Jay Peck's Blog

This past weekend was a busy one. Spent the weekend at the Somerset fly-fishing show in New Jersey. It was good to see everyone that stopped by my booth to say hello. Now that this fly fishing show, as great as it was is out-of-the-way. Time to get back on the water, where I belong.

Water flows in western New York have been extremely low, up until recently. We finally got some decent rainfall, and our smaller creeks and streams are iced out. It is going to be good to have these waters opened for some fishing, even if it’s temporary. As for the Oak Orchard we’ll have to see how much of an increase in water flow we get. However at this stage the more water we get more fish we’re going to half. Definitely looking forward to doing some what are still efficient and by Western waters.

The warm weather has been a bonus for the Salmon River. Water flows have remained constant, 350 CFS release at damn and around 500 CFS at the Pineville gauge. Good fishing flows, especially for the winter. The biggest bonus with this warm weather is water temperatures have risen to the mid 30-degree mark, a return to late November early December fishing conditions.  With the slightly warmer water temperatures we have an opportunity to have some productive fishing with a swinging fly.  As always when pursuing steelhead on a swinging fly it is always best to cover this much water as possible. Fortunately at this time there is fish scattered all the way from the Douglaston salmon run to the lower fly fishing zone. Over the last few days there has been consistently decent fishing in the DSR. When this is happening. We can be assured that we are receiving a steady trickle of fish. Looks like this weather break is going to be a productive one for steelhead fishing on the Salmon River. For productive flies; Stone flying nymphs have been getting the job done in the upper river. As for fly patterns for the swing. Small intruders around two and a half to 3 and half inches long is getting the job done. Keep in mind that the water flows comes up abruptly try fishing intruders around 4 to 6 inches long. Sometimes you need to put a big target out for them.

Note;

A reminder, as most you know my booking calendar is now open. Time to start planning your up coming fishing trips.