The biggest change over the
past week is the water flows. The water flow started out at 335 CFS, now is reduced
to 185 CFS. The drought continues to have its effect. Hopefully we will get some
heavy rains soon. Please note; with the present low water flows the lower fly-fishing
zone on the Salmon River has been closed. As you can imagine this reduction in
water flows is having a big effect on the fishing. Fist the fish are still on
the move, the paste of the run has been picking up over the last week or so.
This is normal for early October to see heavy runs of salmon; it is now the
peak of the run. Obviously with the fishing, we have had made some adjustments
to the low water. Nothing-unusual most of our adjustments are basic fishing
101. Low water salmon are more spooky, now, so we needed to back off the fish and
make longer cast, lengthen our leaders and of course lighten up on the weight. Often all we need to do is use a bead headed
fly and a little line handling skills. This is often more than is needed to get
the fly and keep the fly deep enough for the fish to eat it. The further off
you can fish, the more relaxed the salmon will be. Relaxed salmon will bite more aggressively
and well stay in their respective holding location considerably longer. Keep in
mind that at this stage of the salmon run, spooked salmon will often react by
continuously pushing upriver. We are now in early October and the salmon
spawning activity is growing on a daily basis. We should be at pick spawning
soon. We are on now occasionally starting to see a few steelheads showing up.
Hopefully these fish will keep their normal schedule. The fly pattern that
seems to be developing, is at first light in the morning we are having good success
with bright colored flies like size 6 crystal willy buggers in colors of bright
pink, Purple and occasionally chartreuse. After that once the water gets lit up
by the sun, We need to drop down in tippet size. At this point we are fishing
size 6 willy buggers or other patterns of equal size. Also picking flies with
the flash that is tone down has also been effective. With the spawning now
going on, egg flies will now become important addition to the fly box.
Note;
At this time I still have
some prime October days open ,27,30 ideal dates for fishing Steelhead. Please
feel free to give me a call [Cell 585-233-0436] and discuss any concerns and
your options.
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