'07 Spring Steelhead Wrap Up
by Walt Geryk
May 07,2007
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Let’s start right at the beginning. Arriving in early April  to my home away from home with a gracious host and close friend Ron Zealor, of the Victorian at Altmar, who always makes my and my clients stay relaxing and comfortable. After settling in we were off to the river to find high flows of 3600 cfs plus runoff and cold 34 degree water temps. Accessing prime holding water was not an issue with the drift boat, but slowing down the fly presentation was at first, but with a another one of my newly developed natural drift methods, using a BB or two, we were into those sluggish steelhead, If you want to know more about this newly developed and proven method you should reserve a date on the water with me.
During the cold water temps, real fly fishing was averaging one to two per day with up to a half dozen hook ups on a good day.  It took a while for spring and warmer water temps to arrive, but when they did, around April 20th, fishing picked up considerably. Steelies were becoming more aggressive by pulling streamers, buggers and drifting my egg patterns. By the time the water temps hit forty-eight plus, around April 26th, it was just on fire, fish everywhere from the upper zone to rte 2A. Conservatively, some clients during these days were well into a dozen and more line screaming hook ups with multiple landings.
Pictures this year were at a premium because it seemed like much of the time my guests were into fish at the same time and kept me running, so to all my clients, please email me more photos.
This year was a season of numbers of fish in the river, probably more than the past 10 years. The future here on the Salmon River is definitely bright, bright with plenty of silver to return again next season.
On the dark side, there were too many anglers killing fish, only to deplete the returns for next season. When will they learn that everyone relies on healthy fish returns and now with such good numbers it will only entice more anglers to frequent the Salmon River Region? Besides the major health advisory posted by the DEC, we're told these fish taste like mud, so why would you kill them, want to brag then take a picture, let them fight another day! These game fish are much too important to the local economy to fight only one time! The limit is one, not one to the cooler and back!  And for some anglers, how many times do you really think a fish will bite after it’s hooked, do you really think just because you release it and it swims back to the same lie it will bite again within a few minutes or so, get real!
So Practice and Promote Ethical Angling & Catch and Release.
Thank you to all my clients and local businesses that made another enjoyable spring steelhead season. See you in the fall, be sure reserve your dates early to ensure your time on the water and lodging. Learn to reach and cover more water with my new “Bob B Method” another innovative, tested and proven method for novices and beginners to get into more fish while fly fishing.
And for all fly fishermen, beginners to well experienced, you'll all be adding my "Bob B Method" to your bag of tricks along with my "Vertical Tipping", "Bead Method" and more of my proven fish getter presentations and techniques.

"Fishing with Walt is more then a fly fishing trip, it's a learning experience."

Fred Kucharski, of Syracuse NY
goes on to say, "I never imagined there's so many types of presentations needed to take these trophy fish, thanks Walt for teaching me some of your techniques that kept me into fish."
A couple of nice steelies Fred caught while using Walt's "Vertical Tip Method" and new "Bob B Method." Notice the Bamboo Rod Fred is using, a real traditionalist!
Fred's willingness to learn new techniques allows him to become even a better fly fishermen and an accomplished fish getter.

*See updated Massachusetts Fishing Reports
*Reserve Soon for Fall Salmon Season
*Reserve Early for Prime Time Days of Fly Fishing Spring Steelheading 2008

Practice and Promote
Catch & Release and Ethical Angling

Learn from Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing, Guide Walt Geryk, tips on becoming a better caster, or just learn how to cast a fly rod, on how to read water for safety and fishing, present a fly and much more.....

Use Orvis Rods and Reels and Walt's own custom made sink-tips.

Enjoy time in the outdoors, while learning from Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing, Guide Walt Geryk, tips on becoming a better caster, or even just learn how to cast a fly rod, how to read water for safety and fishing, present a fly, experience the fight of a fresh water trophy and much more,
without using the chuck and duck method.

"Leave the Water a Better Flyfisher!"

Salmon River & UpState New York Region
is a short drive from most anywhere in the Northeast
45 minutes from Syracuse International Airport
minutes from local airstrip Gaines Valley Aviation
minutes from local airstrip Kidder Field
minutes from local airstrip Oswego County @ Pulaski
2 1/2 hours from Albany International Airport

Deerfield River & Western Massachusetts Region
is a short drive from most anywhere in the Northeast
45 minutes from Bradley International Airport
minutes from Northampton Airport
90 minutes from Boston's Logan International
90 minutes from Albany International Airport

For more information on what services Walt offers, view his web site and be sure to sign up for Neff-News and refer your friends to do the same so all can stay up dated on what's going on with Northeast Fly Fishing Waters.