Einstein defined insanity as the practice of doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results. I can't begin to tell you how often I see this while fishing the Salmon River in the Fall. Fishermen are often seen making the same cast over and over, never adjusting the length of their cast, expecting a fish to run into their presentation at some point. Granted, in years while the salmon run is thick these fishermen often hook some fish. However in a year like 2019, when there has been a protracted run that has made the fish less plentiful and more difficult to come by, this practice will almost always lead to failure and frustration. If I could make one suggestion to the fishermen of the Salmon River, it would be to fish the entire pool or run your working. Use longer casts with variable start and finish points to cover as much water as possible. This will exponentially increase your likelihood of catching fish and allow you to be as successful as possible even when the conditions are difficult.
Okay, rant over! While the salmon fishing this Fall can be best described as sporadic there are definitely salmon to be caught in the Salmon River. Fish are most commonly located in the gravelly bottom locations at this stage of the season with hens making large spawning beds and courting any number of male fish. If you locate a spawning female I would suggest rejecting the urge to hook her, and rather look for the smaller male fish that will likely be courting her for as long as she is on the spawn bed. Also, in the gravelly runs, you will be likely to find Steelhead, Brown Trout and possibly an Atlantic Salmon voraciously feeding on the eggs of spawning salmon. This weekend I had the opportunity to fish both the upper section of the Salmon River and the Douglaston Salmon Run and there are Steelhead and Brown Trout spread throughout the river feeding on freshly spawned eggs. Friday I had success in the top end of the river utilizing pink spawn sacks to entice Steelhead, Coho salmon and a few fresh King salmon into biting. I fished the spawn sacks under a float and had upwards of 20 bites in about 5 hours of fishing. I was lucky enough to land a feisty Coho and battle several other fish. Saturday I fished Douglaston for the first time since I was 11 years old, long before it was a pay for play venue. I must admit, I have been a conscientious objector to Douglaston, as the monetization of a public resource has frustrated me over the years. That said, I wanted to walk the entirety of the property and see what it is all about, at least that was my plan! Little did I know I would locater a nice stretch of water immediately at the end of the trail I followed and stay there for the entire day! To say the Steelhead fishing was excellent would be an understatement. I hooked my first fish on my 4th cast and continued to have success throughout the day. I was successful in utilizing blue egg sacks under a float early, orange beads under a float mid day, and blue egg sacks again late in the day to the tune of over 20 hook ups and 3 beautiful Steelhead landed. It was by far my best day of Fall Steelhead fishing and I am excited to see where the season will go from here.
So, while the salmon run of 2019 appears to be waning the Steelhead run appears to be about to break wide open. Be thoughtful about what you are doing while fishing, realizing that utilizing variable techniques and locations can greatly increase your odds of catching fish. As always, if you see the Dirty Oar on the river say hello! Also, special thanks to Sean and Nate, both from Carlisle, Pa. for taking a few pictures for me! Tight lines to all, best of luck on your next outing.