Thank you all for a fantastic Salmon and Steelhead Season!
Just a quick overview.
I've seen seasons come and go for the past 26 years, but this one I will remember for a long time.
For most of the season,the water level, of the Salmon River remained at 100 cfs, due to the lack of rain during the summer months, and for those of you who have fished this area before, you know that it is exteremly low. Even in these conditions the Kings still managed to get into the lower river in good numbers. Fishing was very good until about 11:00 then the water temps. got a bit to warm and then they would go off the bite until an hour of so before dark and pick up again. During these peak periods the bite was intense and we caught a lot of fish through Sept and Oct.
I truly believe a lot of fishermen, who were paying attention, received an education on how these fish react to a properly presented fly.
Because of the low water, most guys could actually see the Salmon respond to each drift, whether it was a take or a refusal.
It was absolutely amazing,to me and I thought I'd seen it all.
Then the Steelhead started up the river in good numbers, behind the Salmon, as usual, around the middle or end of October and were responding similarly until we got a few days of hard rain. The Dam was then able to release about 500 cfs. the water temp went down to around 50 degrees, and lower, which was perfect for the Steelhead and they stayed on the bite most of the morning and later in the afternoon, typical trout behavior.
The year was great for both the Salmon and Steelhead, when conditions allowed, and we caught a lot of nice fish, but now its over for us until the end of March, then it back up to Pulaski for a couple of months to see how the spring Steelhead run turns out.
We are now booking for our spring trips for steelhead so give us a call to get the best dates.
Until then.
Good Health and Keep on Fishing!
See you on the River!
