # 7 or smaller split shot at the knot of the leader knot where it joins the tippet to help get a lightly weighted fly to the strike zone. When using un-weighted flies, a small split can be added two to three feet above the fly. Always remember to throw a loose soft mend into the cast at the end to help get the proper presentation, fly first.

For the Accomplished Fly Rodder: There is always the option of learning the "Vertical Tip Method" which allows the use of little to no added weight.
Flies Used This Fall and we will continue to use now and throughout the winter were my custom bead head egg patterns, my biot tailed woven bodied nymphs, misc. buggers and of course my brownabou streamer. Winter conditions and locations will dictate which patterns to use.
Steelhead Trips Still Available: December 1, 3,4,and 5th. Weather permitting. Both wade and drift boat outings available during what is historically some of the best Steelheading of early winter.
Photos: 2006 Fall Salmon and Steelhead pictures are up on my Photo Page , with more to be up shortly.
2007 Show Schedule: I will be available at The Fly Fishing Show to help answer any of your questions about the Salmon River Region New York, the Deerfield River in Massachusetts and more at the Hog Island Boatworks display in Marlborough MA, January 19-21st, then the following weekend in Somerset NJ January 26-28th.
Orvis Store in Avon CT: Thursday February 1st for a seminar starting at 6pm about the advantages of Drift Boating the Salmon River New York and the Deerfield River in Massachusetts.
FOR SALE: Just ordered a new Hog Island Drift Boat for next season, therefore we're selling the16' fly fishing equipped complete with trailer, used one season in Mass and New York by me. Ready to go, drop it in the water and row. Click on photo below for more information.

Call for more information: 413-247-5579 ask for Walt