Jay Peck's Blog

March is finally here, with all of its trials and tribulations. The whether, water flow fluctuations, water temp fluctuations make the month of March a challenging time to fish. But March can also produce excellent fishing opportunities. Starting with Western New York, Oak Orchard River and the surrounding creeks are still flowing high and heavily off color. However conditions have improved throughout the past week, ever so slowly. Despite the challenging water conditions we did manage to find a fish or two when we ventured out to fish these waters. Looking forward to this coming week, I suspect conditions to improve quickly and everything coming into fishing condition by early to mid week. As of now I describe the fishing as on the verge of popping. All we need is a little more improvement in water conditions and it will be happening. Productive flies; The fish we did this week were caught with, White zonker size 6 and size 8 egg patterns most productive color was chartreuse. Due to the Poor water conditions, I would contribute the success do to persistence.  Carefully fishing the best holding water within the pools.

The Salmon River and the surrounding rivers and creeks, starting with the Salmon River, Once again water flows remain high for this time of year. The release from the damn has been at 1700 CFS. Water gauge at Pineville has been recording over 2100 CFS. Hopefully this coming week water flows will quickly moderate. Here too, on the Salmon River we are able to get into a few fish in these tough fishing conditions. It appears that we are still receiving new fish from the lake. That late winter early spring run of steelhead appears to be going on. Hopefully the spring fishing well follow its normal predicted time schedule. This coming week weather forecast is for warm spring like conditions. Look for a strong presence of active stoneflies nymphs. With the bug activity, this should generate a strong bite. Once again for the Salmon River the fishing looks like it’s about ready to pop. For productive flies; the obvious stoneflies nymphs in size 12 to 10, For the swing, small intruders around two and a half to 3 and half inches long is getting the job done. Keep in mind with high water flows try fishing intruders around 4 to 6 inches long. Sometimes you need to put a big target out for them.

Note;

A reminder, it is time to start planning you’re up coming fishing trips. I still have prime dates for spring steelhead fishing, for both March and April. Feel free to give me a call discuss dates and fishing opportunities. Cell 585-233-0436