My first Steelhead Trip

[Supafly]

So my Wifes Uncle has been trying to get me to go to Salmon River for a couple years. I finally made it up there this year. Sometimes its hard to get me away from the saltwater .

Well I got there friday afternoon we were staying at Douglaston Salmon Run. Great setup and nice access to the river. I didnt get on the river until 230. My buddies had been going up there for years and they were showing me some of the holes. I never had a strike on friday afternoon but the guys that went down river slammed them. Saturday morning we get on the river around 530 am to claim some good spots. Around 730 I hook up 4 in a row only to drop everyone. I never even got a fight out of them. All of these fish were on egg sacs cause it was early. Saturday afternoon was real slow and I never hooked up again.

Ok now its sunday and do or die time. We can't fish for the whole day. I am feeling extreme pressure to catch one. I am a very avid fly fisherman. I have done tons of saltwater and alot of trout in pa streams. But I am starting to get insecure and I am feeling a jinx. I hook up a fish early only to see it jump out of the water and throw the hook. A short while later I hook a fish in some heavy water and it feels real strong but boom it immediatey snaps my leader above the swivel. There must have been a nick cause I am fishing 8lb leader. At this point I am freaking out and thinking for some reason the fish gods are mad at me.

Then about an hour later I am fishing the same pool that I have had most of my hookups in and the most confidence. I hook up and this fish is running up current with ease it feels very powerful kinda just holding in some real heavy water. It makes a bolt down stream thru some rapids. I am getting nervous my leader is gonna hit a rock. I finally get a good look at the fish. Wow it looks big almost like a salmon not that I had ever seen one. My buddy is now with me and he is saying how big it is and he has been going there for years. This fish still is very powerful and I can't really move it unless I can get it to swim towards me. Finally I get it in the shallows and my buddy grabs it. Woohoo I was happy. I have no way how to estimate the weight on these fish as I am not used to trout this large but my buddy was saying 15lbs. I ended up catching two more fish before we left but nothing close in size. Well my first steelhead was a nice one and I am hooked. My buddy said you may never catch one that big again but I'll take beginners luck any day

Now I can't wait to get back

Here are some pics. They are from my iphone so they aren't that great

[HOLWACHAGOT]

I hear those things are BADA$$ES that make quite a showing on their end of the string. Congrats on your first steelie. Impressive doing it with the fly and above all not giving up. Thanks for the cool story and pics.
HOLWACHAGOT

[FASTWATER]

Ain't no head like steelhead!!!PEACE

[WAHOONBOX]

GREAT TRIP THERE BROTHER FLY! FROM WHITES TO STEELIES!

WHAT STATE IS THIS?

[Old Salty]

The Douglaston Salmon Run is a very well known place to go on the Salmon River in Pulaski, N.Y. State. You've got to check it out sometime Marty, awesome fishery. Very scenic,
and a relaxing place to spend a few days.
Check out this link, been there many years ago with my Dad
and brothers.
www.douglastonsalmonrun.com

Happy Thanksgving to you and ALL in the land of WTMW, and SFC.

Dave - Pro Staff
Team Old Salty
east coast - H.T.D. Corporation
west coast- Old Salty International LLC.
www.oldsaltytackle.com
Diving Planers- Flashers - Terminal Tackle

[Persistence]

Great stuff! I've always wanted to try that fishery

[Supafly]

I was in Pulaski, NY about 40 miles from Syracuse.

Those fish can pull!

[zar2754]

great job, my first trip up to the salmon river was this past october I had a ton of fun once i got the rhythym, i even nailed a trophy size brown my second cast.

it really is the most serene setting you can imagine thanks for the report.

[Marlinmate]

Nice steely...now the addiction takes over.


I've been heading up there for about 20 years now. The fishing is spectacular.

Aug- Beg. of October - All the salmon you want, occasional brown trout and steelhead

Oct - April - Browns and Steelhead

For those who have never felt the head shake of a steelhead, or the massive runs of the silver bullet, you don't know what you are missing.

I've since stopped going up for Salmon, due to the crowds and the various illegal methods of fishing I've witnessed.(snagging - though outlawed still happens) In low water I have even witnessed a clubbing!

Steelhead season is typically cold, blustery, icey, snowy, wet, windy and this means less crowds with great fishing. Spey fishing, fly fishing, light line spin fishing and now centerpin fishing (this is the cats ass) are all various methods used to catch steelhead/browns. Egg patterns, egg beads, stoneflies, pink worms, egg sacs etc are all good for steelhead.

I have in the past gone up there (6.5hour drive) for a 3-4 day solo trek. Beautiful scenery (especially on some of the lesser known small tribs) is abundant. Quiet and peaceful with fish biting is sometimes what is needed to mentally check out for a few days.

I've gone to bed at night with 0" of snow on the ground and awoke to 15" and more on the way.

Check it out if you get a chance, but book early as Salmon season is typically booked 1 year in advance.

[Supafly]

I need to get a single pin if I am gonna keep doing it. Its definitely the most effective technique.

Here is my write up on my brothers sports site. A couple more pics on there


http://www.the700level.com/2009/11/s...k-ny.html#more