Jay Peck's Blog

The fishing has tacking a turn for the positive this week. Water flows have receded and water temps have come up, despite the cloud snap earlier this week. We had a great week of fishing the Western New York tributaries. The water was high and muddy, but the steelhead is there and on the bit. We just needed to look through the mud to find the fish. I often say love the mud. When it comes to steelhead fishing we do need to learn to fish in less than ideal conditions. This year is a perfect example of this. We still have high water flows in most of the rivers and creek in the Western New York. This spring most of steelhead run has happen under the cover of high muddy water. If we wait for so-called ideal fishing conditions, we can easily miss most of the steelhead run. Because our spring steelhead season is running about 2 to 3 weeks behind schedule, I suspect there is about 1 to 2 more weeks of fishing on the Oak Orchard River. However it is time for me to move the guide service to the Salmon River. At some point you just have to make the move and it is time to move.

The Salmon River, water flows over last week were monstrous to say the least. Some of the biggest water flows I have seen in some time. It one point water flows came close to 9000 CFS, and stayed that way for approximately 24 hours. Water flows like this will make changes in the River itself. Fortunately water flows have started to recede and are now approaching normal high water spring flows. As of now flows are at 2250 CFS, we need to monitor water flows closely because I suspect flows will be changing often. For now water temperatures on the Salmon River are just now starting to approach 40°. This means spawning activity is not really got started yet. Because of this I suspect we'll have excellent steelhead fishing well into middle May this year. If you have not got your steelhead fix yet don't panic there is still plenty of time.

Note;

I still have several days available in early to mid-May available. This will be fishing the Salmon River, may is an excellent time to swing flies for steelhead and get accustomed to fishing with spey rods. However because we are having such a late spring I still suspect we'll have excellent site fishing during the first week of May. Also I still have days available in April along with my other guides. If interested please feel free to give me a call on my cell. Be patient and consistent due to the fact that I am often in poor reception. My cell number is 585-233-0436