It may not look at but spring is coming. The steelhead
fishing is gaining momentum quickly, despite the cold and the snow. Starting
with Western New York, Oak Orchard River and the surrounding creeks. Water
flows have dropped off over the past week in the Oak. Despite the low clear
water flows there is a few fish still hanging around. Water temperatures are at
winter conditions temps, Fluctuating somewhere between 32 and 34 Degrees.
These fish have been hanging around for a little bit and as
result they are a little touchy. We need to fish to these fish very carefully
using good presentation and smaller egg patterns. Once we get some warmer
weather and a little snowmelt, Water flows will increase and the pace of the
fishing on oak Orchard will quickly improve. As always, from this point on water
flow fluctuations is going to be the main contributing factor to the quality of
fishing. As for the surrounding creeks, water flows have been fluctuating a
little bit more. As a result there is a decent number of fish in the system but
they are widely scattered throughout. You’ll need to cover a lot of water to
find a few fish. For now concentrate your efforts the pools and any deep pocket
that you cannot see to the bottom.
The Salmon River has been fishing consistently good, over
the past couple of weeks. As of now water flows are at 750 CFS release from the
dam. There is some runoff mixed in with the flow, however water flows are at a
very comfortable fishing level. Water temperatures remain cold, fluctuating
between 32 to 36 degrees. I anticipate these conditions holding into this
coming week. As always a lower section of the river fishes completely different
than the upper section of the river. Starting with the lower portion of the
Salmon River, steelheads are spread out through this section of the river.
You’ll need to fish fast and cover as much water as possible. Concentrate your
efforts in the main pools, Focusing on the inside soft water, classic winter
water. Even though fish numbers are not as high in this portion of the river,
they generally are more willing to take a fly. The upper river, this is where
the majority of the fish are. Also the majority of the fishing pressure is
located. Normally the steelheads in this
section of river are considerably more difficult to catch. However at this
time, the winter stoneflies are hatching. This stonefly hatch will get the
steelhead eating. The stonefly hatch will
be going for the next 3 to 4 weeks in the upper river. As you can imagine size
10 and 8 Stone fly nymphs in colors dark olive and black are going to be the
flies to fish. I suspect this pattern is going to continue until either water
flows increased due to Snow runoff, Or water temperatures rise into the low 40
degrees and trigger spawning activities.
Note;
We still have plenty of time available for March and in to
May. Please feel free to give me a call so we can discuss your options for the
Springs steelhead fishing cell 585-233-0436
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